Travel Ideas

by: Jakob Jelling

Although it is world wide famous due to its Leaning Tower, the city of Pisa also has many other great attractions and amazing characteristics to offer. Pisa is one of the most important historic Italian areas and one of the most visited year around as well. This city allows tourists to meet buildings which conjugate many different ?poques and artistic currents, such as, for example, Romanesque and Gothic among many others.
Pisa is located towards the western area of Tuscany, and its origins date from as long as 3.000 years ago. During that time, a settlement started being built up at the seaside and gave origin to what today is one of the most famous cities of the world. This way, the historical richness of Pisa is amazing due to its great amount of years and this can be observed in the buildings which have remained through the pass of time and which show the different ?poques through which the city has passed.
Another one of Pisa’s main characteristics is its university, established in the first years of 1340 and world wide known due to its excellence. This way, Pisa is a city which gives main importance to knowledge, science and arts, being up to the date with modern life as well as maintaining some of the characteristics which gave it shape through the pass of time.
The Leaning Tower is located in the northwest area of Pisa, sharing one same area with other important buildings. At this area, known as Campo dei Miracoli, next to the famous Leaning Tower, there are other three great and unique buildings: the Camposanto or Holy Field; the amazing Duomo or Cathedral of Pisa of 1000 years; and the Baptistery or Battisterio of circular shape.
There are several other buildings and interesting areas for visitors to meet in Pisa besides the Campo dei Miracoli. Towards the south side of the city, tourists can visit two interesting museums: the Museo delle Sinopie and the Museo dell’Opera, offering the chance to observe original paintings and sculptures of famous artists from many centuries ago.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of Eurotomic.com. If you’re planning a trip to Italy please go here: http://www.eurotomic.com/italy.php.

by: R. Richmond

The annual Edinburgh Festivals are regarded world wide as some of the best Europe has to offer in terms of film, literature and music. Every year it is estimated that the population of Edinburgh doubles as the city becomes one of the most vibrant places to be in all of Europe. However, despite this worldwide recognition, only a third of the visitors are locals which means many Britons are failing to take advantage of this fantastic short break opportunity available to them right on their doorstep.
Starting in 1947, the Edinburgh Festival has grown into the largest festival in the world of its type. In 2004 there were an amazing 25,000 performances of 1,700 shows in over 230 venues across the city! To give an impression of how gigantic the festival really is, it would have taken over 5 years to see every performance back-to-back in 2004!
Many big names from both sides of the Atlantic have graced the festival throughout the years, such as Robin Williams, Christian Slater, Jude Law and Hugh Grant to name but a few. It is remarkable considering the vast amounts of money that these people can demand for a film role that they would choose such humble surroundings ? but getting back to the roots of their acting careers seems to be the goal and the fresh challenge is one they seem to relish.
This year?s festival is set to be one of the most entertaining in recent years, with a large number of quality plays, concerts, gigs and films set to entertain the masses throughout the duration. One of the most eagerly awaited plays is ?Beyond Midnight? by Diane Samuels ? writer of the popular ?Kindertransport?. Pitched as an adult fairy-tale, the production picks up where Disney left off and follows the trials and tribulations of Cinderella?s daughter, following the death of her mother. While this dark tale is certainly not for children, no Edinburgh Festival would seem complete without a fresh offering from the Trestle Theatre Company.
One film that seems set to make its mark is ?On a Clear Day? which tells the story of a man recently made redundant who decides to focus his life into swimming across the English Channel. Starring Peter Mullan and Brenda Blethyn the film can certainly draw parallels with the Full Monty (another Edinburgh Festival hit) and certainly seems to be the next worldwide British blockbuster.
In terms of music, Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish band making waves and their festival appearance at Prince?s Street Gardens is eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike. Perhaps the main reason for this is it will be one of the first opportunities to hear the band?s new work from their new album ? ?You Could Have it So Much Better…With Franz Ferdinand? ? set to be released in September 2005.
With so much going on in the city there really couldn?t be a better time to visit for a few days. However, despite numbers increasing steadily throughout the years it is amazing that more Britons do not choose Edinburgh as a short break destination at this time of year. Accommodation can certainly be hard to come by but hotel specialist companies such as http://www.superbreak.com always have a range of excellent deals in city hotels for those looking to spend a weekend in Scotland?s Capital.
In many ways the situation mirrors visitor patterns in London?s West End. For years American and Japanese tourists realised that the quality of venues and shows available in London were amongst the best in the world ? it just seemed to take locals longer to take advantage of its wonders. However, this trend is certainly reversing and, buoyed by high profile shows such as ?Billy Elliot?, London?s West End is proving extremely popular with Britons looking for an event driven short break.
For further listings on all aspects of the Edinburgh Festival try these helpful websites - http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk and http://www.edfringe.com.

About The Author

R. Richmond
Edinburgh based travel writer and webmaster of http://www.travel-tips.co.uk
rachel@bigmouthmedia.com

by: James “Doc” Lewis

As the owner/operator of a full service boat detailing-yacht maintenance business I can’t help but chuckle sometimes at seeing the extremes that otherwise bright, intelligent, successful, people will go to in a misguided attempt to save a few dollars.
One of the biggest mistakes that we see is that people will decide to sell their boat without first having her completely detailed.
According to Rob Scanlan, a well known and respected Master Marine Surveyor;
“Detailing a boat is the single most important investment of time, energy and money a seller can make because a clean and shiny boat sells faster and for a lot more money. I strongly recommended that a seller enlist professional assistance to do a quality job.”
yacht1ship@aol.com (Email)

www.mastermarinesurveyor.com (Web site)
We at BoatDocs1, do a lot of work here on the Emerald Coast with local yacht brokers and know what the standards are for a “ready to show” boat. These professionals know that the cosmetic appearance says everything to the prospective buyer as to the overall care and maintenance that the previous owner has given the yacht. Add to that the universal wisdom about first impressions and it’s not hard to see the importance of this vital first step.
Even if you intend to do most of the work yourself we can offer the expertise to assure that your time and money are spent wisely. Our trained eyes will often pick up the little details that only a prospective buyer would notice and likely balk at.
Here is an outline of the standard procedures we use when preparing a yacht to be put up for sale:
1. Thoroughly Wash and Dry the Boat

Note: For this part, pay attention to everything you see and unless your memory is a lot better than mine, make notes on a piece of paper for later.

Wash and chamois-dry your boat top to bottom including transom.
clean Isenglass and other ports/windows
wipe down and dress all aluminum/stainless
clean and dress vinyl seats
wipe down fly bridge and cockpit
vacuum exterior carpet
clean and dress nonskid

2. Stand Back and Survey the Boat

Note: Bring your list and organize it with the following outline

* Put yourself in the buyers shoes, be critical, the buyer will.

Is it shiny? It’s the first thing most people notice.
What about the smell? People have a way of getting used to almost anything. Get a second opinion and see the hint below.
Is all hardware intact and presentable? Just because you’ve used that broken table for years and are rather fond of it, to anyone else, it’s just a broken table.
What about dings, any damage to the fiberglass? Aside from the fact that broken gelcoat can let water into the core of the lay-up and delaminate the fiberglass, it just plain looks BAD.
What about rust? You are probably thinking right now; (what’s a little rust on a boat?) Let me tell you. A little rust on a boat is a sure sign that the owner let’s little things go by unnoticed and if there is one thing there are always more. What about oil changes? I wonder if he flushed out the outboard after use? The object of this little exercise is to make the boat look like you are conscientious and a stickler for having everything perfectly “SHIP SHAPE.”
One more little tip that you have probably already thought of. Take a look around the boat and remove EVERYTHING that isn’t part of the boat.
EXAMPLE:

Engine controls, compass, life jackets, flare kit, and a first aid kit ARE part of the boat. Knick-knacks, fishing tackle, cutesy wall plaques, and half full paint cans are NOT part of the boat-and look tacky. A few cleaning supplies, in their own locker is probably all right as long as they’re kept neat and clean.
Make a list of things that need attention, and get it taken care of. A few dollars spent now will pay back in spades when the time comes to show your boat. Anything that isn’t right will stick out like the proverbial sore thumb, be noticed and start the price spiraling down. (if it doesn’t just send them scurrying off shaking their heads)
Hint: If you are not a woman reading this and don’t have a wife of your own, ask your mother or sister, or see if a friend will loan you his for a few minutes. For some reason women can smell things that a man would never notice. You may think that men buy boats but in my experience they buy the boats their women like. Along this same line, pay particular attention to the cabin and heads.

3. Prioritize the Job
With your list you are in good shape to decide what needs to be done and whether or not you want to do the work yourself or have it done by a professional.
Most of the professional yacht maintenance companies we are familiar with, would be happy to take a look and give you an estimate of what it will cost to have the work done right. We can do part of the job, for example the compounding/polishing and will gladly help you choose the best wax to finish the job yourself.
What about those little chips and dings in the gelcoat?
Many books have been written on fiberglass repair and it isn’t the intent of this article to cover the subject in any depth but many small repairs are well within the reach of a fairly skilled do-it-yourselfer. Like anything else though, if you have never done it before, “consult an expert.”
I’ve been building and repairing in fiberglass since I was 14 and while the first wooden boat I glassed was water tight and lasted a good many years, it was far from pretty. The small investment you lay out for expert repair now will pay big dividends when your boat sells at the price you want.
In the Emerald Coast region the standard fees for compound/waxing run between $15.00/ft. and $18.00/ft. for the topside (rub-rail up) which includes a thorough cleaning and treatment of the vinyl, windows, isenglass, and metal. In other words, for the price of doing the “hard” part we’ll detail the entire topsides and leave it in “ready-to-show” condition. Hulls (rub-rail down) run about $8.00/ft. but, of course, the boat must be out of the water in order to do it. (This walking on water with a hi-speed electric buffer in hand is still beyond me, but I’ll let you know;-)
Fiberglass repair runs from $45.00 to $65.00 per hour and in general as with most everything else, one gets what one pays for. The up side to this is that when approached in a professional manner the dents and dings of ten years hard use can be repaired and made to look like new in an amazingly short time.
All too often we have seen people save $300.00 or $400.00 on a detail only to loose $Thousands$ on what their boat could have sold for. Then too, our local marinas are clogged with many examples of boats with “For Sale” signs which were never given the least bit of attention to make the passer by want to stop and think, “Hey, I wonder what it would be like to call that boat mine.” Some of these boats have sat for years when all they ever really needed was a little T.L.C.
I remember, years ago, someone saying something about being penny wise and pound foolish? Let’s not let them be saying that about us.

About The Author

James “Doc” Lewis has been “messin about in boats” for as long as he can remember. He is owner/operator of BoatDocs1, a full-service boat detailing-yacht maintenance business serving the Emerald Coast region of Florida. To learn more about boats and keeping them looking their best visit his website at: http://www.boatdocs1.com/

Mexico is often referred to as a vacation “hotspot.”  The popularity of Mexico has led to an increase in the amount of tourists that visit the area.  To cater to tourists, of all financial standings, a number of popular resorts have developed all-inclusive vacation packages.

Each year, more Mexico resorts make the decision to develop all-inclusive packages. For many, these packages are a great way to save money.  If you are interested in saving money while vacationing in Mexico, you may want to consider staying at an all-inclusive Mexico resort. Below is a summary of five of the most popular and top rated resorts.

1. The Moon Palace Resort is located in Cancun. This all-inclusive resort is owned and operated by Palace Resorts, which operates multiple resorts throughout the Cancun area.  Upscale hotel accommodations are ideal for those planning a business trip or a romantic getaway. While the upscale hotel accommodations may leave you feeling like the resort is only for those without children, it is not.  The Moon Palace resort is open to adults and children, of all ages.  Popular onsite activities include swimming, golfing, exercising, drinking, and socializing.  Whether you are taking a romantic vacation, a family vacation, or you are on your honeymoon, the Moon Palace will be able to accommodate you.
2. The Sunscape Tulum Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort is located in the Maya Rivera. The resort is said to be one of the most beautiful resorts in all of Mexico.  Unlike many resorts that have limited hours on the use of all-inclusive purchases, the Sunscape Tulum Riviera Maya does not. Most onsite facilities are open all day and night. If you are interested in scheduling a romantic vacation then the Sunscape Tulum Riviera Maya may be just what you are looking for.  The coastal views, obtainable from most rooms, create an exotic and romantic environment.  In addition to romantic adventures, the Sunscape Tulum Riviera Maya is also an ideal location for family vacations. There is no age limit in place and a large number of “kid friendly,” activities and facilities can be found nearby.
3. The Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa is located in Puerto Vallarta. This all-inclusive resort is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.  As with many beachside resorts, the Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa is ideal for romantic getaways and family vacations. If you are interested in booking at stay at this all-inclusive resort, you will find a number of onsite activities and facilities that make your vacation enjoyable. Amazing restaurants, a fitness center, a spa, and kid-focused facilities are open for daily and sometimes nighttime use.  Located within a short distance from the local airport, you may find yourself not needing to travel anywhere else.
4. Secrets Excellence Rivera Cancun is located in Cancun.  Unlike the above mentioned resorts, this all-inclusive resort has an adults only policy.  With beautiful costal scenery and the lack of children, Secrets Excellence Rivera Cancun is known as one of the best places to schedule your next romantic getaway. Located close to the beach, Secrets Excellence Rivera Cancun offers a wide range of beach activities.  Popular activities include swimming, boating, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Elegant and romantic dining restaurants and bars, along with a spa, can be found onsite.  For an exciting, yet romantic getaway, Secrets Excellence Rivera Cancun may have everything that you need and want to get out of your Mexico vacation.
5. The Adventure Spa Palace Resort is located along the Riviera Maya.  This all-inclusive resort is ideal for those wishing to experience a romantic vacation in Mexico.  As with the Secrets Excellence Rivera, the Adventure Spa Palace Resort only caters to those that are adults.  To vacation at this popular resort, you must be at least eighteen years of age. The atmosphere created at the Adventure Spa Palace is something that many can only imagine. All rooms have a view of the ocean and in room Jacuzzi s make the Adventure Spa Palace one of the most sought after resorts in the area.  Dining in upscale restaurants, relaxing by the beach, or snorkeling tours are enjoyed by many.

The above mentioned all-inclusive vacation resorts are just a few of the many that can be found in Mexico.  Each resort is likely to have different rules and restrictions in place.  To make the most out of your all-inclusive vacation, you are encouraged to research these rules and restrictions before you make your reservations.

by: linda grossman and evelyn roth

?Plastic? objects are part of our history. These items represent a significant example of Americana. The Smithsonian, the Museum of Modern Art and the Philadelphia Museum all include ?plastics? in their collections.
You do not have to go to a museum to enjoy seeing and collecting ?plastic? items. The primary goal of the new movement, in the 1930?s and 40?s, was to provide less expensive, decorative, and useful items in the home, using machines to create and service the large population.
It created an enormous variety of both functional and decorative high and low cost objects for the home which are sought after by collectors today. Antique plastic is not a contradiction of terms ? plastics have been around in synthetic form for well over 100 years making them a true antique.
BAKELITE was developed by Dr. Leo Baekeland in 1907 and was originally intended as an insulator for electricity, and is not quite 100 years old. Besides Bakelite jewelry, Bakelite has brought us items such as radios, kitchenware, flatware, clocks, Bakelite handled utensils, telephones, salt and pepper shakers, etc. The list of items boggle the mind and keeps increasing the pleasure it brings to the collector of any or all of the above.
When to decide to collect Bakelite? Colors, design and style are no doubt what will attract you initially. The broad pallet of Bakelite enables today?s collector to enjoy both nostalgia and utility. For example, your eye catches a set of red plastic canisters ? and it becomes a ?look? in your kitchen, which can be followed for a search for a set of Bakelite Flatware for your dining experience. Above all, you are buying what you like and at the same time buying items of value. The value increases as authentic examples of an era diminish in supply. Collecting is a tangible, you had fun finding it and have the pleasure of the item in your home.
The term ?streamlined? appeared in magazines and illustrations of the day, to describe the design that set this era apart. Cocktail shakers, some accentuated with Bakelite, Bakelite napkin rings, drink stirrers, fruit knives, etc., were all part of the scene - the streamlined Bakelite radio playing popular songs of the day. This is now what collectors seek to continue to enhance the look of the era that has now become an important part of their lives.
We advise collectors of Antique and Vintage Bakelite items for their home, to buy what gives them pleasure and don?t be afraid to set an eclectic table ? utensils and flatware do not have to match nor do they have to be the same color. Buy ?orphaned? pieces of Bakelite flatware to create a bright and colorful look ? all that matters is what appeals to you, the collector.
Be certain, that in order to assure the continuance of this search for Antique and Vintage Bakelite for the home, one has to always be certain of where and from whom these items are being purchased, and buy from reputable and knowledgeable dealers.
At our shop Evelynne?s Oldies But Goodies at Ruby Lane, we have been dealing in and have an expertise in the field of Antique and Vintage Bakelite for well over 20 years. Please stop by and enjoy our selection of all things bakelite, including Bakelite household items, which include utensils, flatware, etc.
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/evelynnesoldiesbutgoodies

About The Author

My mom and I have been vintage Bakelite dealers for over 20 years - with shop and show experience and now in an online shop for over 2 years - dealing in vintage Bakelite Jewelry, Bakelite Flatware and Kitchenware.
stevestamp@aol.com

by: Herman Nuncrush

Florida bound the wife and our seven children are getting excited about travelling to Kissimmee just by Walt Disney World USA.
We were in the USA in late January and the begining of February.
It was our first time, but we cannot wait to ge back to the sunshine having endured the snow and thoroughly inclement weather here in the UK.
It is our intention to purchase a vacation rental home in the area, hopefully in the Emerald Island Resort or Formosa Gardens, we did have a sneak preview of these two subdivisions whilst there before. Strategically placed just 5 minutes from the Disney theme parks and approx 20 mins from the other major attractions of Sea World and Universal Studios and Islands od Adventure. We used the villa site of Fabvillas who can be found on http://www.fabvillas.com the staff there knew we hadnt travelled to the USA before and made every effort to make sure our trip went without a hitch.
I am not sure what the procedure is when buying a house in the USA but I expect I will be guided by an estate agent or whatever they may be called in America.
Once we buy the house we will need to get some furniture but that will give us an excuse to stay longer. May in Florida is supposed to be very pleasant, so will try to hang it out for the full 90 days allowed on the visa.
I hope that we will be able to rent out the house when we are not using it. Everybody else seems to be doing it.

About The Author

Herman Nuncrush

I am 57 years old and a retired shellfish owner/salesman. Having been involved in the fish game for 30 years. Winkles and whelks being tha main stay of the business. I decided to retire and travel the world. Married to Minnie for 20 years and we have 7 wonderful children.

Secret Resorts in Germany ? A Checklist to Find Them ? Part 2 of 4

by: Marcus Hochstadt

In the first part I went into details of the environment of Secret Resorts. I told you how it should be in terms of building deep relaxing and precious moments.
In this second part you will go to find out why it is important to look at the age and condition of your prospective Wellness Hotel.
Step 2 — Age and condition of Secret Resorts
Often in pictures it is difficult to recognize how the condition of the Secret Resorts is. Like I already mentioned, in the high polish brochures you see the most beautiful pictures. The Hotel shows up from its most beautiful side. Often they do not show the reality which you find locally. Sometimes the pictures are so old that they hush up the current condition of the hotel.
It is absolutely disappointing when you arrive expectantly at the Secret Resorts of your choice and discover how filthy and old the equipments are. In a smeared bath tub it does not relax so well as in a new, shining bath tub, right?
Okay. And how do you find out now whether the Secret Resorts corresponds to your high expectations?
?Find out when the Secret Resorts was reconditioned the last time.
In any case it should have been reconditioned within the last ten, better six years.
If it were reconditioned for example in the year 1984, you surely won’t just find old bath tubs, but in vain you are looking for a Wellness Paradise (what I mean by Wellness Paradise? More on this later).
On the other hand if the Secret Resorts was reconditioned however in the last five years, the probability is huge that you find everything you need for a relaxing and restful stay.
Why? Look, if it were reconditioned five years ago, the owner of the hotel will have made sure that he let insert the most modern devices and bath tubs. Five years ago there were very efficient and effective Wellness devices (e.g. Sauna, Whirlpools, etc.). The owner of the Secret Resorts who reconditioned recently wants to guarantee that they spoil their guests. They invest into their business and future.
I do not want to claim that all owners of Secret Resorts who reconditioned 20 years ago are not ready to invest into their future. Some of them just have no money for it. And why do they not have the money? Because they have too few guests thus too little sales. And why do they have too little guest/sales?
One reason: their devices are too old.
You see, it is a vicious circle. Not every owner of a Secret Resorts is at the same time also an entrepreneur. Some just did not learn how to deal with the needs of their guests. That is it, what I meant above with ’service desert’ ; -)
So make sure that the Secret Resorts of your desire were reconditioned recently. Your stay will run multiple more fascinating.
Anyway, this was the second part of my checklist to find the Secret Resorts in Germany. In the next two parts I will go in details to the wellness sector and the hotel classifications.
Enjoy your trip!
Marcus Hochstadt
© Copyright www.smart-travel-germany.com, All Rights Reserved
You may use this article in its entirety with the Author Bio and links.

About The Author

Marcus Hochstadt travels extensively to countries, continents and Germany itself as a sales manager and entrepreneur since more than 14 years. He knows in almost each German city the points of real interest. In his free monthly Special Report at http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/smart-travel-guide.html he reveales more valuable insider tips and travel secrets.

by: Sheldon Hey

Coral reefs around the world are under siege - FACT. Threats from over-fishing, urban coastal encroachment and rising sea temperatures are destroying sensitive corals and devastating the marine life they support.
According to The United Nations, in the last four years ten percent of the world’s reefs have died, and nearly a quarter are sick and suffering. Think about that for a second. More than half of the living reefs are seriously threatened, and scientists estimate that if today’s trends continue mankind will cause the irreversible loss of reef formations and related fish species within 40 years.
Fortunately, there is a growing dedicated global effort to reversing this decline and to finding new - and sustainable - ways to manage the last of Earth’s remaining coral reefs. Here are some reef facts for you to consider:

Coral reefs are home to more than 25 percent of all marine life - yet occupy less than one percent of the ocean floors.
Coral reefs have been around 100 million years and are the largest living structures on earth. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is more than 2,000 km long and can be seen from outer space.
Scientists have found as many as 3,000 different species living on one reef in Indonesia.
Coral reefs protect shorelines from erosion and storm damage. Without reefs, many islands, in the Banda Sea for example, and low lying mainland would be underwater.
Coral reefs are a tremendous medical resource, providing chemical compounds used in antihistamines, antibiotics and other medications for illnesses ranging from asthma to leukaemia and heart disease. Indeed, more than half of all new cancer drug research focuses on marine organisms.
More than 350 million people worldwide depend on corals for food and survival.
Corals are animals-not rocks or plants-and they come in two types, hard and soft.
Some deep water corals grow very slowly-as little as 30 cm in 1,000 years, while some shallow water corals may grow up to 15 cm per year.
Corals need very specific conditions to survive - a narrow range of water temperatures, access to sunlight and low pollution levels.
More than 14 million hectares/35 million acres of coral reefs have been destroyed by human activity - 10 percent of the world’s reefs have died during the last four years alone, a number that could rise to 20-30 percent by 2010 without immediate and decisive action to preserve and sustain those that are left.

There are a number of reef threats one has to be aware of. These include the following:

Global warming is perhaps the most serious threat to healthy coral reefs. Scientists expect sea temperatures to rise several degrees in the next 20 years. When water temperatures get too high, corals turn white or bleach and eventually die.
More than 75 percent of the earth’s people live in coastal areas, bringing to pristine coral reefs such threats as over-fishing, pollution and direct physical damage. Asia’s population is expected to double in the next 25 years - the threat of further reef over-exploitation grows as well.
Fishing with explosives, as in Burma and Thailand, and poisons in Indonesia not only kills fish but reefs as well. In the Philippines, about 180,000 kg of cyanide is dumped into the ocean each year, badly degrading local reefs.
Sedimentation caused by run-off from poorly planned and managed construction, logging or mining, muddy reef waters with silt, cutting them off from the sunlight they need to survive. There are now no coastal reefs remaining in Phuket.
Water pollution from sewage, oil and other chemicals can poison coral reefs. Ordinary rubbish dumped in the ocean can also kill coral reef life - plastic bags have been found in the stomachs of reef fish and turtles. Both these degrading activities are taking place in Phi Phi Islands.
Coastal development, which involves altering coastline habitats and the cutting of mangrove forests, also threatens the ocean’s fragile ecosystem. The small group of Thailand Dugongs is under serious threat at Koh Turatao due to this very problem.

About The Author

Sheldon Hey is the founder of Dive The World (http://www.DiveTheWorldThailand.com) and has been an passionate scuba diving professional for many years. Sheldon and the Dive The World Team would love to share their experience with you to ensure your next diving trip meets all your expectations.
Sheldon@Dive-The-World.com

Mexico’s Riviera Maya: The New Caribbean Vacation Hotspot

by: Barry deCocq

Travelers who are looking for a fantastic all-inclusive resort destination that is priced far below most tropical destinations in and around the Caribbean should look into Mexico?s Riviera Maya. This area has fast become a very popular tropical vacation getaway for travelers from around the world. The Riviera Maya is located on the Caribbean side of Mexico and encompasses the stretch of coastline ranging from about 5 miles to 60 miles south of Cancun.
Don?t be misled into thinking that because you fly into Cancun to get to the Riviera Maya that it is anything like Cancun and its spring break, party-like atmosphere?it is far from it. The Riviera Maya has been set aside by the Mexican government as a semi-protected area, and as such it cannot become the touristy, high-rise resort type of destination you find in the Cancun hotel zone. Resorts can only be built 3-stories or less in height and they have to be constructed to embrace the surrounding vegetation, wildlife, and topography. It is a much more family-friendly and romantic vacation destination.
Resorts in the Riviera Maya are primarily all-inclusive properties. Because of the remote locations of many of the properties there are very few offsite dining areas. All-inclusive resorts give the traveler the benefit of having everything paid for prior to their arrival. All meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), non-motorized watersports, and other amenities are included in package prices. The more upscale all-inclusive resorts of 4-star and higher quality typically have many different restaurant options ranging from buffet to world-class a la carte cuisine?.all-included! Some of the more popular resort chains in the Riviera Maya include Iberostar Resorts, Palace Resorts, and Secrets Resorts & Spas. Resorts run anywhere from more family-related types of properties or resorts for the budget-minded to very upscale adults-only spa resorts.
One of the best reasons to choose the Mexico Riviera Maya for your next vacation is not just for the superb quality resorts and great value, but also for the fantastic tours and excursions that are available in around the Yucatan Peninsula region. This area is teeming with Mayan ruins and ancient architecture that are very popular with tourists. The most majestic of the local Mayan ruins are the pyramids of Chichen Itza. These incredibly preserved pyramids date back to 400AD and this awe-inspiring tour will leave with you many wonderful memories. There are many other Mayan ruins tours you can take as well. In addition to ruins you can also experience many eco-based tours that take you to game and marine preserves where you will find amazing wildlife and snorkeling that is nothing short of amazing. Another popular day-trip for those staying in the Riviera Maya region is the island of Cozumel. You can reach this quaint island by ferry from the town of Playa del Carmen located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. It is a short 45 minute ferry ride and once there you will find duty-free shopping, great dining, and some of the world?s best SCUBA diving and snorkeling.
If you have taken tropical vacations in the Caribbean or Hawaii and are looking for a new destination to go to the Riviera Maya is an excellent choice that will definitely impress and have you ready to come back to again and again.

About The Author

Barry deCocq is a co-owner and managing director of Tropical Sands Vacations (http://www.tropicalSands.com), a discount Mexico and Caribbean travel brokerage specializing in all-inclusive resorts. Contact at info@tropicalsands.com.
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