Beach Vacation Ideas

Nothing in the world beats a family beach vacation, whether it's at a deluxe resort in Hawaii, and all-inclusive vacation spot in the Caribbean or a simple campground on a sandy beach near your home town. Beach vacations are one of the top travel destinations many people choose for their family vacation.

Below, are some beach vacation ideas you might consider for your next family vacation:

Caribbean Beach Vacations

1. Families flock to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic for the all-inclusive vacation filled with all kinds of water sports, kids clubs and, of course, great beaches.

2. At some resorts the kids programs are outstanding, with separate leaders and activities for many different age groups. This allows parents the freedom to enjoy their own beach time separately from their kids.

3. The majority of hotels in the Caribbean also offer spectacular swimming pools, and some resorts even have water parks.

4. The prices can be low to high, depending on the resort rating and the time you travel. Prices will drop from May to December, but if you book at the last minute you are sure to find a great deal somewhere. Be aware that hurricane season is in the May - December months as well, but most resorts offer weather guarantees.

Mexico Beach Vacation

Even though many tourists zip down to Mexico and do their own thing at a condo or small hotel, beach vacations at all-inclusive resorts are still the best way to go for families. All-inclusive means all-inclusive, with your plane fare, shuttle to-and-from the airport, meals, snacks, drinks and activities all included in one price.

The Riviera Maya, which offer the best of Mexico’s beaches, is an hour south of Cancun. It is reputed to have the second largest barrier reef in the world. It also has many activities for families to explore outside of the resort. You can rent a car, hire a taxi, or even take a public bus.

Hawaii Beach Vacation

When you go to Hawaii, you shouldn't expect to find all inclusive resorts in the Aloha state. Hawaii is known for lush luxury resorts, such as the Grand Wailea on Maui, or the properties on the Big Island's Kohala Coast.

To find more affordable options in Hawaii, the Waikiki Beach area is breathtaking, fun for the entire family, and offers several different lodging options.

Beach Camping

Of course, the above are beach vacations that you have to travel a far distance to. You can also enjoy the beaches in your own area. Beach camping is a great way to spend a low-budget beach vacation for the whole family. You simply have to take your tent and camping equipment and enjoy the great outdoors.

With plenty of options available to you and your family vacation ideas on the beach are always something to look forward to. There are many beaches out there. All you have to do is find the one that fits your needs - and your budget.

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Vacationing in the Fall

If you are one of the lucky people who are flexible in their vacation times, taking a fall vacation can mean a great bargain for you. There are often a number travel deals that you can take advantage for the best use of your vacation dollars. Many of the top summer destinations usually become great fall bargains. The weather is usually still pleasant (maybe even a little better without the really hot humidity) and the crowds have dissipated. Why not take a look at Cape Cod or Martha's Vineyard during this time of year. Or Hawaii is typically a bargain in September.

Europe may be a bargain during this time too. Many European cities are empty of the summer tourist crowds and are hungry for visitors. The weather can be great too. Look for special deals on packages that combine airfare, hotel and transfers along with a tour or two. Even colder European destinations can be a special bargain so look for great deals to Russia and Scandinavia around this time of year.

Another great idea for a wonderful fall vacation is to look for repositioning cruises. This is when cruises lines move their ships around from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean to follow the sun worshiping crowds. Most Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean and Bermuda cruises, for instance, are offered in the summer when the weather is the best in those regions. For cruises to South America, the preferred time is winter (our winter, when it's summertime in the southern hemisphere). The Caribbean is warm year-round, though since hurricane season stretches from June through November, the optimal time to cruise the islands is winter and spring, though many ships are there year-round. In Asia, since much of the cruising region is near or just north of the equator, temperatures are very warm year round, though the wintertime months are slightly more comfortable.

To be in all of these places at the right time, ships reposition from one region to another, typically between seasons, during the months of September and October and April and May. The repositioning ships’ cruises are often deeply discounted because most don't include a whole lot of port calls. Many are two to three weeks in length, with a long, lazy stretch at sea crossing the Atlantic, Pacific or Indian oceans—perfect for people who just want to relax.

If you are one of those lucky people who can take their vacation in the fall, you can certainly see that there are a lot of vacation options that can save you money big time. If you are short on vacation dollars, vacationing in the fall with one of the above options may give you the wonderful vacation experience you are looking for.

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Cruise Vacations Tips

Here are a few cruise tips for first time cruisers. You can have a wonderful cruise vacation if you apply these cruise tips to your cruise vacation. Avoid the headaches and ensure you have a fun, rewarding stress-free cruise vacation.

1. Packing Tips for First Time Cruise Vacationers

Include all your medications, a first aid kit, and sea sickness medications in your carry on bag to have on hand when you (or if) you need them. It is advisable to take only one credit card with you--you really only need one. Leave the rest at home. Pack with comfort in mind--casual clothes mostly (and don't forget your swimsuit). Your ship may also offer one or two formal nights so you should include at least one or two outfits for evening wear.

2. Essential Documents for Cruisers

You will need to take your passport so that you can visit the different ports your cruise itinaray includes. You may also need to have different visas, depending on the ports your ship stops at (check with your travel agent if you are not sure if a visa is needed). You also need your pre-boarding pass, which you should receive and complete to boarding the ship. A good tip for first time cruisers is to take along a photocopy of your passport and to leave copies of your passport, airline tickets, and credit card information with a friend or family member at home.

3. Choosing Your Shipboard Cabin

One of the best choices for cabins is always an outside cabin. Especially if you suffer from claustrophobia, it is wise to avoid an interior room as these have no windows and the room sizes are smaller. If you think you may get seasick easily then you should choose a lower cabin near the center of the ship because there is less rocking motion of the ship.

4. Airline Connections for Your Cruise

If at all possible, schedule your flight for a day earlier than your ship leaves. If that is not possible, you should schedule your flight to your embarking destination at least four hours before the ship leaves. You should arrive at your embarkation area at least two hours before the ship is due to depart. And when booking your return flight, avoid booking it before 2:00 p.m. to give yourself ample time to catch the plane home.

5. Cruising Embarkation Tips

NEVER place your documentation (Passport, visas, etc.) in your checked baggage. You will need it for check in. Your checked luggage will be transferred to the ship and placed outside your room. Remember that this sometimes takes a few hours. You can use the time to wander around and get to know the ship.

6. Essential Debarkation Tips

The night before your cruise ends, you will be supplied with custom forms left in your room for you to fill out, as well as color-coded tags. Pack your bags on the last night of your cruise and leave them outside your door. You will be called the next morning according to your color coded luggage tags. Remember to keep your carry-on luggage with you (with your medications and travel documents. You should also settle all your accounts before leaving the ship. This includes any expenses you put on your account (for liquor, drinks or other purchases).

The above are just a few tips for you to follow to make your cruise an enjoyable one. One last tip --> Most drinks on cruise ships are not included and you have to pay extra for them. These drinks are usually put on your tab and you must pay for them at the end of your cruise vacation. Remember when ordering that this tab can add up to quite a hefty bill if you are not careful. Be aware of this when you are drinking aboard ship.

Follow these tips and enjoy your cruise vacation!

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Travellers will love the new ebook "Tastes and Travels" It combines destination reviews with food culture and recipes.

The destinations cover lots of Caribbean locations (along with a couple of other locations around the world) with a load of information on what to do and what is exciting. Then the book goes onto to the food culture in that destination...and gives great-tasting recipes for you to try at home!

There are even some general articles on cruising and travel tips, as well as articles on cooking tips.

Would you like to learn about Jamaica? How about the Cayman Islands? Or how about Panama? Would you like to find out about Italian cuisine and then find recipes like Italian Wedding Soup or Stuffed Eggplant? Would you like to know how to make Curry Goat or Cuban Pork with Mango Salsa (from Cuba)? Would like to learn travel tips like "Purchasing Art on Vacation" or "Travelling with Kids"? All this is found in this new ebook...and much more!

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Traveling to Naples, Florida

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When traveling to Florida most people think of Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Disney. But there are other great places to visit in Florida and Naples is one of them. Naples is located on the Gulf of Mexico and is an area where nature abounds alongside its cosmopolitan core.

Beach and sun lovers can relax on over seven miles of Naples’ spectacular white sand beaches. They can soak up the tropical sun, frolic in the turquoise Gulf waters or dolphin watch off the long Pier.

Golf and sports enthusiasts will love Naples too. Naples offers the highest ratio of golf courses per capita within the United States, with over 35 golf courses in the area. Major state, national and professional golf tournaments have been held here for decades and well-known golfers like Jack Nicholas and Arnold Palmer have been known to frequent Naples’ courses. And, what may be a bonus to some or an obstacle to others, is the wildlife one can see while playing golf here as eagles, osprey, alligators and other wildlife abound.

Naples also offers surprisingly good tennis opportunities for the avid tennis player as well. There is year-round sailing, jet skiing, boating and wind-surfing. And with so much of Naples’ activities centered on the water, fishing plays a major role in Naples’ attraction. The tourist has the option of leisurely throwing their line off the newly-remodeled Pier or charting a boat for and exciting day of deep-sea fishing.

Although Naples offers an abundance of cultural activities in its metropolitan area, with the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Pelican Bay, the Naples Playhouse, dinner theatres, open air concerts and the like, being right next door to the Everglades offers tourists a wealth of opportunity to view nature.

There are several excursions and safaris into the Everglades that begin in Naples. The tourist can take in the wild mangroves and delight in the viewing of alligators, manatees, dolphins, bears and a never-ending array of birds on their airboat tour. They can visit Big Cypress State Reserve or the Everglades National Park, which is home of the world’s largest mangrove park. Or they can stop at Museum of the Everglades or the Smallwood Museum for a cultural bend to their nature experience.

The shopping in Naples also won’t leave the serious shopper wanting. There are several select shopping centers with fashionable shops, art galleries and bistros, and the downtown shopping is within walking distance to the beach. And every spring Naples holds the Naples Spring Arts Festival where artists from far and wide exhibit and sell their works.

Naples is a place that appears to have everything going for it. Tourists will not be left wanting when they visit Naples, whether they are looking for a relaxing beach experience, an activity filled vacation or a nature escape. Visit Naples soon and see for yourself what others are raving about.

Visiting Jamaica

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Jamaica is one of the most beautiful of the Caribbean Islands, as you will see if you ever are fortunate enough to vacation there. Their beautiful white sand beaches and distinct Island culture make it a place worth visiting.

The tranquil beaches surrounded by crystal clear ocean waters make it an ideal spot for sun-lovers and water sport enthusiasts alike. The visitor can indulge in fishing, wind surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, or swimming. They can hire fishing boats or sailboats for further adventure, or there are also many other attractions that can keep the Jamaican vacationer happy.

Evening entertainment offers fine dining at your resort, or more leisurely choices at local bars, roadside stands or hotspots. Of course, trying the spicy local flavours that Jamaica is famous for, such as jerk pork, curry chicken or a hot Jamaican Pattie, is not to be missed. They also offer wonderful seafood dishes, from lobster to crab delicacies. Try them all, and follow it up with a smooth rum punch made with true Jamaican rum.

Nightlife in Jamaica is certainly ‘hopping’ with their unique reggae music. Vacationers can sway to and fro to the beat of famous Jamaican artists like Bob Marley at the local bars and nightclubs.

Meeting people in Jamaica is easy because of their warm, friendly people. Jamaican’s come from a rich, diverse culture blended from around the world. Their motto “Out of Many, One People” sums it all up. The language spoken in Jamaica is English, but you will often hear slang or “Patois” which often sounds like a foreign language. The commonly heard phrase of “Irie mon” simply means everything is cool or good.

Jamaica has its own currency, the Jamaican Dollar, but US money is widely accepted.

The best tourist spots to visit are on the north coast. Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are the most popular, but Negril, which is located on the west coast, is also widely visited. A must-see in Ocho Rios is the famous Dunn’s River Falls, where visitors, lead by a Jamaican guide, can climb up a series of cascading falls. The location is certainly picturesque and vacationers can have fun experiencing the adventure of the climb.

Montego Bay, Jamaica’s second largest city and the original tourist hotspot, also features many attractions for visitors. They offer plantation tours, one of which is to the great Wyndham Rose Hall Plantation, and bamboo river rafting. There is charter fishing, cycling, golfing, horseback riding, scuba diving, or many other vacation activities, as well as the gorgeous beaches.

Negril has a wide expanse of pure white sand beaches perfect for lounging in the sun. It has been labelled the “Capital of Casual” and some of the beaches are even clothing-optional. Scuba diving in Negril is said to be Jamaica’s best, but other visitors can enjoy deep-sea fishing, parasailing, glass bottom boat trips, catamaran cruises or other water activities. And, an exciting place for visitors is the famous Rick’s Café where you can relax with a drink and watch the cliff divers, or better yet, be more adventurous and brave the cliffs yourself.

Visiting Jamaica’s sparkling azure waters and beautiful white sand beaches is a must on any vacationer’s agenda. And, experiencing the unique culture of this Caribbean Island is one a tourist will not easily forget.

Choosing a Family Cruise

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Cruising doesn’t have to be just for singles or adults. There are many cruise lines that offer many amenities geared towards families with children, and even some cruise lines (like Disney) that are especially geared to children. In fact, most cruise lines welcome families with children. Cruise ships can be an ideal setting for a family vacation.

Be aware, however, in some cases, traveling with infants or pregnant women may be subject to some restrictions. Some cruise lines may require a physician’s letter to state that the mother-to-be or baby are in good health and fit to travel, or that the pregnancy is not high-risk. Other cruise lines may have age restrictions for infants, or restrictions on the mother’s gestation time. It is best to check the guidelines for the ship you wish to travel on before booking.

Cruising today can offer families a lot of bang for their buck while vacationing. Many ships are designed with kid-friendly facilities and services in mind. Many have supervised activities for children, dedicated children’s areas, children-only swimming pools, and special counselors and babysitting services that allow parents kid-free time for themselves. Some ships even have youth programs for older children, with planned activities to help them meet other children their own age. Some ships even have special age-appropriate discos for traveling youth.

The cruise ships of today have numerous activities aboard that children love. They have swimming pools and water slides, movie theatres, bowling alleys, skating rinks, rock climbing walls, etc. as well as games, craft lessons, and other activities for children. Parents will not find it difficult to keep their children happy and occupied on any cruise ship.

Food aboard a cruise ship is also family and kid-friendly. While parents can enjoy a gourmet filet mignon and a vintage glass of wine, it isn’t hard for a child to find a slice of pizza or a plate of French Fries to munch on. Food variety onboard a ship is indeed vast. And, children can eat as much or as little as they want—good news for a growing young teenager!

There are also special cruise lines that especially cater to children. Disney has a line that provides activities for kids from sun-up to sun-down, with everything to entertain them from craft lessons to magic shows and everything in between. They also offer adult only areas for parents to seek refuge. These areas have adult-only pools or include activities like wine-tasting sessions.

Things to look out for when planning a family cruise? You may need to do a little research, however, as not all ships offer programs for children and youth. Although they may still allow children to cruise, parents may need to be prepared to look after and entertain their own children. Also you should find out about children’s discounts, how many children are allowed in a room with the parents, extra beds, cribs or cots, adjoining cabins, safety and security issues, and ratio of staff members to children. All of these could affect the cruise line you choose.

There are so many activities that children can enjoy aboard ship, and parents can also enjoy their own relaxing kid-free times as well. On the whole, a cruise can be a great way for a family to enjoy their vacation time.

Advance Preparation for Your Cruise Vacation

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When it comes to vacationing aboard a cruise ship, many individuals consider preparation to be the luggage that they plan to bring with them. Packing for your cruise ship vacation is important; however, it is not the only preparations that you should make. Preparing for your cruise shouldn’t wait until the week before your trip either. Rather, it should begin as soon as you book your cruise ship reservation.

The type of cruise that you will be taking is vital to your preparations. A large number of cruise ships travel on international waters. In addition to being on international waters, many dock at international ports. Before you are able to board your ship, you will have to have the proper identification with you. With international cruises, this identification often includes a driver’s license and a passport.

Unfortunately, when it comes to obtaining a passport, there are many individuals who wait until the last minute. Last minute passports can be obtained in the event of an emergency, but most require at least a 10 days or more to process. You will not be automatically granted a passport; instead you are required to apply for one. Almost all individuals that apply for a passport are granted one, but planning ahead is the best option. If you allow extra time, then if an error is made on the information you supply, you will have enough time to fix it before your cruise ship departs.

As mentioned, proper identification is needed to board a cruise ship. But your passport and driver’s license are not the only forms of documentation that you should bring onboard. If you are covered under a health insurance plan, you are encouraged to bring your health insurance cards. In the event you fall ill while on vacation, your insurance cards will allow you to obtain the needed medical attention.

In addition to your medical insurance cards, it is advised that you bring along all of your needed medications. You may even want to consider bringing along extra medication as well. Many physicians will write extra prescriptions for their patients that are traveling abroad. Should your medication become lost or misplaced, the extra prescriptions can be filled on the ship and used until you return home. While requesting extra medication from your healthcare provider, you may want to question them on safety precautions aboard a cruise ship also.

To pay for onboard and port activities, you will need to bring along extra money. Although cruise ships are famous for their cuisine, there are sometimes extra charges for drinks, so you need to be prepared for this. Vacationing aboard a cruise ship is similar to vacationing anywhere else in the world. You are encouraged not to carry large sums of cash with you. If you must bring cash along, you are encouraged to divide your money up and place it in safe locations. Almost all cruise ships and popular cruise ship ports accept credit cards, cashiers checks, money orders, or traveler’s checks. These forms of payments are great alternatives to carrying cash.

When traveling aboard a cruise ship, you are urged to give a copy of the cruise ship’s itinerary to multiple friends and family members. This will make it possible for you to be contacted in the event of an emergency. When registering for a cruise ship, you may also be required to give the contact information of someone that should be contacted in an emergency. Your first thought may be to give the contact information of your spouse, children, or a close friend. When doing so, it is important to make sure that they will be on land and accessible.

Once you have made the above mentioned preparations, you can begin focusing on other preparations, such as packing your luggage. When packing, you are urged to keep the climate of your cruise in mind. Are you taking an Alaskan cruise, a Mediterranean cruise or a Caribbean cruise? Keeping these in mind, at the same time, you should be prepared for unexpected weather. You should also check with the cruise line or your travel agent for luggage weight restrictions. Making the proper cruise ship preparations will ensure that your vacation will be a success.

A Vacation Savings Plan

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20 Best Jamaican Recipes - This great new cookbook offers recipes with that spicy Island taste you are sure to enjoy! Relive a taste of the Caribbean today!When you spend at least 40 hours a week at your job, it is probably safe to assume that you are ready for your vacation time. Unless you are independently wealthy, you need a plan to save money to go on a family vacation get-away of your choice. There are many effective ways to save for your family vacation. While this may seem like a simple proposition, some people find it difficult to lay aside some money each pay period. The key here is that you need to have a plan and stick to it.

The first thing you need to do is to open up a separate savings account specifically meant for your vacation money. If your employer offers direct deposit, you can usually specify a certain amount of money be put into this account. Some banks will schedule an automatic direct transfer to your savings account if you don’t have direct deposit or if you are not able to deposit money into two separate accounts.

The next thing you need to do is to have a budget set up for your family spending, which includes monies you can set aside for your vacation dollars. Examine the amount of money your family spends weekly or monthly on family entertainment and fast food restaurants. Then try to reduce that amount, and put the remainder away for your trip. So that a pending vacation doesn't become too taxing on your regular family fun, shop around for freebie activities or reduced-cost entertainment options to enjoy during the months before you depart on your vacation.

Another good way to save up money is to salvage all your coin change. Whenever you are shopping with cash, resolve to only use paper money. Then take the coins you receive and put it aside at the end of every day. You can set up a ‘vacation jar’ just for this purpose. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it can build up. While you may not think you have that much in your change jar, it is possible just to empty it at vacation time to have extra spending money or that little boost you need to go on your dream vacation.

Be sure and involve your kids in the vacation saving venture, as well. This is a great time to teach the valuable lessons of saving and budgeting money. They can have their own ‘vacation jar’ for use for their spending money on vacation. Their change jar can be set up just as yours is, using extra coins they have left over from other spending.

Look for other ways to add extra cash to the vacation fund. There are many ways you may be able to earn extra funds. One idea is to save aluminum cans and take them into the recycling plant periodically for cash. You may be able to sell some of your unwanted items over e-bay, or you could have a rummage sale to earn extra vacation cash as well. Think outside the box. There are plenty of opportunities out there to add to your vacation savings. You just need to resolve that any extra cash you get will go toward your family vacation.

You need to budget realistically. Vacations need not be expensive. Budget an amount and stick to it. If you are going on a driving vacation, set a fixed spending amount ($150 per day, for example). Include all of your expenses, gas, meals, admissions, special activities, etc. Use that amount as your goal for your vacation savings. Think of how much you will need to save per month to accomplish that goal.
To save money, try reducing your eating out. You may want to take a lunch to work instead of eating in restaurants or fast food places every day. Budget for only one meal in a restaurant per week, for example. And, while you are on vacation, try to save money on food by preparing your own food and either eat in the hotel room or have a picnic.
Another good tip for vacationing on a budget is to use all-inclusive vacation resorts. That way, you get everything from your flight, food, drinks and entertainment all in one packaged price. There are many vacation places that offer this type of package deal.

You can also save on your vacationing by traveling in the off-season. For instance, you can travel cheaper to the Caribbean if you travel in October (before the busy season starts). You still get a great beach vacation with all the pampering included, but at a greatly reduced price.

Having a separate account for your vacation savings, by budgeting and by spending your vacation dollars wisely, it is not out of reach for you to have a great vacation. The key to a successful getaway on a budget is to plan.