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Posts Tagged ‘Caribbean’

Budget Accommodation In Cuba

August 23rd, 2010 No comments

In these days of economic crisis traveling is becoming less affordable. Holidays to Cuba is not an exception. Flights an airport taxes are ridiculously expensive and accommodation in hotels in Cuba is not exactly cheap either.

Hotels in Cuba as I mentioned before are not very cheap although there is a number of options for as little as $14.00 per person per night. The problem is that everybody traveling on a budget want to stay in these very few hotels so to find accommodation in cheap hotels in places like Havana for instance is extremely difficult. There is an article listing the cheapest hotels in Havana.

Ok now we know how difficult is to find these hotels. What is left then is something called Casas Particulares. These are private houses in Cuba that rent 1 or 2 rooms at around $30.00 per room per night. Noticed that I said per room if to people are sharing a room it works at $15.00 per person per night. If you are from UK then it works at around 8.00 pounds per person per night. Cheap isn’t it.

There are few things you need to know though. The Cuban government is very strict when it comes to landlords that rent their houses and there are a number of conditions and limitations that you should be aware of before you decide to go for this kind of accommodation.

Tourists are allowed in Casas Particulares as long as they share the house with the Cuban family. There are limitations in terms of how many rooms a landlord can rent and how many passengers on each room.

So what I am trying to say is that staying in Casas Particulares in Cuba is a good idea for cutting down the cost of your holidays to Cuba but is not for everybody. This type of accommodation is suitable for people that have no problem sharing a house with a Cuban family.

There is a way though to get to stay on a private house on your own without having to share with a Cuban family. There are few options available mainly in Havana. The problem is that you are not going to find landlords advertising their rentals on the web on an independent basis because it is illegal. In this case what you should do is to get in touch directly with them and negotiate the terms of your accommodation.

Before booking your Holidays to cuba. Visit www.quest2cuba.co.uk by Jose Mauricio Maurette for more information on the best twin centre Cuba Holidays.

Vacation In Paradise – Water Island

June 23rd, 2010 No comments

Paradise is closer than you think! Only a couple of hours away by plane is a true tropical paradise, Water Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands

We all work hard to support our home and family. Day after day, after day! When we decide to take a vacation we don’t want to take a risk that the vacation spot might not be what we want. Give some thought to vacationing on Water Island for an almost risk free, relaxing vacation.

Don’t expect to find any outlet malls or any stores for that matter on Water Island. The 500 acre island boasts many things but crowds are not one of them. One of the best beaches in the Virgin Islands, Honeymoon Beach, is on Water Island. The roads are narrow and winding which is why the main mode of transportation is the golf cart. It is all only a 5 minute ferry ride from St. Thomas.

Do you need some real “rest & relaxation”? Then Water Island is your ticket. Do you need a lot of nightlife and a ton of restaurants along with some shopping malls? If so, you might want to pass on Water Island.

Temperature. A striking feature of Water Island is the small variation in average temperature from the coolest to the warmest months. In the summer, temperatures range about 6 degrees from the high of 87 degrees during the day to 78 degrees at night. Relatively few days have temperatures over 90 degrees. In the winter months, the daily temperature is in the low 80′s and in the low 70′s at night. Typically, August is the hottest month with February the coolest. Just perfect temperature.

Wind. When you picture a tropical paradise there is usually some cooling ocean breezes involved. Water Island does not disappoint. Constant ocean breezes under 18mph help to make sure you relax in comfort. The winds slow down at night and are usually higher from sun up till the late afternoon.

Rainfall. It is common to have a couple of brief showers every day. They usually only last for minutes. The locals like it because rain water is the main source of water for the residents of Water Island. They collect the rain water in their cisterns and then pump it into their home. Driest month – February. Wettest month – September.

Places to Eat. On Water Island you will find Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill. Her food is known throughout the Caribbean. You can pick up breakfast Monday – Friday at the ferry dock. You can enjoy lunch that she serves at Honeymoon Beach and you can also have a delicious dinner on Saturday nights right on Honeymoon Beach. Her mobile food wagon serves up excellent food.

Vacation Homes. You can find a vacation rental home on Water Island that will fit your budget. The low end for a weekly rental starts at about $1500 and goes up from there. There will be different rates depending on the season.

Honeymoon Beach. This is the crown jewel of Water Island and the island gathering place. Almost all residents and renters come to the beach nearly everyday to sit in the sun, have a drink and get a bite to eat from Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill. Getting to the beach is no more than at 5 minute ride in the golf cart from your house.

Buying Real Estate. Fortunately, a full service real estate broker lives on Water Island. He is usually the first one to find out when a home or property comes up for sale.

Water Island might not be for everyone but if you are looking to leave the rat race behind, this is the place. Everybody is friendly. You will love it here. Come check it out for yourself and you will not want to leave!

Learn more about Vacationing on Water Island and you will not want to leave. To check out property available on Water Island visit Water Island Real Estate to help make your dream a reality.

What Are The Best Winter Beach Vacation Spots?

January 9th, 2010 No comments

For most of us, the winter months often bring on the winter blues. The cold and snowy months can leave one feeling less active and less motivated to go outdoors. One way of curing the winter blues is to take a Montreal travel vacation at a luxurious beach. There are many hot beach spots that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The following are a few of the best winter beach vacation spots:

Bahamas: Many vacationers consider the Bahamas a tourist’s paradise. The warm climate and lush beaches makes the Bahamas a very popular winter get away. The many elegant resorts offer fine dining, various tours of underground caves, and other amazing scenery. Windsurfing, snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular. There are also beautiful waterfalls and aquariums. There is an activity for anyone, no matter what the age.

Todos Santos, Mexico: Located on Baja Peninsula’s Highway 19, Todos Santos in Mexico is a very popular beach vacation spot. It is sparsely populated with a quaint artistic, farming, and fishing community. It is a very popular surfing spot. There are miles and miles of white sand beach and resorts that cater to every need. For instance, the Posada La Poza is located very near to the beach and has many luxury amenities.

Oaxaca, Mexico: This is a very popular beach vacation spot. In 2005, it received a ‘World Best’ award from Travel +Leisure magazine. This city features wonderful cultural attractions. The gorgeous beaches can be found in nearby Huatulco. There are many elegant hotels and resorts near the beaches.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: The inviting climate has temperatures that range from the mid 80s which makes this a popular beach vacation spot. There are a number of exotic and luxurious resorts where visitors can participate in such activities as sailing, fishing, golfing, spas, scuba diving, pools, and tennis.

Florida Keys: The Florida Keys contains an enormous amount of tropical beaches. Winter temperatures range in the 70s to mid 80s. One can bask in the warm sun on the beautiful beaches and participate in such activities as deep sea fishing, diving and snorkeling, water skiing, surfing, taking an eco-tour, golf, or relax at a luxury spa.

Caribbean: The Caribbean is another popular beach vacation spot. The beaches contain beautiful white sand and warm relaxing water. As well, there are many fantastic resorts that come with gorgeous rooms, delicious food, and exciting activities. You can surf, snorkel, take a cruise, and participate in a wide range of outdoor activities. St. Lucia in the Caribbean is a wonderful and affordable vacation spot. It is well-known for its outstanding beaches. The Coco Palm resort is a popular choice for vacationers.

Hawaii: Because of its wonderful climate and gorgeous beaches, Hawaii is always a popular winter vacation spot. Temperatures during winter on the islands of Hawaii range from the low to mid 80′s. There are a variety of activities such as parasailing, helicopter tours, eco-tours, windsurfing, boating, SCUBA diving, fishing, golf, horseback riding, hiking, Hawaiian luaus, and snorkeling.

Every year, many people dread the ice, snow, slush, and cold temperatures that winter brings. Fortunately, there are many affordable and relaxing beach vacation spots that one can escape to during the cold blustery winter months.

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Cuba An Ideal Holiday Destination

December 31st, 2009 No comments

Cuba’s beaches are unique for the rich tones of their clear warm water. The island’s coasts include everything from challenging cliffs to peaceful coves, the setting for incredible sun and sea Cuba holidays.

There is an average of 330 sunny days a year, with few clouds. The main tourist resorts (including the ones on the cays) have international airports, and the excellent hotel infrastructure is complemented with a wide range of extra hotel facilities (car and bus rentals, marinas, scuba-diving centers, shops, beauty parlors, fitness centers, etc.), entertainment during the day and at night, excursions to nearby cities, medical attention, and special family and honeymoon Cuba holiday packages.

The cays which form the outermost fringe of the archipelago are particularly enticing. They have been left in nearly their natural state, with their original flora and fauna, so they still look much as they did when Christopher Columbus discovered these lands over five centuries ago.

Many places on Cuba’s coasts are already famous: Varadero, Guardalavaca, Esmeralda, Santa Maria del Mar, Santa Lucia and Ancn Beaches, which are loved by tourists from all over the world, and Coco, Guillermo, Largo del Sur, Santa Maria, Las Brujas and Levisa Cays.

Cuba has 36 scuba-diving centers, which are related to over 500 carefully selected sites in lush underwater seascapes. The show begins just a few feet from the coast, and it keeps expanding as you go out, climaxing in a slope or sharp drop.

Coral reefs extend along practically the entire edge of the broad insular shelf (for around 1984 miles, or 3200 kilometers). More than half of these reefs are separated from the main island by large areas of shallow water and groups of cays.

Caves, profusely decorated vertical walls, tunnels, cliffs and channels offer endless options for scuba diving both during the day and at night…. Experiences go from simple observation to swimming near large fish in complete safety.

Cuba without a doubt is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the Caribbean. Combine that fact with a super rich history and you have the perfect formula for an unforgettable holiday.

Before booking your Cuba Holidays. Visit www.quest2cuba.co.uk for more information on the best Havana Hotels.

Some Good Tips Before You Travel To Cuba.

September 25th, 2009 No comments
by Jose Mauricio

In this piece of writing you can come across answers to some of the questions you have regarding your Cuba holidays. Along many years I have been given suggestion to customers wanting to visit Cuba so I decided to recap some of them. I hope you find them helpful.

The best museums in Havana are The Museum of the Revolution (former Presidential Palace), The Capitolio (former seat of The Chamber of Representatives and Senate), The Museum of The City (Government Palace and Town Hall in the colonial times) and the museum of Belle Arts.

In case you do get sick visit the doctor who is normally based in a room in your same hotel or in another one close by. Ask the concierge of your hotel where and how to find a doctor.

Try not to wear expensive jewellery while walking the streets, especially in Havana. The crime in Cuba is very low but there are rare cases of pick pocketing and some other minor crimes.

If possible stay at least three nights in Havana. There is so much to do and see that if you stay less than what is recommended you will miss what this vibrant city is really about.

Try to avoid taking a non official taxi in Cuba. It is not as safe as taking an official one. It is very easy to tell the difference between them both. The official taxis are new modern cars with the company name written everywhere and the none-official ones are mainly Ladas, Moskvich and old American cars.

Visit Tropicana Cabaret. This is the most famous show in Cuba. Even if you are not a cabaret person you will be amazed with the quality of its choreographies, the skill of the dancers and definitely the sexiness and sensuality of the men and women that performed every night under the stars.

Try to book your self in one of the city tours that are offered in the lobby of almost every hotel in Cuba. These tours are very economic and convenient to do in your first day on each location in Cuba. They are normally guided by experienced tour guides and comprise both walking and driving around. Price is from 15.00 CUC per person.

If your tour operator has an office in Cuba which offer representation to their clients try to be contacted on the lobby of your Hotel or if necessary you can visit their offices. There have been cases of scam in which tourists are contacted on the streets and taken to a bar for an information meeting in which you might end to buying few excursions thinking you are dealing with an employee of your tour operator.

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