Phila Airport Parking Vacations

Belize City. Most people picture run down buildings, crime and remnants of hurricane damage. Very few take anytime to actually explore the town instead choosing to hop on a water taxi and head out to Ambergris Caye.

Whatever your vision of Central America is, check it at the door before entering this beautiful and welcoming country. Many travel guides will tell you to “get out of Belize City and head for the islands.” It is too bad really, because they are causing people to miss out on meeting the very proud and helpful citizens of this vibrant town.

Cruise ships stop here regularly and whisk tourists off to Tikal in Guatemala, or to Amgergris Caye off of the coast. The port is well developed and you can spend time walking around the shops in the comfortable terminal. However, walking around the city is where you get the true Caribbean flare.

Settled by the English in the late 16th century, Belize City is a mix Colonial buildings and Creole Culture. Eat international cuisine, or enjoy the local fare at Jembel’s Jerk Pit or Big Daddy’s Diner. Music pumps from inside shops as smiling people great you speaking perfect English, only to turn to their companion and talk in rhythmic Creole. The official language of Belize is English, but you will often hear a mix of Spanish, Creole, Mayan and German throughout the land.

Now that you have actually explored Belize City and realized that it isn’t the big bad city that you thought it was, you can catch a water taxi with peace of mind. You aren’t running away from anything, you are simply moving on to see the rest of beautiful Belize. From downtown, you can catch a water taxi for $10 to take you out to the Cayes on the Caribbean Sea.

The laid-back vibe of the island has an air of Jamaica, and reggae booms from bars and restaurants. Walk along the dirt roads to look for a beach front hotel and you can spend as little as $20 for a room. Only golf carts drive on the island, so you won’t have to worry about exhaust pollution or noise. The resident’s work hard to preserve their culture and large-scale development is not in its future.

While there, you have to take in the sites and the number one excursion is to hire a guide and boat to take you out to Shark Ray Alley. Located 1 mile from shore is the Belize Barrier Reef. A protected marine preserve for since 1996, it has a healthy stock of marine life and coral. The highlight of the trip however is having the chance to swim with a group of nurse sharks and manta rays that inhabit the reef.

Many divers in the world travel to Belize for one reason only, and that is to dive the famous Blue Hole. Jaques Cousteau introduced it to the world and it is an awesome site. A collapsed cave in the middle of the sea attracts divers that want to go deep. Drop down to 150 feet and dive under overhangs as hammerhead and reef sharks swim in the chummed waters above. This dive is not for new divers.

If getting into the water with natural predators isn’t your cup of tea, take a sailing trip to visit other Islands. Belize has several islands and you can take a trip to have a picnic lunch on the beach or enjoy an island drink at an upscale resort on Ambergris Caye. You can find a company to go with by simply walking down the main sandy street where operations line the path.

Caye Caulker may not be overly developed, but you can still enjoy great food ranging from Seafood, to pasta and barbecue. The nightlife isn’t wild, but you can find a nice bar to enjoy a drink or two, look out over the water while swinging on a hammock or listen to some live music well into the evening.

There is so much more to do in beautiful Belize that you need at least two weeks to see it all. Jungles and caves, wildlife and sanctuary’s Belize has something for everyone. Even Mayan ruins can be found in the country and beaches aren’t only out on the islands, Placencia actually has the most beautiful beach in the country and it is located on the mainland.

It isn’t Mexico, The Dominican or Jamaica yet, but it won’t be long until everyone starts thinking of Belize as their vacation destination. So what are you waiting for, book your trip today and discover Belize.

Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill are an adventure travel couple from Canada. Together they have trekked, hiked, biked and climbed to over 30 countries all over the planet. Check out their website theplanetd.com for more tips, advice and information on travel and adventure locations. To view their photo gallery from their world travels go to picturetheplanet.com

Nowadays, the market for women’s travel is thriving, with statistics showing that women, more than any other single group, enjoy the pleasures of traveling. Perhaps it’s the result of having been confined to household chores for decades, or perhaps it’s simply due to women also being fed up at having to spend their life in a monotonous office environment day in and day out. Either way, more and more women are discovering the benefits and pleasures of traveling. After all, why shouldn’t women pack their bags and fly away? Whether they choose to explore remote areas of distant lands, or whether they choose to soak up the sun while lying on a beach in the Caribbean, women are letting their hair down, they’re leaving their chores behind, and they’re heading off into the great unknown. Yes that’s right, they’re realizing that there’s so much more to life than simply going to work each day.

Women-only travel has really taken off in the last 15 years, and it’s more popular than ever now. Stressed-out women who have been playing Supermom for years need a break, and realize this is a great way to do it. For at least a week, you really don’t have to take it any more! There are all kinds of women’s vacations you can pick from. What about ziplining in Costa Rica? Sailing a charter yacht in the Greek Islands? Exploring ancient Mayan Ruins in Belize? Or scuba diving in the Virgin Islands? So many fabulous options, and so little vacation time!

So, what is it about women-only travel that makes it so popular? Believe me, there are many reasons why more and more women are choosing women-only travel. For example, you get a break from the kids, you don’t have to deal with inquisitive neighbors and you don’t even have to put up with the incessant nagging of your husband. Have you ever noticed how much husbands can nag you, especially when they’re not getting their own way? Of course you love your husband and your kids but a short break from it all, more often than not leaves you feeling like a new person altogether. Best of all, because you get to meet other likeminded people, you get the chance to make new friends as well.

No, we certainly don’t hate men do we? Hey, I’m the first to admit that having your man close by is usually great but the problem is; go away on holiday together and in all likelihood you’ll both continue fulfilling the same roles as you’ve always done. You’ll find yourself being left with the dishes once again, or even preparing all the food. Fair enough, maybe your husband will be chopping firewood or getting the fire built but that?s exactly what you’re trying to get away from in the first place. On the other hand, when you go away on your own, you’re much more likely to try new things, not to mention the fact you’ll more than like be more adventurous as well.

Of course, competition and support also come into the equation because let’s say you want to learn how to sail. If you try when you’re with your husband, the chances are you’ll feel a little intimidated, especially if he can sail already. This happens when he keeps offering to help, or he keeps on telling you that you’re doing this wrong or that wrong. On the other hand, if you’re with a group of like minded women, you’ll have to learn to do things for yourself and that’s what it’s about; feeling good about yourself being able to learn something new.

Women’s travel tours also offer security, because traveling with a group is safer than traveling on your own. It’s not always easy for single women to travel. Your friends may be coupled up, or they may not have the same interests, budget, or schedule as you have. Women’s travel groups can solve these problems — it’s easier, safer, and a whole lot more fun than going on your own. You get a ready-made trip (just show up!), a group of women to socialize with and share the experience, a knowledgeable tour guide, and some ready-made camaraderie. It takes the work and worry out of planning your vacation, and going on it, too.

Finally, travel is good for the soul. The modern world is full of unhealthy stress, especially for women who try to do it all. YOu try, but it’s just impossible! A great vacation gives you back your sense of perspective, and your sense of fun, too. Travel can open your eyes and your heart, when you meet people whose life situation is very different from yours. It gives you time to connect with others, and to connect with your own inner spirit too. It makes you feel alive, radiant, and happy! Yes, there may be a big stack of e-mail waiting for you when you get home, but it’s worth it for that sense of joy and renewal.

You deserve a break, just as much as others do, and before you start feeling all guilty just remember, everybody needs to time to be alone. Right, you have no excuse so go ahead and book a tour now.

About the author: Deanna Keahey is founder of Adventurous Wench Women’s Travel, a company that specializes in women’s travel tours. Find active women only trips, from river rafting the Rio Grande, to glacier trekking in Patagonia.

Yachtsmen and women across the Irish Sea will probably have sailed past Skerries Lighthouse in Holyhead Bay, off North West Anglesey, Wales at some time or other in their sailing career. Whether they approach, from Dublin in the west, Port St Mary, Isle of Man to the north or nearby Pwllheli, Skerries rock and light soon comes into view. In fact the white flashing light of this modern automated 23 m high Trinity House lighthouse can be seen 22 miles away.

And Skerries rock is also home to one of the largest tern colonies in the world, which are monitored by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who occasionally send a team out to the rock. But just go back over 200 years in history and there was barely any navigational help on this treacherous Anglesey coast. Then in 1713 Irishman William Trench took out a 99 year lease on the rock from local landowner William Robinson, and events soon took on a new dynamic.

Mr Trench was a determined man and his efforts paid off and when in 1716 the first Skerries Lighthouse started operating. Compared to todays modern lighthouse it was only a 35 foot high tower with an open grate, and a coal burning flame for a light. To make it worth his efforts, William Trench used his business skills and charged a fee on all passing ships except the British Navy based on their tonnage.

Levies charged in 1730 amounted to as much as $2,200 each year, a significant reward for the time. And over the following years the annual fees increased so that they were about $23,000 in 1828. During this time ownership of Skerries Lighthouse changed a few times and significantly in 1841, Trinity House paid $990,000 for the freehold, a very large figure for the 19th century.

Sailing through the gap between the Skerries Rock and Carmel Head on Anglesey, known as Langdon Ridge, can be a tough challenge for sailors even in fine conditions. In fact, some yachtsmen choose not to go through this channel at Langdon, especially at night because of the strong currents and closeness of the rocks. A full flood tide from Holyhead can push your boat along quickly towards Cemlyn Nature Reserve and Wylfa Power Station. These waters have now attracted the interest of tidal energy companies wanting to provide green, alternative energy.

It’s fantastic sailing around the Anglesey coast. Either from a boat or the coastal path you can appreciate rich and diverse marine wildlife – razorbills, porpoises, seals, and puffins. As you pass Skerries just imagine the efforts of young Trench, and the ships since saved by the reassuring presence of these Anglesey Lighthouses. A flotilla of kayaks can sometimes be seen leaving Church Bay on an expedition to Skerries lighthouse. They need to get the tide and wind right to avoid being carried way off course.

So over 250 years ago William Trench started the Skerries Lighthouse story and it has been a colourful one since. The rock witnessed the end of sail and advent of steam, and the lighthouse keepers would have admired famous ships like the Great Eastern and Royal Charter, as well as seen numerous wrecks. Yachts and kayaks sometimes visit the rock and this Anglesey Lighthouse, while a large tern colony exists on the rock.

With more than fifty bays and cays, plus an abundance of anchorages to choose from, it’s no surprise that the British Virgin Islands are listed at the top of the world’s most popular sailing areas. Sailing conditions here are ideal. The right winds, beautiful water and beaches second to none, make this a world class sailing destination.

The scenery from your yacht, as you cruise through the perfect blue waters of the Caribbean, will delight even the most experienced travelers. Novice sailors will enjoy the security of knowing that they are very rarely out of sight of land. There’s nearly always an island close by. In fact, perhaps the only time they would be out of sight of land altogether might be if you decided to sail north to Anegada -the drowned island – a truly captivating island, of coral reef beginnings, which is 10 miles long, 2 miles wide but only 28 feet high! This unique sailing destination also happens to serve the best lobsters in the universe! It’s just one of the things to do on your British Virgin Island yachting vacation that will make it a trip you’ll never forget.

You can be assured that the quality of interior furnishings and facilities represent the highest possible standards that you would demand for yourself and your fellow travelers from most yacht providers in the BVI’s. As you might expect, the variety of yachts available for you to charter is considerable – monohulls or catamarans, sailboats or motor charters. You will be able to find something to suit everyone’s taste and budget.

Deciding whether to choose a crewed charter or to go ‘bareboat’ may be one of the first steps in laying out you Tortola yacht charter. If you choose the latter, then imagine the ultimate sailing experience, with complete freedom and independence. If you’re not sure which would suit you best, the yacht companies will be glad to help you make your decision.

The charter companies based in Tortola will normally require some evidence that the skipper of the vessel has had previous experience – certificates are not mandatory but are, on the other hand, very useful – and, as a general rule, will require there to be at least one other competent crew member.

Some crewed charters offer both a captain and a cook, so that no-one on the journey needs to worry about cooking, cleaning or making sure there is enough ice! When it comes to selecting a crewed charter, the possibilities are very wide. Some companies offer a ‘captain only’ service, with the qualified skipper being totally responsible for the safe operation of the yacht but perhaps needing your assistance with the sailing.

Whatever your charter requirements, there will be companies in Tortola who will not only meet your expectations but far exceed them. Come and discover exactly why Tortola has become one of the world’s favorite sailing and yacht charter hot spots. Chartering a great yacht is the ultimate luxury of the sea; your own private cruise, with nothing to do except relax and watch the Caribbean flow by.