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2019’s Beach Destinations – The Islands You Don’t Want To Miss

July 16, 2018 by John Telford

 

With 2018 half over it seems fitting that now would be an ideal time to start thinking about where to head off for the summer holidays next year – especially if you’re hoping to head abroad somewhere far flung and exotic for a bit of a higher class getaway. These things take time to plan to perfection, so why not start now? Here we list the up and coming hot spots for 2019 that you won’t want to miss in terms of spectacular islands you need to see at least once. Grab a pen and paper – you won’t want to miss a single suggestion!

The Maldives

The Maldives is one of the hottest destinations for beach-going holidays at the moment and for good reason. With so many stunning strips of sand idyllically lined with palm trees, cafes, all highlighted with the azure blue of both sea and sky, there’s simply no better way to spend your week or two away than by lazing about on the soft sands of the Maldives and its islands. The perfect romantic getaway for couples who want to celebrate an anniversary, a birthday, their honeymoon or they just want to sunbathe on white sands and swim in some of the most beautiful waters around, this is the place. With numerous other activities to choose from, such as snorkelling and diving trips, fishing trips, spay days and more, it’s easy to see why the Maldives continues to top a list of amazing places for those beach holidays. Check out Neoscapes Maldives to book your next vacation your way. You won’t regret it.

Madagascar

This mysterious island of the south east coast of Africa is home to some of the world’s most unique species of both plants and animals. From the majestic and unique Boabab trees to the Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve and everything in between, this island is home to some of the most eclectic things you can see and do. This is definitely not just a beach destination and is actually in fact one of the most adventurous places you can explore and experience! For those who love exploring culture and getting out and active, you can stroll the Avenue of the Boababs – a stretch of Boabab trees that jut up into the sky to create a strange and mystical silhouette against the rising or setting sun or don your wetsuit and get out in the water to try your hand at both wind and kite surfing.  

Indonesia

The largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia is home to numerous islands (over 18,000 with around 6000 inhabited) with some of the most pristine and stunning beaches around South East Asia. While islands such as Java and Sumatra are quite crowded, their sights such as Prambanan – famous 8th century temple complex – as well as other temples such as Uluwatu and Borobudur, Indonesia is a great mix of culture, history and beaches making it a huge hit for those who love a little of everything. For the best beaches, head further east to the islands of Bali and the Gili’s – famed for their sea turtles. The further east you go in Indonesia the more remote you get which means the beaches get better and less crowded, with the only downside being in the time it takes to reach these islands.

Vanuatu

A collection of small islands in the Pacific Ocean, only a couple hours’ flying time from mainland Australia, Vanuatu is a beautiful paradise that combines the pleasures of a beach holiday with exciting activities such as watersports, hiking volcanoes and trying something of a local legend in terms of drinks – kava. A popular sight around the island, kava bars are not quite alcohol but will leave you with effects similar to having a couple glasses of beer or wine. A cultural aspect to Vanuatu island life, you should try kava at least once during your stay. Port Vila is the capital city and while it is awash with your typical island resorts with private beaches and the like, lined with crystal clear waters if you want something a bit more rustic and off the tourist trail, consider checking out some of the neighbouring islands for a more remote and romantic beach experience.

Fiji

When you think of Fiji, the images of expensive exclusive resorts and beautiful beaches probably dominate your thoughts and you wouldn’t be wrong. While mainly marketed as a mid-range destination, the possibilities for beautiful beach getaways in Fiji are endless. Many family friendly resorts are found on the main island, those looking for a romantic getaway will find secluded white sand beaches void of crowds on the further outlying islands with high quality, luxury level resorts on offer, perfect for those important holidays such as honeymoons or anniversary celebrations. Be the envy of your friends with a Fijian holiday – it is after all one of the most sought after and popular romantic getaway destinations!

Hawaii

Hawaii has long been a hot destination for those seeking beach holidays and for good reason – the high quality and number of sandy strips is staggering and with several islands to choose from, it’s easy to see why Hawaii attracts thousands of visitors a year. Usually touted as a bit of a higher class and more exclusive destination, resorts and hotels are top quality and the opportunities for excursions such as helicopter rides through the high, green volcanic ridges of the islands are numerous. Snorkelling and diving trips to majestic reefs are popular options to beat the heat and get up close and personal with some of the beautiful marine life that call this area home. In short – Hawaii is a top destination most years, especially for those located in the United States due to its relatively close proximity and volume of flights from cities such as Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles.

Cuba

Cuba is the place dreams are made of in terms of both beaches and cultural wonder. The perfect place for both resort lovers and rustic travellers, Cuba offers a bit of something for everyone. From the lush and luxurious resorts of the likes of Montego Bay and Varadero, holiday makers can kick back on the white sands to while away the hours between excursions to various towns, tobacco farms or pristine snorkelling sites. Those who like to live rustically and experience the country by travelling and getting in with the locals, Cuba is an ideal and very safe place to explore by road, including hitch hiking. Stop for awhile at secluded beaches before heading off again to the next town. Be sure to try out staying in a Casa Particulaire – essentially a Cuban homestay sanctioned by the government to allow visitors.

So there you have some of the top beach holiday destinations for 2019. With so many amazing places to choose from, it’s no wonder beach holidays are so popular with so many people. Which will you choose? The sky’s the limit!

Filed Under: Travel Tips Tagged With: adventure, beaches, holidays, islands, relaxation, sand, sea, sun, swimming, travelling

Five Adventure Sports to Try Whilst Visiting Thailand

June 5, 2018 by John Telford

If you are into all things adventurous and getting your adrenaline pumping, then Thailand is a great place to visit. With many adventure sports and amazing places that get your heart pumping whilst discovering the beauty of Thailand, there has never been a better time to get yourself out there. Here are five of the best adventure sports to try when visiting Thailand, and where is best to do them.

Diving, Koh Tao

Now, diving may not seem like an adventure sport, but in Koh Tao, free diving has been incredibly popular. Free diving is diving in coral reefs without an oxygen tank. This gives you the ability to glide a lot faster through the water to discover everything underneath. The longest free dive was around 20 minutes, but even a few minutes at a time freediving is enough to get your heart racing.

Off-Road Motorbiking, Northern Thailand

In Northern Thailand there are some of the biggest and thickest jungles in the country. These make for a great track for some off-road motorbiking. There are some recommended routes for those wishing to take on this adventure, such as The Golden Triangle which is 390 miles long. This takes you down windy roads to caves and elephant camps and is a thrilling and exciting way to discover Thailand.

Waterfall Abseiling, Chiang Mai

This is truly an adrenaline addict’s dream. Abseiling and rappelling underneath a beautiful waterfall in the middle of a Thai jungle can give you a thrill like no other. If you have ever rappelled down a cliff, this has got nothing on doing so whilst underneath a huge waterfall.

Deep Water Soloing

This can be done anywhere and is a newer sport. This is a lot like rock climbing, but in much more extreme and beautiful places. Deep water soloing is a form of free-climbing that involves scaling and climbing cliff faces without a harness or anchors to help you. This is all done in the sea so you will need a boat to get to a cliff face. If you fall, you’ll just get wet. The only way down is to jump back into the sea meaning this adventure sport is thrilling but completely safe when done correctly. Railay beach is a great place to start your journey and there are many friendly locals who will show you the way.

Longtail Drag Boat Racing

This is a motorsport that is ever popular in Thailand. As its name suggests, this is drag boat racing to the extreme. Many of the boats are made custom by the locals to win and bring customers to their shops. Whether you want to join in and build your own, Thai Boat Racing is certainly a delight to watch.

Thailand is an amazing place full of adventure for those wishing to find it. Whatever sport you are interested in, Thailand has something for you. Discover Thailand and get your adrenaline pumping with any of these great adventure sports.

Filed Under: Asia Tagged With: adrenaline, adventure sports, Asia, destinations, Thailand, travelling

Visiting Queensland – Why You Need To Plan It Now!

November 16, 2017 by John Telford

Source

The Gold Coast is actually a city in Queensland, only 66km from the state capital of Brisbane, which can be done on a day trip very easily, and with a population of 638,000 it is the 6th largest city in Australia. Getting in by plane requires that you land at Coolangatta Airport, which is interesting in itself because the New South Wales and Queensland borders run through the middle of the runway, meaning you will land in one state and then disembark in another at the terminal building!

Getting Around The Area

To get around Gold Coast itself, you can take the very convenient Light Rail which runs from 5.00am to midnight. Gold Coast has several districts, each with their own flavour: The Main Beach is essentially a high-rise residential area with a nice beach, while Surfers Paradise is infamous for it’s surfing and wild nightlife: Many younger people come to Gold Coast from all over Australia and New Zealand to enjoy the sun, the nightlife and surfing, especially those on vacation from university.

Things To See And Do

Broad Beach has a casino and some shopping complexes, while Burleigh Heads beaches that are very popular with families and to a lesser extent younger surfers. Just outside the city, you can explore the ‘Hinterland’, which spans from west of the Pacific Motorway and is a spectacular collection of national parks, which mainly consists of mountain ranges and rainforest, which will make a welcome change for those who have just spent a while travelling in the more arid areas of Australia!

The highlight of the Hinterland are the Tamborine Mountain, which is home to numerous local small businesses running excellent restaurants, fudge making shops and even some wineries.
Other things to do include beautiful destinations within the Hinterland include Numinbah Valley – which has abundant waterfalls, rainforest walks and cleared grazing land, and Currumbin Valley which commands panoramic views of of the rainforests and Mount Tallebudgera. Many of these areas also have wildlife sanctuaries you can visit.

So, the Gold Coast and it’s surrounding area has something for literally everyone. With family friendly beaches to be found amongst the surfing beaches, and with Theme Parks and Water Parks, children will be well entertained throughout their stay, while the legendary nightlife and surfing draws a steady mix of young party goers and beach lovers.

Further Afield

The best way by far to experience these natural wonders just out of Gold Coast is by car, as you can then do it all at your own pace, however there are a number of excellent tours that can be arranged ranging from bus tours to all inclusive 4×4 tours deeper into the Hinterland and usually come with camping options.

Just like the fact that Gold Coast has a little bit of everything for everyone, gold coast accommodation reflects that and is available from budget basic hostels and guest houses – which are popular with younger people – all the way to luxury hotels that offer swimming pools, room service, mini-fridges and wonderful views over the beaches via spacious balconies.

With so much to do and catering to all budgets it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Gold Coast continues to grow and grow in popularity every passing year.

Filed Under: Oceania Tagged With: adventure, Australia, destinations, gold coast, queensland, travel, travelling

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