Travel Guide To Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Isla Mujeres is one of the most visited travel destination for tourists visiting the Cancun area in Mexico. The island is a great escape for those looking to get away from the busy beaches that Cancun gives them. You do not have to go that far after you get off the ferry to realize that the experience that you will get here is very different. The island is small and the interior is not populated by people, but you will find salt water marshes where once upon a time the Mayans got their salt from.

Getting Around

Though there is a small airport at Isla Mujeres you will not be able to land there as it is for military and private planes only. Though you could hire a taxi service in reality renting a scooter or even a golf cart will prove to be enough. If you decide to go with a taxi service you can choose to pay one per hour which should run you at about 15 dollars an hour or you can pay per trip which should not cost more than 5 dollars from one end of the island to the other. Renting bicycles is also a possibility when you travel here.

Pirate History

If you like pirate history then you should make it a point to visit Laguna Makax in Isla Mujeres. This is the place where pirates would anchor and wait for ships to ambush. Today, there is another use for the Lagoon and that is to protect ships and vessels during hurricane season. If you head to the salinas, the lagoon is not too far from there. You can also follow the signs if you did rent a scooter, bike or golf cart. The island also gave buccaneers the seclusion they wanted.

Paradise For Divers

When it comes to diving, not too many places will give you as good a chance as Isla Mujeres. You have many places to choose from including El Jigueo, Barracuda, La Bandera, Arrecife Manchones and Ultrafreeze. Sea life is abundant especially close to the corals. Another activity which has taken off in the last few years is snorkeling with whale sharks; it started by Isla Holbox which is to the north west, but now you can do so right from Isla Mujeres. Make sure that you have a certification card and remember that there is a fee of 20 dollars per dive.

How To Get There

As stated earlier there is no airport available to tourists in the Island so you will need to take a ferry. From the Zona Hotelera in Cancun you can look for two spots to take you there: The first one is Playa Tortugas and the second one is Playa Linda. If you are staying at the resorts then you can ask the concierge service to check the schedule for you. There are also another couple of spots in Punta Sam and Puerto Juarez which you can reach from the city of Cancun.

For more information on Mexico Beach destinations visit http://mexicobeaches.net

Article Source: Fernando_F_Mayorga

Crete Destination Guide

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the 2nd largest island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (after Cyprus). Heraklion is the largest city and capital of Crete with other principal cities being Chania, Rethymno, Aghios Nikolaos, Sitia and Lerapetra. With 650 miles of amazing coastline, long stretches of sandy beaches, crystal clear azure waters, dramatic mountain ranges and tiny traditional villages, it is no wonder that this beautiful island attracts so many tourists throughout the year. Whether you are looking for great beaches, some quiet rest and relaxation, a romantic break inspired by myths and legends or some culture, Crete has it all.

This diverse island has a resort to suit everyone, with beautiful sandy beaches, narrow village streets to explore, restaurants, family-run tavernas, bars, shops and open-air nightclubs.

Crete is home to four different areas; Heraklion, Lasithi, West Chania and East Chania.

Heraklion is located in the north of the island and is the most popular tourist destination due to its long sandy beaches, variety of accommodation, eateries and bars. This well developed area includes Hersonissos (15 miles from Heraklion and home to Crete's only 18-hole golf course), Gouves (11 miles east of Heraklion), Kokino Hani (7 miles from Heraklion), Fodele (west of Heraklion) and Koutouloufari on the slopes of Mount Pyrgias.

West Chania is located in the eastern corner of the island and is much less developed and more peaceful than Heraklion. The area includes the small modern resort of Gerani, the uncrowded Maleme, the small peaceful Tavronitis and the small fishing village of Kolimbari which is well known for its fish tavernas.

East Chania is home to the popular tourist resort of Aghios Nikolaos and the smaller resorts of Amoudara (2 miles from Aghios Nikolaos), Istron with its unspoilt beaches, the traditional Cretan village of Kalo Chorio and the relaxed town of Lerapetra with its long seafront promenade and two stretches of blue flag status beach.

Lasithi, on the north coast of Crete, has many beaches, perfect waters and resorts ranging from lively to peaceful havens. Resorts here include Almirida which has blue flag beaches and is perfect for laid-back holidays, the biggest resort in the area Platanias (6 miles west of the town of Chania) and the beautiful quaint village of Kalives which still retains its Cretan character.

The summer sunshine, crystal clear warm waters and beautiful beaches are perfect for water sports including scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, parasailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, banana boat rides and pedalos. Away from the beaches visitors can explore the island on horseback; riding along deserted beaches, past quaint unspoilt villages and through vineyards and olive groves. Riders can follow the trails, hidden paths and ancient donkey routes to see the best of Crete. Others may wish to explore the island on foot, bicycle or by road. Spring is an excellent time for hiking and rambling along the trails and ancient paths which will lead you along the coastline and through the stunning countryside. For lovers of history and culture, Crete is steeped in ancient history and mythology. Known as the birthplace of Zeus, the island is home to many archaeological sites such as the Minoan Palaces of Knossos and Phaestos, Malia, Zakros and Gortyn. The island has many museums, a visit to the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion which offers an insight into the islands past is a must.

Crete has one of the best climates in Europe, with temperatures peaking in July and August, dropping just a few degrees in May, June and September and still remaining warm in April and October. Average temperatures during the summer season range from 29C to 30C in the daytime and around the 24C mark at night. The remaining months of the year are much cooler, especially in the mountains and the north of the island.

Emma Healey is the co-founder and owner of traveltravel.co.uk, specialists in cheap holidays and travel deals to worldwide destination. Thanks for taking the time to read my article and be sure to watch out for more of my articles as I'm writing many travel blogs and have some great topics coming soon.

Article Source: Emma_Healey

 

The Rock of Gibraltar: For Military Buffs, Nature Seekers, or Animal Lovers? Yes!

Driving onto the peninsula of Gibraltar, which adjoins the southern coast of Spain at the western end of the Mediterranean, is easy. From Spain take A7 (Cadiz - Málaga highway) and turn off at Junction 119 into the N351 to La Linea, the border town between Spain and Gibraltar. After presenting your passport at border security, you'll come across a string of restaurants and the local supermarket, Morrison's. The Dolphin snack bar is located partway up the mountain, and offers adequate fare for a light lunch with views of the Mediterranean. Afterwards, head to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, where a wealth of opportunities awaits.

St. Michael's Cave 

If you haven't had an opportunity to see the famous Blue Grotto on the Isle of Capri, here's your chance to view a dramatic example of a natural cave, situated at about 300 meters above sea level. Admission charge is 5 Euro plus 2 for your vehicle, and includes the Cave, access to designated nature walks, such as Mediterranean Steps and Anglian Way, and the Moorish Castle (see below).

Apes on the Loose 

Barbary macaques roam freely on the Rock. While feeding them is strictly forbidden, the animals are so used to visitors that it's easy to get great photos of them playing, grooming each other, etc., without a telephoto lens. (Use caution, however: we rolled down our window to shoot some pictures and instantly an ape sprang toward us, balancing himself on the driver's window sill. They can bite if frightened, although I think our Maltese in the back seat was more shocked than the ape.

The City Under Siege Exhibition depicts what it was like during the Great Siege, France and Spain's attempt to take Gibraltar from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War, and you can explore the Great Siege Tunnels, Military Heritage Centre, and Victorian 100-Ton Gun. (Additional entrance fees apply.)

As you wind down the mountain, stop at the Moorish Castle where, if you're lucky, you'll have the place all to yourself: perfect for a fantasy flight back to the early 1300's.

When you feel the need to check into cyberspace after a day offline, head to free public parking in Old Town near The O'Callaghan Eliott Hotel, a 4-star base from which to explore the churches and shops of Main Street and Irish Town. There's a charge for Internet for non-guests, however, so an alternative is a drink around the corner from the hotel at The Cannon Bar, a pub with an amiable owner and staff. fine food and brew, and free Wi-FI: a tempting trio for any weary traveler.

Tricia Pimental is the author of Rabbit Trail: How a Former Playboy Bunny Found Her Way, and a novel, Slippery Slopes. A Screen Actors Guild member and native New Yorker, she currently resides in Portugal.

Visit her at http://www.triciapimental.com and read her blog, Notes from a Movable Marriage, at http://triciapimental.wordpress.com.

Article Source: Tricia_Pimental

 

Diving in Gran Canaria

Diving holidays are becoming more and more popular with adventurous holiday makers, looking for a fun way to relax and unwind, in beautiful surroundings above and below the water.

Gran Canaria is rated as one of the top 100 dive sites in the world in no small part thanks to the diverse and colourful marine life from the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Atlantic oceans.

Gran Canaria shares top spot with Caribbean and Red Sea resorts for many seasoned divers. However, Gran Canaria has the advantage of being closer to home for most European visitors, as well as being a much safer environment for a diving holiday.

There are eleven species of marine life that are only found in the Canaries and more than 400 distinct marine species in the warm waters surrounding the island.

Most of the island is surrounded by a shelf of between 20 - 24 metres which is ideal for recreational diving.

Even in shallow waters, scuba divers and swimmers can enjoy an array of sealife.

There are also great wrecks in the north of the island and beautiful and diverse marine life at Pasito Blanco and El Cabron.

The beautiful year round climate also makes the island a favourite choice for diving. Visitors, and locals alike, enjoy exploring the warm waters.

There are also many different ways to enjoy diving in Gran Canaria, ranging from sheltered bays for beginners, to deeper wrecks for more experienced divers to explore.

Visitors can also choose from natural and artificial reefs throughout the island.

Divers can enjoy both dives from shore and boat. In the north the best dives are accessed by boat whilst in the west the best diving is shore based as marine life venture near to the coastline.

Experienced guides can provide advice on the most appropriate dives for visitors of all abilities.

There are even opportunities to learn to dive in Gran Canaria.

Visitors arriving on the island without their own equipment can hire full equipment, including shore entry boots and wetsuits, from almost any dive centre.

It is also possible to enjoy night dives where visitors can see species which are never visible during the day, such as red-legged octopus, golden Balearic congers, sea hares, squid, and sand crabs.

Special moments diving in Gran Canaria can also be captured with underwater cameras as the waters are beautiful and clean.

Underwater photography competitions have even been held, and some great photography can be found online, and in diving brochures, magazines and books.

People visiting for a diving holiday with family and friends who are non-divers needn't worry; the island has attractions for visitors of all ages and interests.

The main resorts across the island boast amazing beaches, water parks, family attractions, museums, art galleries, plenty of shopping and night life to suit all tastes.

The beautiful climate also caters for visitors wanting to unwind with a good book, a cold drink and glorious uninterrupted sunshine.

As Gran Canaria is warmed by a branch of the Gulf Stream temperatures reach about 23-24C in late summer and rarely drop below 18C in the winter.

Winter escapes are becoming increasingly popular with divers. Some groups and families even visit during Christmas vacations to enjoy sunshine and diving rather than snow and Santa.

Irrespective of the time of year, or the level of experience people have, Gran Canaria is the perfect location for any diving holiday.

The fantastic range of accommodation on the island, offering great value and luxurious surroundings, makes it an ideal choice for a diving holiday.

It's no wonder that thousands of visitors choose Gran Canaria for their diving holiday. World class diving in Gran Canaria is certainly making a splash!

Carlos Richardson writes for Adventure Included - Adventure Holiday Spain

Article Source: Carlos_Richardson