Tuesday 16 August 2011

Best Beaches In The World


If you’re ready to get away and take the family to a beach that’s relaxing and entertaining for adults, but that still keeps the trip fun and exciting for the kids, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 beaches in the world for families. So, let’s start the countdown from number five and work our way to the very best beach.
5. Trunk Bay, St. John in the Virgin Islands
Trunk Bay is part of the Virgin Islands National Park, and probably the least known beach in our list. But, it is one of the best kept secrets of the Virgin Islands. With the offshore coral reefs, Trunk Bay beach is considered the best on the island of St. John.
Visitors can lounge in the sun, or explore the coral reefs in the pristine waters off the coast of St. John. You can even try your hand at underwater photography with the snorkeling equipment rentals available. For more adventure you can take the family hiking into the park to see old sugar plantations and the history of St. John.
4. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is a popular hotspot and home to some of the best beaches in the world. The best time of the year to visit this Mexican paradise is around November or December. You’ll avoid the spring breakers and the tropical storm season that usually hits in September or October. It’s also the best time to get a deal, and when traveling as a family, good rates are important.
Since you’ll want to find accommodations close to or on the beach, you’ll find your best bets on the famous Hotel Zone, which is a 14 mile peninsula into the Caribbean Sea. Our pick for the best hotel in Cancun is the Barcelo Costa situated on the Playa Linda Beach in Cancun. This resort is close to the golf course, shopping and of course, the beach.
3. St. Tropez, France
Most people think of Hollywood stars and clothing optional beaches when they hear St. Tropez. However, there are several family friendly beaches in St. Tropez that feature beach playgrounds, and places to find snacks for the kids. Stay away in the summer months as there are hordes of people on the beaches and in the shops. June and September are the best months to take the family to the beach so you can still enjoy the warm climate, but avoid the masses.
The Amarante Golf Plaza Hotel sits on the Bay of St. Tropez and features luxury amenities like a swimming pool, fitness room, golf and tennis, and serves gourmet food in their on-site restaurant.
2. Paradise Island, Bahamas
Paradise Island is small at only 5 square miles, but it is heaven for beach goers. Besides the sandy beaches there are lots of fun things to do with the family including shopping along the quaint streets, eating local cuisine, or venturing through the 100-foot underwater tunnel to see sharks, barracudas, and stingrays.
The Atlantis is the premier location to stay in Paradise Island, with water activities for the kids and a full 18-hole golf course. On their Cabbage Beach you can parasail, jetski, and snorkel.
1. Surfers Paradise Beach, Australia
Surfers Paradise Beach is our top pick because of the selection of activities for people young and old. The beaches are gorgeous, the water clear and inviting, and a ton of fun attractions at the Gold Coast. There are plenty of theme parks like Sea World and Movie World. Activities run the range from shopping, laying on the beach, snorkeling, surfing, fishing, and even bungee jumping. At night they have hopping clubs and a casino.






Best Beaches


Voted one of the most photogenic beaches in the Caribbean, and for good reason. Trunk Bay features powdery sand and vibrant aquamarine waters. The underwater self-guided tour is also popular among amateur snorkelers.
9. Paradise Beach - Mykonos
Paradise Beach is the most popular beach on the Greek island of Mykonos. The beach is popular with a younger crowd, and clothing is sometimes optional.
8. Tulum Beach - Mexico
Tulum, just 2 hours south of Cancun, is popular for its powder sand beaches and limestone rocks. There's plenty of room to roam, the beaches are quite big.
7. Grace Bay - Caribbean
One of the best beaches in the Caribbean, the fine white sand of Grace Bay is to die for. Natural reefs protect the bay, which makes it ideal for snorkeling.
6. Plage Malendure - Guadeloupe
Nestled among the rainforests at the base of a volcano in Guadeloupe lies Plage Malendure. Soft black sand can be found on the beaches here, thanks to the volcano. The water is clear and the temperature is perfect.
5. Clifton Beach on Cape Town, South Africa
The beaches of Clifton are interesting because each of the 4 beaches are divided by large granite boulders. Each beach has its own personality, with the 4th beach being the most active.
4. Shelly (Manly) - Sydney
Manly is unique because it is surrounded by the ocean on 3 sides. The gorgeous peninsula features exquisite beaches with amazing views. Manly is a luxury beach resort, so it naturally attracts many travelers from all over Sydney and beyond.
3. South Beach - Florida
South Beach is considered Florida's best party destination. With warm beaches as well as an active nightlife, you'll find South Beach a great beach to visit.
2. St. Tropez - France
St. Tropez is very active and popular tourist destination, you'll even find plenty of celebrities frolicking here. The beaches of St. Tropez are each unique in their own right. Some are family oriented, others are clothing optional.
1. Lanikai Beach - Hawaii
Lanikai Beach translated in Hawaiian means ""heavenly sea"" and it really does live up to its name. Lanikai Beach is considered a great secret of Hawaii, and for good reason. The fine sands are perfect for lounging, and the clear waters are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports.




South African People


south african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.




South AfricanTours


south african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.




South African Travel


Gauteng, South Africa's smallest province, is also its industrial, financial and commercial hub and a gateway to southern Africa. It was here where the cradle of humankind is found, where gold was discovered, apartheid fell, the new constitution was written and Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President. A hefty history for any place, but in Gauteng anything is possible. A sense of excitement prevails in this technologically advanced, culturally diverse, vibrantly artistic destination which beckons the visitor with a multitude of opportunities to discover and experience its precious life spirit.
Situated at an average altitude of 1500m above sea level, Gauteng falls in a summer rainfall area with afternoon thunderstorms an occurrence. Daily temperatures range from an average midsummer maximum of 26 degrees Celsius to an average winter maximum of 16 degrees Celsius.
Excellent shopping facilities ranging from exclusive, luxury or trendy items at modern malls to art and craft bargains at 'flea markets' and roadside stalls. Visit Sandton City, Rosebank (Mall, The Zone, galleries, Rooftop Market on Sundays), Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Oriental Plaza, Market Square Precint (on weekend), Jewel City (for diamonds directly from the cutters) and Michael Mount Organic Market. Special purchases include designer wear and fashion items; jewellery (especially gold and diamonds); decor items and traditional African masks, craft items e.g. bead work and sculpture.




South African Countries


There is growing consensus that modern biotechnology holds the key to sustainable development. This is, especially, in the light of the fact that the world's population is fast growing without corresponding land expansion. Modern biotechnology is considered cost effective and therefore very applicable to poor resource farming. Scientific evidence exist that associate genetically modified crops with high yields. This explains why Sub-Saharan Africa, long ravaged by drought and famine is being encouraged to embrace modern biotechnology.
Modern biotechnology is already dominant in the US, Canada, Spain, Mexico, China, Argentina, and Brazil. These countries not only produce enough for their domestic consumption but also for export. Perhaps, this is the most significant aspect of GM cultivation. For without ready market surplus yields would go to waste. I raise this issue because the current trade imbalance threatens to imperil North-South technology transfer. This is especially critical in Africa, which for many years has been struggling to penetrate oversees markets with little success.
Let me illustrate this point. Currently, the US and Europe are involved in a bitter trade war with four West African countries - Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad and Mali, over subsidies they offer their cotton farmers. The four West African countries, popularly known as C4 attribute low cotton prices, which are seriously strangling their farmers, on these subsidies. Subsidies are meant to ensure that farmers always get value for their farm investments. They don't have to worry about price fluctuations for they are guaranteed of compensation by their governments.




South African Embassy


south african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.




South African Penguins

Scientifically named as Spheniscus demersusb, the African penguin is one of the native species of the fauna of the south-western coast of the African continent. 'Black-footed penguin' is another name for it. And in case you did not know, this flightless bird is also known as the 'Jackass penguin'. Why? Well, it brays in the same way as the donkey does. An average adult can grow up to 68 - 70 cm, that is 26.7 - 27.5 inches. And, 4 and 12 pounds is the measure between which the bird can weigh. One can easily identify this creature, given its black stripe and black spots on the chest or the belly. What is interesting about these spots is that their pattern is unique for each penguin, like our fingerprints are. So no African penguin can get away with a crime! That was a bad joke, wasn't it? Coming back to another one of the interesting African penguin facts, it is about the creature's eyes. Well, not exactly about its eyes, but some pink glands above them. The function of these glands is to cool down the bird when it gets hotter. What happens is, on a hot day, the blood rushes to this gland to help the bird cool down by the surrounding air. That is why, the hotter the day is, the more pink these parts become. Some more African penguin facts have been compiled in the following.





Pictures Of South African Beaches


south african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.




South African Tourism


south african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.




South African Holidays


outh african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.





South African Vacations


The words Cheap Africa Vacations don't really make sense, so why did you search under these three words?
If you think about it logically, the word 'cheap' has come to mean poor quality, when really what you want is quality that is inexpensive!!
The question now is, do you know anything that is cheap, but is good quality, so don't think you can get Cheap Africa vacations that are also high quality!!
The next point is Africa - you need to be more specific - after all Africa is a very large continent, with huge differences in scenery, climate, and cultures, so where in Africa do you rally want to take a cheap vacation?
Consider this - Africa takes in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, all different in themselves, but vastly different to Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, which are themselves different to South Africa.
We must add to this list, the offshore islands of Zanzibar, and perhaps The Seychelles, and Mauritius, although it would be easy to argue they belong to The Indian Ocean, and wouldn't qualify as somewhere to go for a Cheap Africa Vacation.
Finally from the three words Cheap Africa Vacations, we must take the word 'Vacation'.
What does a vacation mean to you, because the success or failure of your hard earned break depends entirely on your family unit all being happy with the same kind of vacation.
You may think a safari would be amazing, but how do you feel about tents, creepy crawlies? Do you want to spend time looking at ancient treasures and tombs





South African Holiday


outh african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.




South African Airlines


outh african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.





African Beaches


outh african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.




South African


outh african beach,best south african beaches,beaches in africa,south african culture,south african,african beaches,south african airlines,
south african holiday,south african vacations,south african holidays,south african tourism,pictures of south african beaches,
south african penguins,south african embassy,south african countries,south african travel,south african tours,south african people,
best beaches,best beaches in the world,african penguins,top beaches in the world,beach vacations,south african hotels,south african sports,
south african beach resorts,hotel deals,beach sa,honeymoon packages,adventure travel,south african resorts,vacation package.




South African Culture

Perhaps one of the most spectacular features about the culture in South Africa would be that there isn’t just one single culture, but instead a whole cornucopia of different cultures that represent every level of an extremely stratified community. There are of course many hybrid mixtures of these varied cultures, making this nation one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world.

Culture cant get more diverse than it is in South Africa. This is a multiracial community and defining certain distinct subgroups by skin color alone will land you into a great deal of trouble. Those of British and Afrikaner descent most certainly wont be too happy to be mistaken as one another, and there are many different major and minor groupings that come under the traditional black African cultures.

The melding and mingling in the urban areas of South Africa, together with the intense suppression if the age-old traditional cultures during the years of apartheid, means that the older, more pleasant ways of life are all beginning to fade, but the traditional black cultures are still going strong in many parts of the countryside. Across the different tribes and groups, taboos and marriage customs tend to differ, but one common point that you will notice amongst most of the African traditional cultures is that they are all based on beliefs in ancestral spirits, masculine deities, and supernatural forces. On the whole, polygamy is acceptable and a dowry is generally paid. Cattle also play a very big role in most South African cultures as sacrificial animals and are looked upon as symbols of wealth and riches.

Looking at the art that has come out of the aboriginal populations of South Africa is probably the only way that we can connect with many of its lost cultures. Cave paintings and rock paintings by the San that back to nearly 26,000 years ago are just a small example of the art that has come out of this diverse cultural melting pot that is known to us as South Africa. There are many other cases, like the intricately ‘coded’ beadwork made by the Zulus, which is another good example of the traditional African art that have been created and adapted to survive in different conditions. The Zulu is probably one of the only strongest black cultures that survive till date and the Zulu songs along with their massed singing demonstrations are a very powerful reflection of this ancient culture. The Xhosa tribe also has a very strong presence in the cultural stage of South Africa and they are also known as the red people because of the red clothing worn by the adults.

The distinct culture of the Afrikaner’s has been developed throughout the years in a very deliberate isolation that saw them wandering around with their cows and a Bible in their hands while the rest of Europe experimented with liberalism and democracy. The rural communities of today still revolve around the conservative churches.