Malaysia Beaches,Langkawi the Most Romantic destination

Langkawi’s islands and the adjacent beaches are a few of the most dazzling places in Southeast Asia in Malaysia. This is one of the finest places you can opt for picnic with your love. White sand gleaming in the glow of the stifling sun, pleased by the light wind as gulls and eagles wave in the skies, for sand and surf, which Langkawi has to offer.
5. Langkawi
This small island never wonder be celebrated the most excellent beaches among outing crazies. The beautiful sweeping seashore, sandy bays, warm water and its vegetation all leads to in a dreamy day.

Malaysia Beaches,Langkawi the Most Romantic destination

Langkawi’s islands and the adjacent beaches are a few of the most dazzling places in Southeast Asia in Malaysia. This is one of the finest places you can opt for picnic with your love. White sand gleaming in the glow of the stifling sun, pleased by the light wind as gulls and eagles wave in the skies, for sand and surf, which Langkawi has to offer.
5. Langkawi
This small island never wonder be celebrated the most excellent beaches among outing crazies. The beautiful sweeping seashore, sandy bays, warm water and its vegetation all leads to in a dreamy day.

Book Regent Now to Beat April 1st Fare Increase

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced that it is raising rates effective April 1, 2010, on its 2010 Europe itineraries.  Currently, Regent is offering up to $1,000 off already 2-for-1 fares for a number of Mediterranean cruises aboard the Seven Seas Mariner.  On top of the savings rates, Regent also is offering free roundtrip airfare, free unlimited shore excursions, and free business class airfare for guests who book a Penthouse Suite or above.  Penthouse Suites or above also come complete with  dedicated Butler Service.  Guests below the Penthouse Suite can upgrade to Business Class air for a low promotional rate of $999 each way.

Consider the following cruises (Note:  all rates include airfare from select gateway cities, all taxes and port charges, gratuities, and complimentary beverages):
  • July 10-21, 2010, Rome to Venice (11 Nights), visiting Sorrento, Amalfi/Positano, Taormina, Olympia, Corfu, Kotor & Dubrovnik, Korcula, and Koper.  Click here for details.
  • July 21-31, 2010, Venice to Barcelona (10 Nights), visiting Dubrovnik, Corfu, Sarande, Olympia, Taormina, Sorrento, Rome/Civitavecchia, Livorno, and Marseille.  Click here for details.
  • July 31-August 7, 2010, Barcelona to Rome (7 Nights), visiting Palma de Mallorca, Mahon, St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, Portofino, and Livorno.  Click here for details.
  • August 7-19, 2010, Rome to Venice (12 Nights), visiting Sardinia, Sorrento, Trapani, La Goulette, Valletta, Santorini, Olympia, Corfu, and Durbrovnik.  Click here for details.
  • August 19-26, 2010, Venice to Athens (7 Nights), visiting Split, Kotor, Corfu, Sarande, Olympia, and Santorini.  Click here for details.
  • August 26-September 5, 2010, Athens to Istanbul (10 Nights), visiting Kusadasi, Sevastopol, Sochi, Yalta, Odessa, Constanta/Bucharest, and Nessebur.  Click here for details.
  • September 5-15, 2010, Istanbul to Athens (10 Nights), visiting Mykonos, Santorini, Kusadasi/Ephesus, Rhodes, Limassol, Haifa, and Asdod (overnight).  Click here for details.
Some things to know about Regent:
  • All rooms are spacious suites with balconies.  Minimum square feet is 252, with an additional 49 square foot balcony.
  • Dining is open seating in one of four onboard dining venues.  They include Prime 7, offering contemporary interpretations of classic American steakhouse fare; Signatures, serving French cuisine inspired by Le Cordon Bleu; Compass Rose, Regent's flagship restaurant serving up continental speciatlies; and La Veranda, serving elegant buffets.
  • All gratuities, soft drinks, and most alcoholic beversages are complimentary onboard.
  • Dress is elegant casual; there are no formal nights.
  • Ships are mid-size, catering to a maximum of just 700 guests, making for a more intimate, relaxes experience.

    Unique Pissa Tower - Italy Travel World

    travel world
    italy travel world

    Anthropologie goes Cirque!

    I was so excited to go to my mailbox today and find the February Anthropologie catalog. Always a treat! I'm going crazy over it since it's a circus theme. I recently blogged about the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas "Cirque" decor, now here it is in Anthropologie, but with apparel. What a brilliant team of people at Anthro. Always in for a surprise and never disappoints!

    the catalog cover -- LOVE it!

    Looks like stripes are back, and ruffles are here to stay for awhile with these fun tops...


    Whimsical shoes with names like, 'Intermission Heels', 'Acrobatic Wedges', and 'Come One Come All', it's sounding like a circus!


    Love the "Santa Clara Clutch." Painted ponies spin 'round and 'round atop this slim leather purse, inviting you to store tickets stubs and circus peanuts in its confines.



    So stop clowning around and go visit The Greatest Show on Earth at Anthropologie! See the entire line of new arrivals and even flip through the catalog!


    photos from Anthropologie

    Thank you and Dungeness Crab...


    It's been one of those dreary days outside, putting me into one of those "deep thinking" modes. I think you can relate to this kind of day. The kind when something is just gnawing at you.

    I was pondering...what is happening to the Art of Gratitude? The lost art of letter writing? If a gift is given, or a kind act is bestowed, isn't it important to recognize the thoughtfulness of the giver with a short note of appreciation, or at the very least, a phone call or email?


    One of my favorite stories is about a family friend, (let's call her "Mildred"), sending fresh Dungeness crab every year to some members of my family back east (let's call them "the Smiths"). Every year it was the same, Mildred sent the box of fresh crab and never received a thank you or acknowledgment from the Smiths. Year after year Mildred wondered if the Smiths had received the crab. When finally asked by another family member, Mrs. Smith replied, "If someone gives something with the expectation of a thank you, they shouldn't give it. I just don't have the time to reply. We have such a busy life." Well, I hope you know how the story ends. Mildred never sent the crab again.

    Perhaps I'm from an older generation that were taught since childhood to send thank you notes for gifts we received, or call someone to thank them for the dinner party we attended the previous night. I still think it's the right thing to do. It only takes a moment. And, how many times do we get disappointed when someone doesn't acknowledge something we've done, even though we're not doing it to get something back in return?

    Okay, I'll get off of my soap box now. Promise. Let me sign off by giving you a BIG THANK YOU for reading my blog, leaving comments when I may not have time to reciprocate (I hope I'm not sounding like Mrs. Smith), and sharing your stories. I'm already starting to feel brighter!

    Have a great weekend!

    photo credit 1. Darwin Bell, 2.
    Taste SF

    Dolphins in Hawaii - A Hawaii Big Island Dolphin Story

    Dear Hawaii vacation lovers,
    Remember the 'mantra' we have about our Best Hawaii Vacation blog? It's all about sharing our love with Hawaii and its people with Hawaii visitors. It's those unique Hawaii stories which we hope will awaken your curiosity about the Hawaiian Islands, ancient Hawaii culture of its people and flora and fauna.

    So meet a new Best Hawaii Vacation blog guest author today: Lisa Weber! Lisa lived in Hawaii for 14 years, mostly in Puna and Hilo on the Big Island. She traveled extensively with her family to every island of Hawaii and talks about her trips on her site andHawaii.com, exploring every beach and waterfall and cool-sunset-viewing-spot she could find. Here is Lisa's story about her personal encounter with wild dolphins in Hawaii:

    Kayaking with Dolphins, On Their Terms - A Big Island of Hawaii Story

    "Let me tell you a story about one of the most awesome experiences of my life. It happened in 1998 or 1999 at a deserted cove on the Big Island of Hawaii.My husband and I were camping. We had a four wheel drive and we liked to explore the island, so we undertook a several mile trek over old lava from Highway 11 to the ocean on a lava road in the area of Manuka in Kau.
    Now, when I say road, I actually mean crudely-beaten-down-path. Basically, there was a huge field of lava, and over several years, slightly-crazy people in lifted, beaten-up 4 wheel drives drove on this lava field to the ocean, taking the way that looked the easiest, and eventually a sort of path was visible to the eye. I know we contributed to the beating down of the path with the bottom of our jeep several times as we bounced and scraped.

    So, at the bottom, we had the area all to ourselves. There was a rocky cove area that will probably be a nice beach in a few hundred years, a very large heiau (ancient Hawaiian temple), and a nice grove of Kiawe trees over to the left that made shade for a campsite. This is where we set up, but we had to be careful because Kiawe thorns on the ground were big enough and sharp enough to go through the sole of any tennis shoe or slipper.

    Shortly after we set up the campground, we took down the kayak from the top of the jeep and launched it into the water. As soon as we were about 20 feet away from shore we were suddenly surrounded by dolphins. They came from nowhere and literally surrounded us. They were everywhere. My husband and I were actually a little scared, not because they were aggressive, but because they were sooo energetic, and most of their energy seemed focused right on us. This was our first close-up experience with dolphins in the ocean and we weren't sure what to expect.

    Imagine ... there were 15 to 25 dolphins, and they were surrounding us. They were obviously Hawaiian Spinner dolphins because several of them jumped out of the water and spun straight up, 5 or 6 feet up in the air. They would dart beneath the kayak, then spin jump up on the other side, and splash us as they came down, then they would turn around and dart beneath us again, and do it again on the other side.

    Wild dolphins in Hawaii watched from a boat in Molokai
    There were two babies in the group that we saw, and the babies would try to jump like the adults, but they didn't have the strength or ability yet, because they would only make it about a foot or two out of the water before splashing back down on their sides. They were very cute, and absolutely wonderful, these baby steps ... or baby jumps.

    So, this went on for about 15 minutes, and then the pod made their way out of the cove. It's like they came cruising past the cove, saw us, and said to each other something like "let's go show off," or "let's go say hi." Sometimes I like to think that they were introducing the baby dolphins in the pod to humans, saying "these are humans, that's what they look like, they get all excited when they see us. They are mostly good and fine, just use good judgement about whether to get close to them or not.

    We had a camera with us, but it was one of the first digital cameras ever, or maybe one of the first ones we could afford, so it didn't take very good pictures, and we forgot to take pictures for the first 10 to 15 minutes anyway. We just floated there with our mouth open saying "oh my gosh!" "look at that!" "Did you see that?!" "ooooooohhhhh!" "amazing!" and other more colorful things.

    One of Lisa's Hawaii dolphin photos
    It was truly an amazing and awe-inspiring experience that I will never, ever forget. We talked about it long into the night, trying to sustain that feeling of awe and wonder for as long as possible."

    Much mahalo, Lisa, for this wonderful Hawaii dolphin story. To everybody of our Hawaii visitors who is wondering whether they can still experience such an encounter with the dolphins today, we say 'Yes, you can'! Maybe not with the first try but with the right preparation, patience, commitment and the right place, our unique Hawaii nature is at your finger tips. Hawaii is full of wonders, like our wild dolphins, waiting to be discovered by you on your Hawaii vacation! Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations
    p.s.
    We invite everybody who wants to read more unique articles about Hawaii to visit this month's Carnival of Aloha put together by Evelyn from HomespunHonolulu.com: from 'A Love Letter to Lanai' to 'President Obama's vacation home at Kailua Beach on Oahu and much more.


    Romantic Cruise Vacation Ideas in Exotic Island

    One of the most popular romantic excursions is a cruise. But choosing and booking a cruise still presents a challenge for many, as there are many unique aspects and decisions involved with this type of travel and adventure.

    So we've put together this section of advice and tips on helping you get the best and most romantic cruise vacation. Whether it's a last-minute sailing to the Bahamas for just 3 nights, or your quest for the best honeymoon cruise, you'll find all kinds of useful info here.

    Romantic Cruise Vacation Ideas in Exotic Island

    One of the most popular romantic excursions is a cruise. But choosing and booking a cruise still presents a challenge for many, as there are many unique aspects and decisions involved with this type of travel and adventure.

    So we've put together this section of advice and tips on helping you get the best and most romantic cruise vacation. Whether it's a last-minute sailing to the Bahamas for just 3 nights, or your quest for the best honeymoon cruise, you'll find all kinds of useful info here.

    Exotic Florida Vacation Ideas


    Our Florida pages include Miami and South Beach, Orlando, Naples, and soon, romantic resorts in Florida's best spots, including the Florida Keys and Disneyworld.
    If you're thinking about a romantic getaway in Florida, we've found some great destinations for couples we think you'll love...

    Our favorite Florida beach vacation spots? Maureen and I love the fabulous white sand beaches around Naples on the Gulf Coast. On the Atlantic side, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach and Key Biscayne are excellent.

    Let's look at some of the best places to visit in Florida for romantic escapes...

    Exotic Florida Vacation Ideas


    Our Florida pages include Miami and South Beach, Orlando, Naples, and soon, romantic resorts in Florida's best spots, including the Florida Keys and Disneyworld.
    If you're thinking about a romantic getaway in Florida, we've found some great destinations for couples we think you'll love...

    Our favorite Florida beach vacation spots? Maureen and I love the fabulous white sand beaches around Naples on the Gulf Coast. On the Atlantic side, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach and Key Biscayne are excellent.

    Let's look at some of the best places to visit in Florida for romantic escapes...

    Top Honeymoon Destinations in Exotix Island

    After the big day is over, then you can begin the best part of the wedding ceremony – heading off to your honeymoon, a sliver of time in which to unwind and spend hour after hour of quality time together. The best honeymoon destinations offer this opportunity, along with a chance to explore a foreign land, or just laze away beneath the palm trees in paradise.

    It should come as no surprise that beach-centered escapes are the most common kind of vacations for newlyweds. Hawaii is always top of the list when it comes to best honeymoon destinations – where sexy ambiance, luxurious resorts and breathtaking views collide. It doesn’t matter which part you choose, really; Maui, the Big Island, Oahu – all of them are time-tested, top honeymoon destinations. Love-struck and dewy-eyed couples abound here, where hundreds of honeymoon packages are offered, and can be had for reasonable prices. You can even mix a little adventure into your stay, as opportunities to hike, dive and surf are everywhere.

    For similar reasons, the Caribbean is home to many of the world’s best honeymoon destinations. Whether you prefer the reggae beats of Jamaica, verdant hills of Saint Lucia or the exotic colonial appeal of Barbados, the Gulf of Mexico has something for you. Bermuda and the Virgin Islands (primarily St. Thomas) are the most popular trips to take, but top honeymoon destinations can be found just by closing your eyes and pointing at a map of this region. The Cayman Islands are another place that spends a lot of time catering to new couples.

    Some couples prefer the innate sexiness of Europe over sandy beaches, which is why millions make their way to romance capitals such as Paris, London and Rome each year after their nuptials. France and Italy have long fashioned themselves as lands for lovers, and one trip across the Atlantic will prove just why. There’s nothing like seeing your lover in the soft light along the Seine in Paris at night, or amidst the ruins of Rome. The whispers of the Mediterranean often bring out the best in newlyweds, as the South of France and the Greek Islands also have a broad appeal, and are easily amongst the world’s best honeymoon destinations.

    The South Pacific is another place to relax and begin wedded bliss. Tahiti, Bora Bora and Fiji are all top honeymoon destinations, each offering their own take on honeymoon packages and blessed seclusion. It’s further out of the way than more traditional honeymoon trips, and that’s what makes it so nice. You can sit safely away with your new spouse and take in isolated lagoons, moonlit dinners and exquisite sunsets to your heart’s content.

    Top Honeymoon Destinations in Exotix Island

    After the big day is over, then you can begin the best part of the wedding ceremony – heading off to your honeymoon, a sliver of time in which to unwind and spend hour after hour of quality time together. The best honeymoon destinations offer this opportunity, along with a chance to explore a foreign land, or just laze away beneath the palm trees in paradise.

    It should come as no surprise that beach-centered escapes are the most common kind of vacations for newlyweds. Hawaii is always top of the list when it comes to best honeymoon destinations – where sexy ambiance, luxurious resorts and breathtaking views collide. It doesn’t matter which part you choose, really; Maui, the Big Island, Oahu – all of them are time-tested, top honeymoon destinations. Love-struck and dewy-eyed couples abound here, where hundreds of honeymoon packages are offered, and can be had for reasonable prices. You can even mix a little adventure into your stay, as opportunities to hike, dive and surf are everywhere.

    For similar reasons, the Caribbean is home to many of the world’s best honeymoon destinations. Whether you prefer the reggae beats of Jamaica, verdant hills of Saint Lucia or the exotic colonial appeal of Barbados, the Gulf of Mexico has something for you. Bermuda and the Virgin Islands (primarily St. Thomas) are the most popular trips to take, but top honeymoon destinations can be found just by closing your eyes and pointing at a map of this region. The Cayman Islands are another place that spends a lot of time catering to new couples.

    Some couples prefer the innate sexiness of Europe over sandy beaches, which is why millions make their way to romance capitals such as Paris, London and Rome each year after their nuptials. France and Italy have long fashioned themselves as lands for lovers, and one trip across the Atlantic will prove just why. There’s nothing like seeing your lover in the soft light along the Seine in Paris at night, or amidst the ruins of Rome. The whispers of the Mediterranean often bring out the best in newlyweds, as the South of France and the Greek Islands also have a broad appeal, and are easily amongst the world’s best honeymoon destinations.

    The South Pacific is another place to relax and begin wedded bliss. Tahiti, Bora Bora and Fiji are all top honeymoon destinations, each offering their own take on honeymoon packages and blessed seclusion. It’s further out of the way than more traditional honeymoon trips, and that’s what makes it so nice. You can sit safely away with your new spouse and take in isolated lagoons, moonlit dinners and exquisite sunsets to your heart’s content.

    Family Vacation in Alabama – Make it fun-filled

    A family vacation is more than just a vacation; it helps tighten the bonding among the family members. Everybody should go for a family vacation at least once in a year. Vacations refresh your mind and soul; it breaks the monotony of mechanical urban lifestyle.

    Why don’t you head to Alabama this year? Alabama is a state full with family fun, amusement and entertainment packages. From ocean to the mountain peaks, Alabama has a small slice of everything. It is said that the state never disappoints anybody.

    The state offers varieties of activities for travelers of all ages and likings. Many people fail to realize the wide range of attractions Alabama offers. To know Alabama and its culture, you have to come here. Rest assured, the state will not let you down.

    Eastern Alabama is home to the mountains. If camping and hiking are some your hobbies you should look for Alabama vacation rentals in and around Eastern Alabama. Spectacular views and mesmerizing landscape are the main attractions here. Hiking, camping are the main activities. Whether you come here during fall, winter or spring – Alabama will offer you an unforgettable vacation time.

    Southern Alabama is home to some popular beaches. The southern part of the state touches the gulf coast. Beach activities and fun are the main attractions here. Build sand castles, enjoy the waves and participate in beach sports. You will find many miniature golf courses near the beach; plenty of restaurants and shops will make your beach escape more attractive and enjoyable.

    Alabama is home to many vibrant and colorful cities; many cultural events and festivals are held here through out the year. You can consult the event or festival calendar of the state and visit the cities during a specific cultural event or festival.

    Birmingham hosts an array of cultural programs every year; these events will make your family vacation more exciting. Historical museums are worth visiting; a trip to museums is always exciting for kids and adults. The famous Butterfly Exhibit is something your children would definitely enjoy; it is a huge collection of butterflies; it is an out-of-the-world experience to walk among hundreds of butterflies.

    Simply put, there are so many things to do in Alabama that it is difficult to cover them all in one trip! You will always want to come back here again and again. However, a thoughtful plan can help you make best use of your time and money.

    Top 10 Travel Destinations in 2010

    It’s that time of year again. The time of year when everyone compiles their “best of” and “top 10″ lists. Typically, we try and zig when everyone else zags. However, with so many unbelievable travel bargains on the horizon for 2010, we felt the need to compile our own list of top travel spots for 2010. For anyone looking to plan a trip for the upcoming year, 2010 looks to be a banner year for travel. If you are planning a trip in the coming year, be sure to check out our top 10 travel destinations for 2010.

    Knysna-sunrise

    1. South Africa

    colombia

    2. Colombia

    roatan

    3. Roatan, Honduras

    the-kimberley

    4. The Kimberley, Western Australia

    queenstown

    5. Queenstown, New Zealand

    koh-samui

    6. Koh Samui, Thailand

    zadar-croatia

    7. Zadar, Croatia

    vieques

    8. Vieques, Puerto Rico

    Uruguay

    9. Uruguay

    cesky

    10. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

    Top 10 Travel Destinations in 2010

    It’s that time of year again. The time of year when everyone compiles their “best of” and “top 10″ lists. Typically, we try and zig when everyone else zags. However, with so many unbelievable travel bargains on the horizon for 2010, we felt the need to compile our own list of top travel spots for 2010. For anyone looking to plan a trip for the upcoming year, 2010 looks to be a banner year for travel. If you are planning a trip in the coming year, be sure to check out our top 10 travel destinations for 2010.

    Knysna-sunrise

    1. South Africa

    colombia

    2. Colombia

    roatan

    3. Roatan, Honduras

    the-kimberley

    4. The Kimberley, Western Australia

    queenstown

    5. Queenstown, New Zealand

    koh-samui

    6. Koh Samui, Thailand

    zadar-croatia

    7. Zadar, Croatia

    vieques

    8. Vieques, Puerto Rico

    Uruguay

    9. Uruguay

    cesky

    10. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic