Bali Sunset, Indonesia

Bali is magical. As probably the most famous island in Indonesia, Bali blends spectacular mountain scenery and beautiful beaches with warm and friendly people, a vibrant culture and out of this world resorts.

Travel & Leisure Magazine has awarded Bali the World’s Best Island in 2009, while the Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel 2010 ranked Bali second place among the world’s Top Regions.

Also known as the Land of the Gods, Bali appeals through its sheer natural beauty of looming volcanoes and lush terraced rice fields that exude peace and serenity. Bali enchants with its dramatic dances and colourful ceremonies, its arts and crafts, to its luxurious beach resorts and exciting night life.  For this exotic island has much to offer, from inspirational spirituality to fine dining and meeting experiences, from world class surfing and diving to exhilarating treks in the wild. And everywhere you will find intricately carved temples.

For, the Balinese, who embrace the Hindu religion, are a most devout people where a large part of their lives is dedicated to rites and ceremonies aimed at maintaining harmony in this world.  Indeed, this relatively small island holds many surprises.

This is a miraculous island indeed, for after decades of popularity, Bali continues to amaze both local and international visitors alike.  Here gather a variety of visitors from around the globe: from those who come to surf the waves of Kuta, Uluwatu and Dreamland, to others who love the panoramic beauty of mountains and lakes at  Batur, Kintamani, or  Lake Beratan at  Bedugul, to those who merely love shopping or spend endless days on the beach.

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Mabul Island, Malaysia

Mabul is a small island off the south-eastern coast of Sabah in Malaysia. The island has been a fishing village since the 1970s. Then in the 1990s, it first became popular to divers due to its proximity to Sipadan island.

Located 15 km from Sipadan, this 20-hectare piece of land surfaces 2–3 meters above sea level, consists mostly flat grounds and aerial view is oval-shaped. Surrounding it are sandy beaches, perched on the northwest corner of a larger two square kilometer reef.

Mabul island is administered by Semporna, Tawau district.

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Mamanuca Islands

The Mamanuca Group of islands is a favourite destination for those looking for an island holiday in the Fiji Islands. With over 25 idealic tropical islands located just off the west coast of Viti Levu. It is very easy to access with flight transfers to many of the islands from the Nadi International Airport or daily boat transfers via the Malolo Cat and the Yasawa Flyer. There are a number of well known resorts located here catering to every type of traveller. With resorts specialising in honeymoons and weddings or budget island resorts. Many also offer special packages for adventure travellers of kid friendly family travel. The Mamanuca Islands has everthing for the holiday of a lifetime.

The islands in this group are some have some of the best beaches and lagoons in Fiji, with many of the resorts also offering scuba diving on many of the reefs in the area. There is so much that this region has to offer to the traveller that many return year after year to experience a holiday they will never forget.

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Camiguin Island, Philippines

Camiguin Island is located only 10 km north of Mindanao and is well known as a natural paradise. From the north side of the island you can see the Island of Bohol, which is about 50 km away.

Camiguin Island, View from White IslandThere are Seven(!) Volcanoes on the island itself from which two are still considered "active".

The presence of these volcanoes which rise up to 1800 meters high, supply the island with lots of water which comes out from several hot and cold springs all over the island. Rivers are forming waterfalls, where the water drops down from up to 76 meters in the middle of a tropical rainforest, like the Katibawasan Falls.

Since Camiguin is an volcanic island, most of its beaches are black. Maybe the only drawback, at least if you like white beaches on an tropical island.

Diving in CamiguinBut if you like to see white beaches, you might take a short boat trip to White Island or to Mantigue Island and you have white beaches at it's best.

Camiguin does not only have natural wonders on the surface. The beauty of the island continues even under water and offers some very spectacular and colorfull dive sites. Turtles, Manta Rays and Reef Sharks can be seen at the right time of the year.

Taken all this natural wonders in consideration, you should think that the island would be occupied with tourists but only a very few resorts gather for the very few foreign tourists who come to Camiguin every year. Sunset on Camiguin Island, PhilippinesFor tourists that means that the local people are not spoiled by tourist money and there is no typical tourist ripp off on the island.

The locals are very friendly to foreigners and will always greet you with "Hello Friend" unlike the typical "Hello Joe" which you will hear at every other place in the Philippines.

Spending your holiday in Camiguin means quiet and peacefull holidays. Just enjoy the natural beauty of the island and relax. If you feel bored however, just sign up for some Scuba Diving or a trekking tour to the Hibok Hibok Volcano. You may also want to rent a motorbike and discover some of the waterfalls and springs by yourself.

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Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, lies between the mountains and the sea and yet is no stranger to the wilderness. There is no other urban area like it.

About Anchorage

Among the northernmost cities on Earth, Anchorage is a place with big-city amenities: fine restaurants, museums, theaters and an excellent music scene. Creating the backdrop are the salmon-rich waters of Cook Inlet and the 5,000-foot-plus peaks of Chugach State Park. Within a short drive from downtown are dozens of wilderness adventures and a short plane ride opens up the possibility of almost any type adventure. That’s one reason why Anchorage’s Lake Hood is the world’s busiest floatplane base. Anchorage’s 284,994 residents embrace both the urban amenities and the wilderness beyond it.

Things to do

Anchorage features dozens of parks and 122 miles of paved bike paths. Warmed by a maritime climate, you can spend the day fishing Ship Creek downtown, hiking the nearby mountains, photographing glaciers and dining at a four-star restaurant. Within a 15-minute drive from downtown is the tree-lined trailhead of Anchorage’s most popular hike, Flattop Mountain. In winter, the city transforms into fluffy white playground, with 130 kilometers of maintained Nordic ski trails, dog sledding, ice skating, snowmobiling, ice sculptures and more. Just 45 minutes away is Alaska’s premier alpine ski resort, Alyeska Resort.

Getting here and around

Anchorage technically stretches across 1,955 square miles, from the Alaska Native village of Eklutna all the way to Portage Glacier south of town. Anchorage’s Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the state’s main air hub, and it’s no stretch to say all roads (in Alaska anyway) lead to Anchorage as well. Paved highways accessible from Anchorage connect to places like Fairbanks, Valdez, the Kenai Peninsula, Denali National Park and Preserve and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The Alaska Railroad’s main passenger depot is located in Anchorage and runs from Seward to Fairbanks.

History

Anchorage wasn’t officially founded until 1915, even though British explorer Captain James Cook sailed past the site in 1779 and gold prospectors discovered the bounty of Ship Creek in the late 1800s. It wasn’t until the Alaska Railroad set up a construction camp in 1915 that Anchorage was established and became a booming tent city of 2,000 people. Anchorage proved to be the ideal center for Alaska's rail, air and highway systems with the military build up of World War II and the discovery of oil in Cook Inlet in the 1950s, adding to its steady growth. After the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, the city was rebuilding itself when another opportunity arose: the discovery of a $10-billion oil reserve in Prudhoe Bay. Though the Trans-Alaska Pipeline doesn't come within 185 miles of Anchorage, the city became the headquarters of various petroleum and service companies.

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Koufonisia Islands, Greece

The Koufonisia islands are two small islets of the small Cyclades of Greece. The upper Koufonisi and lower Koufonisi are hard to locate even on a map, but offer infinite beauty capable of seducing even the most restrained visitor!

Many things could be said to describe them, however in reality they defy description. No words can truly illustrate the magic the visitor experiences from the very first moment they set foot on the Koufonisia islands.

The Aegean seas sun bathes the golden beaches and turquoise waters where the sea has sculpted the rocks into unique shapes and sea caves from whence the names of the islands are derived (Koufonisia - Hollow islands). Neighboring Keros captures the eye and the friendly, hospitable people make you feel as though you were part of one big happy group.

The Koufonisia have fanatic friends, whoever gets a taste of the extraordinary beauty never abandons them. In fact, for many years the recurring vacationers attempted to hide the destination of their vacations.

The years have gone by and the secret has gotten out, many have learned about these islands so you will not be totally alone. Every year new visitors disembark on the islands and new accommodations are being constructed (hotel, apartments, studios, and rooms to rent) are being built to cover their needs. The Koufonisia have just entered the tourist list.

However, every image and indication of the old way is still apparent to be seen, the magic and the positive energy is still there, and it still makes people feel lucky to have discovered this secret paradise on the Cyclades islands.

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Maui, Hawaii

From its heavenly beaches to its scenic natural wonders, there are plenty of reasons why Maui has been voted “Best Island” by readers of Conde Nast Traveler for nineteen years.

Discover your own reasons to love Maui as you stroll the seaside streets of Lahaina and the lovely beaches of Kaanapali. Feel the mana (power) of Haleakala National Park or discover the arts and culture of Kahului and Upcountry Maui. From championship golf courses to the scenic road to Hana, your vacation on the “Valley Isle” promises to be unforgettable. It’s no wonder why thousands of humpback whales migrate to Maui’s warm waters year after year. One visit to Maui and you just might join them.

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Saint Lucia

Where can you wake up to a symphony of birds and drive through a volcano? Only on St. Lucia island! St. Lucia stands apart from the rest of the Caribbean islands thanks to its varied landscape and diverse culture and cuisine, which is distinguished by African, Indian, Caribbean, British, Spanish and French influences. You can explore everything from the Piton Mountains and rainforest to the Sulphur Springs of Soufriere and the Caribbean coral reef on this 238 square-mile island in paradise. There are so many reasons to choose St. Lucia island!

When you book an all-inclusive vacation, resort or boutique hotel on this Caribbean island, the last thing you will do is wonder what to do in St. Lucia. The active traveler can snorkel in the refreshing Caribbean Sea, hike to the top of the Gros Piton or Petite Piton peaks, or take advantage of a wide range of water sports available at their St. Lucia Resort. The foodie can indulge in fresh local flavors by stopping at roadside stands or dining at five-star restaurants. Romantic couples can relax on the white sand of a pristine beach or in a mud bath before going on a one-of-a-kind date at one of St. Lucia’s music or cultural festivals.

Whatever your preference, your St. Lucia island vacation will be nothing but smooth sailing! Use this site to find information about all-inclusive vacations, activities on St. Lucia island and how to get to St. Lucia.

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Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 m (1,053 ft), it is the fourth tallest hotel in the world; however, 39% of its total height is made up of non-occupiable space. Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) from Jumeirah beach and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship. Sometimes referred to as "the world's only 7-Star hotel", its star rating is disputed.

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Ko Lipe, Thailand

Koh Lipe Thailand (also written as ‘Ko Lipe’) is a small Thai island with beautiful beaches surrounded by pristine coral reefs. Koh Lipe is part of the Tarutao National Marine park and is next to a group of uninhabited islands with deserted beaches, waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints to visit. If you are looking for a place to have a relaxed beach holiday on a beautiful island in Thailand, look no further than Koh Lipe.

At Castaway Resort the spirit of ‘The Beach’ is brought to life. Amid the beautiful setting nature has given Koh Lipe, our spacious wooden bungalows and large chill out deck overlooking the beach definitely make Castaway the most atmospheric of Koh Lipe’s resorts.

Stay in one of our spacious bungalows and re-connect with a simpler life. Made from hardwoods and natural materials the design of our bungalows draws heavily on traditional Thai architecture and building techniques. Designed to capture the winds, cooling breezes are funnelled under the eaves into the bedroom keeping the temperature inside comfortable all year long.

In the evenings under the stars and with the sound of the waves for company sit on the deck and share a memorable evening with friends and family whilst enjoying a cold beer or one of our signature cocktails.

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Beautiful Beach, Furore, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Another gem of the Amalfi Coast, Furore takes its name from the "the sound of the raging sea pounding against the valley below". It was, for its particular physical and geographical location, an impregnable stronghold, even at the times of the Saracen invasions. The fjord, one of the most picturesque and evocative in Italy, has always been a natural harbor, famous for its flourishing trade and the development of the old industrial plants, such as paper mills and mills.

It is also known by the nickname of "the country that does not exist" (the Italian Neverland), since there is not a real important centre but just small groups of houses that sprout isolated from the ridges of the cliffs. The "en plein air" art gallery is very singular: it is composed by over one hundred "walls of author" and features murals and sculptures that make Furore a "painted village". The municipal area includes the coastal area of the fjord, on the border between Praiano and Conca dei Marini, and grows up the valley up to an altitude of 600 meters above sea level, surrounded by the mountains of Agerola.

The town of Furore was a simple district of the Royal city of Amalfi: a place where the exiles and the outcasts of society lived, once sent away from city, in an inhospitable, sparsely populated area with no lands to cultivate. It is mentioned for the first time in a land registry of 1752. In the Fifties of the XX century, Furore was the set of a famous film "L'Amore" and, at the same time, of the passionate and tormented love affair between director Roberto Rossellini and famous Italian actress Anna Magnani.

But the most attractive thing about this village-non-village is its beautiful setting: the olive trees, the grapevines on terraces going up the mountainside, the bowers of lemons with nets stretched between poles, the red roofs and colorful majolicas on the small bell towers, the brilliantly colored flowers of the wild blackberry brambles, and the sea: blue, down below, in the corner of your eye, ever present.

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The Deep Blue Hole - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Since its designation as a national park in 1872, Yellowstone National Park has been a cherished part of the Wyoming's rich tapestry. It’s easy to see why. The very definition of “unspoiled,” Yellowstone has served for generations as a sort of living museum, its natural splendors giving visitors an up-close-and-personal glimpse of what the continent was like in the days before recorded history. With 2,219,789 acres of sprawling wilderness to explore, Yellowstone stands as one of North America’s greatest assets — and it’s open year-round for visitors to enjoy.

The park’s vast network of trails will take hikers to hundreds of secluded places where vehicles are prohibited. You’re bound to see wildlife wherever you go. Yellowstone’s legendary wildlife includes grizzly and black bears, gray wolves, buffalo, elk, pronghorn antelope, trumpeter swans, eagles and much more.

The iconic spots — Old Faithful, Lower Falls, Yellowstone Lake — will be familiar from paintings and photographs, but seeing them in person is a humbling, enthralling experience. They’re not just as good as you’ve heard — they’re better.

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