The French Riviera is located on the eastern Mediterranean coast from Cannes to Menton. This is the France holiday you want to take if you are looking for upscale adult vacationing. The Côte d’Azur is the coast to the south and is the ideal spot for “alone time” although it can get a little crowded in some spots. It is also a great spot for surfing. Brittany on the north Atlantic coast and the surrounding area has beaches with family attractions.
Cannes
While the world famous film festival may keep tourists busy, there is no denying the beach here is fun. This is a lighthearted beach town, steeped in the arts and film. Check out the sand castles while you are on the beach. If you hunt for bargains, this can be a reasonable beach vacation.
Beach at Nice
This beach is enormously popular on the French Riviera. The actual beach is comprised of pebbles instead of sand. It is very crowded in the summer.
Menton Beach
Menton is a quaint little beach town and of all the beaches on the French Riviera, Menton’s beaches are the most family friendly. The atmosphere is much more relaxed and it isn’t the wild partying beach town that its neighbors are.
Monaco
The beaches in Monaco are upscale and are adjacent to opulent high-rise hotels and casinos. This is an adult environment and there is plenty of fun to be had sun bathing during the day and gambling at night.
Arcachon Beaches
The small town of Arcachon sits next to the Atlantic Ocean. This beach area is free of crowds except at peak time of summer vacation. If you visit this beach you must walk along the Dune du Pyla, which lies between the ocean and the largest forest in France, Les Landes. This is huge dune elevated and overlooks the Atlantic.
Biarritz Beaches
While the Biarritz beachfront was once wildly popular, in the last forty or fifty years tourists have migrated to the French Riviera to empty their wallets. While these may not the most ideal beaches, they are less crowded, have less traffic, and have less expensive accommodations. Beaches are free to visit.
Garoupe Beach – Cap d’Antibes
This is a very exclusive beach that is split off into sections some of which are free to the public. This beach faces the east so when you are on the beach the sun is not in your face. It is also sheltered from the wind and this makes it pleasant.
St. Jean de Luz St.
Jean de Luz beach is located just south of Biarritz in the town of St. Jean de Luz. This is a clean well-kept beach with a nice sea wall separating the beach from the town. The architecture of the town has been carefully preserved and the old 17th and 18th century structures are just gorgeous. This is a quiet and peaceful beach experience.
Cap d’Agde
Located next to Montpellier, Cap d’Agde is famous for their **** beaches. But apparently the tendency to divest one’s clothes may extend to the entire city. Maybe we should leave the kiddies at home.
La Rochelle
This is a quaint port town located on the Atlantic coast. The beach has shallow waters and is great for families with young children.
By: Travel Guru
About the Author:
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 16th, 2010. 
The following is a list of the 10 best Cypriot beaches.
Diana Beach
This is an artificial sandy beach with a rocky bottom. Get out those surf shoes folks when walking in the water here because of the rocky bottom. Sun beds and umbrellas are available for rent here as well as scooters to get around.
Alagadi Turtle Beach
Alagadi Beach is a sandy beach with a rocky sea floor, however the water is shallow for quite a distance out making it great for swimming. Green turtles and Loggerhead turtles come up on the beach to lay their eggs during egg-laying season. During this time a portion of the beach is closed off to tourists.
Escape Beach
This beach has been carefully maintained and for this reason it is a favorite resort for families and singles alike. The fee to get into Escape Beach is 10YTL. There are all manner of water sports available here as well as volleyball. The nightlife is great here and there are several outdoors discos with European DJ’s.
Protaras Beach
This is the most popular beach in the Protaras municipality and there are a variety of water sports here for visitors to enjoy.
Ladies’ Mile Beach
This is a golden sandy beach with shallow, clear, and very calm waters. This beach is very safe for kids and is plentiful with water sports
Curium Beach
This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Cyprus. High above the beach is a Roman Amphitheater that has been restored. From this vantage you can watch the boats and water sports. The sea can be very rough at times but the beaches are gentle and favorable for swimmers. This beach can get a little crowded at times due to its popularity.
Pissouri Beach
This is a sandy shingle beach that is located in the village of Pissouri. There is a full compliment of water sports offered and there is even a scuba diving school for those that are inclined to dive. This is a beach that is rarely over crowded except on the weekends.
Governor’s Beach
Located between Larnaca and Limassol, this is a shallow beach that is great for small children to play and swim. There is also a white rocks area that is beautiful with great fishing and sailing at this beach.
Nissi Beach
Nissi Bay This is a beach located in the calm Nissi Bay, which provides shelter from the wind. This beautiful beach comes with magnificent views as well as having great, cafes, pubs, and a variety of water sports.
Fig Tree Bay Beach
This beach is aptly named because of a lone Fig Tree that grows just up from the Beach. This is a very popular beach in the Protaras District. Tourists find this beach difficult to locate as times because there are restaurants and hotels lining the beach. Look for the Salparo Hotel to the north and the Nausicaa Beach Hotel Apartments to the south.
By: Travel Guru
About the Author:
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 16th, 2010.
Beaches and Dogs
For dog owners, call ahead. Most beaches in Southern California don’t allow dogs on the beach, and with good reason. It may be fun to take Fido for a run through the waves and fling him a Frisbee or two. But beach park rangers say dogs can cause two problems. First, the **** factor, so clean up after Fido! Second, dogs, even if they’re well-behaved and on a leash, tend to scare away wildlife and lower beach habitat values.
Wes Chapin is an interpretive specialist for the California State Parks Channel Coast District, which operates state beaches from Oxnard to north of Santa Barbara. He says studies of beach trails that allow dogs have come up with surprising findings: In areas where dogs are allowed on trails, even on leash, wild animals keep much farther back than in areas where dogs are prohibited.
The finding probably has to do with dogs’ predatory ancestry, and wild animals’ understandable wariness, Chapin says. But whatever the reason, the presence of dogs discourages wildlife.
Find a Dog Beach
That said, dog-friendly beaches abound. In Southern California, the communities of Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Ocean Beach, Oceano, San Clemente and Seal Beach, as well as San Diego’s Mission Bay all have dog beaches. Check with each community’s Web site for specifics.
Beaches and Bonfires
Fire pits are practically ancestral: a gathering-place for story telling, and when they’re a bonfire on the beach, there’s the added fun of that ancestral beach desert: S’Mores. Building fires seaside, California however, with our wildfire dangers always present, well, some beaches prohibit beach bonfires or enforce tight restrictions.
Chapin points out that many well-intended beach-goers carefully extinguish their bonfires at the end of their evening, and conscientiously cover the remaining coals with sand. That might seem like a good idea, Chapin says, but all it accomplishes is to keep the buried coals and covering sand toasty hot for some beach visitor to burn their feet on the next day.
Find a Bonfire Beach
State-run beaches in California do not allow fires on the beach, period. If you’ve got your heart set on a bonfire vanity, call ahead to find a beach that allows them, and find out what the beach’s rules are. Some cities, such as Huntington Beach, maintain concrete bonfire rings that have become a local tradition. Also, be sure to use only unprocessed, natural wood that won’t pollute the beach with contaminated remains. And, of course, carry out your trash, including bottles and cans.
By: Annie King
About the Author:
Read more on Southern California Beach Tips: Dogs, Bonfires…
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 3rd, 2010.
While vastly different, these beaches have one thing in common. They’re all about as natural as a “natural” blonde. Each beach is maintained by careful beach grooming, a complicated and sometimes controversial activity that keeps a beach in a specific condition.
Like a Natural Blonde
Beach grooming is rated in a “hierarchy,” each level a compromise between the needs of humans who visit that beach and the plants and animals that call it home.
Flawless Beaches
Wes Chapin is an interpretive specialist for the California State Parks Channel Coast District, which operates state beaches from Oxnard to north of Santa Barbara. He says Zuma Beach in Malibu is probably the most highly groomed beach in Southern California. It gets raked to flawlessly smooth sand twice a day in season. But Zuma aside, most busy urban beaches are raked about once daily, by large raking machines or tractor-pulled rakes that remove debris and large objects.
Natural Beaches
The next level down is grooming that partially removes debris and objects, followed by grooming that only removes minimal debris, trash or non-native plants, and finally no grooming at all, for a truly “natural” beach.
Each level enables that beach’s custodians, be it the state parks system or local cities and counties, to balance their mandates for public use and protecting the environment. Grooming, especially the more intense levels, can remove habitat and for native animals, even if it’s just the tiny bits of seaweed and dead marine animals (called “wrack”) left in the sand. So state agencies and beach advocates must weigh carefully what meets the needs of humans and wildlife at each beach.
Emma Wood State Beach
Those mandates vary by location. Emma Wood State Beach, just north of Ventura, California, is prone to flooding. Its beach remains largely untouched, with natural cobbles instead of sand, which would be impossible to rake anyway. Surfers love the breaks at Emma Wood, RVers love the primitive camping, and wild animals can live and hunt in the brush that grows around the rocky area.
San Buenaventura State Beach, just to the south has some highly groomed stretches, some that get only a light grooming and one area left almost wild, near the mouth of a small stream.
Go Natural
For a completely natural landscape, McGrath State Beach, a few miles farther south of Ventura, is a prime nesting area for two endangered birds: the California least tern and western snowy plover.
The birds nest right in the sand and lay eggs the same color as sand. They’re so well camouflaged that visitors can easily walk through, destroying nests, and not realize it.
To keep the habitat desirable for the terns and plovers, McGrath gets no grooming except to pull out non-native plants such as giant arundo grass, which makes hiding places for predatory foxes. To protect them from humans, visitors are guided away from nesting areas by what Chapin calls, “symbolic” fencing: stakes with lines strung between them to motivate visitors to walk elsewhere.
What’s Best
Whatever the grooming level, Chapin points out that it’s ultimately a matter of preference. One person’s idea of the “perfect” beach might be unblemished sand, but someone else might consider tide pools, seaweed and driftwood the perfect setting.
The best option, Chapin says, is to call ahead, do some research on the Internet, to find the beach that’s right for you.
By: Annie King
About the Author:
Read more on Southern California Beach Tips: What’s Best? a Groomed or a Natural Beach?…
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 3rd, 2010.
Australia is known for a lot of its beaches, which are all beautiful and breath-taking. However, some beaches do stand out more than the rest. Here are some of the best beaches in Australia.
Hyams Beach Jervis Bay
Located about two and a half hours away from the capital, Hyams Beach is a prime beach attraction in Australia. It is also considered one of the most natural, because the surroundings consist of natural attractions like kangaroos and plants rather than man-made structures.
Because it has been declared a national park and not just a mere beach, Hyams is continually maintained. Its water are the clearest in all of Australia. Its waters are also marine sanctuaries, and are full of marine life that would impress the diving and snorkeling enthusiast. You can also see dolphins jumping in and out of the waters. The beach also has facilities available for aqua sports like jet-skiing, sailing, swimming and fishing.
Of course, the beach alone is relaxing and perfect for simply walking around.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is a very well known strip of beach in Sydney. Made for the multitudes of cabbage tree palms, the place is best for people looking for a way to interact with fellow trendy socialites. Palm Beach is the preferred beach for holidays by the wealthy class of Australian society.
Palm Beach is also famous for being the setting of the Australian soap opera, Home and Away, as well as the locations for many music videos.
Palm Beach is perfect for the water sports enthusiast and the avid hiker. Satisfy the explorer in you by heading off to the northern point of Palm Beach where you can find the lighthouse which Aussies have named “Barrenjoey.” Located about 350 feet above sea level, the lighthouse is still operational.
For the trendy and the wealthy, Palm Beach offers a golf club, a sailing club, and a surf school, among others.
Four-mile Beach
One of the few beaches in the Port Douglas area, Four-mile beach gets its name from being a place that one can hike for 4 straight hours. Anyone who loves trekking and hiking will be totally enamored of the place.
When you first enter Four-Mile Beach, you will find yourself in a rocky headland. The headland alone offers a lot of exploring opportunities that you can enjoy even without having to walk the entire four-mile stretch of beach. You can even enjoy a lunch picnic with friends or family in Four-Mile Beach. Children will love the place, as it is bustling with small crabs and other interesting creatures that will occupy their attention.
The ocean in Four-Mile beach is blue and deep, and provides a picturesque landscape when the weather is perfect. Beware, however, of the jellyfishes when in season.
Bells Beach
If you are a surfing enthusiast, then Bells Beach is the best beach for you. Located about 100 kilometers from the city of Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road, the place is a haven for surfers.
What makes Bells Beach special? It is the fact that whether it is low tide or high tide, one can still surf the waves. Bells Beach is famous among surfers because of the different kind of break the beach has, which is called the Bowl. Sharks abound in the area though, so be careful.
If you’re not into surfing, don’t fret! You can still relax and sunbath at the pristine beaches of Bells Beach.
By: Bei Maniago
About the Author:
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 3rd, 2010.
Common Perks of The Best Beach Resorts
Besides the common elements of offering spectacular sights with the ocean, the sunset, the sunrise, the unending beach, and the serenity that surrounds you, a beach resort offers perks that will amaze, relax, and inspire you. With the amenities offered by a beach resort, having the dream vacation of your life is possible at the best beach resort.
When you want to plan the best beach resort vacation possible, make a list of what you want to have included in your options. Many beach resort options offer perks that will help make your stay more enjoyable. You may also find a beach resort that will offer packages which will include many local things to see and do. Buying a package at a beach resort and staying at an all inclusive beach resort may not only save you time with planning and making arrangements for your days, but may also end up saving you money.
Some of the things you might want in a beach resort will be available with an all inclusive beach resort. Having your meals available at no additional charge, enjoying the pool and spa that may be provided, taking advantage of the child care which may be offered, and using the optional room service to enjoy a meal in your beach resort room can add a dimension to your vacation that will increase the fun and adventure you are looking for. With the addition of possible entertainment available, you will have everything you need right there at your beach resort.
Many beach resort options offer packages which may include local sights, activities, and entertainment. Visiting an aquarium, taking a whale watching or dolphin sighting tour, visiting some of the local museums or gardens, and even going to an amusement park, are some of the common packages that many of the best beach resort options all around the world, offer.
When you are looking for all the perks you can get from a beach resort, you will want to check into a beach resort in the area you want to visit. With the beach right there outside the doors to the resort, you will have access to all the sun, sand, and surf that you can handle.
Areas to Look At
When you know what type of beach resort you want, finding it in an area of the world that you want to visit will make it even more special. From the beaches of the United Stated, to the beaches of France, to the beaches of Mexico, and even Australia, there is so much to see, and more options for a good beach resort than you might think of.
Most beach resort options offer many different themes, packages, and perks. If you are into art, you might want a beach resort that will offer museum passes and maybe an art expo.
If you love gourmet food and wine, you may want to stay at a beach resort that will offer you a sample of local wine appreciation. With vineyards to visit, wine tasting to be done, and the romance that comes along with those things, you will have your taste buds awakened with the best of the vine, and a package from one of the best beach resort options available. The options are endless, and there are many packages and perks available when you vacation at the best beach resort you can find.
By: Frank Demming
About the Author:
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 2nd, 2010.
The Basics of a Beach Resort
The first thing to know is that, obviously, a beach resort offers great beach access. It’s not possible to have a beach resort that is away from a beach. However, you also have to realize that while some of the more popular beach resorts are on the ocean, other beach resorts rest on the side of a lake. As long as there is a sandy dune and water present, you can have a beach resort, so you need to decide how warm you’d like to be. If you’re looking for a warm, tropical style vacation, head to a Caribbean beach resort. For a cooler climate, look to a beach resort in northern areas of the country. It’s important to note, though, that this type of beach resort is typically only open during the warmer summer months.
The beach is the most obvious attraction in a beach resort. Most long to get out into the sun and rest on the quiet, warm sand. A beach resort is certainly the best way to achieve that, but a beach resort isn’t just a spot on the sand - it’s so much more.
Inclusive Beach Resorts
Many of the most popular beach resorts available have a number of things that you can do inside of the beach resort. If you’re looking to get pampered, you can book a luxury treatment at the spa inside of the beach resort. If you want to eat delicious cuisine, put on your best outfit and head down to the fine dining restaurant located directly in the beach resort. You can book scuba diving trips with the help of guides at the beach resort. Often you can rent boats from the beach resort. Most of the more popular beach resorts you will find also have babysitting services available, making it easy to enjoy yourself as an adult without having to worry about your children.
There are also many things for children to do at a beach resort. If you want to avoid the sand and the crowds, head to the swimming pool in the beach resort. Some beach resorts have waterfalls and slides that will delight and amaze most children. Many beach resorts also have amusements that are designed specifically for children who travel to beach resorts with their parents, and simply calling ahead can help you to learn what type of pastimes your beach resort has for your entire family.
A beach resort can be a great place to take a vacation, no matter what type of vacation you’re looking for.
By: Frank Demming
About the Author:
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 2nd, 2010.
If you are heading to Saint Tropez and you wish to find the most exclusive beach clubs around, read on this article and find valuable information on the finest places in town.
The Tahiti Beach Club
The Tahiti Beach Club is one of the biggest and top destination areas in Pampelonne Beach. Because of the large pontoon, many yachts park up in the place. One of the highlights of Tahiti Beach is the fashionable bistros which offer delectable treats. The guests enjoy the wide selection of meals offered by the Tahiti Beach restaurants. They are also amused by the natural wonder the place has to offer. Once you visit the Tahiti Beach Club, you would be surprised by the magnificent views and the vibrant atmosphere of the locality.
*The Tahiti Restaurant in Saint Tropez
The lengthy selection of food choices in the Tahiti restaurants is the reason why the place is frequented by tourists all year round. Traditional salads, seafood meals, and grilled foods are among the delicacies offered by the Tahiti Restaurants in Saint Tropez.
*The Tahiti Beach Scene
Tahiti Beach Club attracts a loyal patronage of local residents and yacht-hoppers. The crowd is mostly made up of rich travelers who wish to experience the beautiful and sunny beaches of Saint Tropez. The spectacular view of canvas loungers is among the many reasons why Tahiti is frequented by tourists from all over the globe.
The Nikki Beach of St. Tropez
The Nikki Beach at St. Tropez boasts both elegance and style. It is the true epitome of beauty in Saint Tropez. With the hot Mediterranean breeze and the delicious meals served in the locality, it is easy to see why the Nikki Beach of St. Tropez draws tourists from every part of the globe.
*Nikki Beach St. Tropez Restaurants
The restaurants in the area serve the best sushi and sashimi around. They also offer the finest crab and lobster dishes which are surely worth trying.
*The Scenery
The Nikki Beach at St. Tropez is a home to the best live bands in town. It is also one of the sexiest St. Tropez beach clubs around. The crowd mostly consists of jolly youngsters who are ready to party till sunrise. There is poolside entertainment and cocktail lounging which are enjoyed by teens and adults alike.
Kon Tiki Beach
Kon Tiki is one of the greatest beach clubs in the city. It is the home to the most eminent clubs in town. The surrounding places in Kon Tiki Beach offer the best entertainment around. There are also cafes and restaurants which range from cheap to chic. The long line of restaurants and the pristine beaches make this St. Tropez beach club one of the best in the city.
*Activities You Can Enjoy
The wide range of activities offered at Kon Tiki Beach keeps the guests busy during the entire stay at the beach club. Travelers get to experience wind and water sports that are extremely exciting and adventurous. You will definitely not get bored with all the activities offered at this beach club.
This St. Tropez beach club offers various activities like scuba diving, wind surfing, tennis, diving, and many other related sports. Guests also enjoy the outdoor theatre shows which are one of the most spectacular entertainments in the area. There are also plenty of things to discover in this beach club. There are historical places and modern establishments which will surely make your vacation a worthwhile experience.
By: Audrey
About the Author:
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 1st, 2010.
1. Varkala
Situated near Trivandrum (the capital city) in Kerala, Varkala beach is considered among some of pristine beaches in the world. It is gorgeously picturesque this beach provides serene ambiance for perfect sun & sand vacation in India. It is relatively serene substitute to the commercialized beaches of Kovalam. The setting of Varkala is striking & arresting enough to render you speechless.
2. Kovalam
Kovalam is one of the pristine beaches in the world. Situated on the Malabar Coast along it is a small town, formerly a small fishing village. Today Kovalam grab more and more beach lovers from each corner of the world. Today, it has been commercialized but has treasured its striking features and beauty. It is one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Truly a worth exploring destination it is!
3. Marari
Mind-boggling Marari Beach is truly one of the most spectacular beaches of Kerala, India. It is little known but much praised. It is situated near Alleppey – one of the most popular backwater destinations of Kerala. It is perfect destination for those tourists who prefer to enjoy backwater tours on their India beach tour. The beach is very neat and clean and ideal for mesmerizing beach vacation. The earth conscious Marari Beach Resort is a big draw-card.
4. Baga
Situated in the north Goa, Baga is a globally famous beach destination of India. It draws large crowd of sun & sand lovers from each corner of the world. It has sights that appeal tourists. It has actions that thrill tourists. Water sports, para-sailing, dolphin sightseeing trips, bars, clubs, night life, beach shacks, and restaurants, etc all to make this beach very famous among vacationers from all over the world.
5. Palolem
Situated in south Goa, picturesque Palolem Beach is undoubtedly among one of the best beaches of India, appealing vacationers from each corner of the world. The beach is enclosed by a thick forest of coconut palms creating delightful and romantic ambiance. This picturesque, shady and semi-circle shaped beach can be perfect destinations for couples who have planned for honeymoon in India.
6. Gokarna
Situated in the North Karnataka, Gokarna is a small and holy town. It is famous for its pristine beaches. It appeals tourists of both kinds – pilgrims as well as vacationers. It is considered one of most beautiful beach destination in India.
7. Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram is one of the most popular destinations among tourists coming for beach tours India.It is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The town of Mahabalipuram is also famous beautiful rock sculptures, temples, etc. One of the most popular attractions of this beach town is the windswept Shore Temple.
By: dsouza
About the Author:
Filed under Travel Tips by on Jan 1st, 2010.
Some of the best beaches in the Caribbean are located in the multiple islands that this misterious sea has to offer. Once a shelter of pirate and thiefs, the islands of the Caribbean offer besides the incredible beaches, all the magic and ghost stories that the pirate world has given. In this context, the best beaches in the Caribbean are:
Los Roques, Venezuela, an amazing, unknown and wild place to enjoy some of the best views of the Caribbean Sea.
Tulum, Mexico, with spectacular Maya ruins, having the particularity that is the only place in the coast that the Maya culture has build one of their
Cancun, Mexico, the famous springbreak destination where you can find the calmest water and the craziest nights
Placencia, Belize, the most famous beach in Belize, and is in fact a peninsula of sixteen mile surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Placencia Lagoon
White Bay Beach, Jost Van Dyke, the tiniest island of the British Virgin Islands, has a population of 150 and his name came from a famous Dutch pirate that used to came to the island
With some of the best summer spots in the world, the Caribbean Sea is home of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are several reasons for that, and one of them is that the Caribbean water temperature average is 27 °C and it does not change beyond 3°C. The Caribbean offers a wide variety of beaches, hotels, wildnights and summer activities like diving, snorkelling or just lying on the beach.
http://www.thecaribbeanbeaches.com
http://www.themexicobeaches.com
By: beaches
About the Author:
Filed under Travel Tips by on Dec 20th, 2009.