Why Bora Bora

 

 

You must have heard about Bora Bora.  Bora Bora is arguably the most beautiful island on earth.  Bora Bora is a coral island in the Pacific Ocean and a place to spend your next vacation on. Find out about Bora Bora at http://www.standardvacationfinder.com

 

Like I said, Bora Bora is an island in the Pacific Ocean.  Bora Bora is located in the French Polynesia, and it is the overseas territory of France.  Its original name is actually Pora Pora, the letter “b” does NOT even exist in the local language, and it means “First Born.“ The island is 7 million years old but was first discovered in 1722.  Bora Bora is located about 160 miles northwest of Tahiti, and around 2600 miles south of Hawaii.

The island is of volcanic origin and is surrounded by coral reefs.  Bora Bora is a luxury resort very popular with tourists, so expect some crowd.  The official language is French, but the local Polynesian dialect is also spoken here.

There is, pretty much, no bad time to visit Bora-Bora, but still, the best time to visit might be in June, July, August and October.

The summer lasts from November till April and is quite hot and humid, while the rest of the year is a bit cooler and dryer.  The summer is the rainy season, so it is cloudy almost every day and the storms are short, strong and unpredictable.

The average high yearly temperature is 84.7F, while the average low is 74.5F.  Bora Bora has the average of 109 rainy days throughout the year, and the rainiest months are from January till April. The rainy season is considered to be the “off season” but it also has some advantages.  First and foremost, the island is less crowded during this period, so it is easier to find accommodation.

The prices are also lower during the rainy season.  You might think that there will be no sun during the wet season, but that is NOT really true.  You will get your fair share of the sun, just expect less of it than during the dry season.  Dry season, on the other hand, is the peak of the tourist season.

During this period Bora Bora is packed with people.  Rain is seldom and the fluctuation between day and night temperatures is minimal.  It is also the best period for diving, because the water will be crystal clear. 

The most crowded month is July, because a lot of local celebrations are held during this month. Expect wind during the whole year in Bora Bora.

Also bear in mind that this region is prone to cyclones and hurricanes, but not really as much as south or Midwest of the US for example.  So, there is no a real reason to worry, but precaution and a wind proof jacket are advisable.

Find the best prices on hotels for Bora Bora by going here - http://www.hotelscombined.com/Place/Bora_Bora.htm

Looking for something just as pretty but more budget friendly?  Then, why NOT CLICK HERE!

Why Puerto Rico

Why  would anyone want to visit Puerto Rico?  First, for Americans, although an island, Puerto Rico is basically American.  The island has:

Over 500 years of European culture which is preserved in architecture and some really nice musems spread throughout the island particularly in San Juan.  The walled city of Old San Juan is a slice of old Spain and looks a lot like the old historic quarters of Toledo, Sevilla or Cordoba complete with cobble stone streets, castle-like fortifications, museums and many historic sites. OSJ has the second oldest church in the western hemisphere and fortifications that were started in the early 16th century.

Puerto Rico has vibrant culture evident in its architecture, dance, music, food and language representing a synthesis of Spanish, African, native Indian and even American influences.

Puerto Rico has thousands of miles of fairly good paved roads and limited access divided highways that make travel by car relatively easy.  Rental cars are very affordable and the best method to get around the island.

Puerto Rico is a United States territory which provides stability and many of the conveniences that Americans and Canadians are accustomed to.

In addition, there are a plethora of interesting activities all over the island. A few examples:

1.  3 bioluminescent bays (rare in the entire world)

2.  Camuy Cavern. The 3rd largest cave system formed by water in the world.

3.  The Arecibo Radiotelescope.  The largest in the world, a SETI site and where among other things, quasars were discovered.  It is huge, built into the mountains.

4.  Flamenco Beach consistently voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world.

5.  Vieques Island. What the Caribbean used to be like 50 years ago.  Barely developed with the largest wildlife nature preserve in the Caribbean completed with beautiful white sand beaches and wild horses.

6.  El Yunque rainforest. It's one of the first national parks created in the world and the only rainforest in the U.S. park system.

7.  Ziplining. A popular tourist attraction.  Toro Verde Zipline has the 2nd double longest zipline in the world between 2 mountains.

8.  Horseback riding on the beach.

9.  Catamaran snorkeling tours from Fajardo.

10.  Rincon Puerto Rico, on the west coast is the surfing capital of the Caribbean.

11.  Whale watching (winter months)

12.  Turtle watching.

13.  Many quaint historic mountain towns like San German (the third oldest in PR) with the 3rd oldest church in the western hemisphere.

14.  Puerto Rico is home of salsa music and there are live bands that play in many of the hotels.

And just too much more!

If you are interested, go to http://hotels.standardvacationfinder.com/Hotels/Search?destination=place%3aPuerto_Rico&resultID=0&checkin=2014-10-30&checkout=2014-10-31&Rooms=1&adults_1=2&languageCode=EN&currencyCode=USD for the best deals.

My Top 3 Inexpensive Places To Visit In The USA

The United States is home to a wide range of vacation spots that offer one-of-a-kind hotels, restaurants and plenty of things to do at reasonable prices.  However, the 3 best values that America has to offer that most countries do NOT, are:

1.  Yellowstone - Yellowstone is home to breathtaking natural attractions for visitors of all ages. With miles of hiking and skiing paths, erupting hot springs and belching mud pools, adventure-seekers agree that the entrance fee is a small price to pay for a visit to America's oldest national park.  In my case, being a senior, the entrance fee is only $12 for ALL natural parks!

2.  Yosemite - With plenty of natural attractions and low-price camping areas, Yosemite offers refuge for those looking to escape their hectic urban lives. Like Yellowstone, Yosemite offers access to extensive hiking trails and scenery for a small entrance fee, and travelers can avoid high hotel prices by simply packing a tent.

3.   Savannah - Low prices are just one of the many perks of planning a trip to this southern city, not to mention picturesque architecture and restaurants dishing out hearty portions of Southern fare. With budget-friendly room rates, there is no excuse not to stay a few extra nights.

Top 5 Countries To Retire

Retirees dreaming of an expat lifestyle should add these countries to their list of contenders.

For those with retirement around the corner or who are already retired, picking a place to retire could be a key element into how fulfilling, meaning financially comfortable, retirement will be. With many early boomers' retirement portfolios punished by the financial crisis and low interest rates, the choice of where to live is even more critical.

5.  Spain: 85.8

• Real Estate: 91
• Special Benefits: 62
• Cost of Living: 82
• Ease of Integration: 87
• Entertainment and Amenities: 96
• Health: 91
• Retirement Infrastructure: 93
• Climate: 85

4.  Costa Rica: 86.8

• Real Estate: 87
• Special Benefits: 87
• Cost of Living: 87
• Ease of Integration: 92
• Entertainment and Amenities: 94
• Health: 94
• Retirement Infrastructure: 75
• Climate: 77

3.  Malaysia: 88.5

• Real Estate: 93
• Special Benefits: 80
• Cost of Living: 88
• Ease of Integration: 92
• Entertainment and Amenities: 94
• Health: 95
• Retirement Infrastructure: 85
• Climate: 81

2.  Ecuador: 91.1

• Real Estate: 94
• Special Benefits: 99
• Cost of Living: 89
• Ease of Integration: 92
• Entertainment and Amenities: 88
• Health: 88
• Retirement Infrastructure: 79
• Climate: 100

1.  Panama: 91.2

• Real Estate: 91
• Special Benefits: 100
• Cost of Living: 88
• Ease of Integration: 95
• Entertainment and Amenities: 95
• Health: 91
• Retirement Infrastructure: 81
• Climate: 88
• Panama uses the dollar, English is widely understood and expats do NOT even need to bring electronic converters to use their gadgets

Some Possibilities For Interesting Car Trips

In the U.S., car trips can be fun and or varied.  The only exception would be in big cities where taxi cabs, in my opinion, would make more sense.

Some possibilities for interesting car trips in the U.S. are:

Driving in the Northeastern states of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine during the Fall season, when colorful foliage appears in the mountainous areas around quaint villages.

Driving a portion of the famous "Route 66", which opened up the western states to drivers.  Route 66 is no longer an active highway, but its 2000-mile path from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California is well marked, travels through varied terrain, and contains many interesting sights along or just off the highway. For example, driving south from Chicago on historic Route 66 (now Interstate highway 55 in that area), tourists can visit Springfield, Illinois, the hometown of President Abraham Lincoln. Along the way, get off the highway and stop in some typical midwestern communities for a meal and see the American way of life. The longest existing part of Route 66 is in Arizona.

Driving up the Pacific seaboard, especially between Los Angeles and San Francisco, using the coastal highway.

Driving off the uninteresting Interstate highway system onto secondary highways for at least a part of the journey, to see farms and travel into smaller communities. If you saw the animated motion picture, "Cars", it featured characters in a little town that was formerly on Route 66, but was bypassed by a new Interstate highway.

If you are a confident driver, you may want to rent a vehicle just to drive around the environs of a city or take a single or multiple-day side trip. For example:

Around Los Angeles, the sights are scattered from San Diego (two hours south), Orange County (Disneyland area), and the areas of downtown, Hollywood, and the beach areas of Venice, Santa Monica, Malibu and even more distant Santa Barbara.

Around San Francisco, a trip over the Golden Gate Bridge to waterfront communities along northern San Francisco Bay and onward to the wine country around Napa.

Around Orlando, an easy trip 45 miles east to the surfing community of Cocoa Beach and the Kennedy Space Center, where mankind first departed to the Moon.

Around Miami, a trip into the Everglades swamp and over bridges from island to island along the Overseas Highway to Key West.

Around Seattle, a trip west into the forests of the Olympic National Park area.

Around Washington DC, a drive into nearby Virginia to see the home of George Washington at Mount Vernon, and onward to the more distant Blue Ridge Mountains.

Around Las Vegas, a trip into the nearby desert parks, either just outside the city, or the more distant sights like Death Valley or the Grand Canyon.

Around Boston, driving South towards Plymouth Rock, West towards the Mohawk Valley, and North to Maine, where on the way there are exits that will take you to some of the oldest towns in the nation, many of them located right on the water and having fresh local seafood or in the case of the Mohawk Valley, wild forests full of bears and the Appalachian Trail.

In my younger days, I enjoyed driving on vacations since I felt there were more sights to see.  However, now I just prefer to drive to a given area and have a cab drive me around.

Baton Rouge

If you ever visit Baton Rouge, stay at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center located at

201 Lafayette Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

 

 Boasting a limousine service, the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center is a deluxe place to stay in Baton Rouge.

Facilities at the Hilton Hotel Capitol Center Baton Rouge include a fitness centre, a ballroom and an outdoor pool. It also offers 24 hour room service, a hair salon and an express check-in and check-out feature. The hotel's multilingual staff will be glad to share local knowledge and help you organise your stay in Baton Rouge.

All of the unique rooms at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center feature a TV, a hair dryer and ironing facilities.

Guests of the Hilton can enjoy a unique dining experience at the bar and unique restaurant. Alternatively, there are a variety of eating options around the hotel.

The hotel is ideally set for discovering Baton Rouge, with the Old Louisiana State Capitol within a two minute walk. Located just a short walk from the hotel is the USS Kidd & Veterans Memorial.

 

For more details and cost, go to    http://hotels.standardvacationfinder.com/SearchedHotel.aspx?fileName=Hilton_Baton_Rouge_Capitol_Center&destination=place:Baton_Rouge_River_Center&radius=3mi&checkin=2014-10-30&checkout=2014-11-07&Rooms=1&adults_1=2&returnPath=%2FHotels%2FSearch%3Fdestination%3Dplace%3ABaton_Rouge_River_Center%26radius%3D3mi%26checkin%3D2014-10-30%26checkout%3D2014-11-07%26Rooms%3D1%26adults_1%3D2%26pageSize%3D15%26pageIndex%3D0%26sort%3DPopularity-desc%26showSoldOut%3Dfalse%26scroll%3D1603%26mapState%3Dexpanded%253D0

 

 

When Visiting Miami

When you visit Miami you will discover the beautiful side of the fashionable and exciting international hot spot of Miami. Mansions, yachts, Port of Miami, Little Havana and Calle Ocho, South Beach Art Deco district, Coconut Grove, Brickell Avenue, and Coral Gables are some of the highlights you should visit while in Miami.

 

Visit Port of Miami, Little Havana and Calle Ocho, South Beach Art Deco district, Coconut Grove and more that you should NOT miss.

To get the quintessential Miami experience, do NOT forget to visit the lovely open-air market of Bayside, where you can browse the artist's carts, sip an iced drink and stroll along the pier. Here, there are more than 100 shops and 30 restaurants which make this a wonderful place to stop. This is more than just a mall; it is a sweet slice of south Florida life, where you will enjoy Miami's beautiful skyline along the Biscayne Bay and delight in the fresh ocean breeze 

 

To find a great deal on a hotel in Miami, go to http://hotels.standardvacationfinder.com/Place/Miami.htm

 

Top 5 SPA Retreats

Top 5 SPA Retreats

• Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort Puerto Princesa City
• One And Only Reethi Rah Resort Male
• Six Senses Hideaway Samui Resort
• Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort And Spa
• The Oberoi Hotel Bali

Get more info on http://www.Standardvacationfinder.com

Traveling To A Popular City?

Istanbul, Turkey
Europe and Asia meet in Istanbul, where breathtaking ancient architecture coexists with modern restaurants and nightlife. The city's mosques, bazaars, and hammams (Turkish baths) could keep you happily occupied for your entire trip. Start with the awe-inspiring Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), visible from many points of the city. Stroll the Galata Bridge and stop by the Miniaturk Park to see its tiny artifacts. The Grand Bazaar has thousands of shops to browse, while the Egyptian Bazaar is a fragrant trove of spices and fruits.

Rome, Italy
Rome can’t be toured in a day, either. The city feels like the exhibit halls of a giant outdoor museum, a real-life collage of piazzas, open-air markets, and mind-boggling historic sites. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, drop your jaw at the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and fuel up on cappuccino for an afternoon of shopping at the Campo de’Fiori or Via Veneto. Dig into a plate of fresh pasta, some succulent fried artichokes, or a tender oxtail stew for one of the best meals of your life.

London, United Kingdom
The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market… In London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture hounds should hit the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. Clotheshorses will drool over Oxford Street shops. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will freak out over Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, natch).

Beijing, China
Move over, Haussmann and l'Enfant. Beijing's urban planner beat you by a couple of centuries. His name is Kublai Khan. Here, you'll find a wealth of history, both ancient (the Hall of Preserving Harmony, Summer Palace, Forbidden City) and more recent (Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Tiananmen Square). For the best market experience, choose the Dirt Market over the touristy Silk Market.

Prague, Czech Republic 
The bohemian allure and fairytale features of Prague make it a perfect destination for beach-weary vacationers who want to immerse themselves in culture. You could devote an entire day to exploring Prazsky hrad (Prague Castle), then refueling over a hearty dinner at a classic Czech tavern. Spend some time wandering the Old Town Square before heading over to gape at The Old Town Hall and Astronomical Clock. Prague’s best bars are found in cellars, where historic pubs set the scene for a night of traditional tippling.

To plan your vacation at any of the above spots, visit http://www.standardvacationfinder.com

Top 5 Family Getaways

Atlantis Resort

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Capella Ixtapa Hotel

Hilton Waikoloa

Disney World Dolphin Resort

More information can be found on http://www.standardvacationfinder.com

Top 5 Beach Resorts

Fairways & Bluewater Resort Boracay

Amanpuri Resort Phuket

La Semanna

Elounda Beach Resort

Caneel Bay

For more information, go to http://www.standardvacationfinder.com