Thailand is home to several beautiful beaches, which are popular holiday destinations for travelers around the world. Some of these locations include Krabi, Phi Phi Island, Phuket, Trang, Lanta, Surat Thani and Pang Nga. They offer some of the most exquisite white, sandy beaches and clear blue sea that is home to exotic marine life.

Just like many other beach destinations, these few places in Thailand also offer an amazing array of water sports activities that will keep you up from dusk till dawn! Some of these sports are:

1. Kayaking

Depending on which tour agency you engage with, this activity can take place even at night, where the tour guide will bring you to kayak your way through dark caves and listen to the deafening sound of silence. Night kayaking can be quite an experience for those who have never tried it before.

Day kayaking, on the other hand, is rather common and easy to find in these areas. Accompanied with a tour guide, you will also get to kayak your way through caves and next to towering, beautiful limestone cliffs (very common in Krabi).

2. Snorkelling

These few beach destinations are home to some of the world’s most exotic marine fishes and colorful coral reefs that are untouched by man. The crystal clear blue water allows a great snorkeling experience because snorkelers can have a clear view of what’s beneath them. This also calls for an underwater photography so go get a disposable underwater film camera and snap away underwater!

3. Diving

It is exactly because of the untouched marine kingdom that draws tourists to Thailand be it for a dedicated diving vacation or part of the vacation experience. As compared to the West, Thailand’s diving centers are very easily found and they have all the required equipments for rental at a reasonably low cost. The best part is that there is no particular ‘good season’ to dive as it’s possible to dive all year round.

4. Parasailing

This five-minute long activity is worth a try if you are daring enough. Parasailing is basically a rather extreme sport whereby you will be on a parachute while being pulled out to the open sea via a jet boat, controlled by the tour guide. This is a popular sport and is easily found almost everywhere in Patong Beach, Phuket. Most often, the tour guide expects a tip for a good landing but then again, it is entirely up to you to give or not.

5. Windsurfing

Phuket and Surat Thani (Ko Samui) offer windsurfing sports at its beaches. If you are in Phuket, windsurfing is recommendable in the mornings of late November to February, when the wind is stronger and the sea is not so busy. However, a good time to windsurf at Surat Thani will be anytime between May and October. This is a relatively hard sport to master, especially if you learn it by ways of trial and error. Therefore, it is advised that you hire a professional guide to teach you the basics of windsurfing.

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A vacation that is spent sailing yachts in Spain will provide you with one of the most relaxing and beauty filled vacations you have ever experienced. You can start your holiday by sailing yachts in Mallorca, Spain in the bay of Pollensa. This is an absolute ideal location for any manner of water sport you wish to attempt. Sailing, wind-surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving are all participated in regularly by the locals and the tourists. All you need to do is go to the beach that is located south of the marina and you will find all of the different water activities being enjoyed.

For anyone that does not want to do the actual sailing, but does want to enjoy the experience of being on a boat in these beautiful Spanish waters, there are vessels that can be chartered that have crews to do the work for you. All you need to do on one of these charters is show up and enjoy the experience. You can charter a smaller boat that has just a skipper to take you on short trips or a boat that is so large it has stewards, deckhands, and private chefs. It all depends on the things you want to do and the amount of money you want to spend. Many people come to this location for the purpose of taking yachts in Mallorca to explore the islands and waters off of the coast of Spain.

Sailing on yachts in Spain has been a favorite pastime and holiday activity of many tourists for years. The waters are amazingly clear and inviting off the coast of this country. The view of the land from the vantage point of the waters is breathtaking as well. To see the beaches that have been sunbathed for years with the snowy mountain peaks behind them is a sight that will stay in your memory for eternity.

It does not matter is you are traveling as a group or as a couple on a romantic getaway. You will find pleasurable activities along the coast of Spain. There are fantastic beaches where a group of people can gather and enjoy all of the activities that go along with the seaside, and there are secluded Spanish beaches, where a couple can go to be completely alone with the sand and the surf.

You can charter bare boat excursions and use the knowledge you have to play on the water or charter the vessel with the crew to take you to the locations around Spain that you wish to experience. You can go ashore on the many different Spanish islands and discover all of the things that make this country such a popular tourist attraction. The only problem will be the fact that you may not want to leave this ideal setting and go home.

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Sun, surf, pristine beaches and warm hospitality await you on along the Sunshine Coast in the Eastern Cape. This area is an unsung paradise, from the forests of Tsitsikamma, to the sheltered beach coves, the stunning and scattered hiking and eco-trails, to the diverse vegetation, landscapes and fauna. This area has something that will appeal to everyone and the wide range of Sunshine Coast accommodation offer you the choice from lodges, B&Bs, hotels and guesthouses amid forests, bush scenery and some tucked away places only a few meters from the ocean. Possibly the most well-known destination along this route is Jeffrey’s Bay, an undeniable surfers nirvana, and world-famous as one of the best surfing spots in the world. The Billabong Pro International Surf Competition is annually held here, and surfers from around the world come in droves to compete and try to claim the coveted first prize of $30,000 (US dollars), and 1200 rating points.

For the fisherman at heart, the area from Sundays River to the Great Fish River, has been described as an “angler’s delight”, with angling spots that will suit the beginner fisher through to the expert angler. For those with children, one of the nicest places to go is Kiddies Beach in Port Alfred, where the little ones can boogie board the day away, and the adults can supervise while also taking to the water. Sunshine Coast accommodation offers warm, friendly hospitality, and often have interesting stories about the area.

If you’re not a water baby, sun goddess, surfing or fishing fundi, than don’t despair as there are many other attractions to peak your interest, such as game viewing in malaria free area’s. The seemingly endless sun-filled days mean you’ll have plenty of time (and good weather), to see and take part in the many varied attractions. If your interested in having a unique coastal bush experience, then consider going on a horse safari where you can ride through 1200 hectares of open grasslands, beaches, forests and sand dunes. You can also visit the Sea View Lion Park in Port Elizabeth, to see over forty species of wildlife, from lions to zebras, and crocodiles to duikers. If you can’t choose between all the marvelous activities in this area, why not take a little extra time off for your vacation, book your Sunshine Coast accommodation from a reputable agency, and spend that extra time fully exploring the length of this magical coastline.

So, you have both the time and money to take a once-in-a-life time cruise; A World Cruise! Chances are you probably have heard of the famous world cruises offered by Cunard Line for more than 50 years onboard the world famous Queen Mary and the more recent Queen Mary 2. What you probably don’t realize is that there are at least 5 or 6 other cruise lines that offer a World Cruise.

Some cruise lines offer cruises that circumnavigates the world, visits several continents and returns to the originating port. Other cruise lines use the term World Cruise, and also visit various continents, however, end the cruise in a different location than the original port.

Be sure not to only consider the cost as your deciding factor. There are other factors that will impact the final cost, so be sure to consider and discuss everything with your travel professional.

The cruise line selection should begin with a few important factors to consider.

• Ship size; do you want to share this adventure with 2,600 other world cruise guests or do would you prefer a more intimate experience with 450 guests? A large ship affords you many choices for dining venues, lounges onboard, outside deck areas, spa facilities. It also may provide a smoother sailing experience if you encounter some rough seas.
• Dining: Generally, the larger ships still only offer the traditional 2 seating for dinner in the main dining room. Therefore, you will be sharing dinner with the same passengers throughout the entire cruise. In contrast, the smaller, luxury cruise lines only offer “open seating”, where you select the time and with whom you’d like to dine with. Certainly, if you make some new friends during the cruise, you can easily dine with them but always having the choice.
• Dining choices: The larger the ship, the more dining venues/options you have. However, you must consider that the larger ships almost always have additional fees for the smaller dining rooms. The $20 – $40 per person “dining fees” can really add up on a 100 day voyage! Compared to the luxury, 5-star “all inclusive” cruise lines, which never charge fees for their alternative dining venues.
• Added costs: 5-star luxury cruise lines always include all gratuities, alcohol, wine at dinner, bottled water, sodas and specialty coffees; never a charge. In addition, these cruise lines include your own personal in-suite bar set-ups. The larger ships will charge a daily, per person gratuity to your onboard account and will charge for all alcohol; drinks by the pool, wine at dinner and cocktails. Bottled water important for the tropical ports of call will not be included along with sodas and specialty coffees that so many of us enjoy; all extra costs.
• Itinerary: Not all cruises are the same and the ports of call included are such an important consideration. So, do some comparisons and make sure that those exotic ports and countries on your “wish list” are included. The luxury cruise lines usually include complimentary shore excursions with private visits to castles, temples, and musical events, offered exclusively on their world cruise

A world cruise typically last from about 90 to 125 days. If you are unable to be away this long, you can still enjoy part of this journey with a selection of shorter segments of a world cruise.

When you are ready, book your perfect world cruise adventure with an established, knowledgeable travel consultant. You will save time, avoid costly mistakes, and pay less than booking with the cruise line direct.

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You don’t always need a full week or more to enjoy a cruise – indeed, by choosing to take a break in the UK, you can treat yourself to a refreshing short getaway close to home. With all the attractions of the capital, Thames cruises are a great choice.

Allowing you to see some of London’s top sights while giving you a chance to relax, river cruise holidays like this combine luxurious accommodation and fine dining with opportunities to explore places such as the South Bank, Windsor and the Tower of London.

Your getaway will begin at Canary Wharf, where you’ll be able to check in on the beautiful MV Spirit of Chartwell – the vessel on which you’ll be spending the next four nights. After check-in, you can explore a little of Canary Wharf before being treated to the Captain’s Welcome Reception and a delectable dinner.

The cruise will get underway the next day, taking you through West India Docks and past the vast O2 Arena, which was once the Millennium Dome. Heading downstream through the Thames Estuary, you will reach Gravesend before heading back to reach Greenwich, enjoying a delicious lunch along the way.

A particularly beautiful part of London, Greenwich is home to a wealth of attractions. These include the capital’s only planetarium, which can be found at the Royal Observatory – a location perhaps best known for being the home of Greenwich Mean Time.

Meanwhile, a visit to the National Maritime Museum is well worth it. Taking you through some 500 years of Britain’s seafaring history, it houses numerous fascinating artefacts – including Nelson’s uniform from the Battle of Trafalgar.

After climbing back onboard the Spirit of Chartwell, you will cruise over to Millbank, passing some fantastic sights along the way. These include those easy to spot, such as Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye, as well as those you may not be familiar with, including the capital’s oldest riverside tavern, the Prospect of Whitby.

Mooring at Millbank, you will have time to stroll along the pretty South Bank – a culturally rich area of the city known for its fantastic views of Westminster and its exciting attractions. These include the wonderful artworks that can be perused in the Tate Modern, as well as the London Eye – the city’s dazzling ferris wheel.

Once you have enjoyed dinner back onboard, you can head out again for the evening if you wish, perhaps taking in a West End show.

The following day will include an excursion to Windsor by coach, before a scenic river boat cruise on the Passepartout. Before boarding, you will have time to explore a little of the area – and one place you may be particularly keen to visit is the stunning Windsor Castle, which you will also enjoy great views of from the boat.

Indeed, the Passepartout boasts panoramic windows and a viewing deck to make sure you can really enjoy the sights you pass, which will also include Windsor Racecourse and Eton, among others.

The next morning, you will awake in Kew, ready to explore this scenic part of London. You may well have heard of the fabulous gardens here that bear the same name, which you will have time to visit before the Spirit of Chartwell sets off once more – this time headed downstream to St Katherine’s Docks.

Disembark and take a trip to the Tower of London, where you’ll be able to view the sparkling Crown Jewels and soak up this structure’s unique and fascinating history.

Later on, the boat will sail back to your starting point – Canary Wharf. Here you will enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala Dinner to round off your holiday experience before departing the following morning – but not before indulging in a delicious breakfast.

With so many things to see, luxurious accommodation and decadent meals, it’s easy to see the attraction of escorted holidays on the Thames. By booking your getaway today, you can look forward to a few days of relaxation, sightseeing and fine dining – the perfect way to unwind. What’s more, as it’s closer to home than overseas destinations, you can enjoy an easier journey to and from your break too.