Ahhhh, the South Pacific! I have dreamed since I was a little kid to visit the islands, swim in the blue lagoon waters, bask in the sunshine, … This all came true recently. We spent a few weeks in French Polynesia. Our first stop was Moorea. We did not want to completely empty our bank account so we opted not to stay in one of the large resorts with over the water bungalows. One night at these places would have cost us more than our entire stay in Moorea. Here is what we though of Linareva ….

We arrived by plane from Tahiti early in the morning. We had previously organized transfer to Linareva. Upon our arrival we were immediately greeted with the wodnerful location of Linareva. The water was smooth as glass, there were more colorful fish here than in most aquariums and the backdrop with the vulcanic peaks amazed us. Our selection was for a room with air-conditioning (recommended). It can get hot here and some cool air is welcome. The hut or the Tahitian grass fare, as they call it, that we had was very basic. It did have all the ammenities we wanted but they were modest. At night, we were bothered by all sorts of bugs, like large cockroaches, spiders and the like. Sort of interrupted our sleep if you know what I mean … We did not mind the geckos … The small kitchen that was included proved valuable since around here there are no restaurants (apart from the one owned by Linareva). We opted not to have the breakfast included (it did not include much protein which we need). Instead, we would bike to the nearest grocery store, buy eggs, baguettes, cheese, milk etc. and prepare it ourselves. There is a small eating area outside the fare overlooking the Pacific. The beach here was not that great. We would paddle out to the reef and swim in the most wonderful blue waters there. There is a nice swimming area by the small pier. You will swim along side very exotic fish here. Kayaks and bikes at Linareva are free for guests. Bikes are really crappy though. The reception is on the restaurant boat. At night, there did not seem to be anyone there. This was a bit weird being usually used to having a 24 hour reception at your disposal.

Nature is beautiful around Linareva. Unlike most places on Moorea, here you might be the only person in the water, enjoying the scenery for yourself. There is a certain seclusion. Sunsets are some of the best anywhere I have been to in the world. If you like this and do not mind the bugs this is a place for you. We appreciated it more; the more we stayed here. It definitely felt like we were at least somewhat submerged in the South Pacific lifestyle … Recommended for people who would like to taste a bit of real South Pacific

Michael Philip is one of the editors and contributors for the SeeTheGlobe.com web site. SeeTheGlobe.com is a travel information web site and community. Reviews of restaurants, hotels, airlines and other travel resources are provided from first hand accounts.

Residence Linareva 1.5km North of Happiti PK 34,5 Moorea, Tahiti (689) 55.05.65

Hitchhiking is a way of traveling when you are short of money or just want to experience an adventure you will never get when traveling with comfort. Both these causes lead to one result ? you come on the road and try to catch a car. Some hitchhikers know the exact point where they want to turn out to be, but some never know where and when their trip will finish. Some piece of advice before you begin your trip.

1)If you know your destination point, you?d better to think over your route not to find yourself far away from the desired city.
2)Be extra careful, because the hitchhiking is always a risk. Take you mobile and try to be in touch with your friends or relatives (if connection allows, of course).
3)Be careful with your money ? don?t store all them in one place.
4)Don?t take too much luggage ? you?ll be tired very soon.
5)Take all you may need ? if your route passes far from the cities you may have no chance to by all the necessary things.
6)When you travel alone the risk increases twice ? so, may be it?s better to have a fellow traveler. There are a lot clubs and communities of hitchhikers (for example, in Internet) where you not only can find a fellow traveler but also receive a useful advise.

What attracts people in hitchhiking is the feeling of freedom and the opportunity to have the real adventure. It?s a challenge in some way and some people like to accept it. Some hitchhikers like to have a chance to meet new people and to make friends.

Of course, sometimes such meetings are not exiting at all ? the boring drivers desiring to describe you their whole lives is the least of the problems. Everybody knows the proverb ? don?t talk to the strangers. It has sense because some of them are really dangerous. If you are locked up in a car with such a person, the best thing is to use your gas spray can and to clear out of the car. So, don?t forget to include your aerosol in list of the necessary things.

Although the hitchhiking is supposed to be free of charge, be ready to pay sometimes. May be the only driver going in your direction will not intend to pick up you for free.

Speaking about the best routs for hitchhiking ? it?s Europe and the United States. The reason? The highways are better, the traffic is intensive and you surely get to the point in a short time. And, again, no borders, no extra visa, no problems with the customs. It?s all true, but if you want the real challenge you can go to some wild part of Asia or Africa. It will be difficult to catch a car (just because they are not widespread there) and if don?t know the language it will be hard to explain what you want. However when you reach your destination you will feel yourself a hero, or at least, a brave traveler seeking for the unknown places.

As for where to stay for the night ? the real hitchhiker tries not to stay in the hotels of even in campings. He or she would prefer to stay on the nature or the house of the local inhabitant.

Now the hitchhiking has become some kind of sport ? and there are some competitions in this field. The aim is to achieve some point in the shortest time and not to pay for it. On TV there are even some shows, devoting to hitchhiking. Its popularity increases. Why? The suggestion is that people are fed up with their comfortable lives and like to feel the adrenaline and to participate in an adventure. As far as the West concerned, it?s true, but as it was said in the beginning, some choose this way of traveling just because they have no money.

For booking a hotel in any part of the world, please, go to http://www.bb72.com

New Zealand’s accommodation is as varied as its beautiful scenery. In New Zealand you can camp for free in your tent or campervan or stay in the finest luxury lodges where Hollywood stars pay large amounts of money for world-class accommodation, isolation and Lord of the Rings scenery. In general all levels of accommodation are of a high quality on a world standard eg; If you were to stay at a campground all the campgrounds will have kitchens and good shower and toilet facilities. Most will have outdoor barbeques and also facilities to keep the children occupied.

New Zealand is becoming more and more popular as a tourist destination during the northern hemisphere winter so the summers in New Zealand are becoming more populated.

Booking is encouraged during the peak summer season 1st December until the end of February. November and March are also very busy with these months in the shoulder seasons. Prices are not as high during these two months.

If you really want to stay anywhere, when ever you want you will find 1st May until the end of September quiet, with great deals for accommodation, vehicles, and activities. The middle of this period is New Zealand’s winter with the ski areas around New Zealand open for business.

Winter can be cold in the south but no colder than the UK or somewhere like San Francisco, if you holiday at the top of the North Island you will have warmer weather with temperatures around the same as a winter in Sydney.

Whenever you travel to New Zealand you will find accommodation that your holiday deserves.

http://www.newzealandatoz.com New Zealand AtoZ provides useful New Zealand free information and advice to travellers, including a full list of all New Zealand car, motorhome and campervan rental companies along with their daily hire rates.

Your complete guide to New Zealand.

The Parador of Alarcon is located about 200 km. southeast of Madrid directly below Cuenca. Twelve hundred years ago, a prince of the Visigoths was out hunting and came upon a rugged and rocky hill almost completely encircled by a river. He thought it a perfect place to build a fortress. His father, King Alaric, came back to inspect the site and did build a castle there. The town and the Parador still bear his name.

The Alarcon Parador has thick stone walls set with turrets surrounding it and the small town. One of these towers (called a coracha) is right down on the river Jucar. It was from under this one that the ancient townspeople could obtain water during a siege.

The castle was controlled by the Moors for hundreds of years. In 1184, after a long unsuccessful siege, a brave knight climbed the walls one night by using two daggers to wedge into the slits in the great stones that form the walls. He got over and opened the doors from within allowing King Alfonso VIII and his forces in to recapture the castle for the Christian re-conquest. Many years later, Queen Isabel had to put down a rebellion of sorts here by some of her powerful yet disloyal barons.

The Parador of Alarcon is the kind of place castle lovers dream of. It looks and feels like a castle, and one can literally sense the history of the place as a palpable presence. It’s setting is spectacular, and the approach is unforgettable – transporting the traveler not only to the castle, but seemingly back in time as well!

Interesting nearby excursions from Parador Alarcon:

- The medieval old town of Alarcon.

- The wonderful Iglesia de Santa Maria.

- The old town hall on the main plaza.

Interesting day trips include:

- Cuenca – The city of the famous casas colgadas (hanging houses). Cuenca is a Unesco-declared World Heritage site, and should be considered a must see.

- Belmonte – Be sure and drive over to Belmonte to see the wonderful old, abandoned, yet well-preserved 15th century castle ruins there. You can climb up into the towers and walk around inside the grounds. The Belmonte castle has a rare and beautiful triangular patio. If you go on a weekday – you’ll likely have it all to yourself.

For travelers who like to visit relatively un-touristed locations that, nevertheless, exude an air of historical significance – and especially for aficionados of wonderful old castles – the Alarcon Parador is a near-perfect destination.

SpainParador.com makes it easy for you to plan and arrange your next trip to Spain. This time stay in palaces, castles, and other places of great historical interest and rare beauty – the wonderful Paradors of Spain. http://www.SpainParador.com

Ahhh … summer on Cape Cod. Relaxing on a sandy beach, listening to the soothing sound of the surf. Your mind just floats away as the warmth of the summer sun eases the stress of the daily grind. What a perfect place for a summer vacation.

But wait! It’s not summer! It’s after Labor Day – considered early fall on the Cape. Is Cape Cod any place for a vacation other than in summer? The answer is – absolutely!

Summers spent at the Cape are wonderful, but they are very crowded due to the fact that schools are out and the majority of families vacation sometime between mid-June and Labor Day. If you have flexibility to vacation at times other than summer, than you are in luck!

Cape Cod is a wonderful place to visit almost anytime in spring and fall as well. Yes, you may need to forego the beach experience, but there is plenty to do, and the summer crowds are generally non-existent. Late spring is a great time, with plenty of lodging available as early as April. Most lodging establishments stay open well into October, and some are now open year-round due to the increased popularity of off-season travel. And of course there is the benefit of reduced rates and specials as more and more places try to attract your business. Off-season is an excellent time to try that expensive Bed & Breakfast or fancy resort you always wanted to indulge yourself in but could not afford in-season.

Dining options are plentiful in late spring and fall, too. Again, most places stay open well into October, partly to take advantage of those seeking the beautiful New England foliage, partly because it is becoming more and more popular to travel off-season.

The ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket from Woods Hole run regular schedules beginning in early April and running through early October. But – they also run year-round, so don’t rule out a pleasant trip to the islands in the off-season. Just be sure to check the schedules ahead of time.

One of the nicest things about an off-season vacation on the Cape is the quiet, less rushed pace. Travelling popular Routes like 6A and 28 are a breeze compared to summer. People are a bit less occupied with just getting there and more interested in enjoying the journey. Even the locals seem less hurried.

Hmm, let me see – driving is more relaxing, parking is easier, shops are less crowded, lodging is less expensive, restaurants rarely have a wait – off-season sure sounds like a great time to vacation on Cape Cod to me!

Linda Behrle has spent a lot of time vacationing on Cape Cod beginning in childhood. It is still her favorite place on earth to vacation. If you are interested in Cape Cod travel, visit her website http://www.everythingcapecod.net for all your vacation planning needs.

St Lucia would be just at home in the South Pacific, but it resides in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, and is part of the Windward Islands.

Just north of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago lies a tropical paradise equal to the Pacific islands of Tahiti and Fiji. The calm waters of the Caribbean Sea which is usually compared to the color turquoise, appears to be royal blue around the island of St Lucia. No doubt this is due to the fact this is a volcanic island unlike the coral islands of the Caribbean basin.

Old ship records speak of how captains and sailors alike were awed by the sighting of St Lucia. Perhaps this is why the island was fought over and changed hands 14 times in its history. Two countries, England and France fought 14 battles back and forth to gain control of the island. The English eventually won the war, but France won the battle since the island is definitely French in culture.

The most photographed scene in the Caribbean and landmark of St Lucia are Petit Piton and Gros Piton. These two enormous volcanic mountains are covered with lush green vegetation and rise over 2,600 feet above the sea, and 1,000 feet below. Soufriere, located at the base, is where the jungle meets the royal blue sea. The majestic twin Pitons greet you at every turn while on the island – such an awesome sight!

As a comparison among its Caribbean neighbors, the only two that come close to St Lucia?s beauty is Dominica (the nature island), and the interior of the island of Jamaica. St Lucia boasts a variety of exotic black sand beaches, tropical birds, plants and flowers. Everywhere you turn, and on each island adventure there is just more beauty to be seen. I attempted to capture the island on picture, but the color intensity and depth was lacking more than often. While family and friends remarked at how beautiful our vacation pictures were, I knew the true essence of the island needs to be seen in person.

This is an island to be explored with nature walks, mountain hikes, visits to the natural reserves, boat trips to nearby island sanctuaries, drive through the world?s only ?drive through volcano, and a trip to the interior rainforest is a must! About the drive through volcano – you literally drive through the crater to over 15 pools of thick black bubbling lava. The smell is a bit overwhelming. In this region you will also find green and yellow sulfur steam coming up out of the ground, and pools of hissing steam – You can definitely feel the heat from the ground, and guides lead you around the hot stones.

Another interesting site outside of Soufriere is Diamond Waterfall and the Mineral Baths. Louis XVI sent a sample of the mineral water to France back in the late 1700?s to be tested, and it was deemed beneficial. We had a lovely time at the Mineral Baths, and admit I felt quite invigorated afterwards. Diamond Waterfall is near the baths, and this rivals many of the waterfalls on the island of Jamaica – simply beautiful!

The lush mountainous region is home to the rain forest which offers lush and colorful foliage. As you venture into the northern part of the island, mountains turn into lush hills, and orchards of banana, coconut, mango, citrus and papaya trees.

Aside from land tours, a half day or one-day sail around the island is recommended. From a small peninsula that extends from the southern tip of the island you can view where the rough Atlantic Ocean meets the calm Caribbean Sea. On a clear day you can even spot the tiny island of St Vincent. Another location advantage is you easily island hop to the islands of Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe.

The Eastern or Windward side of the island is on the Atlantic coast, and has big waves and surf, and swimming is not recommended, but the ocean views will be remembered far after your vacation is over.

The Western, or Leeward island side, is located on the Caribbean Sea, and the waves and waters are quite calm, and most of the beachfront resorts on located on this side of the island.

No matter which side of the island you choose, you will find the constant cooling trade wind breezes coming off the coast of Africa.

Getting to St Lucia can be challenging time wise depending on where you are starting from. Expect a minimum 5-6 hour trip from North America. One important aspect in booking your vacation is the proximity of the hotel to the airport. St Lucia has two airports, and the major airport (Hewanorra) on the southern tip of the island is where most of the air traffic from North America is directed. The smaller airport (George Charles) to the north of the island serves most of the smaller Caribbean air carriers. Of course the majority of the best known hotels are located on the north of the island.

Flying into Hewanorra airport on the southern end, and booking a hotel or resort on the northern end can result in a long 2 hour trip. Rather than look at the travel time to the hotel with dread, consider it a prime opportunity for an enjoyable island tour. The mountain route offers a more scenic view of the magnificent Pitons. The eastern route is faster, and you wind through hundreds of banana groves, and beautiful scenery. Take your pick, but I recommend the longer western route.

St Lucia is home to some of the most unique resorts, charming inns, guesthouses and romantic hideaways in the Caribbean. Two of the most unique are Ladera and Anse Chastanet.

Ladera offers an open wall concept with your own private pool. The western side of each unit is open to the view of the Pitons. It?s like staying in a luxury tree house, and as they said ?the only thing separating you from nature is the netting on your bed?.

Anse Chastanet is a luxury mountaintop retreat where every room offers something different – no two are alike. Most rooms are scattered in the lush hillside, and a few more expensive rooms are located on the beach. Be forewarned there are nearly 100 steps to the beach from the hillside.

Jalousie Plantation is located beneath the Pitons, and offers a very romantic, private location that is hard to match anywhere in the Caribbean. Another choice is the Windjammer Landing with your own secluded villa in a Mediterranean styled village setting.

The smaller hotels of Rodney Bay which are Caribbean Jewell, Coco Kreole, and Coco Palm offer a location that is within walking distance to shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Reduit beach is one of the prime attractions of Rodney Bay, which is also home to the European yachting community. Each of these smaller hotels has a unique charm, excellent service and moderate prices.

There are approximately eight all inclusive on this small island. Many Caribbean islands offer all inclusive properties where visitors are isolated and spend most of their time. St Lucia all inclusive celebrate the islands beauty and attractions, and make every effort to promote the islands beauty and culture. The most popular all inclusive are Sandals – which offers three different resorts, the Body Holiday Spa Resort, and Rendezvous – a popular, romantic couples only resort.

The beaches of St Lucia offer as much variety as the lush vegetation. There are black sand beaches where the sand is courser, soft white sand beaches, beaches of beige-grey and brown. One thing to remember – black sand heats up much faster than white sand, and your feet can get burned and blistered.

While the island is French in culture, English is widely spoken in the business and tourist areas. Elsewhere you will hear Creole, along with a French patois. The Creole spoken on the island is derived from the original slaves mixing their African language, along with French words. There is even a national holiday where every St Lucian is encouraged to speak Creole, and prepare Creole food dishes.

If you?re used to the typical steel drums and calypso of the Caribbean, you will find the French Caribbean has a taste for Zouk, African drumming, and also Soca. The French Caribbean is not as reserved as the islands with a British influence, and the English lyrics are quite explicit about current social norms – in other words you may be a little shocked at what you hear.

Zouk is a Creole word for ?party?, and is upbeat tempo with layered percussions and loud brass. You?ll hear Zouk mostly in the French Caribbean islands of St Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe. The beat is infectious, and you can?t help but dance or at least tap your feet.

Soca is a combination of calypso with a more up-tempo beat, and interestingly enough has its origins in a combination of calypso mixed with Indian rhythms from Trinidad and Tobago.

Not your typical Caribbean island! If I had to sum up what?s special about St Lucia, I would conclude the following – An exotic island paradise with unique resorts and romantic hideaways, great beaches, hiking, sailing and deep sea fishing. Also the island?s steep coastlines and excellent reef system offers world class snorkeling and scuba diving.

Linda Thompkins, Owner/Travel Consultant Travel 2 the Caribbean http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com