Jamaica Beaches

Winter is the dreariest time of year in many areas of the world, but NYC is particularly gray and damp. The solution is a quick jaunt to the exceptional beaches and resorts of Jamaica. This mountainous, tropical wonderland is blessed with the most perfect beaches in the world. I was fortunate enough to appreciate this island's pleasures when I embarked on my first visit to the Caribbean. After five visits to Jamaica, and many other islands, I can affirm that these beaches are the most outstanding.

No matter what part of the island you visit, there will be a satisfyingly lovely beach to enjoy. I first encountered the palm fringed beaches of Jamaica many years ago. I had the impression that Doctor's Cove Beach outside of Montego Bay was the most gorgeous beach I had ever visited until we rented a car and drove to Negril.

We were astounded to be engulfed in perfectly clear water, a luxuriously soft bed of sand underfoot, and schools of teeny fish surrounding us. There was an old inn on the beach called "The Sundowner" and from the deck we could take in the breathtaking views. We walked to the other side of Negril and encountered "Bloody Bay" which despite the strange name turned out to be as wonderful as Negril Beach. Since that time many things have changed in the Negril area, but not the exceptional quality of the beaches.

During a recent cruise to Ocho Rios I was delighted to discover the incomparable beaches in that area. You can visit James Bond Beach, Mahogany Beach, Boscobel Beach, Mallards Beach and many other appealing beaches.Jamaica's popular assortment of spectacular, world famous beaches can be found along the north coast; where you will have the opportunity to be engulfed in the most inviting water with glorious views of hills, mountains, tropical foliage, beguiling birds and exceptionally friendly Jamaicans.

I recommend hiring a reputable local guide to show you beaches that are off the beaten track, away from the typical tourist areas. There is nothing like spending a special afternoon at a secluded Jamaican beach, enjoying a picnic lunch with frequent dips in the 70 degree water.

Isabelle Suzanne is a licensed New York City tour operator, traveler and writer for http://www.jamaica-tour.com .

Back From Bangkok, Despite Red Shirts and Red Faces

I recently returned from ten days in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. While there, I discovered that I knew very little about Thai politics, certainly not enough to know who the Red Shirts were or why they were demonstrating in Bangkok. Being present in a country when something out of the ordinary is happening tends to focus one's attention on that country not only during the visit but also subsequent to it. For me, I seem to gain a vested interest in a place if I was there during an important event. For this reason, my knowledge of Thai politics began changing during my visit there. Now back home, I remain interested in following the news of the anti-government protests of the Red Shirts in Bangkok.

In January 2010, I started planning a month-long trip to India. At the same time I managed to convince a good friend living in Sydney to meet me in Bangkok after my travels in India. We agreed to meet in Bangkok the second week of March. Our plans consisted of staying for four nights in Bangkok before travelling down to a beach resort south of Pattaya for a further four nights. Our last two days would be spent in Bangkok before flying home. Not surprisingly, our plans didn't always follow the line we expected them to due to the political unrest in Bangkok.

My friend was already aware from the Australian media that the Thai government expected protests and possible clashes with a group called the Red Shirts around the time we were meeting in Bangkok. Coming from London, I don't remember reading or hearing anything about the politics in Thailand that would have alerted me to any future trouble. My friend wrote me a worried email about three weeks before we were to meet in Bangkok. She read of the mounting uneasiness of the Thai government and other Asian states regarding the proposed anti-government demonstrations. I, again, brushed off her concerns. It wasn't until we were in Bangkok that I realised things were more serious than I thought and that she was right in being concerned!

I arrived in Bangkok from Delhi on Tuesday morning, 9 March 2010, with my friend arriving several hours later from Sydney. We were staying at the Davis Hotel in the eastern part of Bangkok for four nights. I heard nothing about any demonstrations at the international airport, from the taxi driver or from the hotel staff when I arrived. The two of us started our sightseeing of Bangkok on Wednesday and Thursday, travelling by river boat and skytrain to the various sights. It was only late Thursday that we started to get the news that the 'Red Shirts' hoped to have a million demonstrators for their weekend protests. Our hotel staff recommended that we stay around the hotel on Friday as they didn't know what to expect. We took their advice and listened closely to the news to see if we would have trouble leaving the city the next morning for the seaside. There were already reports of people massing in Bangkok for the weekend demonstrations. At the same time, the reports indicated that the numbers arriving to protest were much smaller than expected.

The next day we left for Jomtien Beach just south of Pattaya Beach. Again we saw no indication of trouble. There were no obstacles or police-blocks on the road as we left the city nor as we drove on the motorway down to Pattaya. During the weekend, we began hearing more about demonstrations, the size of the crowds and the rhetoric of the leaders of the Red Shirts. It was reported that instead of a million demonstrators only about 100,000 Red Shirt demonstrators had turned up in Bangkok by Sunday. We learned that the low numbers were due, in part, to the government blockades of all access roads to Bangkok from the northern rural areas.

It may be that you are now wondering, "What are these coloured shirts in Thailand? Who are the Red Shirts? Are they different from the Yellow Shirts?" Let me explain:
As a generality, the Red-shirts are supported by the rural populace and the urban poor. The Red Shirts are also known as the 'United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship' (UDD). They supported the former prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra, because they believed he cared what happened to them and listened to their problems. Despite PM Thaksin's billions of dollars in wealth, he is considered a hero to the downtrodden Thais. Not surprisingly, the Red Shirts supported the next two prime ministers chosen by the same government: Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat. There are also pro-democracy activists participating in the current demonstrations who disagree with the legal foundation of the 2006 military coup which ousted PM Thaksin.

The Red Shirts fundamental belief is that the present government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is illegitimate because it came to power after disputed court rulings dissolved two elected pro-Thaksin governments, following the 2006 military coup. They want the current parliament dissolved and new elections held.

The Yellow Shirts are mainly middle-class and urban elites who support the current government of PM Abhisit. The Yellow Shirts are one of Thailand's active political groups, the 'People's Alliance for Democracy' (PAD). They are sometimes joined by an anti-Red Shirt group which attracts office employees, middle-class families, academics and some low-wage workers. In previous demonstrations by the Yellow Shirts', there has generally been more violence and confrontation.

What is behind the current Red Shirts' demonstration?
In a quick and somewhat superficial history lesson of Thai politics, I set out the following
dates and facts in an attempt to make this very complicated tale of corruption and short-lived governments in Thailand slightly more comprehensible:

• In 2006, the Yellow Shirts led protests against the then prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, because of alleged corruption. Mr. Thaksin became prime minister of Thailand in 2001. Prior to becoming prime minister, Mr. Thaksin earned billions of dollars in telecom ventures. PM Thaksin was supported by the Red Shirts.


• In September 2006, PM Thaksin was ousted by a military coup amidst various charges of corruption. He moved to Britain shortly after where he remained until October 2008. It was not until after more than a year of military control that new elections were held in Thailand in December 2007.


• February 2008, an ally of Mr. Thaksin's, Samak Sundaravej, was sworn in as the new prime minister. The Red Shirts supported this government, too.


• In August 2008 there were protests by the anti-government Yellow Shirts culminating in a three-month occupation of certain government buildings by the protestors. This occupation continued through the November occupation of the Bangkok airports.


• September 2008, Prime Minister Samak was dismissed under a Constitutional Court ruling due to a conflict of interest in accepting payments for his appearances on a popular Thai cooking show. Following PM Samak's dismissal, Somchai Wongsawat (the brother-in-law of Mr. Thaksin, prime minister until 2006) was sworn in as the new prime minister.


• In October 2008 the Supreme Court of Thailand found Mr. Thaksin guilty in absentia and was sentenced to two years in jail for a corrupt land deal. Following his conviction, Mr. Thaksin left his residence in Britain for Hong Kong. Somewhat surprisingly, Mr. Thaksin also owned the Manchester City football club for slightly more than a year beginning in mid-2007 during his short stay in Britain.


• Beginning on 25 November 2008, the anti-government Yellow Shirts invaded and occupied Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport before also occupying the Don Murng airport down the road. As part of the Yellow Shirts' plan to force PM Somchai to resign, their occupation was to prevent Somchai from returning to Thailand from the APEC Summit in Peru. The Yellow Shirts refused to leave the airports unless a change of government took place.


• On 2 December 2008, Thailand's Constitutional Court met the demands of the Yellow Shirts by finding the country's government guilty of election fraud. The court ruled that PM Somchai was banned from politics and demanded that his party be dissolved.


• On 3 December 2008, the Yellow Shirts' occupation of the airports ended.


• 17 December 2008, Abhisit Vejjajiva, a rival of Mr. Thaksin and his two successors, formed a new government and became prime minister.


• In April 2009, the Red Shirts staged a brief move to oust the government of PM Abhisit. There were brief riots following the Red Shirts' attempts to storm the Asean summit.


• February 2010 Thailand's Supreme Court ruled that US$1.4 billion of Mr. Thaksin's frozen assets in Thailand (more than half of these assets) be seized by the court based on unanimously finding Mr. Thaksin guilty on five counts of corruption.


• On 12 March 2010 the Red Shirts began assembling for weekend protests on 13 & 14 March in Bangkok. The leaders stated that they would stay in Bangkok for five days in a move designed to pressure the current government to call new elections. Reports stated that Mr. Thaksin was behind these protests and he was footing the bill for the Red Shirts participation.


• 22 April 2010, the Red Shirts continued to remain in the capital and worsening violence occurred when five M-79 grenades are shot from near the Red Shirts' encampment. At least 86 people were wounded and one killed.


• 28 April 2010, one Thai soldier was shot dead in a clash north of Bangkok between government troops and Red Shirts. Two days before, PM Abhisit said his government was running out of patience.


• On 29 April 2010, the Yellow Shirts intend to submit demands to PM Abhisit to resolve the 'situation' with the Red Shirts if no solution has been reached by that date.

Back to My Story
During our stay at Jomtien Beach, we snapped up every mention of the Bangkok protests from newspaper stories, TV reports and also from the resort's staff. While there wasn't any apparent violence against others, the current prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, rejected any demands for dissolving his government. Several days after our arrival, the ante was upped by the Red Shirts. Nattawut Saikua, a leader of the Red Shirts, called for a blood curse against "the government, the aristocrats and the powerful people". Protestors were encouraged to give blood to be thrown on different government buildings.

On Tuesday, 16 March, huge containers of collected blood were thrown on different government sites including the prime minister's residence. There were also reports of the huge undertaking by the government to prevent any of this blood, some of which may have been contaminated, from reaching the water table beneath Bangkok. Hearing about this blood curse made this demonstration even more surreal and macabre. Our own plans for our last night in Bangkok were thrown in disarray. We began worrying whether the hotel we booked in the financial area of Bangkok would be caught up in the protests. We decided to cancel our booking at this hotel and made a new one at the Davis Hotel where we first stayed. The next day when we heard about the blood curse the owners of the resort suggested we cancel our reservation at the Davis hotel as the prime minister's residence was nearby. We then chose a third hotel at the edge of the financial district, ing nearer to the river which we hoped was out of area of protests.

We drove back to Bangkok for our last two days in the capital. We saw no signs of any demonstrations and felt a bit foolish for changing hotels so many times. There seemed to other cars especially as we reached the streets of Bangkok. Transportation, including public buses and skytrains seemed to be operating as usual. We were untouched by any demonstrations. While we didn't continue with our general sightseeing plans, we did explore our local community. It was only as we drove out to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport to leave that we saw military jeeps closing off several lanes of road leading up to the airport.

What we learned in Bangkok from speaking to Thais working in restaurants, shops, and taxis was that most of them supported the Red Shirt demonstrations. This rather surprised me as I thought they would be supportive of former PM Thaksin since he was found guilty of several counts of corruption. There seemed to be several reasons for this support. First, I heard several Thai people say their support for the Red Shirts' protest was due to the lack of aggression and violence of its members. The Red Shirts were viewed as being peaceful and passive. This was in direct contrast to the protests by the Yellow Shirts one and two years prior when the demonstrations were violent and aggressive. A second reason for the support of the Red Shirts' movement was that those in the lower levels of the economy, including shopworkers and taxis drivers and those living and working in the country, haven't felt represented by the more urban elite in Bangkok, whose members included aristocrats. Another reason given by someone in education was that Thai politics had taken a dangerous turn since the 2006 military coup. This person believed that following the coup, the government had silenced the voices coming from the broad swathe of Thai society. The voices had been silenced using different laws to squash free speech and avoid a candid debate. There are indications that there are those in the military who are sympathetic to the Red Shirts' cause. In very simplistic terms, the Red Shirts and the Yellow Shirts represent a class struggle.

Personally, I felt sorry for the Thai people who still remain friendly and warm towards the tourists that come to their country. Since my last visit to Bangkok 13 years ago, they also seemed to be more wary and even a bit weary. I thought this distancing was because they were disillusioned with tourists but now I think they were wondering what was happening with their government. They are hardworking and kind people who want to be heard and also have a stable government. Their recent governments have neither lasted nor generally been truthful. Time will tell whether the current government led by PM Abhisit follows its immediate predecessors or it finds its own, straighter path.

by
Janet Munro-Nelson

Janet Munro-Nelson is a qualified lawyer and psychologist. Her experience and education is in international law, human rights, international humanitarian law (the law of war) and international finance. She is currently working on several projects in northern India.

Janet Munro-Nelson's website on international affairs is called The Beacon. It contains factual and concise articles written on different international issues by experts. Currently, there are articles on the prohibition of torture, piracy on the high seas, the conflict between Lebanon and Israel, the conflict over Africa's natural resources, the demographics of Guantanamo Bay Prison, the demographics of Guantanamo Bay, child soldiers, the convention banning cluster bombs and what the war of terror actually is. The website also contains numerous international links, recommended books and videos. Please visit her website at http://www.the-beacon.info

Ten Destinations For Your Honeymoon

The pre-wedding jitters are long gone, the bachelor's party is no longer the bride's main concern, the dress was fabulous and everybody enjoyed the party. Even nature was on your side: you had a beautiful sunny wedding day. Now you can relax and enjoy your partner's company without having to worry about the guests, their accommodations or anything else for that matter. And yes, your boss and other work related stuff are included! Worrying about deadlines and the economic crisis is a big "no-no" on your honeymoon. And that is the only thing you should focus on right now. And since location is everything, here is a list of great places to choose from.

If you and your spouse are both in love with the sea then you should definitely consider honeymoon packages that include a beach resort. Visit the sandy powdery beaches in Bora Bora, for instance. This small island in French Polynesia is surely a dream honeymoon destination for newlyweds. Bora Bora is known for its tranquil ambiance but tourists also may participate in recreational activities such as boating, swimming windsurfing, jet skiing or scuba diving. That sounds tempting, doesn't it?

But how does "azure waters, white sand beaches, unmatched tranquil atmosphere combined with colorful culture and delicious dishes" sound? The place matching such a great description is Barbados. This Caribbean island attracts honeymooners from all parts of the world. The incredible scenery certainly plays an important role in the island's attraction but the fact that weather is always sunny makes Barbados the perfect choice for winter honeymoons.

If you are looking for a more secluded location but you are still hang up on the Caribbean, Aruba is the place for you. It provides ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling without excluding shopping, dining and clubbing.

Feel like eloping somewhere far off the coast of Africa? Seychelles is a good choice for those with an adventurous spirit. Its magical islands offer honeymoon couples an unforgettable experience. With its white powdery beaches and top class honeymoon resorts, Seychelles is a good destination for those whom want privacy and seclusion during their honeymoon. Just keep in mind that all that dining on the beach is quite expensive.

Mauritius ranks high in every "top honeymoon destinations" list. That is mostly because it represents the perfect combination of white sand beaches and mountains, nature reserves and wildlife parks. Other reasons for people to consider it an unique destination are the delicious local dishes and the wonderful nightlife experience it provides.

Thailand made it into the "top ten honeymoon destination" recently. Great beaches, serene atmosphere, exotic locals and, of course, that delicious Thai cuisine attract newlyweds from all continents. Most popular destinations in Thailand are Bangkok, Pattaya, and Koh Samui Island.

Tired of all these sunny beaches sceneries? Then how about some mountain tops covered in snow? Austria is the country; Vorarlberg and Tirol are the popular areas. You could also consider skiing in Salzburg province, Upper Austria and Carinthia. Kitzbhel and Lech are the jet-set resorts. Those traveling on a low budget might enjoy cross-country skiing quite a lot. When done with those winter sports, art enthusiasts can enjoy Vienna´s numerous museums and art galleries.

In the mood for some Victorian Gothic architecture? Then how about a trip to England? Forget about London, everybody goes there. Try something different, perhaps Birmingham. Believe it or not, "the workshop of the world" has had a vibrant and varied musical history over the last century. The city is often described as the birthplace of heavy metal music and in the 1970s also saw the rise of reggae. And, while you are there, why not go check out Warwick Castle, National Motor Museum or Shakespeare´s House?

Romance can be reveled in any environment, right? If that's the case, who says you can't ignore all those "Top Ten" and your travel agent's advice and choose an unusual destination for your honeymoon. New York is great in any season: frenetic nightlife, all sorts of cultural attractions and some serious shopping opportunities.

Your honeymoon must be unforgettable and, of course, unique. Then why go for the crowded places? Why not choose a more unusual destination, such as Suriname. Only a few even know this country exists and that's precisely what makes it attractive. Suriname is located in South America. It's a luring mix of linguistic diversity and eccentric architecture. It's everything you would expect for a former Dutch colony to be. Add its rain forest and fledgling ecotourism industry and there you have it: a great honeymoon destination for the adventurous newlyweds. Plus, can you imagine people's faces when they realize they haven't even heard about the place you chose for this special getaway? Priceless!

The Paragon Hotel was built in 1903 and is one of the magnificent asian weddings in birmingham hotel, a perfect example of Victorian Gothic architecture.

Blenheim Palace - Britain's Greatest Palace

On 30th November 1874, one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century was born in Britain's greatest palace. Blenheim Palace was a gift from Queen Anne and "a grateful nation" to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Malborough following his victory in the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. The 1st Duke was an ancestor of the British wartime leader, Sir Winston Churchill.

In 1987, it was named a World Heritage Site and the magnificent Baroque style building is the only non-Episcopal (Bishop) country house in England to hold the title of 'Palace'. It is set in 2,000 acres of award-winning landscaped gardens with a water terrace, great lake, grand bridge and the Column of Victory which was erected to commemorate the 1st Duke's military campaigns.

Inside the Palace, visitors will find state rooms with all the grandeur one would expect from such a magnificent building. Priceless collections of portraits, furniture, porcelain and chandeliers are found throughout Blenheim Palace. A series of tours are available to visitors telling not just the story of Blenheim Palace but also of the people who lived here.

Located just outside Oxford at Woodstock, Blenheim Palace is easily accessible by public transport. The Palace, Park and Gardens are open daily between 13 February and 31 October as well as from Wednesday to Sunday from the start of November to mid December. When the Palace is closed, the Park does remain open except for Christmas Day. With over 300 years of history, Blenheim Palace is just one of the many fascinating places to see when you visit South East England.

Rob Atherton
http://www.staycationsukholidays.co.uk

Barbados - Getting Around

Once upon a time, locals and tourists alike got around the Caribbean island of Barbados on horse-drawn trams that ran on tracks. The capital city of Bridgetown its locus, this became the largest, longest-running, most colorful horse-car tram system in the Caribbean with 25 tram cars on 5 lines running on 10 miles of track.  The system operated for 40 years, until 1925. 

Today, transportation on the 14-by-21-mile island offers more - and faster - ways of getting around, although I personally would love the romance of traveling the glorious Barbados coastline in a horse-drawn tram. 

1. Rent a Moke. Of course, you can rent a conventional car, but the open-sided little Mokes are a lot more fun to zip around in. Like all rental cars in Barbados, they have right-hand drive. Mokes, around $75US a day, have manual transmission and air-conditioning courtesy the whole of outdoors. Beware: if it rains, you'll get soaked!

2. Hop a route taxi. Called Zed-R vans because their license plates begin with the letters ZR. At 75 cents a head, the Zed-R vans often cram more than the 15 passengers they're designed to hold. There are no regular stops; people flag down a Zed-R van anywhere they happen to be.

3. Flag down a taxi. There are taxi companies and there are individuals who are licensed to drive their cars as taxis. The license plate of both types begins with the letter Z. They have no meters; always ask the price for a ride to your destination before getting into a Barbados taxi.

4. Take the bus. The Barbados Transport Board runs the official bus service of Barbados. Bus stops are plentiful and are noted by round signs reading, "To city" and "Out of city." The city referred to is Barbados' capital, Bridgetown, where many buses take you so you can board another bus going to your specific location. The bus system in Barbados is quite good and the buses are clean and very popular with tourists. The fare is an exact-change of 75 cents, Barbados currency (about 37 cents in US currency).

Exploring the island is fun because the geography varies from white sandy beaches to the lush "Little Scotland" to the plentiful sugar cane fields. Be prepared, though, to be detained by a man pushing a cart full of coconuts ahead of you. But then, who's in a hurry in Barbados?

About the Author

Get the real scoop on Barbados by visiting Jane Shattuck's blog at http://OneLoveBarbados.com For casually elegant beachfront Barbados vacation rentals, please check her site, http://BarbadosBeachVacationRentals.com Ms. Shattuck is an American living in Barbados, married to a Barbadian, and building a vacation rental business and a life in her new home.

Martha's Vineyard Bike Rentals - Places to Rent and Scenic Routes

One of the best ways to see Martha's Vineyard is by taking advantage of Martha's Vineyard bike rentals. The scenery on the Vineyard is fabulous and you really appreciate it while riding a bike around some of the side roads.

The Vineyard is larger than many folks realize and it is mostly flat, with some rolling hills, and perfect for biking. If you are a fitness fanatic, you can get in some nice 10 - 20 miles rides. Or, you can do some short tours through the charming neighborhoods of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven.

One of our favorite rides is between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown along the beach. You can rent bikes in either Oak Bluffs or Edgartown and ride towards the other town along the beach. This is a flat ride, with sidewalks and plenty of great scenery. Another good ride, although much further, is to bike from Vineyard Haven to Menemsha. This ride has some small rolling hills and is about 12 miles each way. You'll pass through some beautiful country and farming areas and end up in the charming fishing village of Menemsha. Keep in mind, this is a very rural area so there are few stores.

If you prefer to ride on a very flat and safe bike path, the Vineyard has that too. There is a spectacular bike path between Vineyard Haven and Edgartown. It's mostly flat, about 8 feet wide, and very popular with families. One possible drawback to this route is that the scenery is not as exciting as other routes on the island. You'll pass through some fairly basic neighborhoods and not see the water or beach.

Of course there are multiple places that rent bikes on Martha's Vineyard. You can find bike rentals in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven. The Martha's Vineyard campground also has rentals. We've rented bikes from Anderson's in Oak Bluffs and had a great experience. They are located right next to the Oak Bluffs Harbor and the Hyline Cruises dock. They offer all sorts of bikes, touring bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, kids bikes etc. Your rental includes a helmet, island map and bike lock. They also provide a phone number for calling for assistance and they will come and help you if needed. If you are biking with kids, they have a great bike that pulls the kids bikes like a trailer.

Biking on Martha's Vineyard is a great way to really enjoy the island. We hope you have a chance to explore some of the many routes available.

To learn more about Martha's Vineyard bike rentals, visit http://www.marthas-vineyard-vacation-tips.com/marthas-vineyard-bike-rentals.html

Scott Garrity and his family love Martha's Vineyard and enjoy documenting their visits to the island. Scott is one of the co-founders of http://www.marthas-vineyard-vacation-tips.com, a site where he shares personal photos and tips about Martha's Vineyard.

The Philippines Vacation

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life and head to a place where where you can immerse themselves in culture, tradition and breathtaking natural beauty, there is no other place quite like the Philippines.

What is so special about the Philippines though? Well for starters, if you're fond of beaches then look no further because with more than 7,000 islands which make up this archipelago, you can expect to see the spectacular beauty of the white sand and the grandeur which can be found in every beach which are scattered all over the country.

Of course then there is the heritage and culture which is like no other in the world. A blend of many years of Spanish control with roots dating back more than 30,000 years, the Philippines is definitely one place that anyone should take the time to visit at least once in their lifetime.

Surrounded by water, this archipelago is rich in both resources and unsurpassed natural beauty. You will discover just about everything here from white sandy beaches to coral outcroppings on the horizon. There are mountainous islands and ones which are formed by volcanoes. Of course with all of those islands, that means lots of pristine blue waters to go swimming, snorkeling, diving in or even sailing upon.

But there is one thing you will find here that you probably will not find anywhere else; when you choose to go on a trip to the Philippines, you will be able to meet and interact with the Filipino people. It is no denying that the people of the Philippines are very hospitable and always willing to give you a smile. For the most part you will always be able to find someone who can speak and understand English.

Also, with the amazingly low cost of living, many travelers who have chosen a Philippines vacation often return to retire here where one can live like a king on a very small retirement pension. No matter how you choose to look at it, the country offers you so much opportunity and enjoyment that it's worth coming back year after year.

Now if you're planning for a family vacation, do your research online. Internet is never short of affordable Philippines vacation packages. Shop around for the best package deals. Compare, research and compare more till you find one that that suits your need and budget. And to make your visit an unforgettable experience, never miss out the best beaches in Philippines when you plan for your vacation.