We had an idea we might be on to a good thing with La Residence des Cascades after we got off the flight in Hurghada in July 2006.

The flight had not been without incident, involving at least one drunk British youth, and in general terms we were a little concerned as to the quality of our fellow travellers.

Just hoping they would be miles away, but soon after we were greeted by a ‘man with a board’ and take to a large vehicle to transport us, and we were given ice cold towels, and fresh fruit, we knew it would be OK.

By the way if you wish to see photographs of this resort, then click on http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/articles/25/1/La-Residence-des-Cascades-Soma-Bay-Egypt/Page1.html

Our research had seemed to indicate a very smart hotel, and the fact that we were able to negotiate without difficulty a suite, The Gary Player Suite, plus an adjoining twin room for the children for less than £170 per night including breakfast with no charge for the childrens’ evening meal told me it was low season at La Residence des Cascades.

On arrival we discovered there were only 46 guests staying out of a possible 480, so this was to be either fantastic or……………….. another reason altogether!!

I have to say it was all fantastic, the sitting room in the suite was huge, the bedrooms huge, and well equipped, we even had a kitchenette. The room fridges only had wine soft drink and beer, no spirits.

We were right above the pool, and we couldn’t believe the size of the balcony, and room service was prompt and efficient.

Everything from the food, to the service, to the smiles made us feel very special. Some of the staff were a little short on English although all spoke German, French, and Italian!!

The meals were excellent, with a BBQ lunch every day, and the evening buffet restaurant had an a la carte main course because of the numbers of guests.

I don’t believe the hotel was empty because of political events because the Sheraton down the road was quite full, and were we glad we didn’t stay there, when we paid a visit!!

Our pool was large,….and empty of people, the championship golf course was wonderful…and empty, this vacation was as close to paradise as we could have had.

In July the temperature is a dry 40 degrees in the shade, with a cooling breeze, this is low season, and the hotel is privately owned and the owner is in no hurry to take on the mass market.

Go now to La Residence des Cascades, with one proviso, don’t go at Christmas when it is busy, because there was a holiday weekend when we were there, and the staff were definitely not so good under pressure, plus the fact I’m not sure if there would be enough sun beds.

Anyway we loved it, so go and go now!!

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Ian Smith has written several articles for www.worldwidevacationspots.com and recommends it as a good source for investigating possible vacations

Boracay is a beautiful tropical island located at 200 miles (315km) south of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. This island resort is one of Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations because it is consistently voted by popular scuba diving and travel magazines as one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world.

There are many dive centers and operators in Boracay offering diving trips to top rated but hard to reach dive sites such as those in the Sibuyan Sea, Tablas, Romblon and Semirara. Close to Boracay are also excellent dive sites catering to divers of varying diving skills. Non diver will find snorkeling in Boracay an enriching experience because of its rich and diverse marine life near the beaches.

Friday’s Rock is a nearby rocky outcrop in Boracay’s western shore. Expect to see a variety of brilliant colored soft and hard corals, flittering butterfly fish, curious wrasses, darting damsels, playful blue tangs, ominous stingrays and snappers when diving around Friday’s rock. Hidden under the rocks, crevices and corals are big scorpion fishes and lion fishes.

There are two great dive sites near the main island of Boracay, known as Punta1 and Punta2. Punta 1 is a shallower dive of the two spots and is a drop off of about 24m (80ft) and Punta 2 starts at 30m (100ft) and goes way down to about 50m (170ft). These two dive spots are home to various species of garoupas, trigger fish, angel fish, sweet-lips, tuna, barracuda and the occasional reef shark.

At the southeast coast of Boracay is Crocodile Island (the island is named as such because of its shape). The island a very popular dive location and is a wall dive to about 25m (80ft) in depth. This dive site is also very rich in marine life so much so that many species of fish and corals make this location their permanent home.

Crocodile Island is also home to some poisonous banded sea snakes some of which are long as two meters (6.5ft) in length. Scuba divers need to be very careful of sea snakes because all sea snakes are poisonous and their bites lead to fatality.

Another great dive location near the main island is the Laurel Island. This dive site is for the more experienced and advanced divers because the undercurrent here can be very strong and because of this, drift diving is the main scuba diving activity here. Furthermore, the strong undercurrent encourages corals to open up their brightly colored yellow and orange polyps to feed on passing planktons. Divers can also find big colorful sponges and huge waving gorgonian sea fans here.

At northern tip of Boracay is a dive site known asYapak. This is a deep wall diving location starting at about 30m(95ft) and descending into the depth of 60m (190 ft). Once again, the undercurrent here can get pretty strong. Scuba divers will encounter larger pelagic fishes here, such as barracudas and various species of sharks.

Hammerhead sharks and giant manta rays are the main attractions when diving in Yapak. Other excellent dive sites around Boracay are Carabao (buffalo), Cathedral Cave, Buruanga, Black Rock and Dog Drift. Is it any wonder why Boracay is consistently rated as one of the best scuba diving site in the world?

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Chris Chew have been scuba diving for three decades. See his travel websites at Palawan Island Resort and Tour Bali Volcanoes

Approximately 70% of society takes their main holiday between May and September. Not only does this coincide with children’s summer breaks from school, it also coincides with the more favourable weather in the majority of the world’s popular vacation destinations. There is a lot to be said for taking a summer vacation. It is mid-way through the year, and thus a perfect time slot to recharge even the most rundown of batteries. It is also equidistant from last and next Christmas, thus posing less of a financial problem.

However, the perfect summer getaway is never complete without a fantastic hotel and the best possible choice of destination. If you fail to pick the place that most satisfies your wants and needs then you may just come back more stressed than you were to begin with. So, to try and make your life easier, here are the top 10 summer getaways!

1. Kenya – If you are looking for a different destination to try this summer then try Kenya. Everyone should go on safari once in a lifetime to be able to fully appreciate nature in all of its glory. Of course, there is something to interest everyone in Kenya, from the fine indigenous food to the extraordinary culture. The White Sands Resort in Mombassa is the perfect base for exploration and to collapse when you are exhausted at the end of each day.

2. Egypt – Egypt is ideal for a summer break. There is plenty to see and do in the hot climate, which allows you to make the most of any break there. The pyramids are amazing and well worth the trip, but the hospitality really stands out because hotels will go out of their way to make sure that you enjoy every minute of your summer vacation. The Oasis Hotel in Cairo is just one of the many that offers such service, but the comfort of the rooms is better than most.

3. Bahamas – A vacation in the Bahamas provides the best beach holiday you will ever have. The golden sands and clear ocean can bring inner peace to even the most stressed out individual! It can also be a family holiday destination because of the amount there is to do on the island. The Nassau Palm Resort is located right on the ocean and puts the best beaches at your disposal!

4. Greek Islands – Depending on what constitutes your perfect summer holiday, there is a Greek Island for you! Families can capitalize on the many activities offered, couples can enjoy the fine food and historical sites, and friends can enjoy the nightlife! There is something for everyone in Greece, regardless of what your interests are. Try Cavalieri Hotel Corfu for a comfortable but fun-filled stay! You will never forget the name or the place.

5. Puerto Rico – This country has a rich Spanish cultural heritage that has to be experienced. The weather in summer is fantastic and perfect for strolling round the islands heritage and shopping areas. You can sunbathe, sample some of the finest food in the world and experience the culture with very little effort because it surrounds you. The Comfort Inn in San Juan offers access to most of the island’s activities and facilities so there is no need for transportation.

6. France – The coasts of France, especially in the south, are gorgeous in the summer. The sun shines all day long, but the temperatures are bearable and will not stop you taking advantage of the wide range of activities available. Scenic tours, walks, boat trips and ample shops are available to keep you occupied, and the food will tempt your taste buds at first scent! Cannes is one of the best resorts around, and the Inter Hotel Des Orangers hotel provides access to all of its main attractions.

7. Singapore – The climate in Singapore is welcoming in the summer because it is not overly humid but remains warm enough to enjoy your break. There are many festivals and events in the region to keep you occupied and give you just a taste of the culture. The food is amazing and the marketplaces are haven for shoppers or culture buffs. The Fragrance Hotels provide access to the culture and food at affordable prices so you can spend more on exploring the destination itself.

8. Thailand – The Thai holiday is an extremely popular summer option at the moment. You cannot find such natural beauty anywhere else. The beaches are amazing and the people are generally welcoming. Their easygoing attitude soon rubs off on you so that you can relax and have fun. Try the Ambassador Hotel in Bangkok for a luxurious stay or the Deevana Patong Resort in Phuket for the beaches.

9. Portugal – Portugal is warm in the summer and, with the sun shining every day, you can feel your spirits lift as soon as you touch down. You can sunbathe on the beaches, shop in the boutiques, walk around the cities and take in the historical sites in your own time without feeling rushed. The Duas Torres hotel in Madeira is worth a look if you want the best the country has to offer as far as a combination of beach and activity goes.

10. Maldives – What could be better than spending summer in a tropical environment that offers a range of activities for you to try. You can sail, scuba dive in the Indian Ocean, sunbathe, shop, part, sleep, and dine at world class restaurants. The atmosphere is one of utter leisure, and this is mirrored in the hotels. The Hulhule Island Hotel, for example, makes your stay luxuriously comfortable and panders to your every need without planning your days out for you.

Summer vacations may be the most popular around but it means that you are spoilt for choice. Decide what you want, have a look at the range of destinations and tailor your holiday to suit yourself. Most places will offer a range of activities to please almost everyone, so choose wisely and make the most of your summer break!

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

hotelclubnews.blogspot.com/ Hotel News and Updates

With around 250 Grand Cayman diving sites to choose from, picking a couple of sites for a one-week vacation can be confusing. With the diverse array of fishes and corals found in every dive site, it’s very difficult to resist viewing the features of each. For fish lovers, a diverse array of fishes and corals await them underwater. The wreck divers, on the other hand, can choose from a variety of wreckages with an eerie atmosphere that will definitely send chills down a person’s spine.

Stingray City
Located in the northwest corner of the Grand Cayman’s North Sound is one of the best Grand Cayman scuba diving sites. Inside a natural channel which goes through the barrier reef is Stingray City, a dive site that has been shown in cruise ship commercials and featured in dive magazines. In this world-famous shallow dive, one can kneel on the sand and feed or pet the stingrays. Even better, these graceful creatures swirl around divers, giving them a fantastic show. This is definitely a wonderful place for taking underwater pictures.

Wreck Diving
Wrecks can be viewed in some Grand Cayman scuba diving sites. One of the famous wrecks in Grand Cayman is the Oro Verde, an 84-foot steel freighter which was scuttled and sunk by the Caymanian government in May 31, 1980. Since then, this ship has been inhabited by a lot of extraordinary characters like a 300-lb jew fish named George, a six-foot green moray named Kermit and four-foot barracuda named Puff. In this area, some yellow tail snappers and angel fish may also swim by for a bite.

Big Tunnels
Another must-see Grand Cayman scuba diving site is the big tunnels. The coral formations in the drop off are quite unique. It looks like Neptune himself scratched the area with his trident. With networks of canyons and crevasses, it is a home to the barrel sponge, the black coral, gray angels and eagle rays. The trinity caves are also located in this area. Here, one can see a system of four coral canyons that converge on the surface of a vertical wall.

Eagle Ray Pass
Located in the North Wall, this is another Grand Canyon diving site that one should not miss. Formed by towering coral heads, coral archways and narrow crevices, this pass is a home to a lot of sponges, gorgonian fans and black corals. A lot of Spotted Eagle Rays also swim along the surface of the wall.

The West Wall
This is the most popular Grand Cayman diving site. It has a large variety of fish and other marine life. Here, divers can enjoy looking at schools of grunts, snappers and angelfish. Another wonderful feature of this site is that the creatures here are quite friendly. Because most of them are not camera-shy, many divers enjoy taking pictures of the fish in this area. Close to this area, a site called Orange Canyon is a great place to visit. Here, one can see tons of orange elephant ear sponges.

Being a place with warm and clear waters that have a visibility of 100 feet above, going to these diving sites would definitely be a great experience.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Want to know more about Grand Cayman scuba diving sites? Visit AskTheScubaExperts.com to learn more about Grand Cayman snorkeling sites and scuba flippers.

Depending which report you read, people are either going to be travelling more or less than last year. What is certain is that people are still looking for a bargain so I thought we’d have a look at some of ways the travel industry is looking to attract clients in 2009. 

In a bid to boost new year bookings, FlyBe has introduced Redundancy Cancellation Insurance. According to their website, FlyBe have said that travellers can book flights, car hire and hotels for travel up to 24^th Oct 2009, safe in the knowledge that should they lose their job, they will automatically be covered and at no extra cost. Full details can be found on the Flybe website. 

Regaldive are in the middle of a January sale with 5% off any of their holidays (Red Sea or worldwide) booked by 31^st January 2009. This offer is available on all their destinations, for every hotel and liveaboard the feature. In addition, this promotion can be used in conjunction with any of their other special offers (conditions apply). Regaldive’s destinations include Red Sea, Sudan, Djibouti, Oman, Maldives, Manado, Bali, Thailand, Borneo, Philippines, South Africa, Pemba, Galapagos and the Caribbean.

Air France have a number of fantastic deals to Europe and North Africa with prices starting from just £69 to Paris and £139 to Europe inclusive of all fees and taxes. Travel must be booked between 9^th and 28^th January 2009 and the travel period must be between 22^nd January to 30^th June 2009. Full details can be found on the Air France website. In addition, they are also offering a discount of £35 off longhaul flights with the voucher code: JAN09PR432. (Offer ends 27 January, minimum flight value of £175 pre-tax, must fly before 30 June 2009). 

Libra Holidays are offering low deposits of just £50pp and discounts of up to 60% on last minute holidays to Egypt with winter deals from under £300pp. Libra are also offering plenty of other offers to their other sunshine destinations of Greece and Cyprus. Full details can be found on their website. 

Airlines are also getting in on the act with a sale on many of their long haul routes. The sale runs until 27^th January and some of the example economy fares are Atlanta (from £279), New York (from £259), Johannesburg (from £505), Hong Kong (from £409), Dubai (from £299) and Barbados (from £479). Full details can be found on their website

As you can see from these examples, the bargains are there so if you are looking to travel in 2009 be prepared to shop around.