Whatever your requirements, Bora Bora has a luxury hotel for you. You can choose a studio or one bedroom suite at the Hilton or opt to stay in a resort alongside a lagoon. You’ll find many waterside resorts with individual thatched bungalows near the beach. They look charming and provincial but provide all the modern conveniences right down to plasma televisions and Wi-Fi internet access. Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa, ten minutes from the airport, is one of these luxurious resorts where you’ll find private outdoor soaking pools, a full service spa, valet service and much more.

One of the luxuries of a vacation is that you don’t have to be in a hurry and Bora Bora is the embodiment of relaxation. Nobody is driven by schedules here and you can enjoy a laid back vacation. You may want to relax on the beach for a day or so before you look at all the fun the island has to offer.

There’s plenty to do on the island, particularly if you’re the adventurous type! You can go on a shark and ray feeding expedition, snorkel near the pristine beaches, scuba dive and explore the fantastic underwater marine life. There is parasailing, water and jet skiing, marlin fishing and many beautiful bike paths.

For those who want to explore nature there are glass bottomed boat tours of the lagoons where you can see colorful coral and marine life without getting wet. You can hike the interior with or without a guide and see some of the most beautiful birds and flowers in the world.

You can take a bus or mini van tour of the island to see ancient maraes (sacred places) and pearl and vanilla farms. You may enjoy the Lagoonarium, a guided underwater tour where you’ll swim alongside turtles, sharks, dolphins and tropical fish. Snorkel through the Coral Garden and enjoy the curious, friendly and colorful fish that live among the coral rocks and see astounding clams and other sea life. Everyone enjoys the deep reef experience of the Bora Bora submarine where you’ll dive down to 100 feet and see sharks and other fish as well as marine plants and coral. Private dives are available with champagne to make it a truly memorable experience of a lifetime!

Most hotels have their own shopping areas but you’ll find many shops scattered all over the island. There are art galleries and studios, wonderful collections of local crafts and of course there are shops that sell black pearls gleaned from the ocean floor. Two of the newest stores are in the main village of Vaitape. La Galerie specializes in wood carvings, pottery and original art while Fashion Bora Bora sells resort wear, swimwear, sandals, bags and more.

A luxury vacation in Bora Bora will be one that you’ll always remember!

First and foremost on the list is the Gold Coast of Australia. This country is a popular vacation destination but to surfers, it’s nirvana. Gold Coast City is said to have beaches and waves superior to any other location on earth. There are about 43 miles of beaches with four point breaks and the friendly, hospitable Australians will make your surfing vacation one that you’ll never forget.

Fuerteventura, Spain is another fantastic place to search for that wave. Part of the Canary Islands and at the same latitude as Florida and Mexico, Fuerteventura is considered a Mecca for surfers world wide. The water temperatures are consistently between 64-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18C- 24C). October to March is the best time to surf here.

Everyone has heard of California, a great place to surf because of the wave variety which is best in the winter time. If you prefer smaller waves there are spots between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay that you’ll like but for the big ones you will want to go to Malibu, Steamer Lane or Rincon. Take a wet suit, as the water is cold even in the heat of summer. It’s crowded, so be prepared to share the surf with other enthusiasts.

Mentawai Islands, Indonesia is a chain of about seventy islands off the west coast of Sumatra. The four main islands are Siberut, Sipora, North Pagi and South Pagi. These can only be reached by public ferry or by chartering a boat. You’ll see the most impressive swells between June and September but the best time to go is March through October. While you’re there you’ll want to check out Bali, another ideal surfing destination. The swells there come in from Southern Ocean and the waves are consistently around 12’ high. Go from April through November for the best surfing but no matter what time you go it will be very crowded.

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa is about an hour’s drive southwest of Port Elizabeth and is one of the most famous surfing destinations. Go during June, July and August for best results. Jeffreys Bay is well known for its blue flag beaches and for hosting the yearly Billabong Pro WCT at Supertubes in July.

Santa Catarina, Brazil is an island with great beach resorts and consistent waves with a lot of variety. You’ll want to check out Joaquina Beach, one of the best in the country.

Costa Rica is legendary among hardcore surfers, who like its consistent waves. Go between April and October for major swells but be prepared for very bad roads! While you’re in Central America you can travel up the coast to El Savador, popular with surfers because the water isn’t crowded. It boasts swells up to 10’ but it’s very rocky so be sure to take your booties to protect your feet.

Last but not least is Samoa, northeast of Fiji in the Pacific Ocean. There is plenty of swell from every direction all year round and good quality waves. The hospitality of the Polynesian people combined with the warm water makes this truly a surfer’s paradise!

If you need a little help checking out the beaches spread across Florida’s 1,350 mile coastline, then here is a quick guide for you.

For families that have kids from toddlers, to tweens, to the teenage years, some of the best beaches to go to are Fort Lauderdale Beach, Pensacola Beach, and Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach is world-renowned as the home of NASCAR, probably the world’s hottest professional racing circuit. Fort Lauderdale is a great venue for shopping, plus the Museum of Science and Discovery, the Butterfly World, and Flamingo Gardens. Pensacola Beach has the type of fine sand and water depth that toddlers will love playing in.

If you want to spend your Florida holiday nights partying in the town, then here are some of the most highly recommended beaches for their nightlife, restaurants, attractions, and more. Miami Beach is a popular spot, known for the shopping arcade on Ocean Drive, where you can find designer brands like Kenneth Cole, Versace, Hugo Boss, and more. Plus, this is the famous beach featured in the Emmy winning series, CSI: Miami. Another beach that’s a great place to party in is South Beach, where tons of celebrities go for their vacation.

For an deeper appreciation of ocean life, you can opt to go snorkeling or scuba diving in Looe Key, Bahia Honda, and Hutchison Beach, to name a few. Florida’s beaches have abundant coral reefs, and you may even dive to find ship wrecks and an assortment of colorful sea creatures.

]]> http://www.purevacation.com/what-are-the-best-beaches-in-florida/feed 0 http://www.purevacation.com/luxury-vacations-helping-you-get-your-fix-of-glitz-and-glamour http://www.purevacation.com/luxury-vacations-helping-you-get-your-fix-of-glitz-and-glamour#comments Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:06:45 +0000 Pure Vacation http://www.purevacation.com/luxury-vacations-helping-you-get-your-fix-of-glitz-and-glamour To many, the idea of a luxury vacation can provoke a mixture of awe and fear: after all, until recently, “luxury” was an idea that only the rich and famous were allowed to enjoy. However, as the travel industry explodes and more people are keen to take vacations to exotic and exciting destinations, the “luxury hotel break” has gained new meaning and revived momentum among travelers for the finer things in life. In fact, treating yourself to a luxury break is no longer considered an extravagance but rather a welcome antidote to backpacking – especially among older travelers who have spent one too many nights in grubby hostels with just the basic essentials, and who can now afford to splash out a bit when booking travel accommodation.

Many people comment on return from their travels that they may need a “vacation to recover from their vacation”. That’s because traveling, despite all its pleasures, can be a hairy business – what with communication issues (if you’re in a non-English speaking country), making sure your belongings are safe and trying to make the most of the time you have left to sightsee. Luxury hotels can really take the stressful edge off your vacation as you’ll have everything you need right on your doorstep. Laundry services and daily housekeeping will take care of the basics, while the opportunity to be served three-course meals in the comfort of your hotel suite means you won’t have to trawl the streets to look for somewhere to eat.

What’s more, luxury hotels are infamous for offering their guests a variety of ways with which to unwind. Most luxury hotels today come with their own spa for which outsiders have to pay, while guests often receive complimentary treatments. A soothing massage, for instance, could be the ideal way to relax after a hectic day’s activities.

What’s more, many luxury hotels are situated near or host their own first-class golf courses; so if you’re hoping to enjoy a peaceful golf vacation, staying at a luxury hotel could be your best possible choice if you want to play on the finest greens.

It’s true that luxury hotels can cost a lot of money, but enjoying the comforts of a luxury hotel break doesn’t have to follow suit. Planning to go backpacking in Europe for a few months this summer? Scrimp and save by staying in youth hostels during your trip so that at the end of your vacation, you’ll be able to afford a few nights at a sumptuous luxury hotel in a cosmopolitan city like London or Paris.

Alternatively, if you simply want to experience the tranquility that staying in a luxury hotel offers, you don’t have to travel far. Just book a weekend in a luxury hotel near you and indulge in the pure pleasure it will bestow.

By Elisha Burberry

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and water sports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.