Travel guide

Just about one and a half mile from the Old Haleiwa Town on Kamehameha Highway in the island of Oahu is a feeding ground for the green sea turtles, the Laniakea beach. Once you arrive there, there are branches and shrubs covering a good portion of the beach. It almost seems as if someone had gone through a great deal in order to hide this beach from the public, especially when you see the signs and banners once you are behind the shrubs and branches where the drivers passing by on the two way lane won’t be able to see much of the turtle signs. Maybe this was someone’s idea of keeping the crowd away from the beach.

Nevertheless, this beach is very crowded on many days throughout the year with people crowding around the turtles with wonders, and the children, having found new pets, wanting to play with the slow moving creatures. As such, it would be rare to find everyone abiding by the law on any day, which was created to stop the green sea turtles from becoming extinct. Moreover, these turtles are very friendly creatures that feed on the seaweed on the beach rocks and they are also willing to swim with anyone in the water with them without being afraid. As such, many people swim and snorkel in the beach with the turtles on a daily basis.

Our recommendation for anyone planning on heading out there is: The green sea turtles are known to snap/nip so it is a good idea to give them some reasonable space and at the same time, please do not feed the turtles.
The green sea turtles were listed as endangered/threatened species on July 28, 1978 under the federal Endangered Species Act. It is also protected under Hawaii state law.

Just a short drive down the motorway, turning onto less well-travelled roads the landscape takes a pleasant change and wide skies open out ahead. This is a journey to a haven of peace and tranquillity.

Where is this magical place? It must be far away you’re saying. But all this is really closer than you think and the destination is the much under-appreciated Suffolk coast, an area of acknowledged outstanding natural beauty.

Amongst the miles and miles of unspoilt coastline lies the charming town of Aldeburgh and its unique neighbour Thorpeness. Both have a wonderful timeless quality and are almost completely untouched by the commercial bug that invades our towns and cities.

The first, most striking feature of Aldeburgh has to be its amazing location. A shingle beach overlooking the awesome North Sea and so much space to breath – absorb the sea air and instantly feel the worries and stress slip away.

Small wooden huts are dotted along the seafront where local fishermen sell the day’s catch straight from the choppy seas – surely the essence of local produce. A local theme continues as you stroll along the high street. Galleries filled with beautiful work produced by local artists and a range of exclusive boutiques just waiting to be browsed.

Next door to idyllic Aldeburgh lies Thorpeness – a place that is not all that it first may seem. As you approach, after passing a rather special sculpture on the beach ‘The Scallop’ another unusual feature rises into the skies. Look up to see the ‘House in the Clouds’ – just the start of an unravelling story.

The quirky village of Thorpeness was the dream and creation of Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie, an architect, barrister and playwright. He wanted to create a safe holiday environment, where children and adults could enjoy the magic and innocence of a traditional seaside holiday and as such Thorpeness was created with its mock-Tudor buildings and ‘Swallows and Amazons’ Meare.

Suffolk certainly has much to offer whether visiting for a weekend or longer break. Leisurely walks and cycle rides through the rolling countryside, a round of golf at the challenging and beautiful Thorpeness Golf course or birdwatching at one of the reserves such as RSPB Minsmere.

After all that activity, a body is sure to need a place to rest and definitely a comfortable bed with all the other creature comforts. The choice of accommodation in this part of Suffolk will certainly not disappoint.

In Aldeburgh, the cosy and traditional White Lion Hotel sits directly on the seafront and attracts guests looking for uncomplicated accommodation. Oak beams and roaring log fires create a truly welcoming ambience.

For a fresh, modern venue look to the Brudenell Hotel, situated at one end of the town. The calming colours coupled with the Terrace Restaurant oozes sophistication while the staff will make you feel relaxed and comfortable.

A truly peaceful location and ideal weekend hideaway has to be Thorpeness Hotel. Individual and with excellent facilities including the stunning heathland golf course this is a great choice.

Certainly each of the hotels has its own appeal, yet all share a common theme – great food. Each prides itself on using local produce wherever possible to create mouth-watering dishes that will feed the eyes and appetite.

And for those visitors who feel that a hotel is too formal, there is the option of self catering at one of the apartments at the Thorpeness Country Club. Perfect for families and couples who want that bit more freedom plus the chance to get active with tennis courts and bike hire available. For a breakaway Suffolk is definitely worth a visit – all you need to do is to decide where to stay!

For many good reasons the Hawaiians say “Maui no ka oi,” which means Maui is the best. Ranked annually in traveler polls as the best island in the world, Maui captivates everyone. A trip to Maui is a vacation you will want to repeat time and time again. Maui is blessed with wonderful weather, mild tropical breezes and abundant sunshine year round.

An issue with many islands is how much “human involvement” has taken place. Sure, it’s nice to see an island that is untouched, but then again, we all love our air conditioning and our fine dining. In my opinion, Maui has a great balance of development. There are enough hotels, condos and restaurants to suit every desire and budget but not yet so overdone as to interfere with the timeless beauty of the island. To say that Maui is paradise is an understatement; it gets under your skin in a good way, calling you time and again to its shores to once again repeat the adventures that thrilled you, to discover new ones, to seek out its beauty once again and to relax at one of its fine resorts returning home refreshed and renewed and glowing with the spirit of aloha.

You can choose from various locales to call home base, whether it is Kaanapali or Kapalua to the north, or Kihei, Wailea or Makena to the south, yet easily explore any other part of the island in a day or less. Must see sights include the 10,000 foot Haleakala National Park, the road to Hana and the Oheo Gulch through tropical rainforest and spectacular waterfalls, the gorgeous Iao Needle and the quirky town of Lahaina. Adventures abound on Maui including biking down from the volcano, horseback riding in the crater or on the beach, hiking along the coastline or through the rainforest, golfing the superb golf courses, swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful bays, surfing, scuba, windsurfing, parasailing and more.

During the winter and spring months, whale watching is a joy as mother whales give birth to babies and the whales in general are relaxed and often playful. Whale watching is available both on boat tours and even from the shore as the whales love to swim and play along Maui’s coast, making Maui the number one choice for whale watching in Hawaii.

Maui has some of the best snorkeling in North America. Whether you are snorkeling in one of Maui’s gorgeous bays, out at the crescent shaped crater of Molokini or at neighboring Lanai, you will be overwhelmed by the undersea beauty, the colorful tropical reef fish, the coral and, of course, the amazing green sea turtles.

There are numerous golf courses on Maui as well. Most resort areas have several courses to choose from. The guy’s love the variety and beauty of the courses.

Eating on Maui is also an adventure with nationally acclaimed chefs creating mouth-watering dishes, utilizing the abundant fish found in local waters as well as fresh produce grown on the island. You can find a wide variety of restaurants here from the typical U.S. chains to very high end gourmet experiences. Shopping is also an adventure with locally made Hawaiian crafts and colorful aloha wear fun souvenirs.

The best reason to visit Maui is the spirit of aloha that you will feel while you are here and that you will bring home with you. This is a place to truly relax even while partaking in all the beauty and adventures around you. Spend some time relaxing on one of Maui’s lovely beaches or at your hotel’s swimming pool. Memories of your Maui vacation will make you smile, fill you with aloha, and eagerly plan your next visit! If you ever have been to Maui, you know that one trip simply isn’t enough!

Peles Castle from Sinaia (Romania), is nested at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, in the Prahova Valley and is one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe and in the world.

Short history of Peles Castle

The magnificent Peles Castles, with its fairytale turrets and pointed towers rising above acres of green meadows sprinkled with haystacks, was built as a summer residence by Romania’s longest serving monarch, King Carol I, who died and was buried here in 1914, just months after the castle’s completion.

The building of the Peles Castle began in 1873 under the direct order of the Viennese architect Wilhem Doderer and was continued in 1876 by his assistant, Johann Schultz de Lemberg. During 1877-1879 because of the war they abandoned work. The castle was inaugurated on October 7, 1883. The location for the Peles Castle was chosen by the prince Carol I de Hohenzollern, who was to become a king and it draws its name from the neighboring brooks which passes through the courtyard.

Peles Castle was the first castle in Europe to have central heating and electricity. During Ceausescu’s era, its 160 rooms, each furnished to reflect a different European country, were used as a private retreat for leading communists and statesmen from around the globe as US president Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi and PLO leader Yasser Arafat.

Peles Castle´s architecture and design

Inaugurated in 1883, Peles Castle is not only a pleasant place during the summer day; it has been conceived to be also a national monument, meant to keep the trophies of the Plevna victory, which explains the castle´s majestic style.

Peles Castle was built in wood, stone, bricks and marble and comprises more than 160 rooms. The representative style used is German Renaissance, but one can easily discover elements belonging to the Italian Renaissance, Gothic, German Baroque and French Rococo style.

Peles Castle is surrounded by seven terraces decorated with statues (sculptured by the Italian, Romanelli), stone-made-wells, ornamental vases and Carara marble. The architects used an abundance of wooden decoration, both for the exterior and for the interior of the castle, which confers a very special quality to the building.

Peles Castle´s courtyard in Bramantes style with a fountain in the middle, in the most accurate Renaissance style, pleasantly surprises the visitor. The courtyard has a merry decoration, made out of plants and flowers; all round, the building’s facades are animated by elegant drawings. The interior of the castle is a true wonder, due to the beauty and richness of the sculpted wood and the stained glass windows. As you get in the vestibule, you are on the Honor Staircase, in front of the most important rulers of old Romania: Holy Stephen the Great, and Michael the Brave.

Peles Castle’s interiors are an opulent display of elegant design and historical artifact. Its 160 rooms are adorned with the finest examples of European art, Murano crystal chandeliers, German stained-glass windows, walls covered with Cordoba leather, Meissen and Sevres porcelains, ebony and ivory sculptures.

Peles Castle most outstanding rooms are the Big Armory Room, the small Armory Room, the Florentine Room, the Reception Room (where paintings and wooden sculptures depicting 16 castles of the Hohenzollerns are exhibited), the Moresque Room, The French Room, the Turkish Room, the Council Room, the Concert Room as well as the Imperial Suite.

Other exquisite attractions at Peles Castle are the statues, the ceramics, the gold and silver plates, the Meissen and Sevres porcelain, as well as the extensive weapon collections are worth mentioning. It is also important to know that Peles Castle shelters one of the most important and most valuable painting collections in Europe, almost 2.000 pieces.

Rembrandt reproductions line the walls of the king’s office at Peles Castle while rows of books in the library conceals a secret passage leading to the 2nd floor of the castle. There is a gallery of mirrors and the dining room has a leather clad ceiling. Scenes from age old Romanian fairytales adorn the stained glass windows in the poetry room.

In the Florence hall, Michelangelo’s reproductions hang below a ceiling carved from glide linden wood. The Venetian room is equally impressive.

Several other buildings, annexed to Peles Castle, were built simultaneously: The Guard’s Chambers, The Economat Building, The Foisor Hunting House with 42 rooms designed in Swiss style, The Royal Stables, and the Electrical Power Plant. The Sipot Villa was constructed later. This would serve as the work site of architect Karel Liman. Liman would later supervise the building of Pelisor (1889-1903, the future residence of King Ferdinand and Queen Mary of Romania). as well as of the King’s Ferdinand Vila in the Royal Sheepfold Meadow

Almost adjacent to Peles Castle is Pelisor (“Little Peles”). King Ferdinand, who succeeded Carol I, intended to use Peles Castle as a summer residence. Supposedly he found Peles too big and overwhelming, so he commissioned the smaller, art-nouveau style, Pelisor Castle. Pelisor’s 70 rooms feature a unique collection of turn-of-the century Viennese furniture and Tiffany and Lalique glassware.

Panama is a country of cultural and natural beauty; its roots reach back into history as a trade hub and today, its skyline ever-evolving as a real estate and travel hotspot. But with all the widely-publicized beauty the country retains, here are our 5 spots you’ll rarely read about in pamphlets or see on TV.

Isla Canas, Los Santos: This small island just south of Pedasi in Panama’s Azuero Peninsula is a gem waiting to be discovered. It is the home to a thriving native population, some of the most secluded beaches in the country, and the nesting location of giant leatherback turtles. Bring a tent as few, if any, accommodations exist.

Lago Bayano, Darien: This giant lake sits in the province of Darien which, on paper, is a dangerous place due to its proximity to the border with Columbia. However, this region is far north enough to void you of harm; its pristine good looks enough to impress even the most seasoned eco-traveler. Explore the caves surrounding the rim of the lake, or discover hidden waterfalls on perhaps on of Panama’s most far-flung paradises.

Boca Brava, Chiriqui: An island, lying just off the coast of Boca Chica in the Chiriqui province, Boca Brava boasts white sand beaches and that great jungle-to-sea contrast. Hire a local boatman for the day (no commercial tours do this yet) and explore the surrounding coastal areas where, chances are, you’ll be the only one in sight. The sport fishing is world-class, the indigenous Indians are culturally rich, and it’s only an hour from the capital city of David!

Playa Chiquita, Colon: The Caribbean coast in Panama is developing at a slower rate than the Pacific, but there are still wonderfully quaint towns to enjoy. Drive up to Colon and head past Portobello to find this lovely beach area identified by a small fishing village and a tiny hotel. It’s about 25 minutes by boat from the nearest docking area and sports that wonderful Caribbean calm; clear waters, rustling palm trees, and a beer on the beach are in order.

Torio, Veraguas: Veraguas in the only province in the world that coasts two different oceans. Wander down the Azuero Peninsula to the sleepy town of Torio for surfing, hiking, or simple beach relaxation. It’s an easy drive from the hub town of Santiago on a finely-paved road. Stop at one of the roadside shacks for fried fish or enjoy some of the last remaining textarea.25 beers in the Republic.

It’s best to explore these unknown paradises by car seeing as though most tour groups don’t offer trips there. Also one can find easily panama real estate for sale. You will find locals to be friendly and the atmosphere to be far off the radar of traditional tourism crowds. They provide the perfect match against a night or two in cosmopolitan Panama City; showing how Panama, the hub of the Americas, is truly destined for tourism stardom.