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City Destination

The Spanish Towns of Southern Costa Blanca

Torrevieja
This is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the southern part of Costa Blanca. It is located 40 minutes away from Alicante airport to the north, or 20 minutes away from the Murcia airport. Torrevieja is a busy tourist hub and has been so for many years now, thanks to the 2 large saltwater lagoons that continue to harvest salt. The lagoons are also home to flamingoes and other bird species, thus attracting all manner of tourists. Being a busy commercial centre, the town serves both the locals and tourists. Torrevieja town features a Spanish design evident in the living style of the locals as they reside in apartment blocks.

The town of Torrevieja is not lacking in terms of beaches as just recently, the main beach walkway was renovated to give a pleasant soothing stroll or an ideal spot for relaxation and unwinding as one sips a cup of coffee from a beachfront café. There are lots of beaches to choose from, and if you are a dare devil, you can always go to the water parks. Along the beach promenade, most of the days you will find a small market equipped with collectibles and souvenirs while every Friday, there is a large open air market that sells all kinds of goods at unimaginable bargains.

Holiday accommodation in this part of Costa Blanca is not a problem as there is everything for everyone, from luxurious golf courses villas and beachfront villas, to apartments and townhouses.

Alicante
If you are like many people, you know the city of Alicante by your view through the window of an airplane as you arrive in the international airport in Costa Blanca, or through the windows of a rental car as you make your way to other destinations in Costa Blanca. However, if you took some little time in Alicante, you will be amazed by how much it really has in store for tourists.

Alicante is the capital city of Costa Blanca, dating back to the Roman times. As you make your way from the airport towards the town, you will be forgiven to think that it is a boring city as the first impressions are quite poor. However, just past the urban sprawl you will be greeted by a palm lined walkway on the front part of the town. Alicante further boasts a buzzing nightlife, irresistible restaurants serving mouthwatering delicacies and a great shopping avenue for an irresistible shopping experience. Southwards from the town the city’s coastline stretches for miles of stunning golden sandy beaches.

La Manga
La Manga del Mar Menor (Little Sea) is a resort town located near Murcia and boasts of beaches in a 40km stretch and various golf courses. The Little Sea is a covered salt water lake that forms part of the Costa Calida, a perfect resort for water sport activities. There are lots of coastal strips hotels, rental holiday apartments, houses, bars, and restaurants stretched along the Mar Menor. If time is on your side, you can always visit the nearby coastal towns of San Javier and Murcia and Cartagena or San Pedro del Pinatar, or if you are a fishing enthusiast, the old fishing village known as Los Alcazeras. Football fanatics will find the famous La Manga Club that is located close by irresistible, particularly during the winter months.

Weather of Istanbul: When is the Best Time to Visit?

If you haven’t been to Turkey for a summer holiday you should actually be ashamed of yourself. Whether you are interested into culture, sunshine, shopping or having fun, Turkey gives you what you want. The same goes for Istanbul. Turkey is famous for being sizzling hot in the summer months, and some parts of the country can experience uncomfortable cold during winter, so when is the best time to book that trip to Istanbul? Read on and find out.

October to March is rather cold, although that’s nothing compared to the east of Turkey. Snow can fall from January to March, but it actually never lasts long. If it does, the children get snow free! How cool is that? But either way, there are times when you sit outside in a T Shirt in December and the next day the wind totally blows you over. So take along a warm coat, cap and umbrella, ´cause if it does rain in this city, you think the world comes to an end. Temperature: 0ºC to 14ºC.

Spring usually starts in May and attracts the first waves of tourists. Although you won’t be able to – let’s say – make a little bathing trip to the Prince Islands, you will have all the advantages of the summer long days, warm nights, sitting outside, having those great views without the likelihood of a surprising rain shower – and without the crazy heat. Temperature: 12ºC to 25ºC.

If it is summer in this city it is best to leave. Combine the traffic, all those people and the heat and you get CHAOS. Please, please don’t visit Istanbul in July or August as you will hop from one air conditioner to another, probably getting a cold in the end. If you want to travel to Turkey in summertime, stick to the traditional holiday cities like Antalya, Side, Kemer etc. where you can retrieve from the heat by jumping in the pool. Leave Istanbul to the few people who didn’t had the chance to get away. Temperature: 25ºC to 30ºC.

Fall (September / October) is a splendid time in Istanbul. Being not too hot or too cold it is actually the better summer. But still be prepared for both hot and freezing days, as fall also is the time of surprises. Watch the fisherman on the Galata Bridge, make your boat trip and join all the cheerful people on the streets, terraces and Cafés. Temperature: 15ºC to 25ºC.

Rainfall in Istanbul can be both short lived and very ugly, depending on the season. If you’re unlucky enough to come into heavy rain, take your time to watch the water floating down the streets, drowning the sidewalks, coastal streets and some basements.

When to book that holiday in Istanbul?

If you want to see the city at its best, book your flights from May to June or September to October. Avoid the summer! The best choice based on price/weather is a trip in early May or late October.

Gallura Sardinia

The Gallura, is a land full of charm, a perfect place to spend an unforgettable holiday in Sardinia, to be fascinated by the scents of the Mediterranean maquis, the colors of the rocks and the crystal clear waters.

With its name (perhaps in Hebrew Galil, a country of heights) indicates the north eastern region of Sardinia.

The boundaries towards the interior of the island are the river Coghinas to the west and to the south an imaginary line joining the Limbara mountain with the small town of San Teodoro, famous for its beautiful beaches, on the Thyrrenean coast.

Gallura is a fabulous mix of sea, plains, hills, mountains, cultivated and desert areas. The territory has a strong tourism vocation and offers excellent reception and entertainment services.

If you decide to arrange an itinerary to discover the nature and culture of Gallura, an excellent solution is to find in this area of Sardinia residences or houses for rent, accommodations that ensure high standards of comfort and a lot of independence. In this environmental diversity you can find old testimonies of the territory: from the presence of numerous buildings, such as the tomb of giants Li Lolghi and the necropolis of Li Muri, consisting of stone circles vertically buried in the ground, the nuragic temple of Malchittu or the nuraghe Albucciu.

The landscape is characterized by granite rocks and the harshness of their relieves. Even if not particularly tall (Mount Limbara reaches the 1350 meters above sea level) they have been for thousands of years a barrier between this region and the neighboring territories of Baronie and Montalbo. Granite rocks, shaped by wind and rain, take in some areas the form of small mountains or extraordinary natural sculptures.

Another characteristic of Gallura is the presence of oaks from which cork is extracted, vital to the economy of the area together with granite extraction.

The fields of the hinterland (municipalities of Arzachena, Luogosanto, Aggius, Tempio Pausania) are not densely populated and it is still possible, in some places, to recognize the organization of the territory in Stazzi , another characteristic of Gallura. These are rural settlements scattered, agro pastoral farms, usually self sufficient single house units originally built by pastors, many of whom from the nearby Corsica, between the seventh and eighteenth century. There were numerous and almost everywhere until a few years ago, today many have been abandoned because of the transfer in the city.

The coast is jagged and divided into a continuous series of small fjords, bays and islets that form the archipelago of La Maddalena, with its wondrefull islands, a natural bridge towards the nearby Corsica, where there is also the island of Caprera, last shelter of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the place where you can find his remains.

While on one side this territory is home to the famous Costa Smeralda, with Porto Cervo with its well know harbour, holiday paradise for many people, on the other hand it is not difficult to find lonely places where to freely enjoy beautiful natural sceneries.

Paradise in Fort Myers

Fort Myers is known for their beautiful beaches and many attractions. They also have pristine white sands and they have the best nature adventure as well as trips you can’t miss out on. This is because they take good care of their natural surroundings. Laws have been enacted in order to prevent the investors who would like to build tall buildings near their ecosystems. They are also noted for their “Old South Ambiance,” their museum and historic spots along with nature walks, festivals and events. Most of all, they are well known for their water sports throughout the year.

An example of a place where kids and adults can enjoy their day is at Babcock Wilderness Adventures. It can be toured for a total of 90 minutes inside their 900,000 acre Ranch. You can go and see animals such as birds, cracker cattle and panthers face to face! If you are lucky enough, you can catch a glimpse of a white tailed wild deer. The ambiance here will surely bring the best of your moods. Professional tour guides are available to help you brush up on information that will most likely excite you even more. Visitors are also allowed to bring food and have a picnic. You can also have a bite with the lunch fares located at Gator Shack.

For those who wish to stay in Fort Myers longer, suggested inns and hotels are Comfort Inn & Suites Fort Myers, Best Western Airport Inn and the Rock Lake Resort. All of these are certified top quality accommodations.

Comfort Inn and Suites
This hotel is located very near the Southwest Florida International Airport. Comfort Inn and Suites hotel is only a few minutes drive from the airport. Aside from easy access from the airport, the hotel is only a few minutes away from famed attractions such as Sanibel Island, Imaginarium Hands on Museum and Sun Splash Family Waterpark. Recreational activities are also accessible such as golfing and fishing. Restaurants and lounges are situated around the area as well.

Guests are given complimentary airport shuttle services, local calls, deluxe continental breakfast, coffee and wireless Internet connection. Even after a day’s sightseeing, the fun doesn’t stop at the hotel. They also provide fitness facilities, a hot tub as well as an indoor heated pool. A business center is also available, especially for the working guests. Their fee is an average of $ 150.

Best Western Airport Inn
Best Western Airport Inn is located at 8955 Daniels Parkway Fort Myers, Florida 33912 0821, US. Also an Airport Inn, the hotel is the closest one to Interstate 75 as well as the Southwest Florida International Airport.
The hotel also has a unique location that can access the famed Gulf of Mexico and the stunning sunny beaches of Florida. It provides complimentary shuttle services that travel to the airport and back as well as Continental breakfasts, fitness facilities and an outdoor pool. Guestrooms also have an in room safe for added security.

Best Western Airport Inn has an average fee of $ 142 year round. Booking in the Best Western Airport Inn is a remarkable experience to the guests.

Rock Lake Resort
Getting closer to nature is what Rock Lake Resort can offer its guests. The resort is actually surrounded by many trees with literally a lake located at the center. You can also view it right by your door. It is most definitely a peaceful vacation resort.

They have a total of 9 cottages with 18 units and all are circular, having access to the lake. Just behind the cottages, a canoe and kayak experience as well as a motor boat can be experienced through Billy Creek. The place is truly relaxing and stress free.

This famous resort is located at 2930 Palm Beach Boulevard Fort Myers, FL 33916. Their nightly rate starts at $ 65.

Jungle Tours of the Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya region of the Yucatan Peninsula is known for its pristine beaches, fabulous resorts and a plethora of water sports and diving experiences. There is also a rich ecological landscape to be explored around Akumal and Playa de Carmen in the protected jungles of the region. In these jungles, the government has taken steps to preserve the land from development and maintain the integrity of the natural habitats of many species. From toucans to monkeys, you can see them all in their natural surroundings by arranging a jungle tour while you are staying in the area.

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve is 1.3 million acres set aside by the Mexican government as an internationally protected natural habitat. In this jungle you will find mangrove swamps, savannahs, tropical forests, coastal lagoons and thousands of species of birds, fish, monkeys and other animals.

You can arrange a tour of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve with one of the many providers in the area. The best way to see this area is by boat, and private guided tours are available with native tour guides. A boat tour will cross two lakes which are connected to the sea by ancient Mayan canals that were once an integral part of the trade routes for this ancient civilization. As you cruise along the guided boat tour, you will marvel at the beautiful flora and fauna such as orchids and other tropical plant life. You will also have the chance to explore many Mayan ruins located within the preserve. One fun part of the excursion is when you put on a life jacket and float down the canal. The beauty of these tours is that the proceeds go to help preserving this natural wonder. A day spent at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve is educational and fun and you will experience first hand one of the last undeveloped coastal areas in North America.

There are several other wildlife reserves in the region. There is the Xaman-Ha bird sanctuary in Playacar, just 20 minutes north of Akumal. This bird sanctuary is one of the natural wonders of Mexico and is host to hundreds of species of tropical birds. Another place to get the jungle experience is Jungle Place in Chemuyil. It is located 10 minutes from Akumal and is host to toucans and monkeys that you can interact with. It is inland and there is even lodging available if you want to spend some time in the jungle. They have monkeys in a cage where you can go in and pet them and interact with them and see how they live. This is a unique chance to safely interact with wildlife and learn about their natural habitat and even spend a few days in the jungle to get the full experience. The Riviera Maya region offers many jungle habitats and natural preserves for tourists to truly enjoy one of the last unspoiled, undeveloped jungle and coastline regions in Mexico.