Are you interested in experiencing something truly amazing next summer?

When most people go on holiday they usually end up doing the same boring thing year after year, which involves visiting a traditional tourist destination and spending their time sitting around a swimming pool all day.

You don’t have to keep repeating the same process on a constant basis because there are a whole world of opportunities ready for you to explore.

Sailing Around The Croatian Islands

Sailing around the beautiful Croatian islands has become a lot more popular in recent years and it’s showing no sign of declining.

Part of the reason is because people want to experience it again, but they also get the word out and it attracts a new crowd hoping to relish in the delights each island has to offer.

Sailing from island to island offers so much because each of the islands contains its own special qualities. We’re going to look into the top 5 islands you’ll experience and we will talk about what makes each one stand out.

Brac

Brac is known for its great food and along with traditional Dalmatian dishes they also have a lot of unique culinary dishes you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a food lover’s paradise and after eating in a few restaurants you won’t want to leave.

One dish in particular that is always appreciated is the Brac lamb. The reason it tastes so good is because the lambs haven’t yet had a chance to taste grass. They are served up after only being fed by their mother’s milk and if you look into this it dates back to ancient times.

Hvar

The island of Hvar is rich in history dating back thousands of years. As you’re exploring you can’t afford to miss visiting the Stari Grad plain. It’s a land division so well-preserved it’s been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the olden days there were violent clashes breaking out all over the place, so you’ll get to see the walls and fortifications the local inhabitants built as a defense system to keep them safe from the dangerous uprisings that were occurring during the 16th century.

Losinj

The natural environment on Losinj is only something you can appreciate when you see it with your own eyes. It boasts thick pine forests that have been around for centuries. If you want to do something a little more exerting you can follow the walking trails while trying to see how many of the 1200 plant species you can spot.

The air quality will refresh your lungs and the waters surrounding the island are extremely clean. They’re trying their hardest to protect anything from compromising the delightful natural resources you’ll get to encounter on your trip.

Mljet

You can’t go on holiday without relaxing over a few drinks at night. Mljet might be the perfect place to do it because the wine from the local vineyards tastes great. Even if you’re a wine connoisseur you won’t leave disappointed.

It’s said the island still probably looks the same as it did when Odysseus arrived on the shores thousands of years ago, so as well as drinking the wine you’ll want to make sure you take a stroll through some of the many vineyards scattered around.

Rab

A holiday is never complete without a trip to the beach and you won’t need to go far to find a luscious beach you’ll have all to yourself. It’s the best place to go swimming as the sea surrounding the island is as clean as can be.

Sandy coves are scattered all over the place, but if you don’t just want to lie down to catch a tan you can visit some of the rocky and pebble beaches too. There is even a nudist beach on the island for those interested in something wilder.

You Won’t Regret Your Trip!

Try to find someone who didn’t enjoy sailing around the Croatian islands and you’ll be looking for a while. If you do decide to try something out of the ordinary you’ll treasure your memories forever.

Right now is the best time to go because the islands are going to get even busier in the future and it’s always better to stay ahead of the curve. There is also plenty more to see, but I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the main features each island has to offer.

Tahiti is a heaven on earth located in the South Pacific and it is the largest island of 118 others that make up French Polynesia. Tahiti and the islands in its vicinity are referred to as the Society Islands which include Tahiti, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine and Moorea. French Polynesia also goes by the name of Tahiti and its black and white sand beaches are the closest you will ever be to paradise, at least in this life. Apart from the pure enjoment of the nature and culture of the archipelago, the Society Islands offer a number of activities you can take part in.

Tahiti

The capital of Tahiti is Papeete and it is surrounded by breathtakingly beautiful beaches. The main beach in Papeete is the Bain Lot Beach. The waves of this area are an interesting phenomenon, as they break in both directions due to steep shores and underwater currents. This is why it is also called the ‘ins and outs’ beach. Here you can enjoy golfing right next to the shoreline and a variety of water sports too, such as swimming, sail boarding, snorkeling and more.

Bora Bora

The island of Bora Bora is located 230 miles northwest of Papeete and is famous for its incredibly wonderful white sand beaches. One of them is Matira Beach, which is about 1.5 miles long and it is the best public beach in Bora Bora. It is excellent for swimming or just enjoying the vivid colors of your surroundings. Some of the other heavenly beaches on the island are locations for luxurious Bora Bora resorts, which offer glorious holiday experiences such as staying in magical overwater bungalows.

Huanine Nui and Huahine Iti

These islands may have the most beautiful beaches and beach resorts in all of Tahiti. They are connected by a small bridge and surrounded by a coral reef. Avea Beach is one of the most extraordinary resort beaches in Huanine. Imagine yourself swimming in a lagoon with trees hanging above you as you float carelessly all day long. It is suitable for swimming at any tide and stretches to the coral reef which is a perfectly safe location for snorkeling.

Raiatea

The name of this island literally translates into bright sky. Its beach resorts and spas are also worthy of a visit, especially if you want to vacation in style. There are not many long stretches of sand on Raiatea, but you could explore its nature and find perfect little spots under the bright sky for yourself and your loved ones. Raitea is also believed to be the birthplace of Polynesia, which can be seen by the remains of many temples and holy places. You can explore its jungles or its shoreline and one thing is certain, you will not be disappointed.

Moorea

Moorea is located 11 miles northwest of Tahiti and  that is why it is very convenient to visit it from Papeete. It is considered to be the most beautiful island in the whole world and an attractive destination for young newlywed couples as well. Its stunning nature and the fact that it is shaped like a heart are pretty strong reasons to spend your honeymoon on Moorea, wouldn’t you agree? One of its lovely beaches is called Temae Plage Publique and it is a continuous stretch of white sand with a stunning view overlooking Tahiti and the lagoon. Other than swimming, you can also enjoy various other activities such as surfing, diving or snorkeling. If you don’t enjoy water sports, you can always go hiking or horseback riding.

Tahiti is definitely a paradise on earth and it is waiting for you to discover and experience its amazing scenery, beaches and people. See you in heaven!

Gran Canaria is the second most populous island in the Canary Islands archipelago. It has long been a popular spot with tourists who value the stunning scenery and warm, spring-like temperatures that last throughout the year. While cheap holidays to Gran Canaria draw 2.2 million visitors to the island’s beaches every year, the sunny coast isn’t the only attraction for vacationers.

Head inland on the island, and you’ll discover a misty and magical world of dense, green laurel trees and ferns, thick with moss and cut by waterfalls and bubbling streams.

The laurel forests or “laurisilva” of the world are heaven on earth for botanists. These pockets of dense forest are scattered across North Africa, Southern Europe and the Canary Islands and play host to some of the most interesting flora and fauna on the planet. These humid woodlands are thought to be relics from another age, left over from the ancient forests that covered this area almost twenty million years ago.

In Gran Canaria the sad story is that the laurel forests have been in sharp decline in recent years, with many rare and indigenous animals disappearing almost entirely. Currently, just 1% of the original laurel forest is thought to remain on the island. This precious habitat is sheltered at Los Tiles, where the atmospheric conditions of the surrounding mountains create the perfect environment for maintaining this natural paradise. The air is consistently moist, allowing tree and plant life to flourish.

Anyone hoping to visit will be pleased to learn that there are walks through the forests, the shortest of which is the .75 km climb up the Mirador Topo de las Barandas. As you reach the peak you’ll be treated to a spectacular view down the deep gorge that runs through the middle of the forest. This hike takes about 45 minutes and is the perfect way to start the day.

More adventurous hikers may be interested in a ravine-side hike to the Marcos and Cordero Springs, where you’ll pass through a series of canal tunnels that, in the past, brought water to the island. It can be quite slippery, so wear decent hiking boots and pack a raincoat – everything here is wet! A torch would also be advisable, as there’s no natural light in the tunnels. This walk takes about 5 hours.

Whether you’re a keen botanist or a tourist looking for something a bit different, the laurel forest is definitely worth a look before it’s too late. Unlike many delicate and rare environmental spots, Gran Canaria is easy to reach on an affordable holiday, and the experience of the laurisilva will be completely priceless.

Where is Socotra?

Socotra, also spelled Soqotra, is a small archipelago of four islands in the Indian Ocean. The largest island, Socotra, is about 95% of the landmass of the archipelago. Socotra lies some 240 kilometres east of the Horn of Africa and 380 kilometres south of the Arabian Peninsula.

Socotra is considered the jewel of biodiversity in the Arabian Sea. In the 1990s, a team of United Nations biologists conducted a survey of the archipelago’s flora and fauna. They counted nearly 700 endemic species, found nowhere else on earth; only Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands have more impressive numbers. One of the most striking of Socotra’s plants is the dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), which is a strange-looking, umbrella-shaped tree. Because of this biodiversity the island was recognised by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site in July 2008.

Yemen: Jewel of Arabia

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Socotra

One Great Reason to Visit Socotra

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to the magnificent dragon’s blood tree.

Socotra, Yemen

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Yemen Tourism Site