Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2008
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My New Year's Resolution
Some of the hottest resort destinations in the world are no more than a short flight away. And many of them are cheaper than you might think. And, as with any vacation destination, the best deals can be found mid-week. The bottom line depends upon your budget and where you stay and what you do. Whether you seek a relaxing spa and golf vacation in Hawaii, want to hang out by the pool and sip frozen drinks in Cozumel or would rather shop all day and dance all night to island music in the Caribbean, the choice is yours. After all, it’s your New Year’s resolution, do it right. Have the time of your life, and you’ll have great memories that will last all year long.
The Caribbean
A vacation at one of the islands in the Caribbean offers excitement as well as relaxation in a spectacular, tropical setting. The eastern region of the islands, commonly known as the Lesser Antilles, Tobago and Trinidad, begins just east of Puerto Rico and stretches almost to the coast of Venezuela. These islands include striking mountains, rain forests and both black and white sandy beaches.
The western portion of the Caribbean is well-known for the ancient Mayan ruins that abound, as well as for the luxurious resorts, carnivals and local festivities occurring frequently throughout the year. St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan and Barbados are among the most popular travel destinations in the southern Caribbean and offer tourists an authentic island experience.
Hawaii
With many stunning and unspoiled beaches to choose from, Hawaii and its smaller surrounding islands offers lush resorts, crystal blue waters and plenty of sunshine to visitors. Besides Hawaii, often called the “Big Island,” there are five other beautiful islands to visit such as Maui, which is the second largest of the group and features stunning volcanoes as well as breathtaking waterfalls.
Other islands include Lanai, which is famous for its impressive rock formations as well as the distinct ambiance of romance, luxury and privacy. The state’s capital, Honolulu, is located on the island of Oahu, which is home to the majority of Hawaii’s population and boasts a vibrant mix of culture and entertainment.
Mexico
The big decision here is whether to choose the western coast with destinations such as Los Cabos and the Mexican Riviera or the eastern coast along the Caribbean sea and offers popular destinations such as Cancun and Cozumel. Both regions of course have much to offer vacationers seeking a good time, dazzling beaches and warm sunshine.
The jewel of the Mexican Riviera, Acapulco offers a great place to experience Mexican culture as well as the Jet-Set lifestyle that has made this Pacific Coast paradise one of the top Mexican destinations. Visitors to this remarkable resort town find a wide variety of beach and water activities. The city’s high-rise hotels have been restored to their former grandeur, its fabulous mix of restaurants is getting raves from the critics, its famous nightlife scene is jumping, and the beaches surrounding the perfectly sculpted Acapulco Bay are thoroughly stunning.
Los Cabos at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula is Mexico’s oasis in the desert where travelers will enjoy sun-kissed beaches and captivating natural beauty. Los Cabos consists of two small towns-Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. With nearly 350 days of sunshine, Los Cabos appeals to everyone with its pulsating nightlife, quiet intimacy, seaside treasures and big game fishing.
Enchanting nights, relaxing beaches and adventure activities come together in Los Cabos, creating a desert paradise that is perfect for friends, families or a romantic getaway.
On the eastern shore of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula juts into the Caribbean Ocean and offers up several fine and popular destinations. Nearly six months after Hurricane Wilma damaged Cancun’s beaches, the beach recovery project is complete and Cancun is welcoming back tourists. With new gorgeous beaches of golden sands embraced by the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, remodeled hotels, better shopping malls, restaurants and nightclubs, Cancun’s beaches are now better than ever.
Located south of Cancun, the island of Cozumel offers vacationers a host of spectacular resorts and leisure activities. From Cozumel you can visit local Mayan ruins and learn about ancient Mexican civilizations. And under the sparkling waters, the Great Mayan Reef offers an unforgettable diving experience. Add untouched beaches, turquoise waters, an active and vibrant nightlife scene and warmth of the tropics and it is easy to see why Cozumel is a favorite Mexican destination.
If you haven’t added a relaxing and rejuvenating tropical vacation to your list of New Year’s resolutions, it’s not too late! It’s one resolution you should keep. If you want a real bargain, travel mid-week, book your flight at least 21 days in advance and seek out the popular “all-inclusive” resorts which include all of your drinks and meals in the price. And remember, all online travel consolidators like Orbits and Travelocity are not created equal, so take the time to find those big savings.
You owe it to yourself to start 2008 with both a little extra cash and a great tan, too.
