RIO DE JANEIRO

Want to know what the best places to visit in Rio are?

You do if you are planning a vacation to Rio de Janeiro Brazil. You are investing your hard-earned money in airfare and accommodations. You will have a limited amount of time in Rio. And you want to make sure your Brazil vacation is a memorable experience.

Choosing which places to visit in Rio can be a stressful experience. There is so much to do in the Marvelous City. I fully understand what you are facing. My vacation to Rio only lasted a week. After that experience, I spent 18 years living in Brazil.

My recommendations for the best places to visit in Rio.

1. Copacabana Beach

Copacabana beach is one of the most famous beaches of Brazil. The nearly three kilometers of sandy beach looks out at the Guanabara Bay and offers a spectacular view of Sugarloaf Mountain. A fort at each end of the beach provides tourist with an opportunity to get to know a little more of the history of both the city of Rio de Janeiro and the country of Brazil.

2. Sugarloaf Hill (Pao de Acucar)

Sugarloaf Hill is a quartz and granite peak that rises up from the mouth of Guanabara Bay to a height of 396 meters. A glass-paneled cable car will transport you from Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) to Morro da Urca (Urca Hill) and, from there, to the top of Sugarloaf. The ride takes less than 20 minutes but offers a view of Rio that you will never forget.

3. Maracana Stadium

Maracana Stadium is one of the largest football (soccer) stadiums in the world. It was the location of the World Cup Final of 1950 when Brazil lost to Uruguay before a crowd of 199,954. What is more impressive than the stadium itself is the enthusiasm of the Brazilian football fans. Don't just visit the stadium, visit Maracana to watch a soccer match.

4. Tijuca National Park (Parque Nacional da Tijuca)

One of the things that make Rio de Janeiro so beautiful is the vast amount of nature that is part of this major urban center. The nearly 4,000-acre Tijuca National Park is the largest city-surrounded urban forest in the world. Within minutes, you can leave the sprawling concrete jungle of Rio and visit waterfalls, grottos, lakes and other wonders of nature.

5. Corcovado

Corcovado, which means "hunchback" in Portuguese, is a 710-meter granite peak located in the Tijuca Florest. Atop the peak is the 38-meter Christ the Redeemer Statue with arms outstretched in direction of the city of Rio. The statue was recently named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You can catch an electric train to ride to the top. A lookout platform allows you to get a breathtaking view of the city.

KUALA LUMPUR

Kuala Lumpur is a wonderful city with much to see and do. If you are not a native of Kuala Lumpur, it can be hard to decide what to see and do. This is a short synopsis of the 10 things I think you must see in Kuala Lumpur. This is meant as a guide to those of us who are not familiar with this great city.

1. Petronas Twin Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers dominate the sky scape in Kuala Lumpur. They are magnificent pieces of architecture which tower over the rest of Kuala Lumpur and are currently the second tallest buildings in the world, and the tallest twin towers in the world. They were built in 1998 and have 88 floors and reach 452 meters into the sky. The towers were planned in the form of an 8 sided star which in Islam symbolises fullness and regeneration.

There is a viewing deck on the twin towers, the sky bridge which joins the 21st floors of both towers, 150 meters above ground. If you are planning to do this, be sure to get your tickets early to avoid long waits of disappointment.

2. China Town

China Town in Kuala Lumpur is a special place with a fantastic atmosphere and market. The market is held on a street, but is now cleverly covered to prevent rain from disturbing the market.

In China Town you can get everything from quality hand crafted produce to fake clothes. Every major fashion house is represented in China Town by fake produce. If you are planning to buy something here on your visit, and you will, be prepared to haggle if your life depended on it. The people here are good natured, but they will try to sell you anything they can as if their life depended on it.

3. Suria Shopping Center

The Suria Shopping Center at the foot of the Petronas twin towers is a shopping center aimed at the more affluent among us. Here you can buy designer fashion goods from all of the top designers. The Suria Shopping Center is not cheap and is mainly aimed at Arabs who visit Kuala Lumpur during August to escape the heat of their own countries.

The Shopping Center is linked by the LRT (Light Rail Transport) which can take you directly to Sentral Station. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything here, don’t miss this spectacle.

4. Merdeka Square

Merdeka Square, known as Independence Square was formerly the Selangor Club field on which cricket was played by expatriates, usually from Britain. The Club is now open to anybody who can afford membership. The square is called Independence Square because on 31 August 1957 the Malaysian flag was raised here for the first time. Today, the Malaysian flag flies from the tallest flag pole in the world, 100 meters.

Merdeka Square is a place of beauty, with the immaculately kept Square alongside the Selangor Club which is built in true British Tudor style and the beautiful Abdul Samad Building which dates to 1897 and now serves as a Government Building

5. Bukit Bintang

Bukit Bintang is the main street of Kuala Lumpur. This is a street that never sleeps and always enjoys a fast pace of life. This is a great place to find a café to relax your shopping weary body, before you head back in for more shopping.

Bukit Bintang is home to many shopping centers, hotels and restaurants. Amzingly Bukit Bintang is home to 30,000 shops, many of which are in the shopping centers that have entrances from the Bukit Bintang.

6. Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana)

The Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur is a green belt that covers over 90 hectares of land. Originally built around an artificial lake, the gardens are now a major center piece in Kuala Lumpur and offer many types of gardens including an Orchid Garden, a Hibiscus Garden, The Butterfly Park, a Bird Park and much more.

7. Batu Caves

The Batu Caves are located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur as you head east towards Kuantan or the Genting Highlands. You can see the entrance to the caves from the road which is in the form of an impressive set of steps leading upwards to the mouth of the cave.

The caves are a sacred place for the Hindu population in Malaysia and consist of three main caves and a number of smaller caves. The caves are an impressive sight at 400 meters long and 100 meters high. Be prepared to meet plenty of monkeys here as they vie for your attention in the hope of getting some nuts.

8. Telecommunications Tower

The Telecommunications Tower in Kuala Lumpur is very reminiscent of the famous Toronto and Seattle radio towers. The tower is the 4th tallest radio tower in the world after the CN Tower (Toronto), Ostankino Tower (Moscow) and Oriental Pearl Tower (Shanghai).

Standing 421 meters high and if you are in good physical condition over 2,000 steps await. For the rest of us there is always the lift. There is an observation platform at the top of the tower which many say is better than that on the Twin Towers for a number of reasons, you can see the Twin Towers in your view and you get panoramic views over the city. There is also a revolving restaurant here.

9. Central Market

Central Market in Kuala Lumpur, built in 1928, is set in a stunning building. The market is easily accessed by public transport. Here you will find all sorts of arts and crafts alongside souvenir shops selling models of the Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur T-shirts.

Central Market is not just about arts and crafts, but more about a central location for a wider cultural offering. Here you can see cultural performances and sample some of the fantastic cuisine.

10. Mega mall

The Mega Mall is a massive shopping complex and if you are looking for a reasonable place to shop in comfort, this is it. There are hundreds of shops and restaurants here and it is an easy place to get lost in for a day. The shopping center is a short taxi ride from KLCC or a train ride from Sentral Station.

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimisation in the Irish travel industry. He spends two months a year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now sees it as his second home.Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: [http://www.singapore.globalhotels-24-7.com/]hotels in Singapore and [http://www.kuala-lumpur.globalhotels-24-7.com/]hotels in Kuala Lumpur

LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas is situated in the midst of the Mojave Desert. The arid desert setting serves to enhance your vacations. Tourists are inspired to not only travel here, but to also explore some of the great attractions that make this location great.

This city is commonly called the Entertainment Capital of the World. Travelers soon discover that there are a lot of terrific ways to experience Las Vegas. Many people come here because of the amazing casinos that call the city home. Gaming is one of the major reasons travelers choose this destination.

There are many different casinos throughout the city. Many of the large hotels and resorts here, provide their own onsite casinos. These also offer their guests with shopping and dining choices. Two of the most popular hotels found here are the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, and the Palms Casino Resort.

Both of these luxury hotels have casinos for the guests to enjoy. The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino is fabulously decorated. It is an all suite hotel where guests can choose king or queen suites. Suites are equipped with luscious decor, as well as, sunken living rooms, and terraces. This hotel also supplies other great amenities to guests.

The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino provides travelers with outstanding Las Vegas Vacations. This location has two separate shopping promenades, and fine dining choices. The promenades have fantastic shops and boutiques. This presents shoppers with exciting opportunities to find souvenirs to take home.

The hotel offers many different restaurants to guests. Some of the most popular of these are the Noodle Asia, and Aqua Knox restaurants. The Noodle Asia serves Pan Asian cuisine, while Aqua Knox has terrific seafood dishes. There are so many offerings here, that guests don't have to travel far to find anything that they need.

There are exceptional tours available to explore this city. Some of them have a metropolitan feel, and others focus on the city's surroundings. A great tour choice is the Air Deluxe Tour, which includes an awe inspiring aerial experience. This plane ride travels to the Grand Canyon's south rim. After arriving there, guests are treated to a narrated bus tour of the area.

There are splendid activities to participate when you visit Las Vegas. Horseback riding is one of these unique experiences. This will allow you to get outside of the city, and appreciate the lovely landscape of Nevada. The Horseback Riding through Eldorado Canyon is a fun activity choice.

Finding attractions like these encourage visitors to sense the ambiance of the city. They showcase popular things to do outside of the city. Once you are able to see the gorgeous beauty of this area, you will be inspired to see more.

Las Vegas Vacations are filled with activity. Throughout the city tourists discover locations that define the city. From elaborate hotels and casinos, to exquisite restaurants, this city has something for everyone. It doesn't matter whether you are traveling as a couple or a family. This city is the place to discover the greatness of this state.

Vacationers will create memories that will last a lifetime, as the experience the beauty of Las Vegas. Here is where they can catch live entertainment, or sample delectable cuisine. There is fun to be had by choosing this destination. Each day you're in this city, you will be certain you made the right choice. [http://www.travelocity.com/deals-d4980-nevada-las-vegas-vacations]Las Vegas vacations are one of the most popular destinations in the world. When looking at vacation packages and travel deals to Las Vegas bundle and save your packages for better deals on your vacations. Buying the car, flight, hotel, and activities all at once will increase the savings on your trip.

BORA BORA

First discovered in 1722 by the navigator Roogeveen, later by Cook in 1796, Bora Bora is a stand-out island, known for mystery and romance, as honeymooners and couples have basked in the island’s beauty for more than a decade. A popular venue for “escapes-from-the-real-world”, Bora Bora is among the most famous of islands in French Polynesia, the famous of which is Tahiti, being the biggest island in the area.

Attractions in Bora Bora have always been a thing of beauty, with touches of mystery, making Bora Bora a true jewel in the Pacific.

The unforgettable turquoise lagoon, serving as the habitat for aquatic fauna, manta and sting rays, tropical fishes and other ocean beauties, by themselves is already an entry in the roster of attractions in Bora Bora. Observing the blooming wildlife thriving in the lagoon could be done by outrigger, boat, canoe or diving explorations. A trip to Bora Bora wouldn’t be complete without getting up close and personal with the island’s marine wildlife.

As attractions in Bora Bora, the island’s corral reefs are simply gorgeous, as the white sand beaches surrounding Bora Bora are divine. The pass of Teavanui, located in between the ocean and the lagoon, is simply a stand-out sight.

Facing the pass is Vaitape, the main settlement of Bora Bora. Another entry in the roster of attractions in Bora Bora. The west coast bays of the island, Faanui and Poofai, both add to a scenic tableau building the island’s image. From an aerial point of view, Bora Bora has been described to be similar to “a tiny emerald in a setting of turquoise, encircled by a sheltering necklace of sparkling pearls”.

Another attraction in the attractions in Bora Bora is Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia. Bora Bora, as with all other islands within French Polynesia, rose through the waters because of volcanic activity 3 million years ago. The seven hundred twenty seven meter peak, sided by Mount Pahia’s six hundred twenty six meter height, both extinct volcanoes, pose and bring a certain calm to spectators.

The island is rather small. Within an hour, one could circle the entire island in a car. The Coral Garden, to the southeast of the island, is another wonder worth mentioning as another attraction among attractions in Bora Bora. The natural underwater park, houses all types of corals and fish.

Famous writers and artists, as well as navigators have decided to spend the remainder of their days in Bora Bora, among which are Paul Emile Victor and Alain Gerbault, adding on to the island’s worldwide reputation of a haven here on Earth.

Milos Pesic is a professional tourist guide who runs a highly popular and comprehensive Bora Bora web site. For more articles and resources on Bora Bora vacations packages, Bora Bora hotels and cruises, Bora Bora pictures and much more visit his site at:

BUDAPEST

Budapest, the romantic capital of Hungary, with around 1.7 Million inhabitants is located at the river Danube. Once you have been there you cannot forget the charming flair and the beauty of Budapest with all its thermal baths, historical buildings and beautiful sights.


Budapest is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a growing importance as a hub in Central Eastern Europe for business and industry. Unreachable is the view on the Danube at night when the shores are lighted and the lights are reflecting in the Danube.


Budapest has the largest synagogue and medical bath, the third largest parliament building and church in Europe as well as the second largest Baroque castle in the world. Additionally Budapest is the home of the largest Central Eastern European shopping center (Arena Plaza) and the largest island on the river Danube.


Apart from these facts Budapest became an international metropolis for businesses and expatriates which brings different cultures together which you can enjoy while dining out, partying in clubs or just during shopping in one of Budapest's shopping streets or centers. Restaurants with all kinds of international kitchen such as Japanese, Italian, Greek or even Mongolian open up their gates to offer you culinary highlights from all over the world.


For sightseeing trips Budapest is a perfect place because it offers tons of interesting places, an interesting history and great monuments. From the US Budapest is quiet a long trip but for a Europe journey Budapest should be one of your destinations. Reaching Budapest from European cities such as London, Berlin, Rome or Paris became easier and easier with the rise of cheap flight airlines who nowadays occupy a complete terminal of the Budapest airport.


Next to all this beauty and glamour the city gives you there are things you need to take care of being a tourist. Budapest is a city where you are always facing traps and tourist rip offs for example in the wrong restaurants, bars or on the street while changing money or buying from somebody passing you. Therefore it is highly recommendable to inform yourself about the city's behavior.


Nevertheless Budapest is the most beautiful city I have ever been to, where I settled down and where I want to spend the rest of my life. If you have the chance to visit Budapest do so!

DUBAI

When a tourist thinks of visiting the United Arab Emirates then the first name which comes in his mind is always "Dubai". Dubai is one of the seven states of whole of United Arab Emirates and is, according to statistics, the most populous city in UAE. Basically United Arab Emirates has seven states which are named as "Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaima, and finally Fujairah. Out of these seven states Dubai is the most important and it shows from the facts that it has the highest number of tourist visiting the city every year.

Economically the main backbone of Dubai is the oil industry as it is one of the biggest exporters of oil to other countries. Dubai contributes a lot to the United Arab Emirates total economy which is valued to be US$ 37 billion. According to some statistics and reports Dubai is considered as the world's 33rd richest city.

Geographically the state of Dubai touches the banks of Persian Gulf. Dubai has its borders with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Oman, in directions south, northeast, and southeast respectively.

The climatic conditions are really hot and warm throughout the year in Dubai just like all of United Arab Emirates. In summers the temperature can even rise up to 50 degrees. This is the main reason why chillers are used in shopping malls and other places instead of air conditioners.

Islam is the official religion of Dubai, although it has a mix population of Muslims, Hindus, Bengalis, Sri Lankans, and even Chinese. As Dubai's religion is Islam, so Arabic is considered as the official language although Urdu, Persian and Hindi are also widely spoken. As Dubai's religion is Islam so there are lots of mosques in the city and these mosques are built and maintained by "Imams". Out of these mosques some are very beautiful and are considered as an icon among Muslims all around the world.

Dubai is basically a multicultural society as the residents of Dubai are from different religions and cultures. The culture of Dubai itself was dominated by the Iranians in the early 19th Century and after that as most of the Hindus and Pakistanis migrated to Dubai, the culture of Dubai converted more towards the Asian Culture through dominance of the cultures of Pakistani's and Hindus.

The Transport system inside Dubai is very effective and is mostly through roads. Although most of the trade activities are carried out through the ports as Dubai has two of the biggest trade ports which are named as "Port Jebel Ali" and "Port Rashid". Out of these two Port Jebel Ali is the largest port in all of United Arab Emirates.

Dubai is renowned for some of the beautiful architectures which include "The Emirates Tower", "Burj Dubai". "Palm Islands" and finally the famous "Burj Al Arab". Burj Dubai in the world is regarded as the highest man made building.

Cricket and football are the most watched and played games in Dubai. But the first choice among youngsters is cricket as now Dubai has its own national team. The "Dubai Cricket Stadium" has been recently build and has the honor of hosting many important cricket tournaments.

PARIS

Paris is the beautiful capital of France. It is known to be the most romantic city, with amazing landscapes, remarkable monuments, magical lights and fine works of art. Read on and be enlightened on the 5 fun things to do while in Paris!

Take the metro to Pigalle and explore the vicinity. It will inevitably remind you of Amsterdam's Red light District. Pigalle, a popular adult tourist attraction has lots to offer (E.g. Peep shows, strip clubs, sex shops etc). For more than a century, this neighbourhood is home to Paris's Cabaret scene and French Cancan, thus let your hair loose and have a night of fun by watching the popular Moulin Rouge! Do remember to book the show tickets in advance to avoid disappointment!

Next head down to Montmartre, it is a hill of 130 metres high and is where the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur is situated. This area was also home to many famous artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Edgar Degas. Take a walk to The Artists' Square (Place de Tertre in Montmartre) where artists gather to paint and display their works for sale. While at the square, indulge in a pleasurable Montmartre experience and get your portrait painted or sketched!

For a fun and exhilarating shopping experience, stroll down Champs- Élysées - the most prestigious and famous street in the world. Enjoy yourself in a day filled with fun activities for example shopping in glamorous luxury shops like Louis Vuitton, chic clothing chain like H&M and many more! This avenue also has cinemas, restaurants and cafes, where one can revel in the rich and famous Parisian life!

The Louvre, is the most famous museum in the world. When you are there, take time to admire the Louvre Pyramid, which serves as the main entrance to the museum. It was featured in the popular but controversial film, The Da Vinci Code. The museum collection has over 380,000 objects, so take your time and enjoy the world's largest, finest collections! Do remember to take a peek at the famous portrait of Mona Lisa while in the Louvre too!

Last but not least, the icon of France, the Eiffel Tower must not be missed! This Parisian attraction is the tallest structure in Paris and undeniably the most renowned structures in the world. Standing on the platforms of the tower, the view is simply stunningly beautiful, especially an hour before sunset. One should absolutely try to make time to experience this mystical moment in Paris!

VENICE

Situated on the north side of Italy, and having a population of approximately 271,500, the city of Venice is considered as one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Sometimes it is referred to as "City of Water" and sometimes as "City of Light".

Geographically the city itself is divided into six divisions which are named as "Cannaregio, Castello, Dosoduro, San Marco, San Polo and Santa Croce.

Inside Venice almost all the buildings are made on the bases of solid wood because of the sinking factor of Venice.

The climatic conditions are the same as expected in Italy. The city has moderate temperature ranges even during the peak seasons of winters and summers. The coldest months of the city starts from November and remains until the middle of February. The temperature variations are between 0 and -5 degrees. Relatively nights are much cooler. Venice receives most of the rainfall during this season. The peak seasons for summers are from June to August and the temperature ranges from 24 to 30 degrees.

Most of the transportation means inside Venice use to be boats but now these boats are replaced by water boats which are now the most common means of transportation for the people of Venice.

The Italian government has constructed a new airport in Venice named as "Marco Polo International Airport" and it has been named after the famous Marco Polo of Venice.

Cars cannot be used inside Venice as the city is full of water, although some reports suggest that Venice has stopped sinking, still people of Venice prefer these water buses for travelling. Also as there is water in the city so it is very dangerous to build roads for cars.

The city of Venice hosts many cultural festivals out of which most famous and highly anticipated is the "Carnival of Venice". It comes one time in a year and is basically a dance and gathering of people. The people contributing in the carnival of Venice wear traditional masks.

Venice is considered a strong city regarding culture, music and entertainment. As the city's night life is a prominent one among the different city's of Italy. Venice basically is considered as the starting or birth place of music. Music composition and music publication started from Venice by a person named "Ottaviano Petrucci". He started using the necessary equipment as soon it was invented, which afterwards became a well known musical organization which attracted most of the musicians from central Europe. Venice is also considered to be the inventor of many musical instruments.

Venice is basically a very complicated and compact city so there are not many parks and open grounds but as the city is very rich in history Venice has a number of museums which are mostly the destinations for tourists to visit. These museums display different areas and also focus on different eras of the years Venice experienced.

EGYPT

There's no other place in the world that holds more mystery than the country of Egypt. The smell of the mysticism of the ancient Egyptians still lingers over the place. This ancient atmosphere seems to fill its every nook and cranny with secrets yet untold.

1.) Pyramids of Giza

And perhaps there is nothing more mysterious, and more worthy of seeing in Egypt than the esteemed Great Pyramids of Giza. These are the pyramids of Khufu, Kafhre, and Menkaura. These perfectly shaped structures leaves everyone in awe and in wonder about how exactly they were made, considering that the ancient Egyptians had no advanced technology to work with.

2.) Sphinx

And of course, if you're going to go to the Great Pyramids, then you might as well go to the Sphinx. This is one of the most mysterious structures in Egypt. Even now, archaeologists are still arguing about its origin and its purpose, making it the subject of the famous phrase, "the Riddle of the Sphinx."

3.) Abu Simbel

These two temples were built by Pharaoh Ramesses II to commemorate himself and his wife, Nefertari. It's a breathtaking place, and its temples are hailed as one of the most beautiful in Egypt. What's even more interesting about the Abu Simbel is the amount of effort put into relocating and preserving it.

4.) Cairo

And of course, if you really want to immerse yourself in Egyptian culture, it would be best for you to go to the capital city, Cairo. The place is teeming with bazaars and restaurants where you can buy your taste of Egyptian culture. It's surely not a place to miss.

5.) Temples of Karnak

What better way to experience ancient Egypt than to visit the very place where they worshipped their gods. The Temples of Karnak is the biggest site for Egyptian worship. It has a monument to just about every god in the Theban religion.

6.) The Nile River

And of course, you can't miss out on the famous Nile River. It is, after all, what nourished Egypt and turned it into the place of wonder that it is. In fact, what's great about visiting the Nile is that you can take a Felucca and sail down the legendary river, taking in the sights of the city and the sunset.

7.) Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings or Biban El Moluk is the place where Egypt's most esteemed pharaohs were buried. This place is teeming with mummies and undiscovered treasures. In fact, this is the place where archaeologists found one of the most famous mummies of all time - Tutankhamun.

8.) Egyptian Museum

Of course, since it would be unwise to leave the Egyptian treasures in the tombs they were found in, the archeologists put them in the Egyptian museum where they would be put under high security. If you want to learn about Egypt, this is the best place to start. There's no other place with a higher concentration of Egyptian artifacts, and you can even follow the tour so that you can be oriented with the history of each of the artifacts.

9.) Siwa Oasis

Egypt isn't all about temples and pyramids, there's a place where you can just let loose and have fun - the Siwa Oasis. Here, you can take a swim in the cool waters to ward off the desert heat. It is rumored that Alexander stopped here during his great conquest.

10.) Necropolis of Sakkarah

And indeed, you can't miss something as intriguing as a 'Necropolis' or, if translated, a City of the Dead. Here, you will find the less popular pyramids of Egypt, the step pyramids. However, though they are less popular than the great pyramids, they're still suffused with great history and culture.

HAWAII




For a long time now people have been flocking to Hawaii for its fabulous beaches. Hawaii's mild, warm weather also makes it a year round holiday destination and you will see sunbathers, swimmers and surfers on the beaches even during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Hawaii comprises of over a 100 islands of which six are considered to be the main islands. As you can imagine this means that there are loads of wonderful and pristine beaches to choose from. Soft white sand and turquoise waters are framed by lush tropical vegetation and wonderful rock formations formed by lava. All the islands have been formed by volcano eruptions and the lava formations add a great scenic touch to the beaches.

Choosing which beach to go to is one of the hardest things to do. Although Waikiki on the Big Island is the most famous, almost every Hawaii beach is breathtakingly beautiful. The water tends to be calm and placid in the early morning and can get a bit choppy as the wind picks up in the afternoon. Some beaches are surrounded by offshore coral reefs, making their waters as calm as a swimming pool. Almost all the beaches offer great snorkeling and the sea sometimes seems to be teeming with fish of every size and colour. Keep your snorkeling gear handy when you visit Hawaii for your holiday travel.

There are also a number of excellent dive sites where you can see whale sharks, spinner dolphins and over 250 other species of fish. Diving expeditions and equipment rental can be easily arranged and the facilities are excellent.

Hawaii is also one of the best places in the world for surfing. Some beaches, like Jaws in Maui, have massive waves and are suitable only for very experienced surfers. Other surfing beaches can be tackled by beginners as well as less experienced surfers. The curious thing about Hawaii's beaches is that in summer it is the southern beaches that are a surfer's paradise and in winter it is the northern ones that offer perfect surfing conditions. The northern beaches tend to be flat during summer and the same goes for the southern beaches in winter. In short, no matter what time of the year you travel to Hawaii, there are ideal swimming and surfing conditions somewhere or the other amongst the many islands.