A St. Barts Vacation Guide

St Barths confuses you before anything else, because of the different spellings of the same name. Have you ever wondered whether St Barths, was in fact the same as St Barts, or for that matter St Barthelemy. Well in that case be reassured that all are one and one are all.

St Barthelemy is part of the French West Indies just north of the lesser Antilles near St Martin/St Maarten and St Kitts and Nevis. St Barts is a tiny island being only eight square miles in size, but like many other small things such as precious stones it is highly prized and expensive which is why it has become a retreat for the rich and famous., rock stars, pop stars, and even royalty.

This shouldn’t prevent you from going because it is a stunning tiny island with lovely white sand beaches, turquoise sea, and pristine coral reefs, and yet is very much more akin to the South of France than the Caribbean.

The reason of course for this is the fact that St Barts and France have been closely connected for centuries and until this day it is still part of the French overseas region of Guadeloupe. Oddly enough St Barths was once one of Sweden’s few overseas outposts nearly three hundred years ago, but other than the name of its red roofed capital Gustavia few reminders remain.

The main thing to do on a St Barths Vacation is to relax on the beach, and despite the minute size of the island there are more than twenty spectacular beaches. These range from the bustling St Jean and Grand Cul de sac to the more private Grand Saline, Gouvernier and Flamands. If what you are looking for is totally secluded bliss then go to Anse Colombier which can only be reached by boat or a half hour hike. You will find topless sunbathing, after all this is France in the Caribbean, so if it embarrasses you, then avoid Shell and Marechal Beaches.

The strong French connections also means that visitors would do well to be able to converse in French, and the currency is not the US dollar but the Euro. Apart from the language the most obvious sign of the French influence is in the cuisine, and it is remarkable to discover it has more than 60 gourmet restaurants. Another surprise is that many of the population is white and most residents are French Citizens.

There are considerable restrictions now imposed on hotel building, so no hotels can now be built with over 12 rooms and so the biggest hotel which is the Guanahani with 76 rooms won’t ever be seen again. There are no big chain hotels on St Barths, and many people go for the very upmarket villas.

Probably the worst thing about a St Barts Vacation is flying into a tiny runway with very little clearance on the way in, so the descent is short and pretty scary in small aircraft only, but the good side is that the pilots are specially certified, or maybe completely certified for such a landing!!

Having landed on St Barths for your vacation, you won’t feel like leaving ever again, and you won’t care how it is spelled St Barts, St Barths, or St Barthelemy!!

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A Barbados Holiday In A Top Barbados Hotel

A Barbados Holiday in a Boutique Hotel that few people have heard of might be the best accommodation in Barbados for you and your partner, especially if you are looking for intimate accommodation off the beaten track

Little Arches is rated by some people as the best hotel in Barbados, and there is some justification in this claim.

It is a small, quiet, and charming boutique hotel less than two minutes walk from the beach and 10 minutes from Oistins. This is a place in Barbados which is away from the main tourist areas, and with an uncrowded beach literally across the street which is completely free of tour buses.

Little Arches is a place where the staff are famous throughout the Barbados Hotel industry for the friendly way they conduct themselves and the way they will go the extra mile for their guests. From the moment your taxi draws up after a ten minute taxi ride from the airport, and the staff literally run out to collect your bags, things actually get better if that is possible. The pampering by the staff extends to lemon scented towels to hot sticky guests on loungers by the pool. It goes even further than that because when you go to the beach, which like all beaches in Barbados is public, a member of the hotel staff will carry sunbeds down there for you. This quality of service you may not get on the Barbados holiday you are thinking of booking somewhere else. Indeed this place is a real home from home.

The restaurant Café Luna above the hotel has really excellent food, especially mango shrimp salad, but excellent as it is, do go exploring because you will miss some great restaurants and some great food. The best fish you will eat anywhere is at the Oistins Fish Fry on a Friday on a Friday. It’s an event not to be missed, something that people travel to from all over Barbados, but for guests at Little Arches it is only a stroll down the beach. By the way the best fish is to be found where the queue is longest.

As befits top accommodation in Barbados you will enjoy the most stunning views of the Caribbean from the hotel, and the rooms, and the Palm Island Room as an example has a full kitchen, and a hot tub for two on the outside deck where there is also a table, umbrella and chairs, with a King sized bed, and room for a couch and a dining table. You will be completely ruined by the flat screen TV, CD Player, high quality linens and furniture, and last but not least high quality shampoos and soaps.

The hotel has ten rooms, each unique, and the grounds are beautifully maintained It is a classic boutique hotel, and could give you the perfect Barbados holiday, because it is small, intimate, and totally relaxing, and a quality you might not expect from its situation.away from the tourist areas. Another feature is the no children policy, which adds to the peaceful tranquil atmosphere.

The perfect Barbados Holiday could be spent at Little Arches definitely a top hotel in Barbados.

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A Jamaica Travel Guide

Jamaica has always been a special place since Errol Flynn, Noel Coward, Ian Fleming made it famous over 70 years ago. It has always been the first place people will name when asked about an island in the Caribbean.

In truth Jamaica has it all, which means a Jamaica Vacation or a Jamaica Honeymoon will be something extra special.

Just what makes Jamaica extra special is the real question, and this Jamaica Travel Guide will try to supply some of the answers. There are beaches to die for, mountains, and the most incredible red sunsets anywhere in the world, but that by itself is probably not enough to make you want to take a Jamaica vacation or honeymoon.

There is no doubt it is quite unlike other Caribbean islands close by in that it really does cater for a broad range of tastes. After all where else caters for everything from the idle beach bum to the wealthy, the honeymooner who wants isolation to the partygoer who is looking for an all action resort.

Jamaica, regarded by many as the most beautiful Caribbean Island is the ideal place for a tropical vacation. When you look at the many differing types of people who go on holidays to the Caribbean, they all have different ideas of a perfect tropical vacation. When you look at Jamaica and see lushly covered mountains, waterfalls cascading down onto beautiful white sand beaches, exotic flowers, and activities to suit all. Jamaica is a well developed tourist island, so if you want to play tennis or golf you can, scuba diving isn’t a problem, and if you are a night owl then there is everything from piano bars to limbo shows.

The only area that isn’t well developed is shopping, so husbands and men generally can be relieved to know that Jamaica is not a shoppers paradise – Yet!!

Choosing when to travel to Jamaica is an important part of a Jamaica Travel Guide, and Jamaica really has an idyllic climate so it is a year round tropical vacation destination. The average temperature is 77degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 82 degrees in the summer. The coastal plains in the north get the benefit of the trade winds that blow from the Atlantic , and then there tends to be a breeze morning and evening caused by cooling and heating of the land.

It rains in May, and from August to October, but to be fair it doesn’t rain every day, and the showers only last a couple of hours maximum.

To make use of any Jamaica Travel Guide you need to know what type of tropical vacation you are planning. Do you intend to travel on your own, or as a couple, or in a group. Jamaica has a huge variety of places to stay , enough things to do to satisfy even the most diverse of tastes. It really doesn’t matter if you are a bunch of college students, honeymooners, or a family there is something for you. Getting married in Jamaica is very affordable, especially if you avoid the peak season from Late December to Late April when accommodation costs are at their maximum.

The type of accommodation you are looking for will be available, unless you must travel at peak season when early booking is essential, but then Jamaica isn’t any different to any other Caribbean Island. Here you will find everything from Casual bed and breakfasts to inns with old world charm. There are super all inclusive resorts to luxury villas, in fact Jamaica has it all and more.

Then there is the small issue of what do you want to see and do. You can easily spend a week sipping pina coladas on a beach or by a pool, lying in a hammock under a palm tree with a good book. On the other hand you could go scuba diving, or river rafting, horse riding, or play golf on world class courses. Jamaica has something for all in the way of attractions and activities to keep you as busy or as idle as you want to be.

This Jamaica Travel Guide can only touch on this tropical vacation destination, but it is obvious that Jamaica is one unique and incredible Caribbean Island.

For more information about Caribbean Vacation Spots go to http://www.caribbean-vacationspots.com/pages/Site-Map.html

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Information About Guadeloupe

A Reservation in an Hotel on Guadeloupe is something that many people do, but if you just fancy the look of the hotel but know nothing about Guadeloupe Island, it might be a good idea to do some investigating .

Guadeloupe isn’t France but a French Overseas Department, and in many ways is more France than its homeland itself. It is to France what Hawaii is to the United States. Until 2003 St Barthelemy, otherwise known at St Barts and St Martin were part of Guadeloupe but are now independently affiliated to France.

To look at Guadeloupe on a map and it looks butterfly wings connected by a bridge, and is in fact two islands, and the more north east wing is Grande-Terre, where Pointe-a-Pitre the main centre for commerce and the main seaport is to be found.

It is known for its white sand beaches, rolling hills, cane fields and this is almost certainly where your Guadeloupe Hotel Reservation will be made if you decide to come here. The best white sand beaches on Grande-Terre includes Ste. Anne, St Francois and Le Moule

The south west wing is called Basse-Terre, which is the larger of the two islands, where you will find waterfalls, a botanical garden, and a volcano which overlooks the waterfalls which in turn spray cool mists to soak the too adventurous visitor.

There is no doubt that Basse Terre has the main tourist attraction in La Soufriere Volcano almost five thousand feet above sea level. It is surrounded by the National Park a renowned rain forest, and in turn by beautiful deep blue seas. This is where you come for the diving which is so good it has been described as world class. There are darker sand beaches here, amongst the best of which are Grande Anse, and Deshaies.

The two butterfly shaped joined islands of Guadeloupe do have a number of things in common which includes delicious cuisine and genuine West Indian hospitality from really friendly people.

So you want to make a Reservation for an Hotel in Guadeloupe, and you want suggestions. This is always very difficult because reviews are so subjective, but the number one hotel in Basse Terre is probably Caraib’Bay Hotel. The top hotel in the St Francois beach area is the Amaudo Hotel. Close to the white sand beach of Ste. Anne your best bet may well be the Hotel Le Diwali. Of the hotels in Terre de Haut you couldn’t do better than L’Auberge les Petits Saints aux Anacardies.

If you want to stay in Gosier then choose Le Mahogany Hotel , and the top hotel in Pointe-a-Pitre is Le Jardin Malanga, or go to Marie-Galante and choose the Cap Reva.

Whilst the list isn’t endless, there are 94 hotels on Guadeloupe that you could make a reservation at, and so you are very much spoilt for choice.

Guadeloupe has much for its visitors to do from beachcombing, sea diving, jungle exploring, or just lying relaxing on a white sand beach. Why not make a Reservation in a Guadeloupe Hotel, and find out for yourself.

By the way the food owes much to its French origins, as does the wines, so you can expect fresh food, which is fabulous, with a leaning towards seafood, all of course with a strong Caribbean influence.

For more information about Caribbean Vacation Spots go to http://www.caribbean-vacationspots.com/pages/Site-Map.html

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Why Not Take A Cuban Vacation

A Cuban Vacation is something more and more people take with every passing year. Cuba and its capital Havana have become one of the top tourist destinations in the Caribbean.

What is there to do on a Cuban Vacation apart from sit on a beach, and drink rum and relax?

The fact is that holidays in Cuba are very much what you make of them, because apart from the beach and the rum, a Cuba vacation can be also cultural, exhausting, even breathtaking, but one thing is sure your visit to Cuba will be absolutely unforgettable.

To start with a Cuba vacation based on beaches, because Cuba has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. When you realize there is an almost six thousand kilometer coastline, with 289 natural beaches you will understand why there are several that are an outstanding place for a Cuba Family Holiday Package and Vacation Deal. At the north end of Cuba you find powder sand and a turquoise sea with waves from the Atlantic Ocean. In the south there is the warm Caribbean Sea with virtually untouched beaches. The more popular Cuba becomes as a tourist destination the more difficult it is to find quiet tourist free beaches.

The following are well worth trying on your Cuban Vacation

Cayo Santa Maria on the north east coast is a small island surrounded by coral reefs and seven miles of very quiet and untouched beaches.

Cayo Levisa is accessed by boat from a place about two hours west of Havana, and is covered by jungle surrounded by white sand beaches, protected by coral reefs and very picturesque.

Playa Ancon is to the south nine miles from Trinidad, has six miles of soft sand, is very sheltered and perfect for families. This is more popular but still uncrowded.

Cayo Largo is on the east side of the island and has some of the best diving reefs and white sand beaches. It takes a flight or a six hour boat trip to get to, so not touristy at all.

Playa Santa Lucia is a thirteen mile beach, with calm water due to the reef, and turquoise sea. Probably the most popular of the beaches mentioned but never feels crowded due to its size.

All of these beaches feature hotels eminently suitable for a Cuban vacation and certainly a Cuba Vacation Package can be arranged.

For those tourists who are looking for more culture, then culture vultures will love Havana. There are museums, and then for the music lovers there are salsa clubs and live jazz.

On the other hand you can take to the open road and discover open roads, classic cars, and breathtaking landscapes. As an example might be the breathtaking landscapes and charming caves at Vinales Valley.

For goodness sake hire a car, the roads are deserted, or perhaps do some horse riding. On the other hand there are significant numbers of wrecked ships to scuba dive and explore.

Cuba is exciting, and an amazing place considering it is still Communist, but nevertheless a Cuban Vacation will open your eyes to a perfect tourist destination, and you should be able to enjoy a great Cuban Vacation Deal.

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10 Good Reasons for a Holiday to France

France is a country of warm, friendly and welcoming people where village life goes on much as it has done for decades. The pace of its cities may be frenetic, but life is maintained with a certain style. France is also a landscape of beauty and contrasts, punctuated with chateaux, vineyards and all the other aspects which identify it as a truly unique holiday destination.

Here are 10 good reasons to visit the country, to help you with your plans for a great French holiday experience.

Cities: Paris epitomises France. It oozes Gallic spirit and charm from its iconic attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame to the street artists of Monmartre and the cafes and bars of Monparnasse. Also check out monument-filled Lyons, France's largest seaport, Marseilles, and Nice - grande dame of the Cote d'Azur.

Nightlife: The French are night owls. They eat late and the night life often doesn't get going until many other nations would be putting up the shutters. Even shopping malls stay open until well into the night, and there are many night markets.

Food: France's gastronomy is a national treasure. It is the standard by which all other country's cuisines are judged, culminating in the much-coveted Michelin stars for those who attain the highest levels. Even we Brits no longer joke about frog's legs as we try to beef up our own cooking. Try searching out local food markets, wherever you are.

Wine: What better to wash down the best dishes with some of the world's best wines? Its Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux wines are peerless, as are the products of many other wine regions - despite growing global competition. Take a leisurely tour of a vineyard, and savour the nectar.

Art: With the Louvre France's biggest cultural attraction, it is no surprise that the French take art to their hearts. After all, cave paintings date back to Palaeolithic times, while the Impressionism movement was initiated in France after Monet painted Le Havre in the mist.

Nature: France has the most diverse natural environment of any country in Europe. It has six national parks, four of which are in Provence plus the Pyrenees and one in Languedoc, and 43 regional parks including the Auvergne volcanoes.

Beaches: A coastline of 2,000 miles bordering the English Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean means that France has beaches on three sides. While many of its most famous ones along the Cote d'Azur are actually more shingle than sand, there are long stretches of glorious, sandy beaches in Normandy and Brittany, in the Vendee, along the Aquitaine coast and in Languedoc.

History: France's chequered history has left it positively littered with vestiges of the past, going back to Roman times. The 30-plus UNESCO-listed world heritage sites include the historic centre of Avignon with the Palace of the Popes and the bridge from the song, with other treasures including Gothic cathedrals in the north and ornate chateaux the Loire and beyond.

Shopping: As the capital of haute couture, it goes without saying that Paris is also a shopper's heaven. Its most well-known department store is Galaries Lafayette. Head to Lille's Christmas market by Eurostar for some pre-Christmas gifts and local produce.

Touring: France is close enough to the UK to take your own car over by ferry or the Channel Tunnel and hit the roads. Popular touring areas include Brittany, the Loire, Normandy and Provence.

Cheap flights to France from the UK are always readily available, and the country is well served with flights from all over Europe (and of course, excellent rail links), and so a holiday in France remains affordable - and always possible whether as a planned longer stay, or an impulsive short break.

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The End of Avon County

The Order to extinguish Avon County in the UK was carried out on 1 April 1996 and Avon County is no more.

The four authorities replacing Avon are:
1. The City and County of Bristol
2. South Gloucestershire - formed from the Northavon districts and Kingswood.
3. North Somerset - created from the district Woodspring.
4. Bath and North East Somerset - formed from the Bath and Wansdyke districts.

For celebrations sake, the post of Avon's Lord Lieutenant was abolished, thus Bristol regaining its own High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant, while the other administration was returned to its primitive counties. Advices to change Bristol's borders (either by drawing new sketches or by incorporating the mostly urban borough of Kingswood added to it) were discarded.

The end of the County of Avon was the prime focus of a BBC documentary known as 'The End of Avon', which was produced by Linda Orr and Michael Lund and broadcast on TV in 1996.

Adam Thomas (a BBC presenter) investigated in 2006 why Avon refused to die, for the episodes of BBC One regional program 'Inside Out West'. It continued to be included in the databases of large corporations and firms as part of their addresses in the area, and also in names such as the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Avon Wildlife Trust and Avon Fire and Rescue Service.

Representatives of these organizations said they had no plans in changing their names. Still, the Royal Mail suggested that it was not a necessity to include Avon in any address as it had been abandoned. So it was not necessary to use it in postal counties since 1996.

Some organizations still covered the area of this primitive county of Avon: e.g. the Avon Coroner's District, Avon Fire and Rescue, Intelligence West and the West of England Strategic Partnership till 2006, when the Avon Ambulance Service (now it is merged with the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ambulance services to form the Great Western Ambulance Service). This primitive county and its south side neighbor form the area covered by Somerset Constabulary and Avon.

However there is not even a single council and the 4 unitary authorities still pull together on many aspects of its policy, like the Joint Local Transport Plan.[1]. The term currently, "West of England" is used by some companies and organizations still refer to the earlier area.

The "County (or Councils) that Used to Be Avon had a term CUBA, ", was created to address the Avon area post. The term used instead of "Avon", Severnside is sometimes also used] although this term can not be used to mention the stretch of shoreline from Newport to Chepstow or from Aust to Avonmouth north. "Greater Bristol" can also be used, although this use of this term is quite often criticized by natives of Bath, Weston-Super-Mare, and other parts of historical Somerset and Gloucestershire. The Forest of Avon is covering part of the area of the four local authorities and is a community forest. Other souvenirs of Avon's presence include the Avon's Cycleway (first created and promoted by Cyclebag), a 137 kms (85-miles) circular passage on quiet highways, cycle paths and roads, which was a pioneer of the National Cycle Network.

Also, Avon County Council did what could possibly be done to fund an introductory cycleway and also the Bath and Bristol Railway Path.

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