The caves are located in the jungle wilds across the Sungai Niah River. After a short trip across the river by boat, a long boardwalk path winding several kilometers through a beautiful rainforest leads to the caves. Iridescent multi-colored butterflies, flying lizards, wild orchids and strange fungi are some of the sights that captivate us on the way.

Archaeological assets make Niah National special. The huge cave sheltered humans some 30,000 to 40,000 years ago. The oldest human remains in Southeast Asia have been discovered in Niah National Park. The Painted Cave, bedecked by early humans, is another attraction of Niah Cave. Both the caves have been granted the status of National Historical Monuments by the Malaysian government.

Locally spelt Cheju Island attracts many tourists…. and I would be surprised if there are many places that could compete for the number of theme parks within such a small area! Many are family parks….while others are definitely in line with the adult honeymoon theme and are sex parks featuring graphic monuments in colourful mosaics, statuary and educational museums.

Many of the activities are for those keen on the outdoors… walking, hiking, watersports – swimming, snorkelling, wind surfing and diving. Jeju Island is South Korea’s main dive centre… attracting many international divers.

From the dawn of recorded history until the modern era, the Trinity Aquifer-fed natural artesian spring gushed water from the mouth of the cave and as much as thirty feet (ten meters) into the air.

With the decrease in water flow through the submarine cave system, divers were for the first time able to descend to the first chambers. Jacob’s Well has the notoriety of being one of the most dangerous underwater caves for SCUBA divers.

At least eight divers have lost their lives while exploring Jacob’s Well. At least four chambers have been explored, the last of which requires passage through a neck barely large enough for a diver to fit with his air tanks.

9 a.m.

The best way to start any Barcelona day is with a strong Spanish coffee. Head to the Ciutat Vella to grab a creamy café con leche or steaming cortado, and then spend a little time wandering through the Barri Gotic’s medieval streets or strolling by Barceloneta seafront.

11 a.m.

No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a walk along the famous La Rambla. Though this tree-lined walkway is heavily populated with tourists, you’ll see plenty of locals browsing the vibrant flower stalls and snacking on sugary churros. Just make sure to peek your head into La Boqueria while you’re there; this iconic market is home to some of Barcelona’s best produce, and its lively atmosphere is seriously irresistible.

1 p.m.

Want to escape the tourist center? Grab a quick lunch in the city’s Gràcia neighborhood. Situated just north of L’Eixample — and easily accessible by metro — this area sparkles with the vibrant local spirit of Catalonia. Our advice? No matter which restaurant you choose, order the menú del día; you’ll get three courses for only a few euros, and it’s an authentic Spanish experience.

2 p.m.

After lunch, head back to L’Eixample to do a bit of shopping. This neighborhood is known for its upscale shops, and you can browse an eclectic mix of Spanish designers, high-fashion brands and expertly curated boutiques. Plus, when you use American Express Platinum Travel, you’ll be able to rack up points on your purchases — and maybe even earn a bonus reward worth two free return flights to Barcelona. It’s a great way to plan another trip to the city without breaking your budget.

3:30 p.m.

Ready to see the architectural sights? Book a guided tour through Antoni Gaudí’s iconic buildings to get the full breadth of his work in the span of one afternoon. Start in L’Eixample at the Paseo de Gràcia, make your way to the famous — and famously unfinished — La Sagrada Família, and then spend a little time relaxing in the colorful Parc Guell. You’ll also get the chance to explore the towering Cathedral Santa Maria del Mar, Catalonia’s only completed Gothic cathedral.

9 p.m.

Once you’ve gotten to know Gaudí and grabbed a cava cocktail at your hotel’s bar, head back to the Ciutat Vella for a classic tapas crawl. Though the La Rambla area is filled with more tourist-centric spots, we recommend wandering through El Born for its unbeatable cuisine and local-friendly atmosphere. Stop at La Champañería for an authentic bocadillo, grab some Basque specialties at Restaurante Txirimiri, and then enjoy a local wine at Va De Vi.

12 a.m.

If you still have some energy to burn, end your day in Barcelona with a visit to one of its grandiose dance clubs. Locals love Moog for its party-all-night vibe, and Razzmatazz features several rooms pulsing with either upbeat techno or famous live bands. Just be sure to bring your credit card; you’ll want to indulge in a few farewell cocktails.

Tulum

Caribbean magic awaits in this beautiful part of the Mexican Ruta Maya coast. The swaying palm trees edge the pristine white sand and the sparkling blue waters roll up the beach. Theres every chance that you could witness turtles hatching on this beach as it is a famed for its breeding grounds.The hotels and restaurants along the beach are laid backed. You could find yourself sipping a cold beer whilst sitting on a swing around a bar – its just that kind of vibe. Of course, theres a selection of very cool hammocks in various restaurants, there’s even a small dance floor at La Zebra, plonked delicately on the sand – great for learning Salsa on a Sunday afternoon.

Antigua

The Antiguans say that they have a different beach for every day of the year and they are not exaggerating. The best way to taste a chunky slice of beach life on this tropical island is to get some wheels and attempt to find the perfect beach. Its a real challenge because there are no bad beaches in Antigua. The waters run calmly and are crystal clear. The sand also has that bleached, exotic look and the trees occasionally drop a couple of coconuts.The sea is exceptionally warm and alive with tropical fish. If watersports are your thing then this is a great island on which  to indulge your passion.

Brighton Beach – UK

There is something delightful about the beach at Brighton. Traditionally visited by Victorians, it has retained its seaside feel but it has also developed it’s sense of cool. The pebble beach attracts all the pretty young things when the sun makes an appearance. The pier is a  lot of fun with all the traditional sea fare that anyone could want in a traditional seaside town. There’s an arcade, a fish and chip restaurant, and a great funfair right at the end. There’s delicious fish and chips (eaten out of the newspaper) for lunch and some traditional pubs along the front if you are in need of stronger refreshment. Brighton has some of the best shopping available in the UK just steps away from the beach. Then when you’ve spent up, simply get to one of Brighton’s famous pubs – there’s nothing quite like it.

Finding the beach of your dreams can get you through all manner of dullness in life and gives every day dreamer an inspirational place where they can escape to.

Written by Heather James who writes for Carhiredirect.co.uk

]]> http://www.zacktravel.com/beach-life-the-finest-beaches/feed/ 0 http://www.zacktravel.com/is-all-inclusive-worth-it/ http://www.zacktravel.com/is-all-inclusive-worth-it/#comments Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:34:25 +0000 admin http://www.zacktravel.com/?p=3654 In recent years, all inclusive has grown dramatically in popularity. It’s got a lot to do with tour operators bumping up their range of all inclusive holidays and making them more affordable, as this has become a big consideration in today’s economy for tourists and families looking to go away on a strict budget.

All inclusive is traditionally one of the more expensive ways to book a hotel, given that this style of board basis includes all meals, snacks and drinks, which therefore costs the hotel more. But it can actually represent huge savings for customers as it covers all the meal requirements – particularly where all inclusive holiday deals are concerned – and removes the need for holidaymakers to fork out on restaurants, snacks, drinks and ice creams throughout the day.

So if you’re thinking of going all inclusive, it will usually be well worth the slightly extra cost at the booking stage – especially if you can get a good deal or a low-cost upgrade. All inclusive holiday deals are increasingly easy to come by which helps to make your holiday that little bit sweeter. However, all inclusive only represents great savings if you’re the type of holidaymaker that spends most of their time around the hotel pool, or lazing on the nearest beach.

If you like to get out and about during your trip, going on day trips with picnics, staying out late and eating in local restaurants, all inclusive probably wont be for you. In this case, a self-catering apartment or bed and breakfast would probably be a better fit.

Whatever type of holiday you’re after, you can either book your own hotel with a scheduled flight or book a package break through a tour operator like Thomas Cook. Look out for those tempting special offers and, if you find an all inclusive deal that’s too good to miss, why not give it a go? It might just become your new favourite style of holiday.

There is a walking path that cuts through the bamboo grove making for a pleasant and popular trek. It is one of the most beautiful natural environment in entire Japan, not only because of its natural beauty but also because of the sound the wind makes as it blows through the thick bamboo grove. The sound of culms knocking together and the wind sighing through the upper branches is an extraordinary sensory experience, as is the filtered, moving light and shade.

The walking paths that cut through the bamboo groves make for a nice walk or bicycle ride. The groves are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth.  The railing on the sides of the road is composed out of old, dry and fallen parts of bamboo.

The best time to check out Barbados is during the holiday season. Virgin Holidays have this Barbados Holidays package, which will include information on the best hotels, eateries, and entertainment centres on this attractive Caribbean island. For example, if you are looking for a fancy restaurant to take your wife (or husband) to check out, go to The Cliff.

The Cliff is very  relaxed and seductive Daphne’s, the ever-popular  Lone Star, and modern Cin Cin on the west coast – all fancy eateries overlooking the sea and frequented by celebrities. The romantic settings are awesome but can be extremely expensive. Attract your taste buds at the Fish Pot Restaurant.

Here, you can opt for tasty appetisers such as grilled king prawns or tempura fried soft shell crab and delicious  main courses such as braised lamb shank or roast rack of elk.

Holiday events can be enjoyed during specific times of the year. Here is a list of events you may want to check out: In the month of January, there are several  Jazz Festival events throughout the month; In February, there is an island festival called the Holetown Festival; March has the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup; April has the Annual Game Fishing tournament; During the summer months of July and August, you can visit Crop Over;

In October, Barbados hosts the  Barbados National Surfing Championship; and During the Christmas season in December, you can listen to the Carols by Candlelight. If you are interested in learning more about these holiday events in Barbados, visit virginholidays.co.uk.

Japan

Whilst many people overlook Japan when it comes to spreading their wings to Asia, it is truly one of the power players of the Asian continent. The country is one of the most stable of the Asian nations and this attracts thousands of business opportunities that the more volatile or restricted countries do not enjoy, perfect for studying abroad without changing your life completely! As well as this, Japanese japanska has long been recognised as a language on the rise with hundreds of language schools springing up just waiting to teach their native tongue to willing students. You can study the language pretty much anywhere, whether you fancy a jaunt in Tokyo where bright neon signs contrast with the millennia of history or Osaka and Kyoto if you feel more suited to the smaller areas. At least you can be sure that your study abroad experience in Japan will be filled with adventure and excitement.

Croatia

As the EU institutions knock through walls in the interpreting booths and convert storage cupboards into delegate offices ready for Croatia’s entry into the European Union, companies and universities alike are scrambling to create opportunities in this, the latest admission into the old boys club that is the EU. As a result of being sworn in as the 28th member state, Croatia’s language and economy are seeing vital boosts in popularity, with large conglomerates taking advantage of the comparatively cheap real estate prices for their European headquarters. As well as this increasing global importance, the country is also a beautiful place to study with several islands forming this unusual nation. Attractions such as the Plitvice lakes and ancient Dubrovnik throw you into a whole new world, far from mainland Europe and home to fantastic study abroad opportunities.

 France

For those traditionalists among us, there is nothing like France when it comes to study abroad. If you are looking to stay within the comfort zone of the western hemisphere then French plays a huge part in international diplomacy, business  and culture. As one of the official languages of the EU, the UN and the Olympics, there is little to stop you adding this language to your skill set. Cities such as Lyon and Nice offer fantastic language courses without the heavy English influence that you may feel Paris has succumbed to.

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