4 of the Top Beaches in the Caribbean

The Caribbean boasts some of the most incredible beaches in the World, making it a popular holiday destination for couples and families to unwind and enjoy the good life. Here are a few of our favourite beaches. The criteria - gorgeous sand, nearby amenities (think beach bars for a cocktail or grilled fresh fish) and not too crowded.

Smugglers Cove, Tortola

Located in the British Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is surely one of the jewels in the crown of this group of islands. Located at the end of a bumpy dirt track on the island of Tortola, this beach boasts sweeping crescents of golden sand, with a barrier of palm trees set just behind for a little shade if desired. A range of sealife makes it a great spot for snorkelers too.

Prickly Bay, Grenada

A beach located on the Caribbean island of Grenada, Prickly Bay is less crowded than the more famous Grand Anse Beach to the North, but is charming in it's own ways. With wonderful sand and the Calabash hotel offering one of the best lunches in town handily located next door, this is a great spot. Plus get great people watching opportunities here, with a range of lovely boats anchored in the bay and setting off on their own adventures. And if you're looking for a great place to stay during your visit, the luxurious and charming Little Blue villa is located minutes away from the beach too.



Ambergris Beach, Belize

If you like reefs - Ambergris Beach is for you. Part of an archipelago of islands in Belize boasting some stunning reefs in crystal clear water a short swim from the beach itself. This makes it one of the best scuba diving destinations in the Caribbean. The beach itself is made up of (almost blinding) powdery white sand that makes whiling away a few hours sunbathing with a good book an absolute joy.

Crane Bay, Bahamas

This beach has abit of everything. Glorious white sand, fringed with palm trees, makes this a truly picturesque spot. The crystal blue water is another big draw. And if you are into diving, the offshore reefs provide a great destination for this, with tropical fish in abundance. But wait, there's more - the waves crashing on the beach itself bring in surfers and bodyboarders, although are suitable for strong swimmers only. All this, combined with the buzzing culture of the bahamas, make Crane Bay one of the top beaches around.

3 Unmissable, Beautiful Beaches in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia, boasts some of the most glorious beaches you can imagine. If you are planning on travelling there soon, you can’t miss these beautiful beaches below:

Olhuveli in the Maldives

Olhuveli has beautiful white beaches up to 2 km long and modern facilities helping it become the award-winner of the Best Beach Award in 2001, 2002 and 2006. There are sharks (mostly harmless!) and other fish gracefully gliding along in the sea alongside cliffs, extending from the island to pier, making it a mecca for snorkelers and scuba divers. At the pier, there are  hundreds of thousands small fish at the side of the coast. For watching fish, the pier at Olhuveli is extremely exciting and this makes the area first class for tourists.

Patong Beach in Thailand

The beach is located in Phuket, probably the famous resort island in Thailand, and it is arguably the most perfect beach on the island. Enjoy a Thailand style massage on the beach - you won't regret it. In addition,enjoy a ride on a jet ski, boat, rubber dinghies, beach volleyball or diving - all are wonderful. There are many hotels, shopping opportunities, an array of entertainment and water sports facilities at the beach, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery from both the the sea and sky. If you want to taste the delicious authentic local food, Thai seafood such as Phuket Lobster is available in many famous hotels and can be a highlight of the trip - ask for it Thai Spicy if you don't want to be fobbed off with mild "spicy" food - the chefs often think as tourists, you won't want it as spicy as the locals!

Boracay in the Philippines

Boracay is located in Alcan province in the Philippines and is known as one of the world’s best beaches.  the array of recreational activities on offer and the beach bars make Boracay an excellent place for a social gathering. At the same time, it is a good place for a weekend trip because of the fine white sand blue sea and cheap prices.  But be warned - you may not want to return home.

4 Things Not To Do In Japan - Key Japanese Etiquette

Japan is a top holiday destination for many reasons. The country boasts a fantastic mix of energetic and cosmopolitan cities, cultural marvels, beautiful countryside and mountains, hot springs, volcanoes and delicious food. Plus the iconic bullet trains, wonderful cherry blossom season in Spring, and multi-coloured forests in Autumn as the seasons change all combine to add to the aura surrounding Japan. Visitors will usually find their first few days to be a massive culture shock, due to a number of reasons - the hectic pace of Tokyo (where most tousists will fly into), the lack of English on many signs, bars and restaurants, and the huge range of Japanese customs and entiquette that, if you are not creful, can lead to some awkward moments and a slightly red face on your part. Here are our top tips to help avoid any cultural faux-pas.

1) Chopstick etiquette

Chopsticks are the utensil of choice for most foods in Japan - but you have to know how to use them. There are a range of things you should and should not to. A few top tips - NEVER stick your chopsticks into your bowl so they are sticking up into the air - this is a funeral ritual in Japan and is especially bad form. Rest your chopsticks on the table with the tips to the left. Also, don't point the tips directly at people when holding them. Another big no-no - don't pass food from your bowl to someone elses - again this is associated with funerals so would be seen as extremely disrespectful.

2) Restaurants and Eating out

Some restaurants have both normal tables, and also tatami mats on the floor (you will also encounter tatami in Japanese guesthouses where similar rules apply). If dining on the tatami, you must remove your shoes or slippers first. Also, you should only step on the mats you are sitting on - don't go treading round everyone elses mats.

3) Hot spring etiquette

Onsen, or Japanese hot spring resorts, should be on the list of all travellers to Japan. With a hige range from indoor baths to outdoor pools overlooking snow-capped mountains, they are a great way to unwind an get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. But you must know the rules before you go! Wash yourself and have a good scrub before you get in the communal baths. And don't bring soap into the baths - they are for relaxing rather than washing. Many onsen also have a no clothes policy although check this first. Generally, male and female baths are segregated too - so check this before you jump in with your other half.

4) Greetings

When meeting people in Japan, a bow is usually exchanged. Luckily, Japanese people kind of expect foreigners not to fully know the rules, so generally just a small bow will suffice. Shaking hands is generally not customary in Japan so stick to the bows. Also,  "wai" or bow while holding your palms together, is not done in Japan - so don't think just because you did that in Thailand in 2015 you should apply that to Japanese greetings too.

Great Travel Destinations From Around The World

Looking to find one of the best travel destinations in the world? You can't go far wrong with one of these. 

Oia in Greece

Oia is located up in the cliffs, where you will see all kinds of picturesque white Greek-style buildings with colourful roofs. You can enjoy many a peaceful stroll  in the sun here. Whatever you do - don't miss the sunset because it is a magical moment and one of the best sunsets I've seen. I'd recommend experiencing it relaxing in one of the beachside bars or at sea on a rented boat.

Florence in Italy

This city is famous for many things including Heaven’s Gate and Michelangelo’s David. Beauty is everywhere in Florence. Do not miss the sunset on the Arno Rive and the wine in Chianti - one of the world's top wine producing regions.

Queenstown in New Zealand

Queenstown has amazing natural beauty. In addition, it is famous for J R R Tolkien's Hobbits. Outdoor sport enthusiasts flock to here to enjoy the excitement and pleasure with a spot of kayaking, bungee jumping, speed boating, water rafting, hiking, skiing and many more exciting activities.

Napa in California

Here may just be one of be the most perfect places to spend a week in the world. Romantic hotels, delicious food and wine, relaxing hydrotherapy, what else do you want? Oh, the weather is stunning. It certainly makes a change from a  rainy week in England.

Providenciales in the Caribbean Sea

Located in the Turks and Caicos Islands, this is as near to paradise as you can get. You can choose to indulge in scuba diving, horseback riding or of course, sunbathing, among others. The island is so quiet that it makes a beautiful change from the hustle and bustle of the city.

6 Tips for Avoiding the Tourist Crowds in Thailand

Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. Stunning beaches, great weather (usually), delicious food, friendly locals and numerous cultural sights help make Thailand so desirable. But this can all come at a cost - Thailand can be overrun with tourists in some areas, which is fine if you don't mind that kind of thing, but for many, getting away from the hoards and unwinding away from your fellow countrymen is the real joy of a holiday. Here are 6 top tips to help you avoid the crowds and find a more authentic Thailand.

1) Travel outside peak season

If you can, avoid travelling to Thailand during the peak season. This is generally November-February, although will depend to an extent on where you plan to go. With abit of careful research and planning, going outside of this time can really cut down the tourist numbers. Look into climate (Summer can be too hot for tourists) and consider packing less cities/regions in so that you can stay in one area with a distinct climate, rather than going from North to South and encountering good weather in one region but storms in the other.


2) Ask the locals

Locals often know great places to eat and drink that the tourists don't know about. This works best when you are already on holiday, but forums and websites often have guides that may reveal local secrets. Just be wary that sometimes so-called secrets can quickly turn into tourist traps, especially if mentioned in the popular guidebooks (which brings us nicely to...).

3) Throw away your guidebook

OK, maybe not literally, but not following the "Top itineraries" or ""17 Must-See Sights" from your Lonely Guide or Rough Planet will really help you see more of the real Thailand and avoid the tourists. "But, they are top sights for a reason", some will say, which is true to an extent, but you will often find equally stunning destinations that are less well known and less busy by doing abit of research.

4) Avoid the Southern coastal resorts

While places like Koh Pha Ngan, Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi are undoubtedly stunning, they are also undoubtedly flooded with tourists and gap year students getting pissed on the beaches and singing Wonderwall at 2AM. Our advice is to avoid these areas altogether if you want a taste of real Thailand. There are much quieter towns/islands elsewhere in the South, and these should certainly be researched. Fight that urge to hit the classic tourist trail. Also, these areas tend to be overpriced - £2.50 for curry and rice might still seem ridiculously cheap compared to European prices, but when you pay 50p for something even better outside the tourist areas, you quickly realise the prices are being hiked up for Westerners. The same is true for accommodation, with Phuket being particularly pricey.

5) Hire a bike

If you are in a relatively touristy area, in general you will find most of the tourists congregate in a very small area where the attractions are most concentrated. Hire a bike, and you can get outside of this area in few minutes and explore new areas rarely trodden by tourists. A good example is Chiang Mai - almost all tourists wander inside the city walls, and just outside the Eastern gate. Rent a bike, cycle outside the walls, and there is a whole world to see that shines a new light on the city. Even the market just North of the city walls is almost devoid of tourists, but full of locals having lunch - you can get a delicious, super-spicy Khao Soi for 30 Baht (70p).

6) Take a risk

Sometimes picking somewhere almost at random can lead to the best holiday experiences. Pick a town on your train route to a more major destination, and you will often find some hidden gems and experience authentic Thai life. Language will be an issue as the locals may never encounter tourists but you'll also find the friendliest faces. Plus, pointing to something tasty in someones food cart is often a winner. Just remember the way back to the train station.

5 Must Read Car Hire Tips

Considering car hire is a popular mode of transport for getting around whilst on holiday, here are a few car hire tips that could go a long way helping you avoid unnecessary costs. This is one area that can really put a dampener on your holiday if you're not careful - so do your research, be aware and hopefully your experience will go by without a hitch.

Ask about the fuel policy

One thing that receives many complaints is paying for fuel you haven’t used.  Some car hire companies will charge you a full tank of fuel and ask you to return the car empty.  Chances are that you might not use the full tank which you have paid for.  Therefore when checking out costs of car hire, don’t forget to ask about the fuel policy as a cheap deal might not be cheap if you are left paying for fuel you don’t use.

Shopping Around

When comparing car hire, don’t forget to compare like for like bundles.  Some companies will bundle things together such as Insurances, additional drivers, unlimited mileage all into one package where as others might not.  To get the best deal compare car hire packages rather than the daily price of car rental.

Check Your Insurance

Insurances that come with supplied in your package will not cover personal injury and in some cases won’t cover cost of damage to third parties.  Therefore it is advisable to get adequate cover to protect you from all eventualities.   You can normally find travel insurance online that includes driving abroad for an additional fee.

Keep Damage Reports

Another thing some companies are known to do is charge customers for damage that was already present on the car before they used it. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable and go over every dent, bump and scratch on your car with a fine tooth comb and get the report signed off and keep a copy.  If the car is wet or dirty it will be harder to see any damage on the car, please ensure the rental company comments on the report what condition the car was checked in.

Take Emergency Numbers

In an event of an accident you will need to have with you emergency numbers to call.  You will also need to alert the car rental company if you are involved in an accident.  Therefore ask the company what their emergency number is and who to call before driving away.

These are just a few tips to help you plan car hire for your next holiday and avoid unnecessary costs.  Don’t forget to read more travel guides before going on holiday to help you plan and get the most from your holiday!

Welcome to Holidays and Travel!

Hi, welcome to Holdays and Travel, my blog for all things travel. Hopefully over the coming years and months you will find this a useful resource, I will be writing about places I have visited, travel news and tourist information. I hope you find this blog useful. If you are interested in guest blogging, please contact me  - no spam please!
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