Exotic Sanibel Is Purely American In Its Natural Beauty

Exotic Sanibel Is Purely American In Its Natural Beauty

Arriving home I am thankful for the beauty of where we live year round and even more appreciative of our Sanibel retreat.

Although I have traveled to many continents and found beauty on them all Sanibel and Captiva are iconic of America in their particular brand of beauty. The preservation of these islands despite the overdevelopment of most of Florida and much of the USA is something worth evaluating as well as appreciating.

Among barrier islands Sanibel and Captiva are unique. Their natural features together with a climate that is subtropical in summer and temperate in winter create unparalleled habitat for a diversity of birds reptiles mammals and aquatic life.

Sanibel is Southwest Florida’s only barrier island with a significant southern exposure. It formed from a lobe extending from Captiva. Along its southfacing shores the currents of the Gulf of Mexico deposit countless shells with every tide. Sanibel is also Southwest Florida’s only remaining doublebarrier island in which two major sets of ridges catch rains to produce an extensive system of interior freshwater. Just beneath the surface a rainfed freshwater lens protects the interior wetlands from saltwater intrusion.

Vegetation is luxuriant. On the ridges cabbage palm strangler fig gumbo limbo wax myrtle wild coffee and a host of indigenous shrubs and trees flourish. In the lower swales sawgrass spartina grass leather ferns sedges and purslanes dominate.

Captiva with a high backbone of a ridge and rich with tropical growth is the older of the two islands. Much of Sanibel was farmed in the 1880′s with crops of peppers tomatoes citrus squash and melons. Forty families had settled the islands by 1890. Salty soil as a result of storm overwashes caused a shift to more salinetolerant citrus by the 1920′s.

But the natural beauty of Sanibel and Captiva could have easily been lost or severely compromised were it not for a vision and commitment on the part of those entrusted with their care.

After months of public meetings in 1995 and 1996 the citizens of Sanibel reaffirmed their commitment to preservation of natural resources by adopting a vision statement that in part follows:

Sanibel is and shall remain a barrier island sanctuary one in which a diverse population lives in harmony with the island’s wildlife and natural habitats. The Sanibel community must be vigilant in the protection and enhancement of its sanctuary characteristics.

The City of Sanibel will resist pressures to accommodate increased development and redevelopment that are inconsistent with the Sanibel Plan including the vision statement. The City will guard against and where advisable oppose human activities in other jurisdictions that might harm the island’s sensitive habitats including the island’s surrounding aquatic ecosystems.

Sanibel is and shall remain a small town community whose members choose to live in harmony with one another and with nature creating a human settlement distinguished by its diversity beauty uniqueness character and stewardship. The Sanibel community recognizes that its attractiveness to visitors is due to the islands quality as sanctuary and as community. The City of Sanibel will welcome visitors who are drawn by and respectful of these qualities; it will resist pressures to accommodate visitor attractions and activities that compromise these qualities.

Where I live is quite lovely. Where I play is even lovlier. The difference is in the intent as well as content. And both in different ways reflect ideals in American beauty. The former has created an emphasis on the manmade and the second has as its purpose conserving what God has created. I feel very fortunate to call both environments “home”.

About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Sylvia Guarino is a professional writer. Her territory is health and fitness. She also manages and markets vacation rental properties on Sanibel Island that she and her husband own.

For more information on Sanibel accommodations discounts things to do etc. please visit her blog:
http://sanibelrentalsnet.blogspot.com/

Consider Chartering A Private Airplane For Your Next Vacation In

Consider Chartering A Private Airplane For Your Next Vacation In France

The Loire Valley became the favourite residence of kings who during the Renaissance period entertained in lavish style while enjoying the incredible beauty of the landscape. The castles still stand in all their glory representing the majesty and grandeur of the architecture of that period and the enchanting charm of France’s fabulous past.

Today the Val de Loire and especially the 100 mile stretch from Orleans to Blois and Angers continues to lure visitors to explore the splendid French countryside with its historic chateaux and abbeys and to enjoy some of the best food and wines in the world. You too can enjoy some of that lavish style by unwinding in a castle rented exclusively for a vacation with family and friends or for just a long weekend.

The Loire Valley is well placed being only 2 hours south of Paris. If you need to fly seriously consider a private charter. “The saying “Getting there is half the fun” became obsolete with the advent of commercial airlines.” Henry J. Tillman

Sir Mick Jagger lead singer of the Rolling Stones and part time Touraine resident regulary charters a private threeperson taxiplane to whisk him from Tours airport to London in only 70 minutes. Sir Mick loves the Loire Valley and he owns a charming 16th century castle called La Fourchette in a quaint town near Amboise.

He avoids the busier times when the daily Ryanair flight from London Stanstead lands and dumps its passengers and picks up a new load to return to London. The staff at the airport are used to private charter flights. The Tours airport staff say of Sir Mick “He has never caused us any problem: A simple straightforward person …”

Year after year more and more people decide to charter a private jet for a family vacation or with a group of friends. A private jet is not just for the wealthy. You do not have to Sir Mick or a Russian Billionaire.

You and your friends can charter one without a lot of dough. Chartering a private jet lets you choose your time to fly. Often private jets won’t even cost more than first class. No schedules to adhere to no hours of standing by.

The obvious benefit of chartering a private aircraft is saving valuable time. With commercial airlines you need to arrive a minimum of two hours in advance of your time of departure stand in line for security checks then stand in line again for checkin you have to go through torture before your flight has even begun.

Once on board you are usually squeezed in like a sardine in cattle class. Meals are totally uninspiring. Other passengers may smell be obnoxious and horrible rude and frightful. There is absolutely nothing romantic or exciting or fun about catching a commercial flight let alone a no frills one.

The commercial airlines of the world have access to no more than 500 airports across the globe. Having to wait to take connecting flights can add hours and hours sometimes days and inconvenience to your itinerary. It also highly increases the risk of your luggage being misdirected or even worse lost.

A privately chartered aircraft can take you to any of over 13500 airports and fields worldwide directly from any location you choose. In a private jet you’ll travel in the lap of luxury. Every whim attended to like you’re royalty.

Check out some charter brokers who will rent you a private jet. It is cheaper than you think to take a flight you will not regret! To find a good charter broker begin with the internet. Because private jets are becoming so popular there are many more private jet chartering companies to turn to for help all the time.

About the writer:  Corina Clemence operates a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois for up to fifteen people perfect for family holidays and for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing. It is ideal for a french wedding party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Hire castle hire chateau Rent castle http://www.loirechateau.com Rent chateau France

Enjoy The Diverse Shades Of Your Magnificent Holidays In Goa

Enjoy The Diverse Shades Of Your Magnificent Holidays In Goa

One of the greatest reasons to feast the attractive state of Goa is the opportunity to enjoy a holiday leisurely and smoothly. Here you are not fill in a drowsy village enjoying your magnificence rental villa away from the interest group of tourists from vital hotels and resources. You do not need to move from your living room unless you want to. Let the recede and flow of daily life ease your soul.

Wake early and you can be pleased by the sight of a carriage header and manager of beef down the road. Spot in the town for fresh fish and the product. So when hunger strikes you have all the required ingredients for a delicious meal cooked on your own grill. Or if you’re feeling really lazy search some of the eccentric eating joints that are willing to satisfy your taste buds.

This all seems like dreamland does not it? However if further in your stay you feel the need to intersperse this relaxing scene with a little spice then be sure to catch a local carnival. Goan rule are attracting people that like to party and numerous times a year they withdraw all the stops and let the feasting song and dance leisure on the day. Make these three days and four nights of enjoyment. Most carnivals last a complete weekend.

The best and renowned carnival is held in Goa in February every year. The arrangements for this grand event embark on two or three months earlier while Goan enter repeat mode. Games magistrate’s songs are written to integrate dance music and usually with a delicate touch of history woven into it. You’d be amazed at the casting call while he acknowledged that only male players to have to apply. All parties including women are presented by men.

The carnival which is derived from a Latin word importance to take meat has been celebrated since the eighteenth century. It was started by the Portuguese who controlled Goa for five hundred years. Earliest origins can be traced back to the hedonistic feasts of Rome and ancient Greece. It is designed to allow abundance of consumption drinking and cheerful making of the just before the limitations of the forty days of pay.

The festival which surrounds Hindu as well as Western dance is mainly celebrated by Christians. Although celebration begins only for the state of Goa it has enlarged significantly in other states in India and also draws tourists by the thousands from around the world.

During the carnival some lucky person takes the role of the famous King Momo who directs the state. An announcement was sent commanding the people of Goa enjoy unlimited dance and singing enthusiastically as they watch the floats and bands colored roll well into the night. The presidency over it all is the King Momo who judges the various presentations and distributes prizes to lucky winners. The last day of the carnival everyone appreciates dance famous red and black which is held by the Clube National in Panajim.

Up until a few years the carnival has become teeming with companies manufacturing and trade have basically ensured that all of Goa. They were seen as excellent venue to sell their liquor cigarettes beer and other consumer products. The social activists have since put an end to this trade mercantilism citing exploitation of teenagers and girls. Now the tourists and natives alike can join in the lively dance with abandonment replaced.

Now you can sample all the different shades of your fabulous Goa holidays . If you want to wrap them in the quiet loneliness to mix with the natives while they go about their daily activities or get swept up in the excitement of the carnival it is entirely up to you. Enjoy your Holidays in Goa .

About the writer:  Planning for a Holiday trip. Author provides you best Information about Holidays in Goa. Click http://www.jetworldholiday.co.uk and make your travel pleasurable and joyful with us.

New Frontiers: Crossing The Laos Cambodian Border Veun Kham Dong

New Frontiers: Crossing The Laos Cambodian Border Veun Kham Dong Kralor

The Laos / Cambodian border has been open for several years now and crossing has been getting easier lately. A few years ago if you were travelling to Cambodia you would have needed a Visa beforehand but recently Visas have been made available on arrival if travelling from Laos to Cambodia if you are coming to Laos from Cambodia however make sure you have your Laos Visa beforehand as no visas are currently available at the border.

There are a few ways to cross the Laos / Cambodian border; some cheap some convenient and of course all an experience. It is a little confusing though as there are two Laos immigration checkpoints one at Veun Kham and one at Dong Kralor if you depart Laos at Veun Kham you will have to drive about 4km to the Cambodian checkpoint at Dong Kralor the Laos and Cambodian checkpoints at Dong Kralor are about 100m apart as well. The road however is all sealed now and doesnt take long at all but the process is a little confusing.

When crossing the border the immigration police usually charge 1 US for the privilege of you having your passport stamped this applies to both the Laos and Cambodian side. I guess you cant really blame them as they are only making about 30 US per month as a salary. Maybe the Cambodians charging 2 US on Public Holidays is pushing it a little far though. It would be a good idea to have some small US bills with you and of a couple of photos if you are applying for a Cambodian Visa.

Currently there are no public buses running this route although this will probably change in the near future with the opening of the bridge at Strung Treng. There is also no need to cross the Mekong by boat any more. The road is all sealed to Phnom Penh and a journey that used to take two days can now be done in a third of the time. The border however is still undeveloped and consists of just a couple of wooden shacks with a couple of guards waiting to stamp your passport. Try not to just turn up at the border as you may have to hire a car or you may just end up stuck at the border if there are no vehicles there. If you do just turn up try to get there in the morning as arriving early would give you more chance of arranging transport.

If you are travelling by private transport it couldnt be easier as the guide or driver should take care of everything. This is of course the easiest way as you will be travelling in comfort in an air conditioned vehicle there will be a brief stop at the border to stamp your passport and if you are transferring vehicles or carrying on through in the same vehicle it will be a really comfortable experience.

There is organised shared transport available where you buy a ticket with a guesthouse or travel agent in Laos or Cambodia. If you are travelling this way it is best to probably buy a ticket with a travel agency as this will avoid confusion and problems; which can arise through buying tickets at a guesthouse. Generally you are transferred to the border in 15 or 22seat minibuss and then transferred to the Laos or Cambodians contact at the border for onward travel. From the Pakse and the Islands in Laos it is possible to reach Phnom Penh in one day and vica versa currently it is not possible to reach Siem Reap in one day though. This transport although probably the cheapest and quickest is relatively uncomfortable as conditions maybe a little cramped on the bus and long distances are involved. Sometimes however theyre maybe little other choice! If you would like to travel by boat from the Laos border to Strung Treng or further to Kratie you would have to arrange this with a travel agent or let them know with as much notice as possible so they can arrange a group to cut costs.

Visit http://www.xploreasia.com for more details on travel and tour information.

About the writer:  After traveling in South East Asia for several years and falling in love with the area in particular Laos. XploreAsia was formed with the aim of promoting tours to increase responsible tourism for the local people and show the world the beauty of this area. After setting up operations in South East Asia XploreAsia expanded into the UK and is Directed by Alex Aziz.

Tenerife Beaches

Tenerife Beaches

According to recent research carried out by the European Union’s Environment Commissioner in Brussels the Canary Islands boast some of the cleanest beaches in Europe. Tenerife in fact has very few beaches: it is the Eastern Canaries older and more ‘weatherworn’ particularly Fuerteventura which is like a displaced piece of the Sahara which have the majority of the islands’ beaches. Having said that Tenerife nonetheless has along it’s 358 kilometers 220 miles of coastline many good beaches some of which were given a ‘helping hand’ if not created entirely by man. There are more beaches in the south of Tenerife than in the north. The north of the island has a steeper decline from the central volcanic plateau downwards and in most places this translates into abrupt cliffs and rocky outcrops as the land reaches the ocean with fewer places where beaches have formed. The south has a less acute more gradual downward approach to the water and in many places levels off quite considerably as it reaches the coast resulting in a greater number of beaches. A novelty for the firsttime visitor to Tenerife is the sight of black volcanic sand a bit disconcerting!

Playa de Las Teresitas

Situated a few miles up the coast from Santa Cruz this beach is very popular with the local population. It is approximately one mile long and is entirely synthetic made with yellow sand imported from the Sahara desert. A large manmade breakwater reduces currents and protects the sand making it safe for kids. It can be windy sometimes. There are good parking facilities.

Playa de La Arena

Near the picturesque holiday resort of Los Gigantes in the west this is a small beach of black sand and is one of the cleanest beaches on the island. The main road runs right by the top of the beach with ample free parking and there is a short footpath down to the sand. This part of the island also boasts the best climate. One of the best.

Playa de Las Americas

would expect in the south’s main tourist resort Las Americas has plenty of beaches along it’s vast seafront some of which are partly manmade. The beaches are generally well maintained but can get quite crowded. Strictly speaking there are a series of separate beaches Playa del Bobo Playa de Torviscas Playa de Troya etc but in reality they more or less run in a line along the coast so it’s only a short walk from one to another. The sand is mainly greyishyellow but is more attractive than it sounds!

Los Cristianos

A former fishing village situated next door to Las Americas Los Cristianos is the south’s second largest holiday area. It boasts fewer but larger beaches than Las Americas including a very nice brand new manmade beach Playa de Las Vistas only completed in 1997.

El Mdano

Near the island’s southern airport El Mdano is a small town with a large but often windy beach and as such is a favourite haunt of windsurfers indeed conditions are good enough that international competitions are held here told you it was windy didn’t I?.

Playa San Marcos

On the coast by the northern winemaking town of Icod de los Vinos Playa San Marcos is one of the most picturesque beaches on the island. Very attractive black sand beach.

Playa Jardin

In Puerto de la Cruz this black sand beach is one of the area’s few good ones. In our opinion. But we should also mention…..

Lago Martianez

Although a swimming pool not a beach we feel that the Lago is worth a mention in this category as it was built in Puerto de la Cruz specifically to address the town’s ‘lackofdecentbeaches’ problem. Designed by famous Canarian artist Cesar Manrique from Lanzarote the Lago is not a part of any of the resort’s numerous hotels it is entirely independent and open to allcomers. It is a vast and beautiful collection of open air saltwater pools built right on the edge of the town on reclaimed land. It may not be a beach but it’s nonetheless a great place for swimming and sunbathing and you don’t get sand in your trunks!. It can however get very crowded and unlike any of the beaches there is a small entrance fee.

About the writer:  Andrew is a freelance travel writer with Islas Travel Guide