Vacations-Abroad.com Blog

Mykonos Greece - Sightseeing Attractions

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:52:10 PST

Although it is most well-known for its beaches and superb nightlife, the island also offers a number of wonderful sightseeing attractions. Mykonos Town (which is also called Chora by the locals and many visitors) is the jewel of the island, with the trademark Mykonos windmills, traditional Cycladic whitewashed houses and narrow, winding alleyways that are perfect for a nonchalant stroll. The greatest monument of Mykonos Town is the 16th - 17th century Church of Panagia Paraportiani, which is built in a unique asymmetrical architectural style.
Mykonos Vacation Rentals

Zakynthos Greece - Blue Caves

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:05:27 PST

THE FAMOUS BLUE CAVES, located on the NE coast of Cape Schinari, rank among the most beautiful caves in Greece. They consist of a series of chambers, the Megali and Mikri Spelia (Large and Small Cave). The reflection and diffusion of sunlight in the waters trigger a riot of color. Visitors can go up to Agios Nikolaos by car (asphalted road) and then continue by boat. Alternatively, they can start out from the town of Zakynthos by boat or caique.
Zakynthos Vacation Rentals

Zakynthos Greece - Zakynthos National Marine Park

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:20:40 PST

The area encompasses the Laganas Bay and the islets of Marathonissi and Pelouzo before the southern coast of Zakynthos. The substratum is sandy and the waters are shallow (10 m deep ad maximum), thus favouring the wide spread of Posidonia seagrass. The coastal zone of Laganas is of high biological importance, due to the existence of significant natural habitats, such as sandy beaches with sand plant (psammophyte) communities, rocky coasts and coastal lakes. Low sand dunes occur on the beach of Marathonissi, some of them extending up to 50 m. inland. The beach is backed by dense Mediterranean maquis. The area of Laganas is renowned for its small sandy beaches which are considered to be the most important nesting sites for the Mediterranean green loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) both in Greece and, perhaps, the entire Mediterranean region. The two islets (Marathonissi and Pelouzo) lying in the Bay of Laganas support well-developed types of Mediterranean vegetation.
Zakynthos Vacation Rentals

Skiathos Greece - Kechria

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:49:07 PST

On the North side of the island, a haven of tranquility, named Kechria is located. The water side combines a beach, picnic location and a nice traditional kantina. Land inwards is a magical streambed with spectacular trees, crystal clear water, and amazing flora and fauna. It is an ideal spot for those that want to enjoy nature, and those who can't endure the sun too well. Kechria is a great place for reading a book under one of the characteristic olive trees. The environment is suitable for combining swimming and exploring nature, great for adventurous people that don't want to lie on the beach for hours. Also in the early and late season it is worth a visit. The rich nature shows a different face every time. Dragon flies will be circling through the stream bed, dancing with the butterflies. Big frogs can be seated on the bark of trees that have fallen over. In the beginning of the Fall, there is an outbreak of small pink cyclamen flowers, giving color to the dark green setting of the stream bed. The mist of low hanging clouds can give the area an unreal image.
Skiahos Vacation Rental

Skiathos Greece - Perfect Greek Island

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:25:22 PST

Skiathos is a beautiful, wooded island, far greener than one would expect a Greek island to be, which has between 60 & 70 fine sandy beaches, many of which have not become overcrowded & some of which can be virtually empty, even in the height of summer. At the eastern end of the island is the main (& only) town, also called Skiathos, surrounding a well sheltered harbour which fills in the summer with every type of vessel from 3 metre fishing boats to 11 metre yachts to 40 metre motor yachts. In Skiathos town you can find everything. It is a thriving, cosmopolitan centre that hums with energy during the summer months contrasting nicely with the lazy beach days.
Skiathos Vacation Rental

Rethymnon Crete - Old Venetian-Ottoman Quarter

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:33:54 PST

Rethymnon's Old Venetian - Ottoman quarter occupies the headland beneath the Venetian fortress. It is a maze of narrow streets, Venetian monuments and the occasional minaret adding a touch of the Orient. The Old quarter has grown into a pretty important place for shopping and offers a wide assortment of stores selling just about everything from souvenirs to jewellery, leather, Cretan spices and pottery.
Rethymnon Vacation Rentals

Kefalonia Greece - Assos Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:14:38 PST

Assos beach is on the west of the Island 36 km from Argostoli, the Islands capital. The beach is in a bay, which is overlooked by two pleasant tavernas. The beach is a lovely pebbly beach that offers great views of the picturesque town of Assos. This town is definitely worth seeing as is dominated by ruins of a 16th Century Venetian Castle. The whole area is surrounded by luscious green scenery.
Kefalonia Vacation Rentals

Kefalonia Greece - largest of the seven Ionian islands

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:07 PST

Beautiful golden beaches, lofty mountains providing the scenic backdrop to hundreds of secluded white coves , the strange cliffs , the cave of St. Gerassimos - the island's patron saint, the Cave of Drongorati, the underground lake at Mellisani, churches and Monasteries perched precariously on cliffs, timeless villages. The limestone rock results in remarkable caves and caverns, some of which have become major tourist attractions. Geologists once grappled with the problem of the disappearing sea which flowed into swallow holes near Argostoli. No-one knew where it went until a couple of geologists tracked it with radioactive dye to the underground lake at Mellisani on the other side of the island. The coast is generally steep and sometimes precipitous as are the mountain roads that criss-cross the island.

Kefalonia Vacation Rentals

Corfu Greece - Fortressses

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:41:44 PST

One of the most distinctive features of the portrait of the town is the two-peak rocky end of the east side which forming an ”island on the island” allows a wide observation field over the sea passage. The imposing Venetian fortifications, which separate the later simple and massive buildings of the English period in three landscaped levels, still remain intact.
Corfu Vacation Rental

Corfu Greece - Island in Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:29:18 PST

On an island inhabited continuously since ancient times, the type of vegetation has been determined not just by its soil and climate but also by human factors. Under Venetian rule, money was offered as an incentive for planting olive trees and replacing the wild variety with the cultivated one, while viniculture has also been an important occupation. The olive holds pride of place amongst the island's vegetation; ancient, lofty trees with gnarled trunks, in endless groves that are veritable forests, look down imposingly on the surrounding countryside. Variety is added by the many cypress trees, palms and bushes. Some people choose to visit the island in January and February in order to enjoy the unique vista of almond trees in blossom against a backcloth of silver-green olive groves and the sparkling sea. The combination of factors that make up the island's microclimate is very favourable to its wild flowers. Indeed, it could be said without exaggeration that Corfu is in bloom all year round.
Corfu Vacation Rentals

Agios Nikolaos, Crete - A great Grecian getaway

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:58:07 PST

Agios Nikolaos is the capital of the prefecture of Lassithi. It is a lovely city which has been built on the northernmost point of Mirabello Bay. The picturesque port of the town with its fishing boats, the cosmopolitan atmosphere, the beautiful beaches and the good quality and choice of tourist facilities and accommodations are the reasons of the high popularity of Agios Nikolaos. The inhabitants of the town are friendly and hospitable and the everyday rhythm of life is vivid and relaxing at the same time. The town of Heraklion is only an hour away (65 kilometres) from Agios Nikolaos and regular boat are linking the town to the harbour of Piraeus during the summer season.
Agios Nikolaos Vacation Rental

Chania Crete Historical Architecture

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:27:28 PST

The Venetian, Turkish, traditional and modern architecture coexist in harmony in the beautiful city of Chania, creating a unique attraction for the visitors. Archeological sites, temples, plateaus and unique buildings adorn the charming Municipality of Chania. In 1964, the city of Chania was declared a historical monument by the State and since then there have been many efforts to preserve and project its historical character.

Chania Vacation Rentals

Crete - City of Chania - 1866 Plateau

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:56:46 PDT

The 1866 Plateau is located on the west part of the city, on the way to the "Kisamos" exit. In the past, this region was part of the Ottoman cemetery, which was extending to the west. This plateau is one of "green" areas of the city, with many plants and statues of the heroes of the Cretan revolutions and an elegant Arabic fountain. Its name refers to the grand and bloody 3-year Cretan revolution (1866 - 1869) against the Turks, which resulted to the holocaust of "Arcadi".
Chania Vacation Rentals

Athens - Palea Fokea Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:19:27 PDT

Palea Fokea (or Palaia Phokea) is a nice sandy beach southeast of Athens. A beautiful fishing port adds to the beach charm. Several restaurants on the beach offer what the local fishermen provide.
Athens Vacation Rentals

Athens, Greece - Vouliagemi

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:09:16 PDT

Vouliagmeni is a beautiful and picturesque peninsula, situated on the eastern edge of Athens (just 20 Km from the center of Athens), known from the famous lake with the mineral water spa and an outstanding mild climate that makes all-year round holidays possible.

Athens Vacation Rental

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands - Devil's Bay Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:00:53 PDT

Devil's Bay Beach - This National Park is accessible by boat or by walking through the trails of The Baths. The beach is pure white sand and sprinkled with large granite boulders. Its deep blue waters make for excellent diving and snorkelling.
Virgin Gorda Vacation Rentals

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands - The Baths

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:55:22 PDT

The Baths - A National Park made up of a series of small sea pools lying beneath a canopy of giant granite boulders. These sheltered light-filled grottoes create a unique setting to swim and explore. Snorkelling along the outside perimeter of both The Baths and Devil's Bay reveals an area rich in colourful fish and coral.
Virgin Gorda Vacation Rentals

Tortola - Brewer's Bay Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:57:17 PDT

Brewer's Bay, once the site of several sugar plantations and distilleries (hence its name) is just around the eastern point by boat or over a steep hill by car from Cane Garden Bay. Ruins can be seen on the beach and along the road going out of the bay to town. In winter, the campground here is home to an interesting group of travellers who return year after year. The water offers some of the best snorkelling on the island because of its many reefs.
Tortola Vacation Rentals

Tortola - Shark Bay at Brewer's Bay

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:51:53 PDT

This 18.4 acre nature preserve is located on a dramatic point above Brewer's Bay on the island's north shore. It has several interesting ecological features, which include very large boulders and forms a unique cave once inhabited by bats but is now a resting place for weary hikers. There is also a collection of orchids nestled between the boulders and several pelicans enjoy the bay as well.
Tortola Vacation Rentals

St. Thomas - Hull Bay

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:33:44 PDT

A favorite beach for local fishermen, families and surfers. It offers the best surfing on St. Thomas when there is a north swell.
St. Thomas Vacation Rentals

St. Thomas - Lindquist Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:28:42 PDT

One of St. Thomas's most beautiful and pristine beaches, Lindquist Beach is situated on the east end of the island. The water is crystal-clear and typically calm. The left side of the beach is great for snorkeling.
St. Thomas Vacation Rentals

St. Johns - Snorkling at Salomon and Honeymoon Bays

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:11:40 PDT

At Salomon and Honeymoon Bays gently sloping, soft sand eases your way to the sea. The water is calm and shallow. These are excellent beaches for beginning snorkelers to experience the wonders of our undersea environment. On the edges of the bays, along the rocky shorelines and around the point between the beaches are a type of coral reef known as fringing reef. A fringing reef is a relatively young reef which grows outward from the shoreline. In the center of the bays the sand beach extends into the water and the bottom gradually changes to coral rubble with some coral heads in deeper water.
St. Johns Vacation Rental

St. Johns - Virgin Islands National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:02:46 PDT

Only nine miles long & three miles wide, two thirds of the island is the Virgin Islands National Park, so its spectacular beaches & untouched forests will remain that way for generations to come & be accessible to all. There are tours of the National Park by Jeep or safari bus & hikes on spectacular trails led by Park Rangers who enrich the experience with talks on the island's history & geology as well as its flora & fauna.
St. Johns Vacation Rentals

St. Croix - Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:37:15 PDT

Spectacular, secluded stretch of beach in the southwest corner of St. Croix. The park was established primarily to protect the March-June nesting grounds of endangered leatherback turtles. It just so happens that it is also one of the longest stretches of white, sandy beach in the Caribbean - spanning over 2 miles long. The beach is open only on Saturdays and Sundays, There are no facilities, so bring a cooler and take your trash back out with you! Be careful where you walk, you might just disturb a turtle nest.
St. Croix Vacation Rentals

St. Croix - Coakley Bay Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Vacations-Abroad.com) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:27:43 PDT

On the East end of St. Croix, is a gorgeous, long and mostly deserted strip of Caribbean sand. Many areas in the water has a lot of sea grass, so you'll see it washed up on the beach if there has been some wave activity. There are also many areas with a sandy bottom which is great for swimming. You'll hardly see anyone on the beach, except for during the weekends, when locals will traditionally come to spend the day with family and friends.
St. Croix Vacation Rentals