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Lux Island Resorts To Host First Maldives Underwater Festival In May 2012

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Photography enthusiasts will be able to dive beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean as LUX* Maldives launches the first Underwater Festival from 14th and 20th May, 2012.

Fans of diving and photography will be able to take part in a series of workshops, courses, and introductory sessions during Maldives holidays. Award-winning photographers will run numerous underwater courses that will allow visitors to experience free-diving and fluo night diving.

The General Manager of LUX* Maldives and avid free-diver, Dominik Ruhl, explained: This time its all about water. We wanted to draw the curtains of the underwater world to our guests by giving them the unique opportunity not only to dive some of the most beautiful dive sites on the planet, but also to meet the experts of the sea and learn how to bring these treasures home.

The luxury resort recently opened a Marine Biology Centre on the island which is dedicated to protecting whale sharks in the South Ari Atoll waters and this years festival allows tourists to learn more about the underwater world throughout their holidays in the Maldives.

The festival will feature leading marine experts including the French multi-award winning underwater photographer, Pascal Kobeh, who will take part in the festival as a member of the judging panel and a coach.

Kobeh commented: I started shooting underwater pictures while I was a diving instructor here in the Maldives; I havent stopped since then, and it became by profession. It brought me here today with the same passion I had ten years ago and I am very excited to join the festival.

While enjoying holidays to the Maldives at the resort, attendees will have the chance to take part in interesting and informative workshops with LUX* Maldives resident marine biologist, Chiara Fumagalli.

There will also be documentaries about the oceans diverse marine life, underwater films, and news about the ongoing research on the whale sharks at the Marine Biology Centre.

The festival will also allow participants to try free diving sessions with Jean-Jacques Mayol, the founder of the free-diving Team Mayol and son of free-diving legend Jacques Mayol.

Photographers booking Maldives holidays at the resort can experience the underwater world at night by taking part in fluo-diving excursions. Divers use a set of special filters on their masks and torches, which enhances a unique diving experience at night.

Festival-goers will have the chance to win several prizes during the week-long event and the best photographs will be submitted to the judging panel with a top prize including a five-night stay at one of LUX* Islands Resorts Mauritius, La Reunion or Maldives hotels.

Ellen Paderson Recommends The Best Resorts For Gourmet All-inclusive Holidays In The Caribbean

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The founder of Smiles and Miles Travel, Ellen Paderson, has recently shared some of her tips on booking an excellent all inclusive holiday for foodie and those concerned about the quality of food on an all inclusive meal plan. Paderson, who has made it her goal to search for the top Caribbean properties offering all inclusive service in recent years, can now enlist the best getaways for experiences the best all inclusive holidays in the Caribbean as well as the advantages of this type of holiday, sometimes rejected by travellers due to predisposition about the food, the activities or the price.

She points out that its much less stressful for guests, and makes it easier for them to relax, knowing that everything has been paid for in advance. By booking an all-inclusive trip, holidaymakers guarantee accommodations, meals, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), recreational service and gratuities. However, Paderson advises travellers to make sure they find out all the details before making a booking, since the concept of all inclusive is not always the same for all resorts.

Travellers should ask their travel consultant to get to the bottom line to avoid surprises, said Ellen Paderson Of course, if you like trying local restaurants, exploring other locales off the resort, touring, etc., the all inclusive option removes much of the spontaneity that can make nice memories too.

Nevertheless, many of these properties offer extras that arent included in the rate such as spa treatments, golf and baby-sitting. Paderson, who has been in the travel industry for over 20 years, has selected as her favourites what she considers to be the best all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean due to their fine culinary options, beautiful surroundings, excellent service and great recreational activities with no extra cost, such as scuba diving. The Grand Velas Resort Riviera Maya, the Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma, the Sun Palace, the Beach Palace, El Dorado Seaside Suites, El Dorado Maroma by Karisma and the Beach Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa are in Padersons list of the highest-quality getaways in the region with great meal options for foodies.

If travellers are interested in going for high-end all inclusive holidays in Cancun at a truly luxurious venue, the Grand Velas Resort Riviera Maya is a wonderful choice. Located just five minutes away from downtown Playa del Carmen, the hotel offers 5-star dining at any of its 15 restaurants and an excellent 24-hour butler concierge service. The Sun Palace and the Beach Palace in Cancun, Mexico, are also gems among luxury all inclusive hotels in the Caribbean. Guests at the Sun Palace will enjoy a stocked minibar and a liquor dispenser with brand-name label whiskey, tequila, rum and vodka in their rooms, as well as the privilege to use the amenities at other nearby Palace resorts, meanwhile at the Beach Palace, guests will have a stunning view of Nichupte Lagoon and will be able indulge in the Jacuzzi tubs that can be found in all the hotels rooms.

The two Karisma properties earlier mentioned, have excellent seafood choices in their restaurants as well as great service. The Azul Beach Hotel with a popcorn room service for guests who want to stay in with a movie is more suitable for families, while El Dorado Maroma, with its excellent cuisine and beautiful white-sand beach, will be ideal for holidaymakers looking to relax. El Dorado Seaside Suites adults-only resort is a perfect getaway for honeymooners, which includes two swim-up bars and offers great spa treatments such as the Beachfront Sky Massage. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, on the other hand, has excellent options for children such as scuba diving lessons, and a great waterpark. The hotel specialises in offering great food for guests who have certain allergies as well as vegans and vegetarians.

Excellent Broadbeach Resorts

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Broadbeach has become one of the hottest distillations down under. Along with the region’s diversified attractions a large number of tourist accommodations have been developed. The numerous hotels, resorts and holiday apartments are always offering some sort of special packages and hot deals in order to attract more customers. Travelers making their way to the region will be able to find suitable accommodation in all budget ranges by making a search on the Internet through the right sources.

Some of the top Broadbeach accommodation choices offering hot deals are mentioned below:

The BreakFree Savannah Resort

This is one of the more recent properties to have cropped up on the Broadbeach. It occupies a strategic spot on the cosmopolitan center of the region. The surrounding area is rich with a range of cafs and restaurants. This accommodation offers a very unique experience in its African themed studio style rooms and apartments. It is the ideal retreat destination as the name suggests for short stays and is suitable for all kinds of travelers.

BreakFree Neptune Resort

This particular resort is located at a distance of 250 m from the Kurrawa Beach. The property features one and two-bedroom apartments that have been luxuriously furnished and cater to all comfort requirements of holiday goers. Close by attractions include the Pacific fair shopping center and the Gold Coast convention Center. Along with this you will be granted and easy access to Surfers Paradise from the property.

Conrad Jupiters Hotel

If you want to experience the local hotel culture of then the Conrad Jupiters is an excellent choice to go with. It has a total of 593 guest rooms that have been superbly decorated along with which it features 29 suites and two penthouses with private balconies. This hotel has been graded as the five-star property and has about seven on-site restaurants offering a variety of international cuisine to the guests.

Ocean Pacific Resort

The resort offers luxury apartment accommodation in the form of one bedroom apartments that are spread over 21 levels. All apartments provide a flabbergasting view of the ocean. The resort occupies an excellent spot on the Broadbeach and has a number of major attraction sites within close proximity. The guestrooms developed by this particular resort are extremely spacious and feature modern decorations. A host of on-site facilities further add value to the property.

Freshwater Point

This Broadbeach resort features one and two room apartments that cater to all the comfort needs of travelers. The fact that these apartments have been erected in a waterfront setting further adds value to the accommodation. The fully self contained apartments are an excellent choice for travelers that enjoy the free and flexible lifestyle offered by Broadbeach resorts.

Mexico – A Romantic Getaway

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We all know about Mexico as having the appealing resorts and beaches in the whole world. They offer the greatest vacation holiday one could possibly need. The area is a haven of natural attraction as if it has the power to invite the unrested soul ready to be comforted and relaxed. The area is a hideaway making yourself isolated by the tireless demands of your job. Mexico’s top tourist destinations are just the greatest among the greatest. Of course, this paradise is not only conducive for entertainment but also offers a sizzling romantic getaway for lovers seeking their own nest after their unforgettable wedding day.

The honeymoon is the most romantic way to start your married life. Mexico has a honeymoon collection of handpicked hotels and historical haciendas. It also has luxury hotels in a collection of locations and world renowned trains and cruises passing through some of the most stupendous scenery in the world. For grooms, who traditionally plan the honeymoon, Mexico is all you want to make you love life more romantic.

Whether you’re about to go on your honeymoon, or just romantic getaway, or spending time alone together, the paradise can generate a kind of passion that lovers would truly miss keeping themselves coming back again. Resorts and Spas like Quinta real in Acapulco, Ritz carlton, JW, Maroma Resorts and Spa in Cancun, Secrets Caproi Riviera and Ixtapa and Zihuatenejo:Hotel Vila Del Sol are just top resorts and spas for honeymoon seekers. The places are glorious and romantic for honeymoons. Most of these resorts are adults-only beach resort where active couples can participate in a host of activities including kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, water aerobics, yoga, beach and pool volleyball, and tennis. With suites and service that are as intimate as the occasion itself, the newly-wed couple will undergo the supreme in pampered indulgence. Who would forget Bora Bora? This elegant area was recently named by Modern Bride Magazine as the ‘supreme Fantasy Suite in an Overwater Bungalow,’ from 2001 to 2006, ‘greatest Hotel for Seclusion,’ from 2002 to 2004 the ‘Sexiest In-Room Extras,’ in 2005 and ‘Most Scenic Honeymoon Spot’ in 2003. When you go to this paradise you would see white beaches and tall palms beckon making it as a spot on romantic getaway. When couples want it more privately, they can actually visit Mexico’s Nude Beaches and resorts. It is a secluded adults-only property. Nude resorts would include Caribbean Reef Club,Celestun Nude Beach, Desire Resort & Spa Los Cabos and Playa Sonrisa.

Just as the Wedding Day can be the most unforgettable day of their life, so can the Honeymoon be that special time to bring the couple closer together emotionally, as well as physically. Whether this is your first Honeymoon, or you’re trying again, whether you’re sixteen or sixty, whether you’re planning something captivating or just plain romantic, then there’s only one paradise that can offer all that you want. Mexico is the greatest area for you and surely there is nothing more romantic than discovering new places with the one you love.

Unwind At Golf Vacation Resorts

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Golf vacation resorts were introduced with the aim of providing players with rich golfing experience and an ultimate luxurious experience. It is not surprising, therefore, to learn that these vacation resorts are becoming the preferred choice of golfers all over the world. However, to enjoy a dream vacation a golfer must do some careful planning and consider few important tips.

Tips to select golf resort: Choosing the perfect golfing destination while going on a vacation represents the most important step for relishing a memorable holiday. Some love the energy of a big city like Las Vegas while others love golfing in a peaceful countryside. In addition to the destination, don’t forget to research about the prevailing weather conditions. A bad weather can be the biggest threat to a good golfing experience. It is advisable to visit golf courses in peak times. However, all those who are looking for cheap golf can visit private golf courses in slow times such as winter. Most golf resorts provide discount tee times during the off-season.

The various golf vacation packages: One needs to decide whether to opt for a golf vacation package or go without it. Many believe that vacation packages are ideal for those who have a high budget. This is a wrong conception; golf vacation packages do not necessarily have to be expensive and people looking for some cheap golf can also opt for them. These golf packages usually include the cost of staying in the hotel rooms, discount tee times, and carts. In most golf packages there are facilities for luxurious rooms at low rates, guaranteed tee times, discount green fees, and in some cases, even the drinks and entertainment. Another advantage of booking vacation package is that golfers can play at less crowded private golf courses. However, golfers might be required to adhere to certain tee times restrictions and the discount tee times are not available throughout the season.

Golfers must consider the fact that golf vacation packages are available for people with different tastes and budgets, so it is better to shop around for a fancy deal rather than choosing anything on an impulse.

Consider the budges: All those who are planning to go on a vacation without opting for any package must prepare in details their budget and the estimated expenses that are likely to occur in different fields such as transport, accommodation, and costs for booking tee times etc. It is recommended that golfers take special care while booking online tee times. Those who want to save a few dollars while booking tee times can opt for golf networking sites that offer discount green fees. Generally, the paid members of the golf networking sites can book tee times by just paying the green fees.

Some finds golf packages better suited to their needs while others prefer going on a trip without opting for any kind of packages. No matter what kind of option one chooses, it is crucial to consider the tastes and requirements of people who are traveling along with the golfer. This means that one should choose a resort that has entertainment facilities for the non-golfers or one that is nearby to some fun places and entertainment parks.