Batanes Islands, not just a Typhoon Destination

My paternal grandfather is from this island, a place known for its stone houses and its incessant typhoons. It is also known for its people, whose daily lives are still lived in pure simplicity and honesty. Although Philippines is said to be one of the most corrupt countries in Asia, this island proves that there are places in the Philippines where people are pure, honest, and trustworthy. There is a store in Batanes and if I still remember it right, the name is Honesty, where the owner leaves the store unmanned, the items are left there and there was just a basket where the buyers would leave their payment. And it is said that it is a very rare instance when they can find a discrepancy between their stock items and the payment. One can just wish this kind of honesty from people in the city. It is said that the crime rate in this place is very very low, almost close to zero. It makes you wonder if crimes are directly proportional to modernization.

My father visited us this December and I showed him my post (from my other blog) about this island of his forefathers, and he asked if I can still find some more pictures of Batanes on the internet. I have written about this island before in my other blog, but when I saw these pictures from Parc Cruz in flickr with my father I know I have to share this fabulous place to the world, even just thru photos. Batanes’ scenic views and untouched natural beauty is very evident in these photos, the tranquility and peacefulness of the island can be felt by anyone who has eyes to see. Even if my father has not gone back to this island for years now, I can still feel the longing and the soft spot he has for this place while he looks at the pictures of Batanes Island from the photos we found on the net. Today, Batanes is becoming more and more a tourist destination, an extraordinary place for travel and vacation. It is also fast becoming a must-go place from both local and foreign photographers. Here are some fabulous pictures from Parc Cruz.

Things you can do when in Crete, Greece

Crete is the biggest island in Greece and fifth in the Mediterranean, it has a thousand kilometer long coastline with several coves, bays, and peninsulas. Its pristine white beaches is a marvel to the eyes of a traveler or sightseer, the blue Mediterranean Sea established Crete as one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe for swimming, snorkeling, and other water related activities. It is usually in summer that tourists frequent this place for travel and vacation.

Snorkelling

Crete is perfect for snorkeling because of its rich water resources and its wide variety of sea life. A great variety of fish and sea-plants can be found in its azure seas and there are no currents that could easily drive away these creatures. Beaches with fine sands are not ideal for snorkeling, look for rocky beaches because it is the one that is full of sea life. Aside from snorkeling, coral diving can also be done in these rocky beaches. But all in all water sports and activities are big in Crete, Greece.

Jeep Safari

The Greek Mountains is also open for adventurous sightseeing and men bonding activities through the Jeep Safaris offered by many travel guides in Crete. For men who love to explore the outdoors and are not afraid of some dust and dirt on their faces and bodies, this adventure will be just the thing for them.

Hiking

This activity is one to try when you are in Crete because the scenery of the island will be very visible to your very eye. Hiking in Crete will allow you to see the beauty of the island while enjoying light talks with your family and fellow hikers. There are many well-known gorges and ravines in Crete that you can explore, hiking and trekking are very popular in summer. Some tours are limited to descending a gorge and ending the trip to the crystal blue waters of Crete for a swimming experience for the hikers. There are also difficult gorges and mountains to tackle available for the Professional hikers and trekkers.

Aside from the activities mentioned above that you can do in Crete, musuems and other historical places are a must see, after all this is a place of rich history and culture. And while you’re in Crete, do not forget to try the famous Cretan, Greek and Mediterannean foods. And pick up a few Greek words before you leave. Crete in Greece is truly a marvelous place to be for your travel and vacation.

A Stunning Villa in Crete, Greece

When I started thinking of creating this blog, I wanted a place where I can compile the nicest places in the world and the beautiful travel and vacation abodes available in those places. I do not want to search the net every now and then for these beautiful places, I want all of it in one place and be able to add to it everytime I see another one that caught my attention, some kind of a wishlist of places I want to go to. One of the places I really want to visit since I was a child is Greece, because it is written in our school books that it is the cradle of ancient civilization. Its art, architecture, culture and rich history made me curious about this place.

This post features a luxurious four bedroom villa in Crete, Greece. This is the Royal Spa Villa, located at a private and very secure area, with stunning views of the Mediterranean coastline and sea. The awe-inspiring infinity pool with a Jacuzzi is a very splendid place to be for your relaxation and meditation time. The view from there will definitely calm tired muscles and mind from the day’s leisure activities. This villa is truly one of the best travel and vacation abodes in this area.

Kinds of Abodes for Travel and Vacation

There are so many kinds of places to stay to for your travel and vacation. Depending on the things you need to consider before choosing a travel and vacation place, below are some of the kinds of accommodation you may choose from.

Bed and breakfast – or sometimes just called B&B, is a place that accepts guests for short-term occupany. There are bed and breakfast that are rooms in a family residence, or it may be in a condominium or a townhouse. There are also bed and breakfasts that offers separate little houses for the guests. And of course, they offer home-cooked breakfast for guests.

Chalets – a wooden house located in the Alpine regions, or areas usually filled with snows. It may be a cottage or a lodge.

Chateau – may be a manor house, it is usually owned by a family that has some royal authority.

Hotels – provide rooms to clients on short-term basis and they are usually in a big building or establishments. The hotels have other amenities like boutiques, conference rooms, restaurant, spa, and other services within the same building or establishment.

Resort – is provides a place of relaxation, usually located near a beach or in a place that is famous for its tourism. The usual ambience of a resort is laidback living, recreation, and relaxation.

Villa – is an upper-class country house. This is a popular place to stay among the affluent crowd for their travel and vacation.

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Choosing Travel and Vacation Abodes

Choosing Travel and Vacation Abodes

When you are planning to travel for business or pleasure, or when planning a vacation with family and/or friends the most important thing you have to consider after choosing a place for travel and vacation is the place where to stay. The abode of your choice may be a luxury villa, a chalet, a beachfront mansion, a hotel room, or a bed and breakfast place. But whatever the style or kind of place you want to stay to, there are several important things to look for when finding a place to stay for your travel and vacation needs. Below are some things you must consider in looking for a place to stay:

Proximity to the Place of your Activities. Whether you are there for a meeting, conference, sightseeing, travel, or vacation, it is always better to get a place to stay near where your activities will be held or done. This will save you a lot of time and money, and a lot more time for relaxation and other recreation or even for just an extra time for shopping presents for your loved ones back at home.

The comfortability of the Place. Your travel and vacation abode should be comfortable enough and according to your style and taste. And if possible get a place where the service of the employees and help are reputable. Even if you will be staying there for just a few hours a day because of your outdoor activites, it is always nice to be able to go back to a place where you will be comfortable, relaxed, and contented. A comfortable place will help you be ready for the next day’s fun things to do.

The security of the Place. Your travel and vacation abode should be secured and safe. Well, at least safe enough for you to be able to get some sleep at night. The abode or place should be safe enough so that you can have a peaceful mind while doing your day’s work of leisure while in that area of the world. Because how can you focus your mind in the seminar or conference you are attending, when you are worried if your things in your room are safe or not. How can you enjoy doing your leisure activities when you are thinking of the safety of your place and things.

Your Budget. And of course, the most important thing to consider when looking for a place of travel and vacation is your budget. You can not start thinking of travel and vacation without a proper budget or at least a decent amount in your head of how much you can afford for a place to stay during your travel and vacation. You have to consider your budget before you can even think of the proximity, comfortability, and security of your travel and vacation abode.