One of a fascinating destination for sailing holidays worldwide is Europe that offers a lifetime experience to you. Filled with numerous captivating countries sporting sandy beaches, secluded coves, ancient ruins, historical towns, luxurious resorts and deep blue waters, You can find thousands of inexpensive sailing destinations here to spend your summer vacations at peace.

Although Europe incorporates numerous countries at your service with numerous islands spreading across different seas, the sailing experience of each sea is different from the other. To enjoy a thorough sailing experience of the country, you will surely require planning many trips to this country as one trip cannot cover every noteworthy destination. Here are the top five most popular destinations that you must not miss during your sailing holidays in Europe –

The Ionian Islands in Greece

The most favored island hopping destination in Europe is the Greek islands. They always hold the top most position in the bucket list of almost every traveler. If you are heading on sailing holidays in Greece, you must not miss out to visit the striking Ionian Islands. Starting from the picturesque scenario of Corfu to captivating Lefkada, you will surely get to explore the unmatched scenario of traditional tavernas, rugged mountains, beautiful beaches and vibrant fishing boats.

The Azores in Portugal

Incorporating a cluster of numerous tiny islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores is a volcanic island that highlights its dramatic landscapes and lush green vegetation. Horta is a perfect point to begin your travel with a boat. Situated in remote locations, these islands are completely unspoiled.

The Dalmatian Coast in Croatia

Croatia is yet another appealing travel destination for sailing in Europe that can capture great moments for you. Compared to the new Riviera or new Greece, this amazing European country offers a traditional approach to life with stunningly beautiful beaches. With more than 1185 islands along the crystalline coast of Adriatic, Croatia is the best to explore with the help of a boat. Start your tour from the renowned historic sites and end up at remote islands.

The Baltic islands of Germany

Bound by Europe mainland, Scandinavian Peninsula and Danish islands, the inland brackish sea of Germany offers some incredibly unique locations for you to explore. Starting from the Stralsund to sweeping wild landscapes of Hiddensee Island, you can also include the deserted beaches of a white sand present on Rugen Island. Moreover, if your budget allows you to extend your trip, you can also include the beautiful Danish islands and Stockholm archipelago for the fun-filled experience.

The Sporades in Greece

Another captivating Greek island, the Sporades comprises eleven beautiful islands ranging from Volos to Skiathos. It creates good chances for you to explore unspoiled blue-green waters, rich vegetation and a traditional approach towards life.

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1. Treasure Hunt

This is one of the most loved games for kids. When you have sand all around you, hiding things will become even more interesting. This game can be modified in a number of ways. One of them could be where parents can hide things under the sand and place an identifier on top of it. They can then ask the kids to guess what is there under each identifier. For example, if they have put a Kids Jewellery Box under the sand they can put a bangle over it. The article at the top will be a hint to what is under the sand.

2. Beach Bowling

Creating the bowling pins out of the sand will be the first exciting part of this game, followed by playing a game of bowling with your gang. The re-creation of pins every time will make them even more involved in the game. They can play this game in groups as well, where they can keep rotating the roles of bowling, creating pins etc.

3. Beach Funny Faces

The best way to play with the sand is to show your creativity. You can draw numerous funny faces on the beach. While creating these faces, kids can also play a game where they will talk to each other by making only faces and not speaking. This will encourage them to understand different kinds of human emotions. Who knows? We may get back a totally new set of emoticons invented by these little geniuses.

4. Sun-Dial

This is one of the easiest and simplest activities you can enjoy on a beach. You only need a stick and few pebbles, which you can get easily. Place the stick in the centre in an upright position and place the pebbles around it equidistant from each other in a circle. While chilling out and playing, kids will observe and learn how the motion of the sun is associated with our time system.

5. Sponge-Animal

Let the children understand how a certain object can absorb so much of water and become heavy. First, they can make the sponge-animals absorb water from the sea and then they can play various throwing and catching games with these sponges. When someone catches the sponge, they will be splashed with water.

6. Balloon Fish

Sitting on the sea-shore, one can easily find a couple of fishes closer to shore. Parents can show children some fishes in the sea, and can ask the kids to draw the faces of the fishes which they saw near the shore on the balloons. They can then fill balloons with water and will be happy to see the inflating of their balloon. This will make them understand how things inflate in real world.

7. Passing the Water

This game is played by more than one player. The more people, the more interesting this game will become. The main idea behind this game is to pass the water in one player’s glass, to the glass of the person who is standing right behind him. They can make themselves stand in any way. They can either stand one after the other in a straight queue or they can even form a circle.

8. Beach Ball with a Balloon

15 Cool Ways Kids Can Enjoy the Beach8Kids can place one balloon at the center of the towel, and can play a game of catch by making the balloon jump up and down on the towel. The aim will be to save the balloons from bursting.

9. Hide and Seek Castles

First, the kids will have to prepare several castles from sand and will have to name them individually. When the game will proceed, one of the kids will become the finder and rest all will try to hide behind the castle. The Finder will then guess who is behind each castle.

10. Playing with Alphabets/Numbers

The beach can be treated as a large notebook for beginners who have just started learning the alphabet, and numbers. We can help them learn the shapes of different letters and numbers by making them draw the figures on the beach. The moment the sea will erase these drawings, it will be fun for kids to re-draw them, and this will allow them to practice.

11. Beach-Tents

Kids can prepare a small beach-tent out of their bed-sheet, sticks, and some medium-sized pebbles. Sleeping in tents in jungles has always been fun for people in any age group, but one can not take kids into jungle. To make the kids feel like they are in the jungle, parents can decorate their tents in hut-like fashion, and also place some bushes around the tent.

12. Tug-O-War

One of the favorite games for all age groups, this can be played by using a simple item, like rope, and involves a lot of teamwork. The kids will learn how to make strategies to defeat their opponents. Though this game symbolizes strength, good strategies will usually prevail. Parents can include themselves in this activity to keep the game moving, as most of the time, kids will not be able to survive in this game for more than few seconds.

13. Shell-Search

The young Sherlock-Holmes can get hands-on experience searching for different kinds of shells. The person who gets the most shells will be the winner.

14. Music

Here, parents can help their kids identify the sound and rhythm of sea-waves, and how they relate to the sounds that musical instruments make. However, this activity will require quietness and an isolated beach, but the effort to find one will definitely pay-off.

15. Mom’s Bucket

This game can be taken as a war between the moms who have brought their children to the beach. The moms are required to hold the buckets 10-15 meters from the shore, and the kids will bring water from the shore to fill the bucket. Whoever fills it up first will be the winner. Here, one can utilize the timing of the waves to reduce the distance travelled to fill up the bucket quickly.

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I and the hubby were spending over one week in St. Maarten which made it the perfect time to visit. Knowing that we did not want to splurge on a resort, we scheduled a day visit, which we really did not even have to schedule.Getting to Anguilla is super easy from St. Maarten. You can go for one day and if you want to stay over, then you can. Here is what you need to know for a day trip to Anguilla:

How to Get There

 Ferry: This option is the easiest, cheapest, and the one I took. Hence, the no scheduling needed. There are two options for ferries::(the French side in St. Maarten). You do not need reservations and ferries come approximately every 40 minutes. Pay for your ticket at the ferry office which is usually $40 one way. Taxes are additional and are paid in cash. For a day trip, taxes are about $13. For permanent departures, they are approx. $28. The ferry terminal in Anguilla is called Blowing Point. Last ferry is around 6pm or so – double check with the counter!

1.  From Marigot (the French side in St. Maarten): You do not need reservations and ferries come approximately every 40 minutes. Pay for your ticket at the ferry office which is usually $40 one way. Taxes are additional and are paid in cash. For a day trip, taxes are about $13. For permanent departures, they are approx. $28. The ferry terminal in Anguilla is called Blowing Point. Last ferry is around 6pm or so – double check with the counter!
2.   From the Airport: Catch the private ferry only 1 mile away from the airport. There are many charters you can book, but it may cost you $400 per person. Here is a list of charters.

 Plane: You can catch a short flight over to Anguilla from a few neighboring islands – St. Maarten, St. Bart’s and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Anguilla Air Services offers daily flights. Flights begin at $80 per one way.

*Remember – Passports are needed as Anguilla is U.K. Territory!

Whichever way you arrive to Anguilla, the sights are beautiful. Once you get to Anguilla, there is much more to see and do. If you opt for a one day trip such as myself, plan to get a delicious French dinner in Marigot or go out for drinks late-night depending on the time of your departure. The bars get pretty busy in Anguilla and I enjoyed quite the amount of beverages at Elvis’s Beach Bar while there. Thursday nights are supposed to be “the party night” if you want to stay overnight.

Stay tuned for more adventures and beach round-ups on Anguilla!

Have you been to Anguilla? Share your experience in the comments box below!

The post How to Get to Anguilla: The Ferry vs. Plane first appeared on Vacations Find.

How Do I Get There?

Only 50 minutes away from Houston make it an easy road-trip. You will need a car to get to Galveston and rentals are inexpensive in the state as a whole.

Galveston also is a port for cruise-ships so if you want to adventure elsewhere, book yourself a cabin and hop on.If you are headed towards the port, arrange for shuttle in advance.

What is There to Do?

Up and down Galveston Island, you will find many shore-front restaurants and bars. Do try the Creole dishes and feast on a bucket of crawfish.

The waters are ok – they can be a bit murkey in this area of the Gulf of Mexico. Hit the waves, go for a surf, or bird watch. In the evening, take a sunset cruise or boat tour to party it up. The oceans here are full of watersport options.

Off the beach, head to Moody Gardens, where you can enjoy up close encounters with animals in three different pyramid settings!  I recommend it as the animals are so cute, especially these penguins!

Climate and When to Come Visit

Galveston enjoys a mild climate for most of the year with rising temperatures in the summer – May through September.

It is more prone to the possibility of hurricanes that time. One has not hit since 2008.

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How Do I Get There?

From Puerto Vallarta, there are many day and night cruises that take you to Caletas Islands.  Vallarta Adventures offers many options, one of the most popular being “Rhythms of the Night”.

What is There to Do?

Caletas Islands is a great retreat beach travelers and beach lovers. During the day, you can enjoy the white, sandy beaches. At night, you can opt for a “booze cruise’ accompanied by a show and candlelight dinner on the beach. Snorkeling is highly recommended  as well as climbing into a hammock. Go to the Hilltop Spa Center for some pampering while you’re there before or after the water activities.

For more water fun, rent a kayak to take for a ride, paddleboard, or scuba tanks.

A truelly ethnic experience is the Rhythms of the Night cruise, where you watch a Cirque de Soleil like show and learn about the culture and beliefs of the locals.

Climate and When to Come Visit

Best time to visit Las Coletas is January through April for the most sunshine. May through October is hurricane season. Weather might disrupt cruise and transportation to the islands.

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An easy trip off shore is to Long Island (not NY) but in Ireland! Don’t confuse which “Long Island” you’re visiting when you research, the name is used for many locations around the world. Read on to find out more about Long Island in Ireland:

About Long Island

Long Island is an easy escape. It is located near the village of Schull where you can decide to relax or go back and forth between the city. If you’re looking for relaxation, stay on this island. It is reported as “unspoiled” and it sure sounds that way.

How Do I Get There?

Head into Schull and take a 10 minute boat ride on Cape Clear  into Long Island. It’s only 16 Euros round-trip!

What is There to Do?

The White Tower Lighthouse is the main highlight of the island. Find it at the eastern end of the island.

There are many abandoned cottages and ruins to see. There are walking paths everywhere.

Did you know the permanent population of this island is only 6? Find yourself a quiet spot anywhere and picnic, enjoy the sights, and take in where you are.

Climate and When to Come Visit

The summer months actually get a bit crowded (July through September). If you’re looking for the hottest temps, come during those months.

If you’re looking to relax more and still enjoy finer weather, come September through October or in June.

The post Long Island, Ireland first appeared on Vacations Find.

The post THE LOVELIEST BEACHES OF ITALY first appeared on Vacations Find.

The first location is on the mainland, the second on the defence wall somewhere in the North, and the last location on an unnamed eastern mainland. Some of the scenes were also filmed on the beaches of Dubrovnik. Game of Thrones takes us in the fantasy world of seven kingdoms, through the eyes of eight characters. But through my eyes the wonders and beauty of the Dubrovnik’s beaches are very real. Your heroes have walked and admired the beauty of their kingdom on these beaches.

The beach Šulić is not occupied by the tourists, and gives you a chance to relax outside of city noise. It’s a secret tip by the locals, who like to spend a day there. It will give you peace and quiet if you like to relax on your holidays. And it is also perfect for the people that cannot stay out in the sun a lot, because its location will protect you from the direct sun rays.  There is just shade from early afternoon on. This beach will make you feel like you are Game of Thrones’ Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark or Catelyn Stark, because some of the sea battles were filmed on this beach. Do you want to visit this beach? The GPS coordinates are: 42°38’30.37″N 18° 6’13.59″E.

Do you want to know how Tyrion and Lord Varys felt, when they were planning the defence of King’s Landing in season 2? Then I suggest you check out this beach. When arriving on the beach Bokar you will be amazed by a medieval fort, because this beach is next to the Bokar fortress. So it won’t be just a day on the beach, but a trip into the interesting history of Dubrovnik. It is a gravel beach, and despite being close to city centre, the beach is peaceful and not crowded. Use this GPS coordinates to get to the beach: 42°38’28.44″N 18° 6’22.75″E.

This gravel beach is located near the city centre. It has an amazing view of the city walls and it is the most popular beach in Dubrovnik. The beach Banje is surrounded with luxury hotels and turns into a real party area, when the sun sets. There is also a big variety in available water sports, which makes this beach perfect if you are up for some adventure. This beach was in 2007 on the list of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Give it a try, and use this GPS coordinates: 42°38’29.73″N 18° 6’58.99″E.

Beach Banje

This is a small gravel bay located under the Sv. Jakob church. It is surrounded by crystal blue sea. You can also check out this beach by a ski jet or a kayak. The access to the beach Sv. Jakob is not the easiest; there are a lot of stairs. So it can present a challenge for families with small children that usually carry a lot of extra stuff to the beach, or elders. The view is amazing, you can enjoy the view of the medieval city, the King’s Landing, and admire the huge cruise ships anchored in this bay. It is not called the most beautiful beach of Dubrovnik for nothing. Don’t search for it, use this GPS coordinates: 42°38’7.05″N 18° 7’51.48″E.

Beach Sv. Jakob

King’s Landing is waiting for you. Are you brave enough to conquer it?

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Sydney, Rio and Barcelona aside, the beach is not usually synonymous with the city. But with so many amazing cities sprung near water, it is surprisingly easy to catch a suntan – or a few cheeky waves – while doing the urban crawl.

Are skyscrapers and sandy shores equal in your eyes? Dip your toes into these lesser-known beach cities around the world.

Take a break in Tel Aviv, Israel

Israel’s sophisticated second city has a cracking Mediterranean climate and a genuine beach culture. Bring your rug and matkot (paddle ball) and take a break from the city’s fine museums, cafes and galleries. There’s Hilton Beach near the hotel of the same name, where all the beautiful people splay out in style; long and golden Gordon and Frishman Beaches, which are postcard staples (but can get crowded); or our favourite at Geula, which is central but still mellow with the nargile pipes in full smoke.

Hong Kong has multiple sandy shores to choose from, including Repulse Bay © King Robert / Shutterstock

Hang out in Hong Kong

Asia’s financial hub is also a small island with lush mountain trails leading down to some lovely patches of sand, especially on the southern side. Repulse Bay is glamorous, with a high-end mall and restaurant strip overlooking calm waters, and a huge expanse of sunbathing area, while Shek O and Big Wave Bay pick up impressive swells when a daifung swirls around the South China Sea. Once you’re suitably fried, you can catch a minibus back to Soho for sundowners.

Greet the Atlantic from Porto’s shores © Fotokon / Shutterstock

Pace the promenade in Porto, Portugal

The Costa Verde is a dramatically beautiful coastline in the north of Portugal. Huge Atlantic Ocean swells pound against rocky headlands and soft sand beaches, but in stylish Porto you’ll find Praia do Carneiro, with its long promenade winding back towards the city’s castle walls. The view may upend your state of saudade, a distinctly Portuguese sense of longing for past glories. The best cure is to sip some bubbly green wine beneath your umbrella and enjoy the city’s understated northern charms.

Dive into Dakar and its surrounding beaches © Harri Jarvelainen Photography / Getty Images

Dip your toes into Dakar, Senegal

Plage de Ngor is the pick of the Senegalese capital’s many fine beaches. You can shuck oysters at humble local cafes or Euro-Afrique boltholes in between backstroking the calm strait from point to point. The weather is almost always beach-friendly; even the dry harmattan season in January and February encourages ticklish swimmers to wash off fast-moving clouds of dust. Ile de Gorée lies offshore as a grim reminder of the country’s slave history. Surf’s up a short drive south.

Not all Icelandic beaches are remote, black-sand marvels – there are hot springs too © Matthew Micah Wright / Getty Images

Raise your temperature in Reykjavík, Iceland

Nauthólsvík Beach is a man-made wonder in the heart of the Icelandic capital, where you can brave the icy North Atlantic waters until way past your bedtime. Outside of summer – or anytime really – you can boil in thermal hot tubs with clear city views. The white-sand beach is very child-friendly, but hip adults also descend on warm weekends to test their bearded extremities.

Hobart has lots of competition on the city beach front, but still sets the bar high © Jeff Miller / Getty Images

Have a child-friendly beach trip in Hobart, Australia

Perhaps Australia’s least-known beach city, Hobart boasts a number of pristine bays nestled along the bends of the River Derwent. On the eastern side sit Howrah Beach and Bellerive Beach. Never busy, but more than a tad chilly in non-summer months, both beaches are fabulous for children and the gentle conditions suit sailing, or daydreaming of a passage to Antarctica. Sandy Bay and Long Beach are popular ‘suburban’ beaches in the Tasmanian capital.

Swap skyscrapers for souks and seagulls for camels in Essaouira © kasto80 / Getty Images

Escape the norm in Essaouira, Morocco

Home to at least five music festivals, including the Gnaoua World Music Festival, Essaouira is skirted by flat, open sand beaches attracting elite kite-surfers and disoriented travellers in search of substance and a refreshing dip. Whitewashed, low-rise buildings, easy-going souks and seafood restaurants round out the exotic, windswept experience. If shopping, be on the hunt for lamps or unusual glass trinkets, but don’t leave town without a stash of new tunes.

Hit the spa after getting sandy in Pärnu © Paul Biris / Getty Images

Pamper yourself in Pärnu, Estonia

At the convergence of the Pärnu River and the Gulf of Rīga lies this stylish Estonian city, known for its 19th-century spa culture and long, bayside promenade. The Baltic summer may be short, but its days are long and its residents will take what rays they can. Shirtless younger folk on parade mix with refined older tourists from the capital Tallinn, Russia and Finland. Pärnu is synonymous with rejuvenation, whether you prefer resting in a picturesque wooden villa or up to your neck in a mud bath.

Explore the shores of Lake Michigan on a trip to Chicago © f11photo / Shutterstock

Show off your dance moves in Chicago, USA

The Windy City might not sound so appealing for a day on the beach, but Lake Michigan has a lot of edge and the locals here love to gather around it in the warmer months. The fitness set ply the paths year-round, but visit in summer when the party season kicks off and you too will laugh at the wild idea of outdoor frat-style dance parties in the city. Oakwood Beach is the current hotspot thanks to some popular music festivals and colourful murals, while 57th Street Beach is conveniently located near the city’s impressive Museum of Science and Industry. Oak Street Beach on the ‘Gold Coast’ is famous for beach volleyball, while North Avenue Beach wins the kitsch award for a bathing house modelled like an ocean liner.

When Wellington’s winds die down, chill on the beach in the city centre © denisunlusu / Getty Images

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Here are some of the essentials that you can carry in your bag when you are going to enjoy with your close friends at the seaside.

1. Swimwear-

It is one of the important items that you have to carry in the travel bag. Beach wear is available in various designs and sizes depending upon on the body shape. Bikinis are the common type of swim wear available in various colors and styles. Swim suits are of one-piece or of the two-piece. You can take one of them that suit your figure. Women who are little bulky can definitely take the one-piece suits.

2. Sunglasses and Surf Wear-

The glasses are very important to carry when you are going at a beach front. The cat-eye glasses are quite common in these days. If you really want to protect your eyes, better to take oversized goggles or an eye wear that can protect your eyes. When packing your bags, do not ever forget to put a pair of glasses in it.

Surfing is one important sport that you can try at the beach, but it is not possible to wear normal pants when you are surfing. You may carry surf wear or buy from the beach front stores. It is better to carry the garments from a reputed brand.

3. Carry Sunscreen Lotions and Creams-

One of the worst things about the beach holiday is the tanning. The sunrays are directly falling on the skin, increasing the rate of melanin production. You can carry sunscreen lotions of the good brand that can reduce tanning and keep your skin in good condition.

4. Umbrella and Chairs-

Umbrellas and chairs are very common at the beach. It is not possible to carry the chairs in the travel bag. You can buy one from the beach front store to enjoy the sun rays. The umbrella is an essential item for seaside holidays.

These are some of the items that you can very important at the seafront occasions and parties. Apart from the above-discussed items, you can carry hats, slippers, t-shirts, and towels. If you want to keep your travel bag light in weight, buy these items from the stores at the beach front.

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