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The Caribbean is a destination of luxury that is second to none. There is such a wide range of Caribbean holidays that visitors will always find their special place for a dream break.

Stretching from the coast of the United States to the edge of South America where Aruba sits only a few dozen miles from the coast of Venezuela, the Caribbean is dotted with islands large and small. The intimacy of Antigua and Barbuda contrasts with the bigger Dominican Republic but wherever a visitor goes, a warm welcome and luxury settings can always be found.

Sailing is immensely popular in the region, and the islands are a stepping off point for many water sports, including windsurfing, deep sea fishing, snorkelling, diving and even paragliding. Land sports enthusiasts will find top quality golf courses everywhere, tennis courts and fitness centres, as well as opportunities for mountain biking and hiking the volcanic trails and rugged island interiors.

Those seeking a more peaceful time can luxuriate in the many well-appointed spas, with their well-being treatments, saunas, steam rooms and masseurs. Caribbean holidays are ideal for a romantic honeymoon destination as couples share exotic cocktails on the veranda of their suite and gaze out on spectacular sunsets as the sea gently washes the shore.

Gourmets will be more than satisfied with the cuisine on offer, from robust and delicious local dishes to the great variety of fish available everywhere. Top quality international food can be found throughout the Caribbean, a truly gastronomic experience.

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Visiting cottage country in Ontario Canada can be relaxing, adventurous and entertaining, depending on which area of the province you decide to go to.  Ontario boasts many cottage country areas like the Huronia, Muskoka and Haliburton regions.  Visitors should decide first what kind of cottage or beach holiday they would like, and then find the region that best suits their needs.  For the more adventurous, Wasaga Beach has plenty of nightlife and swimming opportunities, while Bracebridge has a small town feel perfect for those wanting to get away from the city.

Huronia

The Huronia region of Ontario boasts Wasaga Beach, the world’s longest fresh water beach.  With six provincially owned parks and beach settings, Wasaga itself offers different kinds of cottage and hotel experiences.  Wasaga has Go Kart tracks, mini golf and Nancy Island Historical Site for those interested in history.  Collingwood, which is located about 20km from Wasaga Beach, offers a small town atmosphere full of culture and its own large park and beach area.  The popular Elvis festival hits the town every July, bringing the singer’s fans to the town for a three day weekend period. 

Muskoka

The ever popular Muskoka region offers Bracebridge, home to Santa’s Village.  It’s full of small town friendliness in a cottage country setting.  Gravenhurst offers several beaches, arts and craft shows and great shopping for any visitor.  Finally, Huntsville and Lake of Bays boast beautiful lakeside settings and beaches.   

Haliburton

Haliburton’s cottage country setting is relaxing and fun with Twelve Mile Beach, Bissett Beach, Horseshoe Lake, Foster’s Beach and Rotary Park Minden located close by.

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British winters can sometimes feel dreary, and it is during these months that the attraction of sunnier climates becomes an irresistible pull.  The Indian Ocean is home to the Maldives, which often attract visitors looking for some fun in the sun, with the added benefit of complete relaxation. 

There are many types of accommodation available on Maldives holidays, depending on the visitor’s budget and personal taste.  However, luxury holidays in the Maldives can be a realistic option, as they will often offer more value for money than other popular holiday destinations.     

Visitors looking for indulgence will often use one of the many different luxury hotels on the different Maldivian islands.  The star rating is often the determining factor as to the type of luxury treatment you will receive.  The cost of five star luxury hotels is reflected in the type of services on offer; for example, you will be able to enjoy dining in the hotel restaurant, and breakfast will be included.

Some luxury hotels offer their guests a chance to indulge in spa treatments as part of the package, or at least at a fraction of the price that a non-resident guest will pay.  Rooms with access to private beaches are also available and are ideal for visitors who are looking to add some romance to their holiday.  Discounts on diving and snorkelling instructions are also available to guests that stay in certain luxury hotels.  Regardless of personal choice, Maldives holidays are sure to offer a luxurious experience with the famed Maldivian hospitality.

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Thrill seekers visiting Canada might want to plan a holiday around amusement parks.  Visiting the country during the summer months will give you a wide range of activities and festivals that the whole family can enjoy.

Canada’s Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland is the country’s largest amusement park, and is located in the city of Vaughn, Ontario.  The park opens in April and runs until Halloween with special events, plenty of rides and even a large outdoor water park.  The park also features theatre shows for the whole family, and hosts concerts by high profile artists.

Wild Water Kingdom

For travellers who enjoy the water park experience, the Wild Water Kingdom surely will not disappoint.  This large outdoor water park – the largest in Canada – includes plenty of water slides, a lazy river and wave pool.  The park also has batting cages, splash pads and mists, which guest can cool off under.  Additionally, there are various dining options available.

Marineland

Marineland offers the best in marine life watching and shows.  In addition to this, it is also an amusement park filled with thrilling rides.  It is located not far from the world famous Niagara Falls.  Visitors can whale watch at Friendship Cove for killer whales, visit Arctic Cove to see polar bears, or visit the beluga whales.  The park offers rides for thrill seekers and kids alike, as well as entertaining shows.  Visitors wishing to camp have access to a nearby camping ground.  Alternatively, there are some hotels a short drive away.

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In the warmth of the western Indian Ocean lie the Seychelles, a group of islands which are a byword for seclusion, peace and tranquillity. As a destination for luxury holidays it offers visitors the finest of food and accommodation, a rich natural environment with rare vegetation and wildlife and a relaxed culture dedicated to the well-being of its guests.

The gentle lapping of waves on the pristine white beaches and the spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the turquoise waters of the ocean are enough reason for the Seychelles to be a magnet for those seeking a quiet, romantic holiday. Mix in cocktails on the veranda of a suite and a choice of top quality restaurants with gourmet food on offer and there is a recipe for perfection.

The natural world is unparalleled with botanists and ornithologists drawn by the variety of rare species of plant and bird life. The magnificent Coco-de-Mer palm tree with its enormous and strangely shaped seeds are wonderful to see and many people take to the inland trails in the hope of spotting the endangered Seychelles Black Parrot, the national bird of the archipelago.

Seychelles holidays are perfect for water sports, with a huge variety of activities available. Scuba diving is very popular as the underwater world is teeming with exotic tropical fish shoals darting in and out of the reefs and non-divers can witness these incredible sights from the comfort of a glass-bottomed boat.

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There is hardly anything in the world that can compete with the billowing sail of a windjammer as it escapes to unspoiled corners of paradise in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and other coastal waters around the world.

These are not typical cruise deals, instead, the true magnificence of sailing is part of the total adventure, and these tall masted ships will inspire the explorer in anyone. The days fill with the exotic sounds and sights of the high seas and tropical locations, while the nights will be peaceful and relaxing, sleeping under the stars.

While some cruise lines offer a more elaborate package aboard oversized replicas of sailing ships, many of the sailing ships used in adventure cruise holidays are actual refitted schooners, barquentines and brigantines, all two or three-masted sailing vessels.  

No one needs to be an experienced sailor, but a sense of adventure is required. However, sailing ship crews welcome and encourage passenger involvement with rigging, steering and sailing.

Generally the staff to passenger ratio is anywhere between 2:1 and 4:1, making the entire holiday one of fun and excitement, but no worries. Cabins tend to be stripped down but comfortable, and some are equipped with individual bathrooms. The cook serves meals in the mess hall on board, there is deck space for looking out over the horizon, and Zodiac landing crafts ferry passengers between the shoreline and the vessel.

These cruises are perfect for adventurous single travelers, and quite popular with couples between the ages of 24-55. There are no facilities for children or disabled passengers on these scaled down sailing ships.

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Wells Gray Park is located near Clearwater, in the western part of Canada. The park encompasses a section of wilderness that includes thick forests, raging rivers, calm lakes, craggy peaks and sloping hills. The rugged Cariboo Mountains take up much of the park, feeding the serene lakes in the valleys with glacial water and the lake system is dotted with wilderness camping sites for canoeists and boaters.

For anyone seeking complete silence, Murtle Lake is the largest canoe-only lake in the world. There are dozens of waterfalls in the park; Helmcken Falls, at 145m high, is the most famous and water cascades three times farther than Niagara Falls. Though remote, you will inevitably stumble upon others while hiking or canoeing. For those looking for adventure, there is white water rafting and kayaking on the churning Clearwater River. Wildlife is abundant in the area, as it is a protected ecological reserve. You might see bears, elk, deer, wolves, bald eagles and a wide variety of fish. Tours are available by horse, bike, canoe and helicopter.

The climate in this region is variable and temperatures can soar to the mid 30s in the summer months, with more temperate conditions in the spring and autumn and heavy snowfalls in the winter. You can stay at several campsites, which are suitable for both tents and caravans. There is also holiday accommodation in the form of hotels, guest ranches and bed and breakfasts. 

Kamloops, the closest major centre to Wells Gray Park, is some 126km to the south and the area is accessible by car, bus and airplane. Flights arrive daily from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.

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Even in today’s modern world, those with disabilities sometimes face difficulties in all areas of their lives. However, today’s cruise lines have made great strides in providing services for the disabled.

Cruise lines have retro fitted some of the older ships with wider corridors, grab bars in the bathrooms and lower thresholds. Some ships include Braille elevator buttons for the blind and ADA kits for the hearing impaired. Some ships will allow a Seeing Eye guide dog, although getting the necessary permits and health records can hinder bringing a dog onboard. However, most cruise lines require that a disabled person have a personal companion.

Newer ships have built-in facilities for the disabled and common rooms are accessible by wheelchair, walker or cane. Some of the cruise lines have special cabins designated for the disabled.

While few ships score 100% in disability services, Royal Caribbean has seven ships that provide accommodation specifically for the disabled. The Freedom, the Independence and the Liberty provide living spaces for over 30 disabled passengers, while the Brilliance, the Jewel of the Seas, the Radiance and the Serenade each have slightly less spaces.

Princess Cruises offer Braille elevator buttons, ADA kits, and wheelchair accessible cabins, suites and staterooms on the Crown Princess, the Ruby Princess and the Emerald Princess.

The degree of disability is always a factor, and some passengers will have greater mobility than others. For those who prefer to travel with others who share their disability, some cruise lines offer chartered cruises for the elderly, dialysis patients, the hearing impaired, the visually impaired, those in wheelchairs and others tailored to a specific disability.

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If you are one of the millions of people who were awed by the film locations used in the Lord of the Rings movies, then you were likely stunned New Zealand’s South Island.  This impossibly beautiful, sparsely populated island will ‘wow’ you at every turn.

Not to dismiss the gorgeous North Island, but the South Island really does contain some of the most beautiful natural landscapes on Earth.  The minute you arrive in pretty Picton you are greeted by the lush green Marlborough Sounds; little islands that dot the channel that separates the North and South islands, and offer perfect walking trips for all abilities.  On the west coast, you can get lost in ancient karst forests and limestone arches in the Oparara Basin.  Further inland, you will marvel at the strange Pancake Rocks – a unique mix of erosion and geology, resulting in some amazing and noisy displays of the forces of nature.

Of course, you simply can’t miss the glaciers here.  If you have got the cash, make sure you heli-hike onto either Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier to get up close and personal with these incredible natural wonders.  Similarly, you can arrange a trip where you can fly up to snow capped Mount Cook, the highest point in New Zealand.  You will also want to make time to get yourself to the fjord-like Milford Sounds and take a tranquil boat ride – or a shower at one of the waterfalls if you are brave enough.

There is simply too much to this outstandingly beautiful place to be able to do justice to here, so it is best you just get there and see for yourself!

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The Maldives, or the Republic of Maldives, is a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean and a prime luxury holiday destination. 1,190 coral islands make up the Maldives, spread over 90,000 square kilometres making the country one of the most dispersed in the world. The population of the Maldives, around 400,000 people, inhabit just 200 of these islands, while 90 or so have been developed as luxurious holidays resorts. Popular as a destination for water sports the Maldives are also one of the prime scuba-diving destinations in the world. A huge number of tropical fish, turtles and friendly sharks can be seen while exploring the coral reefs. Maldives holidays offer an opportunity to explore this unique group of islands and enjoy everything this country has to offer.

With their idyllic location, the Maldives is also a very popular choice for honeymoons. Many resorts offer exclusive packages geared directly towards newlyweds, ensuring a perfect luxury holiday is experienced during their honeymoon. Although it is not possible for foreign nationals to get married in the Maldives, couples that are already married can renew their vows in the country with a romantic ceremony.

Often people who take their holidays in the Maldives choose to make their stay a part of a multi-centre holiday. While there is plenty on offer for visitors to the Maldives, it is also possible to split your holiday and visit destinations such as Sri Lanka, Dubai and Bangkok, all of which offer contrasting cultural and social experiences to those of the Maldives.

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