Learn to Surf: Finding the Best Beaches

If you've never surfed before, entry into the sport can be intimidating. Perhaps you're struggling with the clumsy shape of the surfboard as you lope from your car to the shoreline, or perhaps you're concerned with what the other surfers are thinking as you surface after a wipe out. The most important consideration for you as you prepare to catch your first waves, however, should concern the location. A crowded beach with aggressive waves can be a very different (and daunting) experience for a new surfer, while a less frequented beach with sandy bottoms and slow, easy surf might be just right.

The first - and easiest - step is simply to ask a friend who surfs. They were beginners at one point, too, and while they might not appreciate the difficulty gradient of waves, they will no doubt be aware of the local beaches that attract the largest crowds. Even better, ask your friend to take you to one of the beaches with less traffic and surf with you, offering advice and guidance that could very well amount to a private tutorial.

If you don't have a friend who surfs, you can consult the Internet. If you live near several beaches, there will most likely be a regional guide for the area that addresses the wave difficulty and popularity of individual beaches. You could also look on a surfing website. Some of the more popular surfing 'hubs' include exhaustive lists of worldwide beaches and user reviews.

If you're prepared to make an even bigger investment to pursuing surfing, you might consider a surf tour that caters to beginners. You won't have to shoulder the stress of selecting the ideal location for a beginner, because this will be one of many trip details the travel company will have already addressed. In accessing expert instruction from your earliest days on the board, you're also sure not to cultivate the wrong habits or technique when surfing. Finally, you'll have the opportunity to make connections with others new to the sport and possibly continue to motivate one another as your surfing performance improves.

If you're interested in surfing, you shouldn't let the dilemma of finding the 'perfect beach' keep you from catching a wave. Instead, ask a friend, consult the Internet, or sign on to a beginners' surf tour. At this point, you have little to lose but your balance - and this, of course, is only temporary.

The Best Holiday Destinations in October

The weather in October is mild and this makes it one of the ideal months for you to take a vacation, whether it's for a few days or a few weeks. If you want a beach holiday in the Indian Ocean, then some of the best places for you to go on a vacation are Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles. Mauritius has a very pleasant and mild weather in October and you can stay at fabulous hotels, enjoy water sports and much more in the Mauritian paradise. The hotels and resorts are fabulous and you are going to be served and pampered and you would never want to leave.

Seychelles has got one hundred and forty five beautiful islands that are all yours to explore, in addition to dreamy beaches and great hotels. For a perfect relaxing vacation, you should go to Seychelles and unwind. The islands of Maldives offer even greater luxury. They are perfect for those who can afford high standards of luxury.

One of the greatest events that take place in October is the Festival of Lights. It takes place in Berlin, Germany and all the famous landmarks are illuminated on the occasion and exciting events and fireworks also take place. To taste the best foods, you should visit Tuscany during the food festival in October when the weather there is warm and sunny and different delicious menus are prepared to celebrate the time of harvest.

While making plans for travelling, another great sight is the wildebeast migration in Tanzania that happens at the end of October. More than a million animals head back to the South. You'll be able to get accommodation in a Safari camp.

If you want to take a vacation in early October, then the best places for you to visit and enjoy the sights and festivals of are Morocco, Nepal, Bhutan, Japan, Vanuatu, Korea and also Madagascar where the ceremonies of turning bones takes place during October.

In case you intend to take a vacation at the end of October, there are some places that you ought to visit first because of good weather and secondly due to exciting festivals that take place. The first place is Egypt where there is the Celebration of Ramses at the end of October. In Japan, there is the procession of historical costumes that is truly interesting.

In Korea, there is the cultural festival and Argentina has the trade fair at the end of October. All these things are evidence that October is a very happening month worldwide and it would be great if you take a vacation during October.

Some other great places for you to spend your October holidays are China, Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Tibet, Tunisia, Peru, Nepal, Mali, Jordan, Madagascar, and Zanzibar. All these are places that have the perfect October weather highly suitable for your vacations. For the perfect beach holiday, some of the places you can visit are Dubai, Bahrain, Crete, Bali, Hawaii and Cairns.

The Best Ibiza Beaches

Long time Ibiza goer John Thompson gives an insight into Ibiza's best beaches. There are over 60 beaches in Ibiza and most are assessable by car or bike. Holidays in Ibiza offer great scope for people wanting to explore as you can drive from one end to the other within an hour. The less crowded beaches can be found in the south of the island and are more secluded. Major tourist beaches tend to surround San Antonio, Santa Eulalia and Playa den Bossa.

Not surprisingly the beaches are most crowded from June to September although the waters are warm from late April until the end of October. The Mediterranean climate keeps Ibiza warm for much of the year and out of season is a great time to holiday in Ibiza. Villas in Ibiza are very cheap out of season and worth looking into.

If you are looking for peace and quiet after a hard nights clubbing then there are some magnificent unpopulated beaches that are definitely worth making the extra effort to get to. Cala Xarraca in the north of the island is surrounded by cliffs and has little sign of life making for a very idyllic day out. Cala d'Hort has views out to the stunning Es Vedra rock and is well worth the drive down to the far south west. If you're looking for a hippy experience, watching the sun go down then Cala Bennirras is a great place to visit. There are a variety of performers every night from circus acts to hippies, to musicians. Fire breathing and juggling are also popular.

Ibiza has many nudist and gay friendly beaches making it a very cosmopolitan place to visit. Notable beaches are Es Cavallet and Los Molinos (Figueretas) on the south east side of the island.

For those who have more than a few days on, the island then Formentera is definitely worth a visit as they have Europe's finest beaches. The majority of beaches fly the covered Blue Flag which highlights the cleanliness of the crystal clear blue water. There are good windsurfing and catamaran centres on Es Pujols and Migjorn beach for those who want some activity.

For people looking for cool places to hang out with music and nice loungers there are a number of beach clubs that offer a very nice beach experience. New this year is Amante (formally Sol den serra) down a dirt track near Cala Llonga, check out the breakfast yoga club. There is the Delano and Ashuaia in Playa Den Bossa bringing a new lease of live to the stretch of beach opposite space. Added to this you have the old favourites of Sa Trinxa at Salinas and Blue Marlin at Cala Jondal. Beach life has never been this good in Ibiza!

Top Beaches in Europe

The best beaches around the world are generally those that are clean, affordable, and beautiful. There is not much more criteria to consider when thinking of the best beaches. Europe's top beaches are often linked with Europe's generally high prices, but with better planning, you can reduce the cost of your travel and accommodations at one of these beautiful beaches.

Although what puts a beach at the top of someone's list is subjective, as long as a place is popular and affordable, it is bound to be at the top of anybody's list. Even at the most popular beaches in Europe, you can avoid the crowds but still party and have a great time by following some recommendations.

Ibiza is an island known for being the party island especially in the summer when vacationers flock to its shores. Cala d'en Sera beach is a more secluded part of the island away from the raging parties and 24-hour clubs that are throughout the island. Located in the north part of Ibiza, Cala d'en Sera beach is not as active as the rest of Ibiza with young backpackers and travelers alike. Instead, it boasts only its beautiful waters and a relaxing oceanfront bar, and it gives you more of a taste of local Ibiza life. Due to the significantly smaller number of tourists that pass through here, Cala d'en Sera is more affordable with prices geared towards the locals.

Moving north, St. Tropez, France, is one of the most famous and most popular beaches in Europe. Due to its popularity, St. Tropez is expensive is crowded with tourists. Despite all of this, it still attracts tourists every year because of its beautiful beaches and resorts, casinos, wineries, and festivals. St. Tropez is also famous for its nude beaches, but, as with any other place, be sure to maintain the proper etiquette while visiting.

Another one of the top beaches in Europe is further north in Europe, in Sopot, Poland on the Baltic Sea. The population of the town is relatively small at about 50,000 people, which allows this beach to fly relatively under the radar of tourists looking for beaches to visit. Already well-known in Europe, Sopot is famous for its water sports and is becoming evermore popular amongst tourists, but it has yet to reach the high European prices that other beaches on the continent have. Sopot is family friendly as well, and there are many popular things to do there. You can walk the wooden pier in Sopot, which is one of the longest Europe at about 5 kilometers in length, or you can visit Bohaterow Monte Cassino, a pedestrian street vibrant with cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Europe may be expensive, but your trip to a beach in Europe does not necessarily have to be. You can avoid crowds by straying off the beaten path from time to time. By planning ahead, and by visiting some more of the overlooked beaches in Europe, you can enjoy a stay at one of Europe's top, most beautiful beaches.

Puerto Vallarta Beaches - Top 10

When talking Puerto Vallarta, you are talking of more than 40 miles of coastline along the Bay of Banderas. Some interesting beaches are just a few minutes away from the bay, like Sayulita in the North or Yelapa in the South.

So, the diversity is huge and each place has its charm, but taking all in consideration, there are still some beaches that are better than others and knowing that the traveler has limited time and is in need of some insight information, here it is our Top 10 of Puerto Vallarta's Best Beaches:

1. Yelapa

As a "pure beach" Yelapa is definitely the best. Hidden in a remote little bay, to get to Yelapa you will have to take a "panga" (water taxi) at Los Muertos Pier, for a 45-minute journey by sea. There are no roads to this beautiful little village, keeping it away from the noise of civilization and tourists. Those who visit Yelapa simply fall in love with the "magic" of the place. No cars, very few telephones, just the beach between the ocean and the jungle, and a few scattered palapas along the sand to enjoy nature and feel alive...

2. Destiladeras

Near the northern end of the Bay of Banderas and just a 40-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta's Downtown, Destiladeras is a favorite of locals. It's a big open beach, with nearly no restaurants or business at all, perfect for a picnic day in the sand, a game of soccer or for surfing its great waves. On Saturdays and Sundays there are a lot of people at Destiladeras, but that's not a big problem as the beach is so large that you will only have to walk a while to find a lonely spot for you to have some privacy. Here, you will feel how vallartenses enjoy the beach.

3. Los Muertos

It's the liveliest beach in Puerto Vallarta, right at the heart of Old Town Vallarta, just south of the river Cuale. Here is where you will find more restaurants and bars by the beach, with plenty of palapas where you can enjoy fresh seafood and a cold Margarita while resting your feet in the sand. It's also the easiest to reach, which make for a nice combination of locals and tourists that you can't find at any other beach.

4. Sayulita

A 50-minutes drive North of Puerto Vallarta's Downtown, Sayulita is the beach of the good vibe and bohemian attitude. Surfers love this beach and its camping sites, which make for a vibrant nightlife at the bars and cafes of the little town. Here, you will get an idea of how was Puerto Vallarta some 40 years ago. There are restaurants along the beach and many stands for surf lessons and massages. Great for taking your dog with you, as nobody will complain here as it is the most laid back beach of the region.

5. Mismaloya

The most famous beach of Puerto Vallarta, and the one that put it on the international spotlight. In 1964, John Huston chose it as the location for the filming of his movie "The Night of the Iguana" starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Huston was just married to a young lady called Elizabeth Taylor who also made the trip. Nothing was ever the same for Puerto Vallarta and Mismaloya. After the filming, airlines opened up new routes to Puerto Vallarta and big hotel chains started the change that's been taking place in Vallarta ever since. Nevertheless, Mismaloya still keeps that atmosphere that cautivated Huston, very Mexican, very cozy, with the jungle and palapas completing the picture. But if you want to have a better idea of how was Mismaloya when Huston picked it for his movie, you should visit our next beach...

6. Quimixto

Quimixto is another hidden beach south of Puerto Vallarta. With no more than 200 families living there, you will find no touristic ambience and you will be able to breathe the authentic Mexico. Accessible only by boat, which adds to the tropical experience, Quimixto has a lot to offer; just relaxing at the beach is a must, but afterwards, snorkeling or taking a horseback ride to a waterfall deep into the jungle are great options. If you want to go back in time and discover a place from some other age, this is your day trip.

7. El Anclote

Located at Punta Mita, the northern end of the Bay of Banderas, is a broad, sandy beach with a few great palapa restaurants. Is the only public beach left at Punta Mita, as the accesses to all the others have been closed by the big resorts and real estate developments. The Four Seasons is the reference when talking Punta Mita, so you can have an idea of the beauty of the beach. Is very frequented by locals and it counts with protected swimming areas and it is also the best place to take a water taxi to the Marietas Islands, which are a Biosphere Reserve protected by UNESCO, great for diving, snorkeling and watching the great humpback whales!

8. Colomitos

Another southern beach with access only by boat. It's normally mentioned in the same talk than Yelapa and Quimixto, but each one has its own personality. To get to Colomitos, you first have to go to Boca de Tomatlan, 25 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta's Downtown and from there, it starts an interesting hike of another half an hour through the jungle, that will take you to this beautiful little cove, undiscovered by most, and where peace and silence can be found all over the place.

9. Bucerias

Beautiful town just 25 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta's Downtown with a broad beach and unpretentious attitude. In the winter season it gets plenty of expats from USA and Canada that have made it their winter home and the place gets very animated during the afternoons. The beach is very quiet and perfect for children and it's a good idea for a beach day not very extenuating or long.

10. Peninsula

This one might be a reach, but is the one where I use to go with my girl and dog. It's right in the middle of the hotel zone, so its best asset is that it's very centric and that you don't have to do much planning in advance to have a good time. It's the beach of two of the most exclusive condo developments in town, Peninsula and Grand Venetian, so that by itself says a lot. It has the Pitillal river in the middle, which brings fresh water and sometimes it opens up a beach arm between the sea and the river, where your dog will get crazy running and playing. There is a little cozy restaurant by the river, with typical Mexican music and cold beers that make my Sundays perfect and I strongly recommend it to you.

The Best Beaches in Florida for You!

Where can you find the best beaches in Florida? It depends on what you like to do.

Do you prefer a quiet beach or one with lots of activity? What about diving, snorkeling or surfing?

Do you want bring the whole family, and have everyone enjoy the day?

Come and find some of the best beaches in Florida.

Active Beaches

If you're high energy and like to rent "beach toys" like jetskis and kayaks, Florida has several beaches that would suit you just fine! Two of the more popular are Daytona Beach and Key West. As a bonus, these beaches are great for people-watching!

Quiet Beaches in Florida

Although Florida has developed most of the coasts with condos, beach houses and resorts, there are still some quiet Florida beaches around.

There's a jewel in South Florida most people don't know about, called MacArthur Beach State Park. In the Panhandle there are lots of wide, sandy beaches on the barrier islands -- some of which see very few people.

The Spacecoast, too, as a treasure in the Canaveral National Seashore.

Beaches With Resorts

The answer is there are tons of such beaches! Some of the more popular include Panama City, Sanibel, Ft. Lauderdale and Daytona. There are all kinds of price ranges, although Sanibel and Ft. Lauderdale tend to cost more.

Snorkeling and Diving Beaches

The Florida Keys has myriad beaches where you can snorkel and dive to your heart's content in the warm, clear tropical waters.

South Florida as well as some clear water and interesting reefs. Check out MacArthur Beach State Park for the worm reefs just off the beach.

What Else?

There are beaches in Florida where you can camp, bring your four-legged friend, surf and more. The best beaches in Florida are the ones that fit your vacationing style!

The Top Beaches in the World

After lots of lying on sand and swimming in the sea - painstaking research to be sure. My family and I have produced our Beach Guides.

This article looks at some of the best beaches near Venice but our main guide features many more top beaches in Italy.

Many people are quite surprised to learn that there are great beaches near Venice. Here we look at the best two:

Albarella Beach

Albarella is perhaps the best of the beaches near Venice. The beach is on an island that falls within a nature reserve.

The island is completely private - only guests staying here are allowed in and this place is really paradise if you have kids - my five year old son absolutely loves the place.

If the kids have had enough of all the history in Venice, and mine usually has by lunch on the first day, then this is a great place to escape for a while and make them happy.

The benefits are numerous for a great family holiday. Some of the best points are:

o Virtually car free - you need to walk, cycle or catch the little island train to get around, which makes this island a fabulous place to explore and the kids can run free.

o Great concerts, shows and live entertainment in the summer.

o Superb choice of sports including a great golf course and Europe's biggest salt water swimming pool.

o Nearly every type of water sport from sailing to deep sea diving.

Alberoni

Alberoni is the last and best Lido beach. Not anything spectacular but definitely a pleasant enough beach and free as well.

Surprisingly it does not look quite as much like an umbrella landing zone as so many of the beaches around the north of Italy and frankly I am not much into regimented rows of deck chairs and umbrellas.

The beach is set in a nature reserve and really does seem a world away from the hustle and bustle of Venice. A great idea if you feel energetic is to hire a bike and explore the island.