Crete - City of Chania - 1866 Plateau

The 1866 Plateau is located on the west part of the city, on the way to the "Kisamos" exit. In the past, this region was part of the Ottoman cemetery, which was extending to the west. This plateau is one of "green" areas of the city, with many plants and statues of the heroes of the Cretan revolutions and an elegant Arabic fountain. Its name refers to the grand and bloody 3-year Cretan revolution (1866 - 1869) against the Turks, which resulted to the holocaust of "Arcadi".
Chania Vacation Rentals

Athens - Palea Fokea Beach

Palea Fokea (or Palaia Phokea)  is a nice sandy beach southeast of Athens. A beautiful fishing port adds to the beach charm. Several restaurants on the beach offer what the local fishermen provide.
Athens Vacation Rentals

Athens, Greece - Vouliagemi

Vouliagmeni is a beautiful and picturesque peninsula, situated on the eastern edge of Athens (just 20 Km from the center of Athens), known from the famous lake with the mineral water spa and an outstanding mild climate that makes all-year round holidays possible.
 
Athens Vacation Rental

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands - Devil's Bay Beach

Devil's Bay Beach - This National Park is accessible by boat or by walking through the trails of The Baths. The beach is pure white sand and sprinkled with large granite boulders. Its deep blue waters make for excellent diving and snorkelling.
Virgin Gorda Vacation Rentals

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands - The Baths

The Baths - A National Park made up of a series of small sea pools lying beneath a canopy of giant granite boulders. These sheltered light-filled grottoes create a unique setting to swim and explore. Snorkelling along the outside perimeter of both The Baths and Devil's Bay reveals an area rich in colourful fish and coral.
Virgin Gorda Vacation Rentals

Tortola - Brewer's Bay Beach

Brewer's Bay, once the site of several sugar plantations and distilleries (hence its name) is just around the eastern point by boat or over a steep hill by car from Cane Garden Bay. Ruins can be seen on the beach and along the road going out of the bay to town. In winter, the campground here is home to an interesting group of travellers who return year after year. The water offers some of the best snorkelling on the island because of its many reefs.
Tortola Vacation Rentals

Tortola - Shark Bay at Brewer's Bay

This 18.4 acre nature preserve is located on a dramatic point above Brewer's Bay on the island's north shore. It has several interesting ecological features, which include very large boulders and forms a unique cave once inhabited by bats but is now a resting place for weary hikers. There is also a collection of orchids nestled between the boulders and several pelicans enjoy the bay as well.
Tortola Vacation Rentals

St. Thomas - Hull Bay

A favorite beach for local fishermen, families and surfers. It offers the best surfing on St. Thomas when there is a north swell.
St. Thomas Vacation Rentals

St. Thomas - Lindquist Beach

One of St. Thomas's most beautiful and pristine beaches, Lindquist Beach is situated on the east end of the island. The water is crystal-clear and typically calm. The left side of the beach is great for snorkeling.
St. Thomas Vacation Rentals

St. Johns - Snorkling at Salomon and Honeymoon Bays

At Salomon and Honeymoon Bays gently sloping, soft sand eases your way to the sea. The water is calm and shallow. These are excellent beaches for beginning snorkelers to experience the wonders of our undersea environment. On the edges of the bays, along the rocky shorelines and around the point between the beaches are a type of coral reef known as fringing reef. A fringing reef is a relatively young reef which grows outward from the shoreline. In the center of the bays the sand beach extends into the water and the bottom gradually changes to coral rubble with some coral heads in deeper water.
St. Johns Vacation Rental

St. Johns - Virgin Islands National Park

Only nine miles long & three miles wide, two thirds of the island is the Virgin Islands National Park, so its spectacular beaches & untouched forests will remain that way for generations to come & be accessible to all. There are tours of the National Park by Jeep or safari bus & hikes on spectacular trails led by Park Rangers who enrich the experience with talks on the island's history & geology as well as its flora & fauna.
St. Johns Vacation Rentals

St. Croix - Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge

Spectacular, secluded stretch of beach in the southwest corner of St. Croix. The park was established primarily to protect the March-June nesting grounds of endangered leatherback turtles. It just so happens that it is also one of the longest stretches of white, sandy beach in the Caribbean - spanning over 2 miles long. The beach is open only on Saturdays and Sundays, There are no facilities, so bring a cooler and take your trash back out with you! Be careful where you walk, you might just disturb a turtle nest.
St. Croix Vacation Rentals

St. Croix - Coakley Bay Beach

On the East end of St. Croix, is a gorgeous, long and mostly deserted strip of Caribbean sand. Many areas in the water has a lot of sea grass, so you'll see it washed up on the beach if there has been some wave activity. There are also many areas with a sandy bottom which is great for swimming. You'll hardly see anyone on the beach, except for during the weekends, when locals will traditionally come to spend the day with family and friends.
St. Croix Vacation Rentals

St. Barts Fishing Holiday

Everybody owns a boat of some kind in St. Barts, and most are used for fishing. There are twenty or so professional fishermen who provide the local restaurants with fresh lobster, fish and conchs. Big game fishing provides amateurs with exciting days in the open sea: catches are frequent and some are huge. From May to September, you can measure yourself against the blue or white marlin when, strapped in your fighting seat, you'll have succeeded in taming it, the practise is to release it after tagging, not to deprive the under marine realm of such a lord.; from December to April delicious bull-nosed dolphin abound; and the whole year round, wahoo, tuna, and barracuda are waiting for your bait. Fishing with a spear-gun without bottles is permitted 200 yards from the beaches for fish that have reached a certain size, but is more sporting to trap lobsters with a loop.
St. Barts Vacation Rental

St. Barts - Underwater Holiday

The pleasures of underwater observation are magical. The branch corals are recovered from the last hurricanes, and the massive corals are in full bloom, with multicolored coral fish everywhere. Each bay has a reef to be explored, each islet has its walls and caves. The most spectacular dives are around Pain de Sucre, an islet off Gustavia harbour, or around a small cape, l'Ane Rouge, off Colombier bay.

St. Barts Vacation Rentals

Puerto Rico - For those who love the water

With hundreds of miles of coastline and an eternal summer weather, Puerto Rico offers a different beach for every day of the year, from the pure white dunes of Isabela to the black volcanic sands near Punta Santiago in Maunabo. You can even choose your level of excitement, from a stroll in the shimmering shallow waters at Luquillo to a romp in the boisterous surf of Rincón.  For visitors looking to get close to the water, but not necessarily submerge in it, Puerto Rico offers various other water sports. You can be windsurfing, sailing or fishing the deep seas, rivers, lakes or bays. For a little more action, you can go kayaking on the Tanamá River or the Caribbean Sea, or body surf down a rushing mountain stream.
Puerto Rico Vacation Rentals

Puerto Rico - Rincón "Surfing Capital of the Caribbean"

Rincón, which means "corner" in Spanish, indeed occupies a remote corner at the westernmost tip of the island. Its privileged position guarantees you a perfect place from which to view the glorious tropical sunsets as they splash over the broad canvas of the sea.  Rincón was the site of the World Surfing Championships in 1968, and since then has gained a reputation as the surfing capital of the Caribbean. A generation of international surfers has challenged the fast and furious offshore waves; so many have settled in the village that it has developed an expatriate subculture.  Rincón straddles the rough Atlantic and the gentle Caribbean, so its six beaches provide the best of both worlds. The town's public beach is especially popular among families who enjoy its calm and clear blue waters, and the convenience of parking spaces, rest rooms and food stands. In the unlikely case that you tire of swimming, snorkeling or sunning here, the area is perfect for collecting seashells and sea glass. The proximity to the Mona Passage, the winter highway for migrating humpback whales, makes Rincón an ideal place for whale watching.
Puerto Rico Vacation Rentals

Martinique - Family Vacations - Adventure for All Ages

If you’ve never described any of your family vacations as “paradise,” it might be time to treat them to a real tropical paradise.  Martinique is not only breathtakingly beautiful, the island also offers many activities that will delight every member of your family. Besides the endless beautiful beaches, plus the incredible boating, swimming and fishing opportunities, there is all sorts of fun in the sun for the whole family -- water and adventure parks, horseback riding, even paintball.
Martinique Vacation Rentals

Martinique -- Château Dubuc & La Caravelle Nature Trail

The ruins of Château Dubuc, home to one of the earliest settlers on Martinique, lie on the eastern peninsula of La Caravelle, an ancient area of the island. Spend a few minutes examining the ruins and the beautiful views over the rugged coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, then walk to the entrance of the nature trail which has been laid out through the mangrove forest. A one hour walk lets you see a wide selection of the plants and animals that live on the island. You definitely must bring sun screen, a hat and some drinking water. After your nature hike, head off to nearby Tartane beach to work on your tan, have a swim and laze around. There are snack facilities and a mini-golf at the beach.
Martinique Vacation Rental

Jamaica - Port Antonio's Hidden Beaches

Port Antonio's bigger beaches - Frenchman's Cove, Winnifred and Boston Bay - are well-travelled, stunning locales. But tracking down the off-the-beaten-path beaches, such as Shanshy Beach and Ras Johnson's Ranch, can be gratifying, providing you with serenity and exposure to the authentic Jamaica and its rustic charms.
Jamaica Vacation Rentals

Jamaica - Explore Dunns River Falls

The point at which Dunns River enters the Caribbean Sea is marked by 600ft of mountain spring water cascading down the rocks towards the ocean. This scenic spot was once the site of one of the bloodiest wars between the English and the Spanish in 1657, as the Spanish, led by the famous General Ysassi, fought desperately and in vain to maintain control of the island. Today, even after all the falls have witnessed (battles, hurricanes and visitors), nothing can diminish their majestic grandeur and few can deny the awe and wonder they inspire.  Set within a small tropical forest, the falls are a complete experience. The thundering cascades, the exhilarating blasts of ice-cold spring water and the sheer majesty of nature all combine to create one of Jamaica's most-treasured locations
Jamaica Vacation Rentals

Grenada - Grand Etang Lake and Forest Reserve

The most popular area in Grenada for hiking and trekking is undoubtedly the rainforest around the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, high up in the mountains of the island's interior. Grand Etang's varied elevations and terrains maintain several different ecological subsystems, culminating in the elfin woodlands high up the slopes of the reserve's central mountains. The focal point of the forest reserve is Grand Etang Lake, which fills the crater of one of the island's extinct volcanos. The rainforest around the lake holds a stupendously rich diversity of flora and fauna. Colourful tropical birds, tiny frogs and lizards, and rare orchids punctuate the dense rainforest vegetation, and the trails meander around the area's stunning waterfalls as well as the azure waters of Grand Etang Lake.
Grenada Vacation Rentals

Grenada - Waterfalls

Grenada's Concord Valley is host to the three picturesque waterfalls known collectively as the Concord Falls. The first stage is easily accessible by road and is ideally suited for swimming. The second and third stages, known as Au Coin and Fontainbleu respectively are only accessible by foot, but well worth the journey. At Fontainbleu, the water cascades down a 65 foot cliff into a crystal clear pool.
Grenada Vacation Rentals

Cayman Islands - Hiking Adventures

While the Cayman Islands might be renowned for our sugar sand beaches and crystal clear waters, our interiors are fascinating worlds of their own. There may be no better way to experience all that Cayman has to offer than on foot. Hikers on our three islands are afforded a glimpse of diverse flora and fauna: our national tree, The Silver Thatch Palm, mangrove forests, Wild Banana Orchids, the Cayman Parrot and the largest colony of red-footed boobies in the Western Hemisphere await hikers in our island paradise. Whether on a nature tour or a self-guided stroll, time spent walking on one of our many hiking trails is sure to add another dimension to your Cayman Islands visit.
Grand Cayman Vacation Rentals

Grand Cayman - Pirates Week Festival - November 12 - 22, 2009

Pirates Week Festival - Event Date: 11/12/2009 - 11/22/2009
Music, street dances, costumes, games, food and drink, "pirate invasion", Kids Day, glittering parade, sports events, Heritage Days, fireworks! It's 11 fun-filled, festive days in the sun with something for everyone, and a lot of it free.  First it's fireworks, followed by a local song contest and then, almost every day for 11 days, Caribbean rhythms pulsate in open-air street dances until the wee hours of the morning. An authentic slice of the native Caribbean! A mock "pirate invasion" from the sea! Two old-time sailing vessels, loaded with "pirates" make a Saturday surprise landing at the bowl-shaped George Town harbour, as thousands line the streets to take part in the spectacle or just watch. It's good-natured fun, there's a new twist every year, and families just love it. It's the only event of its kind in the Caribbean region.
Grand Cayman Vacation Rentals

The Exumas - Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular at this ecological preserve and wildlife refuge encompassing 176 square miles of pristine waters, land and beaches. Encounter nature first-hand by catching a glimpse of endangered Bahamian iguanas.
The Exumas Vacation Rentals

The Exumas - Government Wharf - Tropic of Cancer

George Town is a major settlement in Great Exuma. Government Wharf is where most of the locals gather and the town’s daily activities take place. Have lunch or spend an evening or two getting to know the friendly folk who will delight in pointing out the best places to snorkel, dive, kayak, fish and explore. Be sure to cross the demarcation line of the Tropic of Cancer, which runs through George Town, just to say you did.
The Exumas Vacation Rental

Eleuthera - James Cistern Beach

The waves at James Cistern Beach sometimes reach 10 feet due to a brisk southerly wind making this another great surfing site at Eleuthera. There is also a shipwreck just off shore, great for snorkeling when the water is calm.
Eleuthera Vacation Rentals

Eleuthera Lighthouse Beach

One of the best beaches in Eleuthera, some say even better than Pink Sands, is a hidden gem called Lighthouse Beach. Located on the Atlantic side of Eleuthera Point behind some sand dunes is a fantastic secluded blush rose sand beach. With great snorkeling just a walk off the beach, it is a great place to pack a picnic basket and spend an entire romantic afternoon or sunset stroll with your better half.
Eleuthera Vacation Rentals

Bonaire - Windsurf Destination

Bonaire has been recognized as one of the best places in the world to windsurf for novice through professional levels. Additionally, Bonaire’s champions continue to rank high in world competitions. Sorobon’s combination of continual winds, weather, sunshine and warm shallow waters make for the most idyllic of windsurfing conditions.
Bonaire Vacation Rentals

Bonaire National Marine Park

Bonaire National Marine Park established in 1979, starts at the high water mark and extends to a depth of 200 ft, covering 6672 acres. Everything within the BNMP, living or dead, is protected. While it is possible to access shore sites on the leeward side all year round, conditions on the windward side are unpredictable.

Bonaire Vacation Rentals

Bequia - St Mary's Anglican Church, Port Elizabeth

This beautiful old church was erected in 1829, replacing the older structure which was destroyed in a hurricane. Imported ballast bricks as well as local limestone were used in its construction, which may go some way towards explaining its cost, which at the time was recorded at some 4,700 pounds. The church's cool, simple interior contains many fascinating memorial tablets to some of Bequia's earliest settlers, as well as present day stained glass memorials to some of Bequia's illustrious and much loved residents.
Bequia Vacation Rentals
Text and photos are supplied by the Bequia Tourism Board`

Bequia - Caribbean's "Big Little Island"

Bequia fullfils many dreams of the perfect small Caribbean island: beautiful sandy beaches where more than ten people may constitute a crowd, lush green hillsides, attractive little villages, intimate, well run hotels and guest houses, hardly any traffic, places to get together and places in which to find that perfect solitude. Variety and choice on so small an island may come as a surprise - but there are both wherever you look.  Choose a holiday of total beach relaxation or exhilarating sailing and diving in some of the most beautiful waters in the world. Get to know the island on foot, or hire a car and discover so much more than just the golden beaches; take day or overnight trips to neighbouring isles or simply fill up another perfect day doing what is increasingly necessary to unwind - nothing! 
Bequia Vacation Rentals
Text and photos are supplied from the Bequia Tourism Board

Antigua Southwest and South Coast Beaches

The beaches of the hilly southwest corner of Antigua are generally less developed than those around St. John's further north. On the road that winds along this coast are Fryes Bay, Darkwood Beach, and the beaches around Johnsons Point. Rendezvous Bay and especially Doigs Beach, both located on the central southern coast at Rendezvous Bay, are especially quiet beaches worth the rough travel necessary to reach them. Pigeon Point, near English Harbour Town, is a convenient balm after a day at Nelson's Dockyard.
Antigua Vacation Rentals

Antigua - Northwest Coast Beaches

Dickenson Bay and Runaway Bay, located along the island's developed northwestern coast, are the place to go for those who want the fully-loaded resort beach experience. The beaches most convenient to St. John's are Fort James, a locally-popular public beach, and Deep Bay. Galley Bay attracts surfers during the winter months and a joggers during the evening. The series of four crescent beaches at Hawksbill are also highly regarded, one of which is nudist.
Antigua Vacation Rentals

Abacos - Hope Town lighthouse

Hope Town is home to the famous candy-striped lighthouse, a favorite photo subject now, but quite controversial when it was under construction back in 1863 because up until then, the island’s residents had been making a comfortable living by salvaging ships that wrecked on the offshore reefs.
Abaco Vacation Rentals

Great Abaco Island - Marsh Harbour - Island Hopper's Paradise

Great Abaco Island is home to Marsh Harbour, the “bright lights and big city” of the Out Islands. And to put that into perspective, Marsh Harbour has exactly one traffic light (the only operating one in all The Bahamas Out Islands!). Along with having a great selection of hotels, restaurants and bars, Marsh Harbour is charter boat central, with several full-service marinas where you can dock your own boat or find a rental – both live-aboard sailboats and powerboats are available.
Abaco, Bahamas vacation rental