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A modern, functional hotel, equipped with all facilities - such as Wi-Fi and Sky TV - and comforts, located in a convenient position not far from the Treviso Sud toll exit of the A27 (Mestre-Belluno) motorway, from Treviso and Venice Airport, and suitable for all types of guests.

Ideal for businessmen as well as tourists intending to visit Venice, the Treviso area and Sile Nature Park.

Fitness room
Cycle use
Free daily newspaper
Television with Sky TV (see programmes)
Internet point
Mini bar
Telephone
Air conditioning
Rooms with hydromassage
Unguarded car park with video surveillance
Groups welcome
Reception open until 24.00 pm (entry until 06.00 am with key card)
All credit cards accepted

How to get to the Roy Hotel
800 m from Treviso Sud (A27) motorway exit.
4.5 Km. from Treviso town centre
15 minutes from: Conegliano, S. Donà, Mestre - Venice
30 minutes from: Castelfranco, Montebelluna, Pordenone
40 minutes from: Padua, Belluno
8 Km. from Treviso airport
20 Km. from Venice airport

Planning a trip to Italy? The top 3 destinations in Italy are Rome, Venice and Florence; for example, in order to make it easy to find an hotel in Rome, you can have a look at our advanced search. Simple as 1-2-3, the same method can be applied to find guided tours in Naples, or to compare price for different hotels in Palermo, from bed and breakfast to Hotels.

For those people that have never before accomplished a wildlife safari in Southern Africa may find it hard to imagine the superb wildlife you will come up close with. The tourists who come to a wildlife safari are regular holiday makers like you and me, some are into taking photos, some tourists are into Africa as a country but all of them are interested in a new spectacular experience.

The spectacular thing about a wildlife safari is the fact it is so different from the usual holiday to France, there are very little kids. Each walking safari organisation will supply an English speaking safari guide to take you through the terrific areas of Africa. The most popular African animals you can see are hippos. All the above sensational animals are not tame and of course do not touch them. If you are interested in taking photographs of the wolves you should make sure you turn off the flash as you do not want to scare the wildlife. The marvellous wildlife in Africa will put a smile on your face.

If you would like to identify more about fantastic safari holidays in South Africa you can often use the search engines like Yahoo to notice a safari company that offers safari holidays from the UK, the prices might range from four hundred pounds to 700 pounds. Safari Holiday, Kaingo is the consumers choice for quick, reliable holidays in Africa.

Cyprus has been home to many cultures over the ages, but its great all year round sun is what attracts most of us, which has made it a very popular destination with tourists, with over 2.4 million visiting its many resorts. Cyprus basks is more than 330 clorious days of sun each year, which has given it the name The Island of the Sun. There is no shortage of travel companies offering Cyprus holidays and low cost airlines such as Easyjet offering routes to Paphos and Larnaca, getting there is cheaper than ever.

While attracting visitors from around the world, most of them tend to be Europeans. Affluent eastern Europeans and Russians have also joined the crowd in recent years. One of the main reasons why there is such a heavy presence of Brits in Cyprus is because of the positioning of the British Armed forces in the southern Greek part of the island. With quick and easy access to the Middle East, this is likely to be the case for some time to come. As such the Brits are now almost as local and the locals, and this has in turned resulted in areas that are less traditional and more contemporary in culture. From English being spoken everywhere you go, to driving on the left side of the road. A major attraction for many Brit tourists is that the island offers all of the comforts and familiarities of home, but we also get to bask in the sun.

For many reading this, the prospect of taking a holiday away from England only to be greeted at the airport by a hire car representative hailing from Croydon and being served an authentic Mediterranean dish of steak and chips will not appeal. However, this side of Cyprus, that continues to attract millions of tourists year after year, is only one aspect of the island and is concentrated around the tourist hotspots of Paphos, Larnaca and Ayia Napa. As soon as you leave the packaged paradise and clubbers haven of these areas and hit the road the real country reveals itself.

A trip well worth taking is into Cyprus largest mountain range, the Troodos Mountains. In the heart of the mountains you will find the Kykkos monastery, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1998. Housing art and exhibits on ancient Greece, the monastery has the twin function of being a museum for visitors and a practising monastery lived in by worshiping monks. Kykkos even has its own winery where the monks bottle and sell their wine. A daytrip to the Troodos Mountains can be a welcome change from the beach and with overnight accommodation available in many of the authentic villages dotted about; you might want to spend a few days here sampling another side of Cyprus.

This is my experience in hiring a rent a car and this is what not to do. My misadventure happened in the late 1980s. I wanted to visit some friends several hundred miles away. At the time I lived in a small town in the country. I didn’t own a car and there was no direct convenient bus or train service to where my friends lived. I decided to take the bus, then rent a car, at the nearest place available.

I traveled to the town where the car hire or rent a car place was located. By the time I arrived at their business to rent the car, the sun had set and it was dark. I went in to the business, to enquire about renting a car. The owner had one ready to go. It was a compact blue station wagon. Being dark outside I couldn’t see the car too well, but it seemed ok, so we went back to the office to do the paperwork. The car hire form had details about the car, how long I expected to rent the car for, and the insurance coverage choices, so the business owner filled out all that. I was sure that I chose to have the car and myself covered in full by insurance. I thought the insurance box was checked, as covered. He took an imprint of my credit card to pay for the car hire and that was it. He gave me the car keys, and I drove away.

I had a long way to drive in the dark. My route took me through rugged mountainous rural country side, to a large lake, where there was a ferry crossing.

At night when you’re driving in a rural mountainous area always be on the lookout for deer, moose and other animals roaming along the road side. You want to see their little shining eyes, so you can slow down and be ready to swerve to avoid hitting them. Sometimes deer become alarmed by the noise and headlights of the car approaching and they want to dash across the highway in front of you. You want to be ready to slam on the breaks, so as not to damage the hired car you’re traveling in.

Another good idea, especially if you are driving at night, is to take a highway map of the area you are traveling through. Then you can mark off where you are and the places to turn ahead, so you don’t make a wrong turn, like I did.

I made a wrong turn some where along the way. Instead of taking the direct route to my destination, I ended up taking an indirect route. It was dark and snowy, and I realized that the road and country side, didn’t look like where I should be. I kept driving and a sign appeared with the next town ahead and how far to go to get there. Then I realized, it was just a slight detour or side trip for me. I felt a lot better when arriving at the next town, and knew which direction to go. The remainder of my trip went well and I arrived safely at my destination.

I had a good weekend with my friends, catching up, going out to dinner.

The return trip was more interesting because it was day time. I could enjoy the beautiful country side. Every thing went well to begin with. I arrived at the last town before the lake ferry and I thought it might be a good idea to put gasoline in the car, at that point, since it was a long distance to the next town with a gas station.

I checked the time, and it looked like there was just enough time to reach the ferry by driving a little faster than usual. That was a mistake. Give yourself more than enough time when using a car you’ve hired. So again I’m driving over mountainous rural terrain at the edge of a lake rushing to catch the ferry. I’m watching the scenery and my watch, making calculations of where it is I should be, and how long left to drive to catch the ferry. It looks like I need to go faster, so I do. I step on it. I’m hoping to cut my time of travel down to just arrive before the ferry leaves.

This is definitely not the thing to do when driving a rented car, especially in a rural area where there are birds around. As I am speeding down a hill a rather large dark coloured bird darts in front of the car. This is a big bird, about the size of a chicken. At the high speed I am traveling at I hit the bird. There was a sickening popping sound as the car and bird collided. The feathers and bird flew up and to the side of the car. I keep going and get to the ferry on time. I drive on the ferry and park. Getting out to inspect the car grill, I get a shock. There was a large hole in the plastic car grill. Broken pieces of plastic and feathers showed what had happened. So now I’m sick about the damage.

I continue on my way to return the car to the rental company. When I arrive at the car rental place I have to tell the owner about the bird collision. He’s not too impressed. We look at the rental form where the insurance section is not checked as covering the damage. The owner wants several hundred dollars and that charge goes on my credit card too. So don’t do what I did.

Go to a major name car rental company. Be absolutely sure of your insurance coverage details. Check that you are covered for all damage. Know what the insurance deductible amount is. That is the amount that you will need to pay, before the insurance pays the balance of any damage. Read the form over carefully a couple of times before you sign it. Be a careful driver, and take your time. Have a great trip in the car you hire.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Car Hire

The Dublin Port Tunnel is the first project of its kind in Ireland. While there is a tunnel in cork, The Jack Lynch Tunnel, the Dublin Port Tunnel is on an entirely different scale. There is a budget for the tunnel of 752 million euros, and it is estimated by the completion date, over 7million man hours will have been spent building the tunnel. The project is one of the biggest being currently worked on in Europe.

The tunnel is aimed to bring heavy good vehicles from the M50/M1 to the port, and remove them from the roads in and around the city. There are two tunnels being constructed, one will take traffic in to the port (south bound) while the other will take traffic out of the port (north bound). The total distance of the tunnel is 5.7 kilometres and it is estimated that the journey will only take 6 minuets.

Safety is always a major concern on projects like this, and the planners have been careful to include a number of safety features such as pedestrian paths between the tunnels and emergency phones every 250 meters. There are massive fans which will improve the air quality in the tunnel and remove smoke if a fire did erupt. There is also a gradual lighting effect at the exits so that drivers won’t be blinded driving from dark to light.

Among the criticisms for the tunnel is the fact that it are that it is not high enough to take super trucks, those which are higher than the normal container trucks. There is also criticism during the building of the tunnel because of rising costs and due to noise levels from the huge boring machines which were working under many residential areas. Other arguments against the tunnel include, more roads lead to more traffic and there were less expensive options available to the government to link the port with the M50.

The benefits that the tunnel will bring to Dublin according to Dublin City Council are the removal of HGV from the roads around Dublin, and the knock on effects of better environments and better traffic movement, the reduced travel time for HGV travelling to and from the port and safer roads. The tunnel is expected to open during the summer of 2006, and only then will the benefits be able to be truly measured.

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimisation in the Irish travel industry. He spends two months a year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now sees it as his second home. Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: hotels in Galway and hotels in Cork.

Each year, thousands of persons with disabilities travel the world by planes, trains, automobiles, cruise ships, and even bicycles. With the proper planning and attitude, travel can be rewarding and adventurous.

Each person with a disability has his/her special needs. Individual countries have their own standards of accessibility for disabled travelers. Some countries have nondiscrimination laws that help to protect travelers with disabilities, while other countries have no such laws. Preparing before you go can often prevent difficulties and ensure that your planned destination will be accessible, safe and enjoyable.

BEFORE YOU GO

For information concerning passports, visas, or travel tips in general, see our publications Your Trip Abroad and A Safe Trip Abroad which can be found on our web site at http://travel.state.gov.

Choosing Your Destination: Some countries make every effort to provide accessibility for all travelers, including those with disabilities, while other countries do not have the resources to do so, or do not consider it to be necessary. Before you travel, research your planned stops and ask detailed questions about the services that are provided. Also, be prepared for a certain amount of culture shock. Some cultures are not very accepting or open about their citizens with disabilities.

Once you have decided on a destination, you may also consider local transportation needs to and from the airport, luggage assistance and whether assistance will be needed to leave the airport terminal. Some suggestions for finding resources are: contact the airport management office; work with a travel agent who specializes in travel for persons with disabilities; search the internet, call local disability organizations; or check with various travel guides.

MEDICINE

Another aspect to consider when planning your trip is the level of health care available at your planned stops.

Your Doctor: Talk to your physician about the activities you have planned and your general physical condition, any immunizations that might be needed, and medications, whether prescription or over the counter, that you might need for your trip.

Medication: If you take prescription medication, make sure you have enough to last the duration of the trip, including extra medicine in case you are delayed. Pack your medication in your carry-on bag. Delays can occur, and checked baggage occasionally becomes misdirected or lost. Always carry your prescriptions in their labeled containers as many countries have strict narco-trafficking laws and might be suspicious of pills in unlabeled bottles. Bring your prescription information and the names of their generic equivalents with you just in case. Double-check one last time before leaving home that you have your medication with you in your hand luggage.

Health Insurance: Make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage while abroad. Your policy might not cover such things as medical evacuations. Ask what coverage your plan provides and how you can reach your insurance company during times of emergency. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. But many travel agencies and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations. Be sure to check our publication Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad for further information. This publication is available at http://travel.state.gov.

SERVICES & EQUIPMENT

Service Dogs: Travelers should be aware that some countries have restrictions on service dogs traveling through or arriving in their countries. If you intend to travel with a service dog, be sure to check on possible restrictions with the embassy or consulate of each country that you will visit. (This and other country information may be found on each country’s Consular Information Sheet at our website http://travel.state.gov). If service dogs are permitted, learn about quarantine or vaccination requirements.

Find out what documents are needed, including international health certificates, rabies inoculation certificates and if the documents need to be translated. Talk with your vet about how to travel with your dog and how travel will affect the dog. You may also want to ensure that hotels will accommodate your service dog and that there will be an adequate area for the dog to relieve itself.

Equipment: If you require a wheelchair, scooter or other equipment, consider having a maintenance check done on it to ensure that everything is in working order before you leave. You may want to research the availability of wheelchair and medical equipment providers in the areas you plan to visit before you depart on your trip.

Airline and Hotel Travel Arrangements:

When making your travel arrangements, you should think through air travel plans, considering flight lengths and plane transfers.

In the United States, the Air Carrier Access Act prohibits airlines from discriminating on the basis of disability. This law affects issues such as denial of service to persons with disabilities, seating, accessible features in terminals and aboard aircraft, requirements regarding attendants, medical certificates, and transport, storage and liability of mobility and medical equipment (such as wheelchairs, scooters and other assistive devices). Unfortunately, the Americans with Disabilities Act does not follow you when you leave the United States.

The Department of Transportation outlines helpful information in New Horizons for the Air Traveler with a Disability and Plane Talk: Facts for Passengers With Disabilities. Both of these publications are available at the Department of Transportation’s website www.dot.gov.

When making your reservations, inform your travel agent or the carrier of the following:

Assistance that will be needed while flying and at the airport;

Type of disability and equipment used for mobility, such as crutches or a wheelchair;

Request for a manual or electric wheelchair to be stored and brought to the airplane door/gate upon arrival;

Special diet requirements.

These airline suggestions might be adapted when making your hotel reservations. You should make sure that foreign hotels will be able to accommodate you and your needs as well.

In all cases, ask that your needs and requests be documented as part of the reservation and take down the name of the agent. That way, if there is a problem, you will have a clear record of what you requested, in the event it is necessary to take your complaint to a customer relations office.

It is to every traveler’s advantage to know the policies of the airline before arriving at the airport. Arrive extra early to allow plenty of time for any last-minute problems to be administered.

ONCE YOU HAVE ARRIVED

Carry with you your written itinerary and directions of where you wish to go. These can be shown to people who might be able to help you if you are lost. This little step will make it much easier when trying to get help from someone. Another tool that some have found useful is a point-and-conversation guide.

Your journey can be the most rewarding experience. There is a wealth of literature available both on the Internet and in books with information and advice for disabled travelers. Take the time to search the web and your local bookstore. By taking the time to research and educate yourself about travel opportunities and considerations for persons with disabilities, you can enjoy your adventure and have memories to last a lifetime.

Additional Resources:

These internet sites offer excellent starting points. They are by no means the only sites available. The following is provided for informational purposes only and in no way constitutes an endorsement, expressed or implied, by exploretombstone.com.

Mobility International USA (www.miusa.org)
The Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (www.sath.org)
Moss Rehab Resource Net (www.mossresourcenet.org)

Don Stuart publishes a website about Tombstone, Arizona. Step back into the past and experience 1880’s Tombstone, Arizona.

‘Beach town’, ‘port community’, ‘fledgling resort destination’ - all describe Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s premier beach town. Sihanoukville’s white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand waters combine with a laid back, beachy atmosphere to provide a great little tropical getaway. Sihanoukville is a place to unwind by the beach, enjoy the fresh from-the-ocean seafood, take in a snorkeling or scuba trip, and generally slow-down, lay back and chill-out.

Sihanoukville has a different look and feel than most Cambodian towns. Constructed as a port city in the late 1950s, the town is much newer, more urban and cosmopolitan than most Cambodian provincial cities. Nowadays, Sihanoukville is as much a beach town as it is a port town, catering to beach-going weekenders from Phnom Penh as well as a steadily increasing number of foreign visitors. Still, the pace of life in Sihanoukville is very relaxed. Cows occasionally wander the main road, outside town foreign faces draw smiles and curious stares, and most of the beaches offer only beach umbrellas, thatched roofed eateries, and a growing number of restaurants, bungalows and hotels.

Sihanoukville has a more than ample supply of accommodations, including a 5-star resort complex on Sokha Beach, several mid-range places downtown and at the beaches, a few ‘upscale’ three-star hotels, and dozens of great guesthouses, especially on Ochheuteal Beach. Considering the moderate number of visitors to Sihanoukville, the town offers a surprising number and variety of restaurants and bars. Fresh seafood, especially crab, prawns and ocean fish, has always been one of the town’s biggest draws, but there is also a wide variety of places offering foreign cuisines - Australian, French, Indian, German, Sri Lankan, British, Italian, pizza places, a couple of western bakeries and even a espresso coffee shop. And these days Sihanoukville offers a pretty good night life as well with a wide variety of bars staying open well into the wee hours, especially on Weather Station Hill, in the downtown area, and the beach bars on Ochheuteal, ‘Serendipity’ and Victory Beaches.

While there are no regular flights to Sihanoukville, it is still pretty easy to get to. Most people travel from Phnom Penh by bus or taxi (3-4 hours). From the Thai border crossing at Koh Kong, either ferry (4 hours) or taxi (6 hours) to Sihanoukville.

So come to this great out of the way holiday town and have a ball without bruising your wallet!

I was listening to one of my favorite radio talk programs today. The topic of the hour was “do you feel burdened by Christmas?” Much to my amazement the host, and the majority of his guests, spent the better part of an hour whining and moaning about the burdensome nature of the holiday season. “I hate being with my relatives.” “Why do I have to spend all this money on presents for people I don’t like?” “There’s too much pressure!” “The traffic in the stores is ridiculous.” It went on and on and on!

It’s a well known fact that people tend to be more depressed during the holiday season. It can be distressing if you live far away from your family. Some people actually become depressed because of the decrease in their exposure to sunlight during the winter months. However, what I heard today was different. People were just whining! They sounded like young children who were being forced to do their chores. Then, it hit me. Those people were suffering from PHLOP!

What is PHLOP (pronounced “flop”)? Pre-Holiday Lack of Planning! It is my own term for describing what causes successful people turn into grinches during the holiday season. Anyone who suffers from PHLOP will experience a range of symptoms that include: anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, overeating (particularly of chocolate), anger, and irrationality. All of these symptoms cause them to miss out on the true joy that should be experienced during the holiday season.

People who suffer from PHLOP get their first dose of anxiety when they begin to consider the enormous list of things to do between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. There are cards to be sent, gifts to be bought and wrapped, parties to be planned, activities to be enjoyed, and thank you notes to be written. It’s enough to give a person indigestion! Then, add all of the subtasks (e.g., everything that is involved in planning a party) to the list. By then, that person has a major case of indigestion and the beginning symptoms of a migraine. Of course, the only reason that the person experiences anxiety is because he or she is not organized.

Do you suffer from PHLOP? It’s not too late to change things - even for this holiday season! Consider the consequences of not planning out how you will get everything done before January 31. Your tasks will get done at the last minute. They will not be done well. Worst of all, you may not finish them at all! Let’s face it, there is nothing worse than looking at a stack of holidays cards that were signed, sealed, and addressed, but just didn’t make it to the post office. If you would like some help organizing your holiday schedule for this and future Christmas seasons, you should get a copy UnCommon Courtesy & Coaching’s PHLOP busting holiday organizer by visiting our Christmas Corner at: http://www.uncommoncourtesy.com/holidayplanner.htm .

Let me also take a moment to suggest some things that will help you to enjoy this holiday season. First, consider making some of your gifts. People generally think about making gifts only when they are very young, super organized, or short on cash. You need not begin crocheting purses for your friends in August in order to make presents. Think about baking a few batches of bar cookies and then dividing them up onto colorful Christmas plates. Wrap them in cellophane and tie them with colorful ribbon. It’s easy, cheap, and all your friends will love it. After all, have you ever had anyone tell you that they did not like a plate full of cookies? How about buying a number of inexpensive items and putting them in a basket. The presentation will impress the heck out of the recipient. Whatever you decide to make, constructing the gift yourself will make it more meaningful to both you and the person who receives it.

Another suggestion to make your holiday bright and joyous is to act like a kid. Often people will suggest that you view the holidays “through the eyes of a child.” To that I say: “you are missing half of the fun.” Yes, it is a good idea to view things as if you were a child, but remember that actions are just as important as thoughts. For example, consider all those holiday television shows and videos you loved to watch as a child. Somehow, you have not found the time to watch them for years. Well, this is the year to start that tradition once again. If you can, watch them with a child. However, it doesn’t matter if a child is watching the program with you. The important thing is to remember to be child-like. How will you ensure that you take on a juvenile persona for the evening? Stock up on all those fun things that a child likes to have available while watching a video. For example, you should dress in your most comfortable pajamas, grab a cup of cocoa, and fill up a bowl with popcorn. Then, settle into your most comfortable chair with all the goodies and enjoy watching Snoopy decorate his dog house. Now, apply that same principle to all of your holiday related activities. It’s all those little extras that will really add joy to the Christmas season.

I realize that there may be some readers who feel that they should have begun their holiday planning and organization months ago. To those people I say: “now is the time to be industrious!” For example, shopping that has been delayed to the last minute can be remedied in several ways. Try going to the mall at the very beginning or end of the shopping day. Consider purchasing an unusual gift that can be found somewhere other than a mall. For goodness sake, do your shopping online! No matter how chaotic and stressful it seems, this holiday season should serve as a life lesson. Make notes for yourself about what went well, what could have been done better, and what was an absolute disaster. Then, form an action plan for next year. It’s never too soon to get organized!

The bottom line is: this is the season to be jolly, make merry, and recall the joy that can fill your life. The holiday season is the time to be child-like. It is a time to overlook life’s little irritations and be grateful for all the wonderful aspects of what has been given to you. I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, and a joyous time no matter what holiday you will be celebrating in the upcoming weeks!

About The Author

Dr. Susan Rempel has counseled thousands of families. She launched www.uncommoncourtesy.com to help people stay organized and live life to the fullest. susan@uncommoncourtesy.com

This article (including the copyright notice) may be reprinted with the following the following attachment:

© 1998 - 1999 Susan C. Rempel, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

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© 1998 - 1999 Susan C. Rempel, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

Get motivated with UnCommon Courtesy & Coaching! Motivational products and services for children, parents, and teachers that reinforce positive behavior, good manners, a positive outlook on life, and life success. Supplies for parents and teachers. Games, books, computer games, bingo cards, and toys. Get a copy of our FREE holiday planner. visit us at: http://www.uncommoncourtesy.com
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Travelers who are looking for a fantastic all-inclusive resort destination that is priced far below most tropical destinations in and around the Caribbean should look into Mexico’s Riviera Maya. This area has fast become a very popular tropical vacation getaway for travelers from around the world. The Riviera Maya is located on the Caribbean side of Mexico and encompasses the stretch of coastline ranging from about 5 miles to 60 miles south of Cancun.

Don’t be misled into thinking that because you fly into Cancun to get to the Riviera Maya that it is anything like Cancun and its spring break, party-like atmosphere…it is far from it. The Riviera Maya has been set aside by the Mexican government as a semi-protected area, and as such it cannot become the touristy, high-rise resort type of destination you find in the Cancun hotel zone. Resorts can only be built 3-stories or less in height and they have to be constructed to embrace the surrounding vegetation, wildlife, and topography. It is a much more family-friendly and romantic vacation destination.

Resorts in the Riviera Maya are primarily all-inclusive properties. Because of the remote locations of many of the properties there are very few offsite dining areas. All-inclusive resorts give the traveler the benefit of having everything paid for prior to their arrival. All meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), non-motorized watersports, and other amenities are included in package prices. The more upscale all-inclusive resorts of 4-star and higher quality typically have many different restaurant options ranging from buffet to world-class a la carte cuisine….all-included! Some of the more popular resort chains in the Riviera Maya include Iberostar Resorts, Palace Resorts, and Secrets Resorts & Spas. Resorts run anywhere from more family-related types of properties or resorts for the budget-minded to very upscale adults-only spa resorts.

One of the best reasons to choose the Mexico Riviera Maya for your next vacation is not just for the superb quality resorts and great value, but also for the fantastic tours and excursions that are available in around the Yucatan Peninsula region. This area is teeming with Mayan ruins and ancient architecture that are very popular with tourists. The most majestic of the local Mayan ruins are the pyramids of Chichen Itza. These incredibly preserved pyramids date back to 400AD and this awe-inspiring tour will leave with you many wonderful memories. There are many other Mayan ruins tours you can take as well. In addition to ruins you can also experience many eco-based tours that take you to game and marine preserves where you will find amazing wildlife and snorkeling that is nothing short of amazing. Another popular day-trip for those staying in the Riviera Maya region is the island of Cozumel. You can reach this quaint island by ferry from the town of Playa del Carmen located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. It is a short 45 minute ferry ride and once there you will find duty-free shopping, great dining, and some of the world’s best SCUBA diving and snorkeling.

If you have taken tropical vacations in the Caribbean or Hawaii and are looking for a new destination to visit, the Riviera Maya is an excellent choice that will definitely impress and have you ready to come back to again and again.

About the Author

Barry deCocq is a co-owner and managing director of Tropical Sands Vacations (http://www.tropicalSands.com), a discount Mexico and Caribbean travel brokerage specializing in all-inclusive resorts. Contact at info@tropicalsands.com

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (Mass Audobon) is a wonderful nature preserve on Cape Cod. It is located in South Wellfleet, just off the 28. The sign is very small as is the turn off from the main road. We missed the exit and I imagine a lot of people do …

A short drive takes you to the main parking lot. Entrance fee is four dollars. We chose to take the spring loop and then take the boardwalk down to the ocean. The spring loop took us around a small brook. ALl the trails here are well kept and anyone can handle them. The highlight was seeing seven or eight turtles enjoying the sun on a log half submerged in water. They could care less about us passing by. The path to the beach leads through a marshy area. Once you are on the boardwalk, look down, you will see a multitude of crabs and other creatures from the water’s edge. The tide started rolling in as we were crossing this area. This was like watching a live wildlife show. As the tide rolled in, the tiny animals scurried to their dwellings.

It was horse shoe crab mating season (Memorial Day). There were hundreds of horse shoe crabs going at it. Many people came just to see this cool event. On our way back we noticed that the boardwalk was submerged in water due to the high tide. This made it even more fun because we had to wade through ankle deep water …

I strongly recommend visiting the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Perfect way to spend a few hours on Cape Cod.

Michael Philip is one of the editors and contributors for the SeeTheGlobe.com web site. SeeTheGlobe.com is a travel information web site and community. Reviews of restaurants, hotels, airlines and other travel resources are provided from first hand accounts.