Sarah Mcinerney asked:


Rock-strewn coves where idle chat and laughter rebounds off the cliffs. Tranquil bays where soft-lapping waves cool sun-baked feet. Secret caves and labyrinthine tunnels head for exciting hidden beaches. Turquoise waters, clear as glass but for the stirring of the breeze. Towering cliff faces, age-old and craggy, spurting tenacious pines. Weathered rock formations jut into the sea, like the extended necks of great dinosaurs.

You are surrounded by an aura of calm and indisputable beauty. The sun kisses your cheeks; the salty breeze stings your lips. The aroma of fresh fish sizzling on the barbeque dances a jig across your taste buds and the sound of popping corks is sucked up into the cliffs, mingling with the laughter and idle chat.

What is this place that radiates such stunning beauty? Some place far away, a tropical island, perhaps?

No! It’s Spain’s Costa Brava, and it’s only a two hour flight from the UK.

Mention the Costa Brava to anyone thinking of booking their summer holiday and you may be met with a raised eyebrow or two.

Sadly, tourist demand on this coast throughout the decades led to over-development and ‘Britain-isation’ – burger bar littered promenades, all day English breakfasts, fish ‘n’ chips, and of course, high-rise concrete jungles to store the travellers during their two week package of sunburn and lager.

The Costa Brava was the birthplace of the package tour. This is where it all started in the 1950s when hoards of tourists arrived in old warplanes and laid out their beach towels for the first time. They took their fill of the sun, mile-long beaches and free-flowing wine of which they were deprived at home, then bundled their straw donkeys under their arms and exchanged the baton with the next consignment fresh off the plane.

Of course, this influx of tourists brought advantages for the Spanish locals: shop owners, villagers and property developers were to be overwhelmed by the opportunities on offer. Jobs were now available for non-skilled workers, and for the artisan, the interest in their products meant that they could barely keep up with demand. But perhaps the effect was not all positive.

Some of the more popular resorts started to lose their true cultural identity. The intrinsic gastronomy moved aside to make room for the fast-food demands of the tourists. Raw, impromptu displays of traditional song and dance dissolved into staged, commercialised pay-at-the-door twice-nightly performances. Uninterrupted mountain-to-coast scenery was blasted away to make room for high-rise cellblocks.

Then towards the end of the eighties and into the nineties, changes started to occur. Local governments started to clean up their resorts. They began to promote their beautiful regions for what they were: places of cultural interest, somewhere to experience age-old traditions, exhilarating fiestas, and mouth-watering cuisine. A shift back to customary values was starting to emerge.

Full circle, what the traveller initially sought from Spain way before the tourist boom – endless views from mountain to sea – the fun of trying to communicate in a different language – the delight of trying unfamiliar cuisine - and generally a get away from the British norm, has now become important all over again.

At the same time, package tours to the Costas are on the decline. Two of Britain’s biggest travel firms have axed more than a quarter of a million Spanish holidays from their 2005 brochures.

Homing in on the Costa Brava, First Choice announced cuts here, Thomas Cook has halted it’s charter flights to the rugged coast’s resorts from London Gatwick, and Club 18-30 have dropped Lloret de Mar from it’s brochure.

Spain remains a hugely popular tourist destination, however. But it is now attracting a different type of tourist.

Thankfully, it is shaking off the reputation that labelled the Costas so unfairly, and is welcoming with open arms the discerning tourist.

The traveller who turns their nose up at the package tour is the independent type who arranges their holiday to suit themselves, hand-picking their accommodation and board, selecting their means of travel from the various on offer and choosing the dates, times and length of stay that suits them. Thankfully, this is the type of tourist that many resorts on the Costa Brava are now attracting.

Yes, there are still a few more ‘animated’ resorts on this coastline that starts on the French border at Port Bou and descends to Blanes, not far from Barcelona. And let them have their fun! Why not? As long as you do your homework before you book your holiday on the Costa Brava, you’ll be ok. If you want lively, go to Lloret de Mar, Blanes, Platja D’Aro or S’Agaro. This is where you’ll find your amusement arcades and water parks, and of course, bustling nightlife.

If you want to experience the sheer beauty of this stunning coastline; sample the delights of the world-renowned Catalan Cuisine and taste-bud stimulating fish and seafood; if you want to drink in the culture and appreciate scenery unobliterated by high-rise buildings, to walk the paths where artists like Picasso, Dali and Chagall walked themselves in years past, gathering inspiration for their work, then try one of the more delightful resorts such as Roses; Cadaques; Tossa de Mar; Figueres; L’Escala and give the other more roudy parts a miss!

Joe Kensingtons asked:


So you love to golf and want to take a golfing vacation? Before you plan your next golf retreat consider the following golf resorts. Each of these locations ranked highest in the best places to visit for the golf enthusiasts.

One wonderful area to visit for a golf vacation is Hawaii. The six islands that make up Hawaii seem to be perfect for golfers. Hawaii also features a perfect golfing season, which means year round in Hawaii. This is why many golfers and golf course architects visit the six islands each year. There are many wonderful golf resort courses found on the islands of Maui, Oahu and Kauai Islands.

Consider Maui as one of the best places to golf:

Some of the most impressive golf courses can be found on the island of Maui. Here you will enjoy golf courses with sweeping views of the coastline and neighboring islands. However, during the winter months you can often stop humpback whales swimming along the coast while taking your swing. Hawaii is truly a paradise for golfers with spectacular scenes ranging from mountains to ocean with sloping golf course terrains. However, this popularity also makes it difficult to book a golf vacation in Hawaii and you will need to be prepared for an expensive price.

Another location that ranks high with golf enthusiasts is Southern California. Here you will find golf courses that have hosted some historic golf events. With a combination of beauty and elegance, California golf courses are perfect for International tournaments or just a relaxing round of golf. Three of the most celebrated golf resorts in California including the Double Tree Golf Resort, Mt. Woodson and Pala Mesa Golf Resort. In California you can find remarkable golf resorts that range from mountain to ocean side courses depending on your scenic choice.

Michigan can also be a great place to golf:

Another excellent summer golf destination is Michigan. Here you will find over a thousand golf resorts and courses that offer you excellent service which ranks Michigan twelfth on the list of golfing destinations in the world. Four of the top golf courses in American can be found in Michigan. You will find lush fairways surrounded by vistas and blue waters that aren’t found anywhere else.

Lastly there is Florida. Florida is home to many spectacular golf courses and resorts. In addition, Florida offers a number of pro-golf shops, driving ranges, golf putting greens, bars and restaurants. Over the years many golf tournaments have been held in Florida, many of which are PGA and LPGA Tours. The golf courses in Florida are only matched by their excellent accommodations and fabulous dining choices. Everything you want in an excellent golf vacation can be found in Florida.

Some of the best first-rate golf resorts can be found in Myrtle Beach which is often known as the golfing capital of the world. Nowhere else in the world can you find more golf courses in one area? However, if you want a true test of your golfing abilities then there is only one place, Ireland. If you want excitement, rugged challenges and beautiful vistas along with excellent amenities then you need to travel to Ireland for you next golfing vacation.

Chicago-dsc asked:


•Eating Healthy

It’s easy to forget about diets and make poor choices regarding the foods that are available to us when we travel, so we’ve compiled a short list for healthy eating tips for your Chicago shopping trip. 1) Pack a variety of nutritious foods including fruits, raw vegetables, crackers, granola bars…quick solutions for satisfying an appetite whether you fly or drive. 2) Upon arrival at the hotel, skip the mini-bar. If your hotel offers a Continental breakfast, select fruits, cereals and proteins such as eggs. 3) When you dine out, remember to eat only when hungry. Even the great Chicago restaurants occasionally serve overwhelmingly large portions. If you indulge on one meal, scale back on the next. 4) When possible, avoid large meals at night. When your body slows down and prepares for sleep, it also burns calories less efficiently. Pass on the bread basket at dinner. Choose fish or poultry, and try to eat lots of vegetables.

•Shoes

Chicago Destination Shopping Club located at http://www.chicago-dsc.com, includes a shoe shopping category on its website. The trend for 2008 is all about heels…a myriad of options – wedges, stilettos and sculpted forms, in textured and colorful finishes. Look for the latest trends in a huge selection of Chicago stores including Akira (State Street & Bucktown), Bloomingdale’s (Michigan Ave.), Fratelli Rossetti (Michigan Ave.), Jimmy Choo (Oak Street), Lori’s (Lincoln Park), Nine West Outlet (Lincoln Park) and Nordstrom (Michigan Ave.).

•From $600 Phone to Carrying Case

Now that you have one of the coolest, most talked about cell phones on the market, you need a case. Many designers have taken note of the trend and demand for stylish cases to caress that phone in a stylish manner. At the high end, Louis Vuitton offers alligator leather cases for around $1,100. Depending on the size and model, you can purchase other styles ranging from $15 - $50 at Nokia or the Apple Store. See all these stores and more at http://www.chicago-dsc.com.

•Traveling with Special Items on Airlines

With many passengers still expecting to bring almost any item on board despite the crackdown in safety and security, we thought it would be important to recap rules and restrictions for most airlines. Please note that airlines in foreign countries may have different regulations.

1.Alcoholic Beverages – Passengers are not allowed to take alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol content in a carry-on or checked luggage.

2.Knives & Tools – Pack knives and tools in your checked luggage. Sheath or securely wrap any sharp edges so they do not injure baggage handlers and security officials.

3.Currency, Coins, Valuable Jewelry – If you are carrying valuable items, ask the security officer to screen you and your carry-on luggage in private. This will maintain your security and avoid scrutiny.

4.Musical Instruments – You may bring musical instruments as carry-on or as checked baggage, but first check with your airline prior to your flight to ensure your instrument meets the size requirements for their aircraft. Security must x-ray or physically screen your instrument, so be prepared.