Hilton Head Vacations
By admin | July 15, 2008
Hilton Head Island is beautifully perched off the coast of South Carolina and is teeming with activities that are bound to excite and delight every member of your family. A popular tourist destination, Hilton Head is overflowing with pristine sandy beaches and gorgeous nature preserves that are perfect for outdoor adventures and exploration. Whether you are heading to Hilton Head for the gorgeous scenery or as a getaway from a hectic lifestyle, you are sure to find this island more relaxing than you ever imagined.
Hilton Head offers beachgoers more than twelve miles of sparkling white sand that borders on the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. You can find bustling beaches that are ripe for people-watching or more secluded areas that are perfect for a romantic stroll in the sand as the water gently brushes against your feet. One of the biggest differences between Hilton Head and other vacation destinations is that although the beaches are public, in most cases the access areas are private. Therefore, it is important to note in advance or ask a knowledgeable local where the best access points are so you do not end up wandering aimlessly in search of your desired beach.
There are quite a few beaches for such a small island, but two of the best for families and activities are Driessen Beach and Islander Beach Park. Driessen has the most amenities of all the area beaches, including a boardwalk, pavilion, playground, and easy to find metered parking. However, both of these beaches are great places to catch some sun, build sandcastles, and play in the waves of the ocean. Those who are looking for a more private beach experience will want to try Burkes Beach. It does not have any of the facilities the more popular beaches have but is great for anyone who wants a quiet afternoon for reflection near the water.
If you or anyone in your family is interested in marine life or wildlife, Hilton Head can certainly provide some interesting and worthwhile sights. Bottle nose dolphins are frequently spotted along the shore throughout the summer since this is where they come to catch their meals. For a more informative experience, outlets for dolphin-watching excursions can easily be found at several of the public marinas. Another local is the loggerhead turtle, which is an endangered species that buries its eggs in the soft sands of the Hilton Head beaches. Although it is rare to spot one of these giants, anyone with a strong interest can participate in a late night Turtle Watch that is offered by the Coastal Discovery Museum.
For views of the numerous four legged creatures that stalk the Island, make your way to the Sea Pines Forest Preserve for an informative, nature-based horseback or walking tour. Some of the animals you are likely to see include deer, minks, otters, and possibly even a few wild boar. It is unlikely, however, that you will see the elusive bobcat, which is usually only found in the forest preserves and the underdeveloped areas of Hilton Head Island.
While Hilton Head is a great place to escape from stress and relax on the beach, it is also the perfect place for duffers to hit some of the most beautiful links in the country. The scenic courses and rolling greens have been designed by some the games best, including Robert Trent Jones, Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, and George Cobb, so get ready for some interesting shots and difficult holes. There are an abundance of courses here, but one public course that certainly should not be missed is Harbour Town Golf Links, the most sought after course on the Island and the number one course in South Carolina.
Hilton Head Island is bound to have an attraction that suits your tastes and provides for a memorable and exciting adventure. For your next vacation to the Island, consider Hilton Head vacation rentals for your lodging needs. They are ideally situated not only near the sparkling sand and warm waters, but they are also close to the numerous attractions that are on your itinerary. Enjoy all the amenities of home in a location whose breathtaking beauty will melt all your stress away by staying in a vacation home or condo for your next trip to the coast.
HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Hilton Head vacation rentals for your next trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Tags: head, hilton, hilton head, travel, trip, vacationReturning Home Scottish Golf Breaks
By admin | July 1, 2008
July 2005 sees the return of the world’s greatest golf tournament to its spiritual home on the Scottish East Coast. With the 27th staging of the British Open taking place on the Old Course in 2005, St Andrews has held the event more often than anywhere else which has reinforced its strong reputation as the “Home of Golf”. This year’s event comes at a period of time where the Scottish Golf Industry is enjoying something of a renaissance, with more and more people choosing to visit the country for golfing holidays and test themselves on some of the world’s most famous courses.
The Old Course at St.Andrews, where this year the world’s greatest golfing talent will compete for the famous Claret Jug, originally consisted of 22 holes - eleven out and eleven back. However, in 1764 the local society of St.Andrews Golfers decided that the format of the course needed to change as the many of the holes were simply too short. As a result the total number of holes was cut to 18 - which is now synonymous with golf courses around the world.
However, despite the now settled structure of the course many in the town felt the links would be better served as a commercial opportunity rather than a playground for golfers. This combined with the local councils financial difficulties led to the links being sold in 1799 to a rabbit breeding company! This proved to be a very controversial move which essentially led to what is known locally as the “Rabbit Wars” for the best part of twenty years. Eventually, in 1821 a gentleman called James Cheape bought the links for the sole use of local golfers - which essentially led to the great golfing legacy which still exists to this day.
While in many countries golf is seen as a game for the financial elite, it has always been a sport that was accessible to all levels of society in Scotland. The popularity of the game continued to grow and in 1860 Prestwick Golf Club held the first Open Championship and won by Willie Park. St Andrews first held the Open in 1873 when Tom Kidd claimed the title and more than a century later the course has seen some of the most exciting opens including the famous Tiger Woods victory in 2000 where he set a low-scoring record of 19 under par while becoming the youngest player to have achieved a career “grand slam” of golf’s four major tournaments.
In addition to the famous win by Tiger Woods the winner of the 2005 Open will be following in the footsteps of other legends such as Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Locke and James Braid who have all won over the famous links. Put simply winning the Open at the home of golf is the absolute pinnacle of achievement that any golfer can hope or even dream to achieve.
It seems hard to imagine that a country with the rich history of golf that Scotland enjoys could lose its way in terms of promoting itself as a great golfing destination. However, during the 90’s this was certainly the case. Countries such as Portugal, Spain and even Ireland worked tirelessly to sell themselves to the outside world as the ideal destination for a golfing holiday. Scotland was perhaps guilty of arrogance thinking that it could survive on its historical reputation alone.
However, the last four years has seen a definite shift in the market with large amounts of (particularly English, American and Japanese) golfers once again visiting Scottish shores. Helped by the publicity surrounding this years Open at St.Andrews more and more golfers are looking for golfing breaks and have a large number of companies competing for their business.
One such company is the short break specialist www.superbreak.com whom offer a range of golfing breaks to top Scottish resorts such as Marriott Dalmahoy which is set in 1000 acres of wooded parkland at the foot of the Pentland Hills and has hosted both the Solheim Cup and the Scottish PGA Championship. In St.Andrews itself the relatively new St.Andrews Bay Golf Resort provides 5 star luxury that rivals the best of golfing hotels anywhere in the world. Sitting amidst the rugged coastal landscape of East Fife the hotel is within a short distance of all the St.Andrews courses as well as other top local courses such as Lundin Links, Leven Links, Scotscraig and Ladybank.
It seems despite heavy investment in promotion of golfing resorts in other countries Scotland will always command a very special place in the global golfing community. Lessons seem to have been learnt and the Scottish golfing industry is unlikely to rest on its laurels again. While a rich history and flagship tournament are important, if the industry is to continue to flourish then continued and focussed investment most remain a priority.
Richard currently lives just outside Edinburgh, working hard for a leith based media company, and writes occasional articles for web sites.
Tags: golf, golf break, golf trip, golfing break, golfing holiday, golfing hot, hotel, short break, travelVacationing in Kauai
By admin | May 15, 2008
Kauai, the oldest and northernmost of the Hawaiian Islands, is a tropical paradise that is surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Nicknamed the Garden Isle, visitors can lose themselves in the radiant flora and lush rainforests that abound around every corner of the island. Come to Kauai for the sheer beauty of the beaches, the lavish tropical setting, and the numerous attractions, and you may never want to step foot off this heavenly island again.
No matter which part of the island you decide to stay on, there is bound to be a local beach that can satisfy your desire for sun and sand. The two main areas that most individuals choose to visit are the South Shore and North Shore, with the North Shore maintaining the reputation of the slightly quieter of the two. If you prefer the action of the South Shore, there are numerous excellent beaches for sunning, swimming, and snorkeling, but Poipu Beach is the premier destination for white sand, clear blue water, and colorful marine life. For surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, and more active pursuits, head over to Shipwreck Beach in the summer to take advantage of the excellent wave conditions.
Although some consider the North Shore a less bustling region, this is where beachcombers head for some of the best beaches in the country. Hanalei Bay is one of the more popular beaches since it can accommodate a wide range of activities, including swimming, snorkeling, sailing, surfing, bodyboarding, fishing, and canoeing. This is also a great location for scenic walks as the sparkling gold sand beaches extend for two miles along the bay and are surrounded by towering, lush green mountains on one side. Tunnels Beach, named for the reef tunnels that are popular with scuba divers, is another great option if you prefer to dive to the depths of the ocean and explore the various marine life.
When you are ready to pick your towel up off the sand, make your way to one of the eight golf courses that are sprinkled throughout the Garden Isle. Three of the top five courses in Hawaii are found in Kauai, so why not test your accuracy and nerves on a challenging and scenically breathtaking course. Poipu Bay Golf Course, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design, brings the ocean winds into play to make for a difficult test of skill while also highlighting any weaknesses in your game. Kauai Lagoons, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is another excellent option whose dramatic cliffs, expansive ravines, and acres of tropical lagoons are designed to throw off the game of even the most experienced players.
The beauty of Kauai was not only meant to be admired, it was also meant to be explored by visitors of the island. There are hiking trails interspersed throughout the island so visitors can venture into the ninety percent of the island that is not accessible by road. One of the first trails any first time visitor should explore is the five-mile Kukui Trail that takes visitors to the bottom of the Waimea Canyon via the shortest route. Beginning off the Iliau Loop Trail, hikers are rewarded with a spectacular swimming hole at the bottom and breathtaking views of the canyon throughout the journey. Kuilau Ridge Trail offers a more encompassing view of Kauai’s allure by taking hikers on a four mile trip past glistening waterfalls and an abundance of flora.
Kauai has a wealth of beauty and a variety of exciting activities to offer to its guests, so make the most of this stunning area by choosing Kauai vacation rentals for your lodging needs. Surround yourself with gorgeous flora, panoramic views of the ocean, and pristine white sand beaches as you enjoy all the conveniences and amenities of home. You really can experience the Kauai vacation of your dreams when you stay in a vacation home rental that has everything you need for a relaxing and fulfilling trip.
HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Kauai vacation rentals for your next trip to this stunning Hawaiian Island.
Tags: hawaii, island, kauai, travel, trip, vacation