Greece Travel Tips and Guide

Lanzarote is one of the most popular islands for European holidaymakers, not just for the traditional summer weeks but for winter too, as the weather for the island - often in the 70's even in December and January - make it the ideal destination for tourists from Northern Europe to head to to escape the winter blues.

And being able to relax on the beach and catch some rays over the Christmas and New Year festivities is enough in itself to tempt many to take a holiday in Lanzarote then.

But now a leading internet site has confirmed what many holidaymakers to Lanzarote already knew - that not only are the beaches great but one Lanzarote beach ranks among the best in the world.

The site points out that while Lanzarote is just a hundred miles off Africa, it is Spanish, and describe the locals as 'passionate'. And of Lanzarote's 90 beaches they say the best one, which ranks among the best in the world, is on the south of the island, at Caleta del Congrio, with an 87 per cent privacy rating.

They also suggest that those who like wind surfing should head for a different Lanzarote beach - the four mile long Famara Beach.

Other areas that were in the top beach list include Barbados, Turkey, Paros in Greece, Loreto in Mexico and Malibu in California.

World class beaches and water sports aren't all that await Lanzarote tourists though. Puerto Del Carmen for example, which is one of the island's most popular towns for holidaymakers, is a hub of excitement for many family activities.

And if the Lanzarote tourist is looking for a sports filled holiday rather than a family one, Puerto Del Carmen offers sports enthusiasts a wide range of activities. Locally owned diving shops often take tourists on amazing underwater adventures to various places around the island. Diving schools are available for those who wish to learn to dive or snorkel.

Windsurfing, swimming, boating, jet skiing and paragliding are also very popular water sports enjoyed by many locals and tourists. Sports enthusiasts also can enjoy golfing, cycling, running, hiking, camping and other local activities, including the Ironman competition.

Costa Teguise, another area favoured by tourists taking holidays in Lanzarote, is the smallest of the three large resorts on the island. It is about 6 miles northeast of the capital city Arrecife. The entire resort is built on former lava fields and saltpans. The resort consists of several apartment blocks, bungalows and villas. Primary attractions are the golf course, a marina, commercial shops and entertainment. Many visitors enjoy the water park in the outskirts of the resort.

Playa Blanca is a quieter area of the island, and often preferred by those who take villa holidays rather than hotel accommodation. Once a small fishing port, Playa Blanca is very popular with families due to its size and many family friendly beaches. Two more beaches were recently added to Playa Blanca to help make up for the lack of space on the main central beach. Along the well maintained and manicured streets there are several shops, restaurants and clubs. Lanzarote's Playa Blanca offers many sports and attractions for tourists of all ages.

But above all, if Lanzarote should be a magnet for any particular type of tourist, it has to be the beach lover - there's 90 to choose from including one of the best in the world!

Do you fancy visiting Greece and specifically Greek Islands? If so, you are for certain not alone. Each year, millions of people visits to Greek Islands to fancy the Aegean Sea and everything that it has to offer. Although it is excellent to fancy Greek Islands from the coast, you may want to think about taking it a step further. You may want to think about actually fancy the sea water, from a vessel. There are two options. Either cruising or one of the best vessels to do this is a privately chartered yacht.

Visiting by sea the Greek Islands conjures visions of deep blue skies, clear azure sea, breathtaking scene, white villages, fascinating nightlife, dining in seaside taverns and nothing compares to the freedom and stimulation one feels. Going by water there are different options, first of all there is self-sail, bare boating or bareboat chartering, which means that you will have to skipper the yacht yourself and no hired skipper, cook or hostess will be onboard. Shipping gives you a convenience, which no other holiday and can provide.

Greece has many sailing areas to select from depending on your choice for wind conditions, scene, cultural historic interest, and nightlife. The Aegean Sea Winds usually blow during the summer season, from May to September, but they are specially known for the months of July and August. Greece features more than 2.000 islands and islets of which only the 169 are inhabited, each and every one of them handout original beauty, fascinate and many bays only accessible by boat. The most beautiful itineraries are the Ionian Sea, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Sporades or the Northern Greece area.

In Greece sail vacations are considered the most fulfilling way to uncover the beauty and splendor of her coastlines and islands. Sailing holidays are often organized by companies who are based in other countries and have few or no Greek staff or representatives. Whatever your penchant for yacht charters, Greece will meet or beat your expectations giving you a vacation like none other.

When it comes to shipping a private yacht, there are many individuals who automatically get yachts confused with boats. While they do have a few small similarities, there are quite a few differences. Before you go about charting a private yacht, you are urged to know the difference between a private yacht and a private boat. For the most part, yachts are equipped with cabins under the deck. These cabins not only contain sleeping quarters, but bathrooms, kitchens, and small dining rooms. This is what makes a yacht larger than most traditional boats, because boats do not have all of the previously mentioned amenities.

Due to the fact that yachts are often compared to small apartments or hotel rooms, they are perfect for those looking to take a long, extended trip, as they can offer guest exactly what they need. Due the size of most yachts, you will also find that they accommodate more travellers. That is why the charting of a private yacht is ideal for those who are looking for a unthinkable family vacation, because most have enough room to accommodate even a large sized family.

If you are interested in charting a private yacht for your next romantic getaway, family vacation, or business travel, you will need to find a private yacht shipping company. For the best chance of success, you are urged to use the internet. However, it is not uncommon for your local travel agent to also have information on private yacht companies, specially those that come highly rated and recommended. After after all Yachting in Greece is consider the most unforgettable vacation experience, and the cost for such an experience is also affordable. Following are some prices for different rentals for your consideration. Generally Price varies as same is calculated according to distance and fuel consumption of engine (s).

Prices are per 2-days (minimum hire) and an on-site cash payment of Euros 45 per booking to be made to cover Yacht Damage Waiver, Cleaning and Fuel. Price is: US $1510 or 1680 euro per person sharing double cabin Singles Supplement: US $1890 or 2100 euro, if single occupancy cabin on boat is required Included in the price are the following: Price is: US $990 or 1100 euro per person sharing double cabin Singles Supplement: US $1240 or 1375 euro, if single occupancy cabin on boat is required Included in the price are the following.

Prices for super luxury yachts are in the region of eight to ten thousand Euros a day-but yachts this size are fully staffed with crew and sleep between four and six couples, so the price of chartering is comparable to the price of a suite at a super luxury resort. Not such an impossible idea as one would think, anymore hiring a yacht for a sail round the Greek islands is available from yacht charter companies situated in the capita, or local Islands. Anything from a day to a week or month, yacht hire is one of the fastest growing aspects of the leisure industry and while you're here, why not like a sail? Bare boats or crewed vessels, engine or mast, a variety to suit the variation of the many Islands in Greek waters.