Maui – The Ultimate Hawaiian Getaway

Maui is known as the most popular island in the Hawaiian chain and the reason why is obvious. It is naturally gifted with breathtaking landscapes, beaches, and underwater life that makes it well suited for active travelers. If you are planning a trip to Maui in Hawaii, make sure to read this world travel guide to have a truly memorable experience on the island.

Your first stop must be to visit a Hawaiian luau. Although it may sound cliché with several other travel writers recommending that you go to one, your Hawaiian experience wouldn't be complete without it. There are many luau that you can participate in but the Old Lahaina Luau in Front Street is the most popular option there is. It is well renowned for its authentic luau festivities with lots of great food and entertainment. This, however, won't be a cheap affair, so make sure you brought your wallet with you!

Another highly recommended activity in the world travel guide to Maui consist of a drive along the legendary Road to Hana. This is the most popular road in Maui. And for good reasons. This is where you can experience the most iconic and breathtaking drive with a few stops along the way. Thus, it is perfect option for those who wish to experience as many tourist spots as possible within a limited time. For the most scenic driving experience along Road to Hana, make sure to visit during the summer months, which is from January to March.

Of course, what's a trip to Hawaii without heading to the beach? There are plenty of beaches that you can check out in Maui, but to make it easier for you to choose, you have to decide what color of beach you prefer. The Ho'okipa Beach is the perfect choice for a wintertime beach frolicking such that its waves are irresistible to windsurfers and surfers. The water, indeed, is not ideal for swimming because of the extremely rough waves.

If you want to go snorkeling, head to Ka'anapali Beach wherein you can get upclose and personal with the underwater life. Make sure to snorkel in the morning because that is the best time to experience them to the fullest. If you do not have your own snorkeling or diving gears with you, no need to worry because there are many hotels and dive shops within the area that will allow you to rent their gears. If you are not too active of a tourist and simply looking for a beach to unwind to, Wailea Beach is perfect for you. There are cabanas and lounges that you can lay on to feel the wind from the ocean or watch the sunset.

The natural beauty of Maui indeed encourages tourists to make the most of it with eco-tourism activities. This world travel guide has a few suggestions, such as visiting one of many botanical gardens to mingle freely with various species of fauna as well as tropical exotics that are found only in this side of the world. Or, you can go whale watching from November until May. The waters surrounding the island of Maui was recognized by the congress as a marine sanctuary in 1992. Thus, you must make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join excursions and be as close as 100 yards to these giant sea creatures. Other more extreme nature activities you can enjoy in this Hawaiian vacation include parasailing or zip lining. Meanwhile, you can join hiking excursions at Ke'anae Arboretum, Haleakala National Park, and the Iao Valley State Park.

To cap off your wild adventures in Maui, you can dine and enjoy some unique Hawaiian cuisines as the city is known as the state's dining capital. There is a diverse range of cuisine to choose from like international cuisines and west or south Maui cuisines usually featuring fresh seafoods. Most restaurants also have an open-air dining experience, often overlooking the seafront.

Ready to embark on a vacation to Maui? Take note of the activities and destinations listed in this world travel guide to make the most of this experience and come back rejuvenated.

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World Travel Guide To Aruba

Aruba might be the smallest of the Caribbean islands but it is also the most popular and frequented by tourists. Its southwest coast, specifically, is popular because it is vibrant with casinos, hotels, white sand beaches, and marine life. It also has a daily average of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, which provides an ideal climate to relax since it is neither too hot nor too cold. Prepare your budget though because a vacation to Aruba isn't an inexpensive fare. Read more of this world travel guide to experience the best of this Caribbean trip.

It comes as no surprise that a Caribbean island such as Aruba is known for its seafoods, but this is one reason in itself to visit the island. Whether you want shellfish, crabs, fresh fish, or other kinds of seafoods, you will surely find a restaurant that serves it up to tourists in Aruba. Aside from an abundance of local Aruba restaurants, there is also a reasonable amount of American chain restaurants for those who miss staple foods at home.

The sun and sand of Aruba is among the world's best, which is why its tourism-centric economy has managed to thrive. There are plenty of beaches in Aruba so it is important to point out the best ones to make choosing much easier for you. Baby Beach, for instance, features shallow and calm waters that is ideal for timid swimmers, or those who just want to dip in the cool waters. Many locals even frequent this beach during laid back days. An important reminder for tourists: bring your own towels and gears because there are no facilities here to cater to those. You will, however, find refreshments on-site if you want to cool off with some tropical drinks.

Another perfect beach for swimming is Rodgers Beach. However, this one gets an edge because it is also a perfect spot for snorkeling. If you want to stay for the night, there is also some live entertainment for you to jam with. For the best of the best, Aruba's Eagle Beach is recognized by popular travel magazines as among to world's top 10 beaches due to its stretch of powdery white sand. Aside from swimming, you can enjoy several beach and water activities here. Last but certainly not the least in this world travel guide on the best beaches in Aruba is Palm Beach. Several resorts and hotels line up the stretch of Palm Beach, which makes it real convenient for tourists to check out the beach or go for stroll and swim.

Whether you want to go sightseeing or experience the rich culture of this majestic island, Aruba has enough choices of wonderful attractions for you. Alto Vista Chapel is one of them, which was first established by the Indians and Spanish 250 years ago. Alto Vista is aptly named because it sits atop a cliff overlooking the sea. Another historical site is Archaeological Museum of Aruba that houses several artifacts that will tell the story of the history of Aruba and its original inhabitants.

Aruba is the heart of many natural attractions like Arikok National Wildlife Park. The park makes up 20% of the entire island's ground area wherein you can go on a hike or excursion. If you would like to hike on your own, that shouldn't be a problem because the trails are well-maintained. You can also take this opportunity to get a first-hand look at many of the unique species in the area. When your day of strolling and frolicking is over, dine with some of the best restaurants in Aruba such as Senor Frog's, Garufa Cigar & Cocktail Lounge, Mambo Jambo, and Charlie's Bar & Restaurant, among others.

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, there are plenty of outdoor activities to fill your time such as wind surfing, kite surfing, mountain biking, land sailing, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, and body boarding, to name a few. The nightlife in Aruba is also a great way to cap off your day with plenty of night club destinations and be among the locals. Soprano's Piano Bar in an open-aired trendy destination located among the hotels in Palm Beach. For a nightlife that is spiced up with Aruban personality, Tattoo Party Cruise is the place to be. Eat as much as you can and then move on to the dance floor once you are fully stuffed. They place various kinds of music ranging from disco hits to Latin rhythms. Plus, their drinks are cheap too!

There are more things you can do at Aruba than this world travel guide can discuss. Make sure to plan your vacation well and ahead of time so you can make the most of this experience.

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Spain's Gem: Barcelona

When talking about the best vacation spots in Europe, or the world for that matter, Barcelona is one of those cities that will never go amiss in the list. It is fittingly dubbed as the Mediterranean jewel with an all-in-one package of offerings that will delight all types of tourists. The country is also rich in over 2,000 years of history so you will be in awe at what you can find at literally every corner. This world travel guide will show you exactly what you need to do and where you had to go when in Barcelona to make the most of your stay.

An integral part of Barcelona's identity as a tourist destination and a Spanish city is its artistic and architectural tradition. Indeed, there are plenty of cultural and sightseeing attractions that you can find in the city with most of them several centuries old. Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia or Church of the Sacred Family is among those religious and architectural sites in Barcelona that you must include in the itinerary. Another famous work of Gaudi is Casa Mila, which is an apartment complex visited by lots of tourists in this Spanish city. Other cultural sites and attractions that you can check out include La Seu or Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, Barri Gotic, Las Ramblas, Picasso Museum, and the National Art Museum of Catalonia.

If you are not the one to be interested in cultural or historical sites, don't fret because the Barcelona world travel guide has more options for you. The gourmet delights of Barcelona, for instance, is one of those that has drawn lots of tourists in this side of the world. Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria is a shopping center that is also a go-to place for all those who love food. This 17th century plaza is home to bakers, farmers, and all those culinary masters that offer their unique Spanish culinary treats to visitors. The plaza is lined up with restaurants and bars so you can take your pick according to budget and individual preferences.

But if you want a more exciting way to get your fill on the city's gourmet delights, why not participate in Barcelona walking tours? The entire walking tour usually lasts for up to 2 hours with an option to have either an English- or Spanish-speaking tour guide. Stops will generally include Granja Viader, Carrer de Petritxol, and Cafe d'la Opera. But if you have a sweet tooth, you will be thrilled to sample some of the sweet treats at two of Barcelona's most famous chocolate and pastry shops Pastisseria Escriba and Xocolateria Fargas.

The nightlife in Barcelona is also something that you should try to experience once in a while. Most new tourists to the city are surprised to know that they do have a vibrant nightlife. World travel guide suggests visiting between May to October wherein beach bars (or locally known as chiringuitos) line up the urban beaches as locals and tourists partake in a night of frivolity. Barcelona's nightlife is indeed characterized by great music, exciting bars, and eccentric characters that you will surely remember long after you've left.

And to relax after a wild night, you can take a stroll along the beaches of Barcelona or have a dip in the blue Mediterranean waters. If you want to have a truly relaxing time, take your pick from any of the following beaches: Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, St Pol de Mar Beach, Ocata Beach, and Sitges Beach. Don't miss out on the chance to experience some down time after a hectic shopping and strolling all over the city.

Take note of this world travel guide to be among the locals and experience everything that this city has gotten famous for!

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