This can be a great traveling experience. You can relax and enjoy one island for several days and take tours of the rest of them when you want. The choices are yours and can be quite enjoyable no matter what you do.

But a restaurant does not have to be costly or huge to be a success. Many of the more popular vacationing eating spots are small diner like places. Good food does not have to come on fine china. You just never know, it may be served with plastic utensils on a paper plate. How do you find the best spots? Well, you can search online for reviews, ask the locals in the area, or just try as many as you can while you are there. No matter what, bring a big appetite and bring along someone with you, order two meals to test out and split them for fun.

This is a huge feat for someone who loves to truly sail. True sailing usually requires someone with a very analytical mindset that helps them to navigate all the way around the world. Sure modern equipment helps with all this but it will not do the sailing for you. Plus it can be really tough when you experience rough seas and very dangerous weather. It is also hard on the body to be at sea for this long. Back in the days of old, ships were out to see for months and months at a time before they would even see land. The journeys could be quite harsh.

But learning from the mistakes of the older sailors and with the help of modern technology, this trip can be done and actually done in a few short months. So do you think you could do it? Even with help would you even last as a passenger in the boat?

But there are things you need to consider before you decide to make the move to an island location. One big thing to think about is the comforts of home. What do you love and feel you need where you currently live, like macaroni and cheese, fast internet and a movie theatre. Whatever your list is, you then to need to find out if these things are available on the island you want to live on. The best way to do this is by visiting for at least a week. Maybe hooking up with someone locally and paying them to help you figure out how island living is really there.

Also, what country controls the island? Do they have internet and phone? Are the costs about the same? What does housing cost and power? Are there good fresh water sources? Never jump the gun on any move, be sure to get militant about researching just where it is you’re considering moving to. Doing this will save you a ton of headaches later.

For example, recently the Padre Islands were having problems with red algae. Red algae is not that toxic to humans, but it is no fun to swim in. It can cause skin irritations and breathing problems, but the symptoms are short lived.

Or imagine planning a trip 6 months in advance -say to the Bahamas, only to have a Hurricane blow through there. Island vacations can be particularly beautiful, yet at the same time have the tendency to have extreme weather pop up quickly.

There is really not much you can do. You can try and plan trips away from rainy or hurricane seasons. Also try and have some flexibility around where you would go. If you have plane tickets that allow you to swap destinations, then you can always go to your backup plan if needed.

So be careful and have fun!

Now let me say that for me, no think you. A trip to the Bahamas would be great, but a wedding there, that sounds a little rough for a home body like me. Besides, how in the world would you get the entire wedding party there? I can’t imagine going up to my friends and family and letting them know in order to attend my wedding they will be flying and staying in the Bahamas on themselves.  Nobody would show up to my wedding…

But for the adventurous, the Bahamas will take care of all this for you for a pretty hefty price. No having to coordinate anything, they will do it all for you, just show up and make sure you have your wedding license.

What an amazing place to get married for the free-spirit. The beautiful beaches and amazing places to visit would be unforgettable. I admit it does seem ideal in one sense, having the wedding at the same location of your honeymoon.

Although it’s not for me, by the end of doing some reading on weddings in the Bahamas and writing this blog, I could be swayed to participate if my mood were right!

]]> http://www.foroarchipielago.com/the-stunning-azores-archipelago.html/feed 0 http://www.foroarchipielago.com/vacation-rentals-by-owner-on-archipelago-of-hawaiian-islands.html http://www.foroarchipielago.com/vacation-rentals-by-owner-on-archipelago-of-hawaiian-islands.html#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:48:15 +0000 admin http://www.foroarchipielago.com/vacation-rentals-by-owner-on-archipelago-of-hawaiian-islands.html The outcomes of recent statistical inquiries declare that the major part of people from the United States of America would prefer to spend their vacations on Hawaii resort. Surely, Hawaiian Islands still remain a favorite place for vacation not only for the USA people, but also for visitors from all over the world, and that is no wonder — the blue sky, the tender sea and the smiling sun gather tourists to this heavenly spot for many years already. The central zone of the Hawaiian archipelago which includes 24 islands, is considered to be island Oahu on which the greatest hotels, SPA centers, boutiques and cafes are placed. However if you want to find more quite and calm place, than the best choice is to go to Maui, the most excellent island on the planet, full of calmness, views of huge waterfalls, volcanoes and wild nature. There is no problems with rental apartments or buildings for vocation on Hawaiian archipelago. Truly it is a tourist resort for many visitors to stay here for a vacation time annually. Lots of hotels and hotel complexes all the time welcome their visitors. For example, the only island Oahu has more than 60 hotels constructed specially for rent and you have really various choice to find a separate vacation construction in this heavenly spot. On the neighboring islands vocation rentals are usually the property of private owners who, in most cases, let apartments and houses for rent even on more favourable conditions. Little bit more problem present homes for rent on the island itself, but the cabin rentals on the neighboring islands of the archipelago of Hawaiian Islands are significantly less. The price of cabin rentals changes considerably — you can have an opportunity to find an apartment starting from 600 dollars maximum to some thousands. On the average you can spend at least 600 dollars per month to rent a studio and you will have to lay out about 900 dollars per month to order a bedroom (1-2 rooms) on neighboring islands of the archipelago of Hawaiian Islands. Apartments with the ocean panorama or penthouses, and also apartments on Oahu are much more expensive. The cost of house rental on any island is at least 1200 dollars per month, accordingly a house situated on a seahost of Oahu has the rental value of some thousands of dollars a month, and the final cost of these vacation homes will vary according to its total area, furnishing, etc. Nevertheless such rental homes for vocation are anyway lower in cost, than living in a hotel. But home rental can be cost-effective only when the traveler comes to Hawaii at least for a month, as some time should inevitably be spent for searching and making a choice.



By: Martin

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]]> http://www.foroarchipielago.com/vacation-rentals-by-owner-on-archipelago-of-hawaiian-islands.html/feed 0 http://www.foroarchipielago.com/end-your-tropical-honeymoon-vacation-in-the-mafia-archipelago-off-tanzania.html http://www.foroarchipielago.com/end-your-tropical-honeymoon-vacation-in-the-mafia-archipelago-off-tanzania.html#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:01:07 +0000 admin http://www.foroarchipielago.com/end-your-tropical-honeymoon-vacation-in-the-mafia-archipelago-off-tanzania.html Many young couples have a tropical honeymoon vacation, and some take an African Safari Honeymoon to Tanzania or Kenya, and then urgently seek a peaceful quiet escape for the last few days, and this is where an Indian Ocean Island in the Mafia Archipelago off Tanzania called Chole comes in.

There are few better places to finally end up in than Chole Mijini Lodge which is the epitome of a romantic honeymoon getaway. This is never more true if you are very conscious of the damage that new holiday developments can do to the local environment or population, because Chole Mijini Lodge has developed with the best principles of echo tourism and benefiting local communities.

Chole Mijini Lodge is on a tiny fertile island called Chole, some twenty minutes sail from Mafia. It has been set up as a partnership with the owners Jean and Anne de Villiers and the people of Chole Village. In fact $10 per night per guest goes to resource community development projects, and this is working extremely well.

This has so far resulted in the Community having, and more importantly being able to afford to run a primary school, a kindergarten, an adult learning centre with computers and English classes, and a clinic and a market.

Chole Mijini Lodge is very close to the village, and is unfenced, being situated amidst the ruins of an old town that was heavily involved in the slave trade two centuries ago.

There are six tree houses high up on stilts, and a large suite on the ground. The tree houses are quite superbly designed and extremely unusual, with the whole effect being one of a tropical garden amidst the ruins, and it is spectacularly effective.

The tree houses all have a view over the mangroves to the sea, and contain a bathroom at ground level with a long drop composting loo, which although it sounds pretty basic, does work very well. If Chole is to be part of your honeymoon, and you don’t like the sound of this, then book the ground level suite which boasts the only flush toilet on the island!

There are hot showers for all the accommodations, and there is a dhow where you can spend a night away from the lodge.

Mijini Lodge has a very comfortable main lounge with lots of large colorful cushions to lie about on, with loads of books and games.

This really is an escape and a romantic getaway destination.

It is also fair to point out that Mijini Lodge has no electricity supply, and it is full board, with dining at a large family style dining table, and only water is included in the full board rate, although alcoholic drinks can be purchased. You will find the the food simple imaginative and superb, with different dishes to tempt even the most jaded palate!

The service is excellent throughout the lodge, always there, and very discreet. If you are worried about security, there are guards around all the time especially at night so so feel safe at all times.

In terms of what you do at Mijini Lodge, there are sailing trips, forest walks, and general exploration of the historical ruins, and general history of the area, snorkeling, and diving. There is everything from shallow lagoons to deep dives, and a fully set up PADI center.

Tanzania, and the Mafia Archipelago makes everyone think of white sand beaches, and they are easily accessible by dhow, if not quite on the doorstep. Some of the beaches you will be taken to are so remote, utterly untouched and beautiful.

What you absolutely must do is to take the unique opportunity to see how the local village lives, and to experience it. Majini gives you a unique opportunity to do this, and gives you an insight into everyday African life.

Without wishing to be negative, the biggest drawback to Chole Mijini Lodge is the heat normally an advantage during the day, but at night when the breeze drops, the lack of a fan, and the ever present malaria mosquitoes means that the bed enclosed by nets becomes an oven. Now this is also the case at many safari camps in Africa, but is something to be aware of here.

Notwithstanding Chole Mijini Lodge is a completely unique spot to end an African safari honeymoon, but not for people who need all the luxuries of the 21st century. If it is for you, then the experience you will have will make this a romantic honeymoon getaway you will never forget.

It isn’t really a base for a complete Tanzania vacation, but a great place for two or three days, hidden so to speak, amongst the islands in the Mafia Archipelago.



By: Peter R Stewart

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]]> http://www.foroarchipielago.com/end-your-tropical-honeymoon-vacation-in-the-mafia-archipelago-off-tanzania.html/feed 0 http://www.foroarchipielago.com/eating-out-in-italy-elba-island-and-the-tuscan-archipelago.html http://www.foroarchipielago.com/eating-out-in-italy-elba-island-and-the-tuscan-archipelago.html#comments Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:42:28 +0000 admin http://www.foroarchipielago.com/eating-out-in-italy-elba-island-and-the-tuscan-archipelago.html Lying in a broad arch off Tuscany’s coast in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Tuscan Archipelago is Europe’s largest protected marine park. The archipelago encompasses seven main islands and several smaller islets stretching from Gorgona in the north (almost on the same latitude as Florence) to Giannutri in the south vith Capraia, Elba, Pianosa, Montecristo, and Giglio in betweeen.

Most of the islands are accessible to tourists, with the exceptions of Montecristo, which is open only to marine research scientists, and Gorgona, home only to a large prison. By far the largest and best known is Elba, which is linked to Piombino on the mainland by regular hydrofoil and ferry services. Famous as the place where Napoleon was briefly exiled before his final defeat at Waterloo, it has lovely beaches, campsites shaded by pines and, last but not least, a flavorful and tasty traditional fare.

The food of the Tuscan Archipelago is characterized by the simplicity of the ingredients and the wide variety of recipes, due to the isolation of the various communities over the centuries. Each island has absorbed different cultures and customs into its traditional cuisine. This is particularly evident in the larger islands such as Elba, where traditional cooking offers differences and variations from one area to the next. In Portoferraio there is the Savoy cabbage, in Capoliveri the potato, egg and onion soup, In Marciana the stuffed sardines and in Rio Marina the ‘guruglione (a spanish influenced vegetable soup).

Fish is certainly the king of cooking in the Tuscan Archipelago: from boiled octopus to ‘zerri’, a delicious variety of local fish served fried, roasted, marinated, in soups or in stews. The archipelago’s tastiest seafood recipes include spaghetti with spider crab or fresh tuna sauce, anchovies with pesto, stuffed squid, squid with chard and the ubiquitous ‘cacciucco’ (a variation on the famous fish soup from Livorno).

Elba cuisine offers some great soups in the Tuscan tradition. The most popular recipes are made with ‘cavolo nero’ and beans or with fresh chard and egg. This was traditionally prepared by the island’s farmers for the ‘Lombards’, a generic term used for the seasonal labourers. As well as squid, Capraia is known for its sammule (wild garlic) and wild asparagus fritters. Specialties from the island of Giglio include ‘coniglio alla cacciatora’ (wild rabbit cooked in a spicy tomato sauce), ‘baccalà in agrodolce’ (salt cod in a sweet and sour sauce) and ‘tonnina salata’ (fresh tuna immersed in salted water and then placed in brine).

All of the tasty dishes mentioned above are almost always accompanied by some local wine. Despite the decrease of the vineyard area over the last years, Elban grapes manage to produce an array of fine wines, which for some years now have been given the D.O.C. certification label (the Italian equivalent of the French A.O.C.). Among the most renowned are Elba Bianco (white), Elba Rosso (red), Rosato (rosè), Moscato and Aleatico, both of which are sweet dessert wines.

Speaking of dessert wines, it is only natural to mention a popular Elba Island treat called ‘Schiaccia Briaca’ (literally ‘drunk cake’, where the cake is drunk with Aleatico). Schiaccia Briaca is made with kneading flour, wine, sultanas and dried nuts. Except from the wine, many of the same ingredients can be found also in the ‘panficato’, coming from Giglio Island.

Being a popular travel destination, the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago are fille with restaurants and other eateries, even though most of the establishments are open from late spring to early autumn only. Many of the archipelago’s restaurants offer a variety of traditional dishes and the quality is generally good. Before entering a place, however, it is always a good idea to take a look at the price list displayed outside of the premise. Smaller islands tend to be more expensive than mainland Italy and the Tuscan Archipekago makes no exception to this rule.

If you are on a tight budget, attending one of the many food festivals held throughout the year is an excellent way to taste some of the local specialties spending only a few euros. Among the several celebrations taking place periodically, the traditional ‘Squid Festival’ held on November in Capraia deserves a special mention. The festival begins with a squid fishing contest and continues the following day with all the fished squids cooked and eaten on the spot.

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This article is part of a series covering the most important italian travel destinations and regional cuisines. You can search for related articles about eating out in Rome, Florence, Milan, Naples and Venice.



By: Bob McCormack

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