Farewell! To Ft. Myers Beach We Go!

It is with great sadness that I write my final blog post for my loyal travelers. If you began reading my blog after my first post, I cannot thank you enough for sticking with me. This was a very exciting experience and I am happy to have shared my traveling enthusiasm with you. I hope that you have the opportunity to visit at least one of the breathtaking destinations we discovered in that last twelve weeks. With that said, let's 'sea' one more place!

Not to continue referring to my first post, but it was in that post that I had mentioned the only beaches I had ever been to. Included in that list was today's destination: Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. I am sure you are a little disappointed that we are not discovering somewhere more exotic, but Ft. Myers was my first beach experience and I am feeling a little nostalgic.

So for those of you not familiar with southwest Florida, I am sure you want to know where exactly Ft. Myers Beach is located? Ft. Myers Beach is located on on the barrier island of Ernesto Island on the Gulf of Mexico, thirty minutes from Bonita Springs and forty-five minutes from Naples.

One of the very nice parts about traveling to Ft. Myers Beach, is that the Southwest Florida International Airport is located right in Ft. Myers, making the travel time from the baggage claim to the beach less than thirty minutes. And, if you are traveling from inside the United States, no passport is needed. Could it get any better? Yes! Now let's check out the beach.

According to the Town of Ft. Myers Beach, the island of Ft. Myers Beach boasts miles of white, sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, where the ocean floor gently slopes toward the horizon with no drop-offs or big waves. It is the perfect spot to spend the day and the sunsets are well-known around the world. I will have to agree with that! Ft. Myers Beach is the perfect spot to vacation with your family or to go on Spring Break with your friends.

The beach also has an impressive 560-foot pier that vacationers can walk to get a better view of the ocean. The park at the beach also features public access to restrooms, showers, picnic tables and a new playground for children.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay, do not worry. There are different options for every person and price point. There are condos that families can rent out, as well as hotels known for the Spring Break, partying lifestyle. Trip Advisor provides a nice list, as well as reviews of the many hotel options.

From personal experience, I love the atmosphere at Ft. Myers Beach. All along the beach there are many different bars, restaurants and shops to entertain you when you need to get out of the sun for a little while. You can buy a souvenir or grab some brunch, and you are sure to have a good time.

This is where my family vacationed when my brother and I were little. It has been a few years since I have gone, but the memories are so good. I hope you can make some memories of your own in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida!

Farewell! Go 'sea' the world!

Seychelles

Welcome back to the 'Sea' the World Blog. Because I want to make sure you get a wholesome experience when reading my blog posts, I decided to do more research on what some of the best travel sites define as the best beaches in the world. So today, we will discover Seychelles. Have you heard of it?

The U.S. News and World Report named Seychelles the number one beach in the world on their list of the top twelve beaches in the world list. National Geographic online also named Seychelles number one. So what does it have to offer?

Well for starters, we need to locate Seychelles. Seychelles, which is actually a chain of 115 islands, is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of eastern Africa.

According to travel.usnews.com, Seychelles offers seemingly endless white beaches, giant boulders and swaying palms that are the stuff of postcards, television commercials and desktop backgrounds. While lounging on the island, the only other life forms you are likely to come in contact with are the islands' colorful birds and humongous tortoises.

The island nation recognizes three official languages: English, French and French-based Seselwa Creole. Many Seychellois can also speak Italian or German.

If you are considering traveling here, you will need to have your passport ready when flying into Seychelles International Airport (SEZ).

It is also advised that you travel to Seychelles during their off-season. Prices on the islands increase from May to September and in December and January. If you can go in April or November, you can save a lot.

Another travel tip from travel.usnews.com is to avoid the big resorts. Their prices are extremely high and you can get more bang for your buck by staying at a small inn and dining at local restaurants. 

Is this post killing you as much as it is killing me? I think it is definitely time for a vacation. Check back next week for our final excursion. 

Kincaid Beach: Anchorage, Alaska

If you just read the title of this week's post, then I am sure you are thinking you must have stumbled upon the wrong blog. Why in the world would anyone go to a beach in Alaska?

Please, bear with me. Someone very close to me has been presented with the opportunity to move to Anchorage, Alaska. After spending all of the last night researching Alaska and all that it has to offer, I figured why not checkout the beaches as well?

In a google search, I found Kincaid Beach, a short drive outside of downtown Anchorage, to be the only location with a big, long, sandy beach.

But let us first locate Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage is located in south-central Alaska.

Now although we are talking about beaches in this blog, you probably are going to want to pack more than a swimsuit for this beach. The climate in Anchorage, Alaska is subarctic but with strong maritime influences that effect a relatively moderate climate. According to wikipedia.com, "Average daytime summer temperatures range from approximately 55 to 78 °F; average daytime winter temperatures are about 5 to 30 °F." Burrr!

However, if the weather wasn't so chilly, Alaska.org tells us that "it'd be easy to think you were in Southern California." I'm not too sure about that, but let's see what else they have to say about Kincaid Beach.

"The sand is fine and very little mars its surface other than the occasional piece of driftwood. Flanked on one side by tall bluffs and on the other by gorgeous views of the Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula and nearby Fire Island, Kincaid Beach offers fun and tranquility. You won’t find surfable waves here and the water is too cold for all but the bravest of souls, but other activities abound. Picnics, bonfires, mud fights, and all manner of games go equally well. Keep your eyes peeled for Japanese glass fishing floats, one of the most cherished finds for new and seasoned beachcombers alike. The mud flats can be dangerous and the waters of the Cook Inlet are prone to extreme tidal shifts so don’t venture too far out." 

Another positive, if you are from the United States you won't need to spend money on a passport. And from the picture above, it looks like it would be a great destination for young families.

Anchorage offers a variety of different lodging options if you should decide to visit. They have everything from fancy hotels to bed and breakfasts to RV campgrounds. 

If things work out for my special family member, I am sure I will end up visiting. I will let you know if there is more to 'sea.'

Ogunquit, Maine

The majority of the world's best beaches can be found in Earth's southern hemisphere. As we have seen in my previous posts, many of the best beaches are located in or near the Caribbean.

Well, what if the Caribbean isn't for you? Or, what if you do not have the time to acquire a passport before your next trip? Then I would suggest you check out Ogunquit, Maine. Yes, Maine.

According to TripAdvisor.com, Ogunquit, Maine was ranked number 15 in the Travelor's Choice awards for the Top 25 Beaches - United States. As you can imagine, the top 10 include destinations like Hawaii and Florida, but why not discover one more hidden gem? I have never been remotely close to Maine, so I thought this would be fun!

Ogunquit is located in the southernmost part of Maine, only an hour and 20 minutes driving from Boston.

If you are traveling to Maine from somewhere else in the United States, then you will not need a passport. Most travelers fly into Portland International Jetport in Portland, Maine. You will then need to travel 45 minutes to Ogunquit.

Ogunquit, which means "beautiful place by the sea", offers three and a half miles of sheltered, sandy white beaches.

In addition to the beach, Ogunquit also offers a lot of activities. Travelers can take a walk along the Marginal Way, a path that winds along rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean, or explore the town center on the local public transit - an old fashioned trolley. With art galleries, fresh seafood, and the summer stock at Ogunquit Playhouse,“America’s Foremost Summer Theatre", the town of Ogunquit has something for everyone. 

The best time to visit Ogunquit is from June to September, when Maine is enjoying its summer weather.

Nevis, Caribbean

I am sure that many of you have either heard of or traveled to one of the beaches I have discussed in my first seven posts, but today we are truly going to discover the unknown.

Every year the travelchannel.com releases the Best Beaches Awards chosen entirely by the votes of the people. The beaches are separated into different categories, some of which include: Best Family Beach, Best Party Beach, Best Romantic Beach, etc. The Travel Channel also features a category named Best Beach You Haven't Heard of... Yet.

So today, we are going to explore the winner of the Best Beach You Haven't Heard of... Yet aware. Let's 'sea' Nevis.

Nevis is a 36-square-mile island that lies near the top of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 200 miles south of Puerto Rico, and just west of Antigua. This secret island is only seven miles long and five miles wide.

If you are flying to Nevis from the United States, the easiest way is to first fly in to San Juan, Puerto Rico. From there you can get a direct flight in to Nevis. You are required to show your valid passport.

According to nevisisland.com, "Nevis is truly one of the remaining unspoilt places and proudly carries the name, 'Queen of the Caribees'."

The small Caribbean island boasts crystal clear seas and white sandy beaches. In the distance there are beautiful green hills in which you can hear monkeys chattering.

According to travelchannel.com, "Most of the hotels have been transformed from 200-year-old plantation homes and estates. The entire island is eco-friendly, with the goal of making all fossil-fuel electricity extinct (currently, wind turbines can produce up to 20 percent of the island's power). There's hiking, sulfur springs and intimate beaches. But it's the accommodations, all very unique, that give Nevis character."

If you are lucky enough to stay at the Four Seasons when you visit Nevis, you will get to claim bragging rights to a sublime beach, steps away from Sunshine's, an iconic beach bar known for its signature drink, Killer Bee.

I am sure you will agree with me when I say that that Nevis just climbed to the top of my list of places I want to go. I hope I get to 'sea' it in person!

Cancun, Mexico

Welcome back, fearless travelers! I know it has been a while since my last post, but we are going to get right back at it today.

Here in wonderful Illinois we are just a few inches shy of setting a record for most snowfall (inches) in season. While that may sound pretty cool, I assure you it is not. If I see one more snowflake, I might have a breakdown. The first day of spring is one week away and I am hopeful that warmer weather is on its way. In the meantime, why not day dream about somewhere warm? Somewhere with margaritas and Coronas? Somewhere like Cancun, Mexico.

I am sure many of you have heard of Cancun, Mexico before. It is one of the most commercialized destinations in Mexico, but people continue to go back, so that must be a good sign. 

Cancun has a tropical wet and dry climate, according to Wikipedia.com. This means that it generally is hot but does have specified rainy seasons. The tropical storm season lasts from May to December, and the rainy season extends into January with peak precipitation in September. February to early May tend to be drier with only occasional scattered showers. 

Cancun is located in southeastern Mexico on the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea.

The green arrow points to Cancun's location.

If you are thinking of traveling to Cancun, you will want to fly into Cancun International Airport. Please have your passport ready!

According to AllAboutCancun.com, the city features a ton of different accommodations. In my opinion, I always enjoy the all-inclusive resorts, as I feel you get more bang for your buck. Currently, AllAboutCancun.com shows Riu Caribe as the featured hotel.

The all-inclusive resort overlooks gorgeous Caribbean waters and offers three swimming pools. There is nightly entertainment for adults and daily activities for children. The resort features fancy restaurants and swim-up bars.

So who wants to take me? On second thought,  I'll 'sea' you there!

Bora Bora

Anyone who has seen the 2009 film Couples Retreat has dreamed about traveling to Bora Bora. Honestly, until now, I could not even tell you where Bora Bora is located, but based on what I saw in that movie, I definitely want to go there. So please, help me 'sea' Bora Bora.

A scene from the movie Couples Retreat

According to Wikipedia.com, Bora Bora is located in the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef, and lies just northwest of the island of Tahiti close to the equator.

Bora Bora's economy is driven almost solely by tourism. Thirty years ago, Bora Bora became famous, as the Hotel Bora Bora introduced the first over-the-water bungalows; now a standard feature for most resorts on the island.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora has become the luxury resort for guests to stay at while visiting the island. Please be prepared to spend roughly $1,200/night not including airfare. The island is served by Bora Bora Airport on Motu Mute in the north.

Four Seasons Bora Bora

As you can see from the above image, the water is crystal clear and absolutely breathtaking.

The best time to travel to Bora Bora is during the Polynesian winter, which runs from May thru October according to boraboraisland.com. While rates will be higher at this time, it is much better than travel during their rainy season.

If you decide to go to Bora Bora, please bring me with! After all, I did help you discover it.

'Sea' you next time!

Egremni Beach, Greece

According to CNN.com, Egremni Beach in Greece falls in to the number twenty-four spot on their list of the best beaches in the world. Given they are in the top twenty-five out of 100, I figured they were worth exploring; especially since I am a little obsessed with Greece after watching The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Who wouldn't want to go fishing in Greece with Kostas? (The cute Greek boy from the movie!)

Anyways, let's get back to exploring Egremni Beach. According to Wikipedia.com, "Egremni is a remote beach located on the south-western coast of the Ionian island of Lefkada in north-western Greece. Since the creation of a sealed road in the 1990s, this remote location has become one of the most popular beaches through all of Greece and even Europe. 

Remember, Egremni is located on the island of Lefkada,


Egremni Beach is most well-known for its dramatic sunsets, electric-blue water and enough room for everyone: stretching for more than 2.5 km. Interestingly enough, the central part of the beach is often occupied by nudists, according to CNN.com.

Egremni Beach

You will want to consult with a travel agent to decide which international airport you should fly into. However, once you have arrived you should know that you can drive your rental car to Egremni Beach, but once you reach Athani Village, you will have to park your car and walk down 347 steps to reach the beach. How's that for a remote location? From what I have heard, the walk is well worth it!

If you want to be close to Egremni Beach during your trip, you can book an apartment, villa or studio in the nearby village of Athani, a quiet place with taverns and wonderful picturesque views of the surrounding area. 

There is limited information about Egremni Beach on the internet, but I personally think that makes the island that much more desirable! Happy travels.

'Sea' you next time!

Airlie Beach, Australia

Howdy, Sheila! Let's put another shrimp on the barbie before we discover one of the most wonderful places in the world: Airlie Beach, Australia.

The town of Airlie Beach is located in the northeastern part of Australia known as the Whitsunday region. Located on the Pacific Ocean, Airlie Beach serves as one of the most popular jumping off points for the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system.

 

For those wishing to visit Airlie Beach, you will need to fly into Proserpine Airport (PPP). However, it seems that you will first need to fly into the larger Brisbane Airport (BNE). Please expect to find some very long layovers at very high costs. If you want to visit the largest coral reef system in the world, then you have to pay for it!

See the image below to decide the best time for you to travel to Airlie Beach.

Maximum and Minimum Average Temperatures in Airlie Beach (Fahrenheit)

		JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
	MAX	87	87	86	82	79	75	75	77	80	84	86	87
	MIN	77	77	75	73	68	62	62	62	66	70	73	77
	RAIN	10	13.82	10.67	8.07	5.08	3.78	2.4	1.81	1.14	1.89	4.41	8.19

Now although the Great Barrier Reef is the main attraction in the Whitsunday region of Australia, Airlie Beach has so much more to offer.

The well-known travel site, Trip Advisor, shares with us that Airlie Beach offers, "constant comings and goings of travelers make for a vibrant nightlife scene bursting with pubs and clubs.

In addition, Whitehaven Beach, located in Airlie Beach, was voted Australia's number one beach by Trip Advisor. "The sand is pure white against the crystal clear blue water, and the beach is pristine. A piece of heaven," claims the travel site.

Now if you are looking for the best place to stay, the Martinique Whitsunday Resort has received the highest ratings and Certificates of Excellence from Trip Advisor for the past three years. The resort contains 20 different apartment units consisting of either three, two, or one bedroom.

Oh! That view is breathtaking! I hope you enjoyed discovering Airlie Beach as much as I have. 'Sea' you back next Wednesday for another journey.

Lampedusa, Islands of Sicily

As promised in last week's "Sea the World" post, today we are traveling somewhere new. Somewhere that is not in the Caribbean. Somewhere like Italy.

More specifically, we are going to explore Lampedusa, the largest of the Pelagie Islands. According to Wikipedia.com, the Pelagie Islands are a group of three small islands located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily, the southernmost part of Italy. If you are knew to traveling, like me, then you have never heard of Lampedusa either.

Now, I don't know about you, but just thinking about Italian food excites me. I cannot imagine Italian food plus an Italian beach.

Yum! Anyways, let's get back to discovering Lampedusa.

Lampedusa has a semi-arid climate, meaning it has very mild winters with moderate rainfall and very hot, dry summers. According to tripadvisor.com, the best time to visit is between May and September.

Lampedusa offers Caribbean-esque waters, white sand and a very unique setting. Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa's hot spot, was voted #1 on the 2013 Travelers' Choice Top 25 Beaches of the World. 

Rabbit Beach, also sometimes referred to as Rabbit Island, is actually one of the last remaining egg-laying sites in Italy for the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle. The beach and a neighboring island are actually part of a nature reserve. So if you are a turtle fan, this is definitely the spot for you!

'Sea' you all next week for a new adventure!

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Hello again. I hope my last post made you feel warm and fuzzy. I am very glad you have returned to help me explore a new destination. Read on to see where we are going today.

As I mentioned in my first post, I am on the verge of graduation. Come May 3, I am done with school forever... or until I decide to get my masters. So, I decided to take this time in my life to explore some of the places I want to travel to. I also decided that the perfect graduation gift would be an all-inclusive trip to anywhere!

You see, my boyfriend Tom and I have been dating for five years, and I feel that I should be rewarded for dealing him and college combined for the past four years. He agreed, and allowed me to begin planning our trip.

My initial instinct was to look for a destination somewhere in the Caribbean. I knew from experience that the flight would not be too long, and prices in the off-season would be generally cheaper than during spring break.

I began searching several Caribbean locations for a five night stay in May. Much to my surprise, the most affordable destination turned out to be Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Since I have never been there before, I decided to take a closer look.

The Dominican Republic is located just southeast of Turks and Caicos, to the east of Haiti and to the west of Puerto Rico. Punta Cana lies on the southeast corner of the island.

According to GuidePuntaCana.com, the island enjoys a year-round tropical climate, with little seasonal temperature variation. The average temperature ranges from 73 degrees in December to 88 degrees in August. The hurricane season runs from June to November.

If you plan on visiting Punta Cana, you will most likely fly into Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). You will also need a valid passport. If you are traveling from Chicago, your estimated flight length is close to 4 hours and 30 minutes. A flight from New York is closer to 8 hours.

When you arrive in Punta Cana, you will notice the official language, according to WikiTravel.org, is Spanish. However, English and many other languages are spoken, as it is a highly-touristed area.

From my experience as an obsessive google user, there are many different resorts worth staying at in Punta Cana. A very good resource to use for both flights and hotels is Apple Vacations. This travel site allows you to find some pretty good deals and also allows you to compare different resorts.

Tom and I are hoping to stay at Majestic Elegance Punta Cana. Not only is this resort very affordable, but we also know a couple who just stayed there on their honeymoon. The couple raved about this resort, and assured us we would not be disappointed if we stayed there. This resort features seven different restaurants and seven different bars. There are also four additional bars for those in the Elegance Club, or the area of the resort reserved for adults 18 years and older.

Just the thought of going on a vacation puts me in a wonderful mood. I hope you feel the same.

If the Caribbean is just not your thing, come back next week. We're going to 'sea' somewhere else.

Turks and Caicos

As a college student on the verge of graduation, all I can think about is the next stage of my life. I'm not exactly sure what the future holds, but I assume the next stage will include landing my first full-time job, moving in to my own place, tying the knot and having babies.

But before any of that chaos happens, I'd first like to relax on a beach somewhere with a frozen beverage in-hand. So now I ask myself, where should I go? Where could I go? This blog will help me, and tons of other vacation-seekers, discover some of the best destinations in the world that are located on crystal-clear waters.

Disclaimer: The only destinations I have actually visited include Ft. Meyer's Beach, Florida, Clearwater Beach, Florida and Negril, Jamaica.

For today's destination, I have decided to start with my favorite caribbean location. Turks and Caicos.

Now, I know what you are thinking. How can Turks and Caicos be my favorite destination when I have never even traveled there? Here's how:

I was thirteen when I went to Jamaica. It was my first time out of the country and my first encounter with rum. Yes, sadly the reason I want to go to Turks and Caicos stems from rum. Long story short, our favorite bartender at our resort in Jamaica was being transferred to a resort in Turks and Caicos. He seemed extremely excited as he spoke about breathtaking, blue water and the whitest sand. It was at that moment, I decided someday I would go there. I sure hope I run in to that bartender one day so he can mix me up a strawberry daiquiri.

Anyway, let's check out some details about Turks and Caicos.

The Turks and Caicos Islands consist of 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited. It is roughly 500 miles southwest of Florida, just under the Bahamas and to the east of Cuba and the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti). While many consider Turks and Caicos to be part of the Caribbean, it is actually located on the Atlantic Ocean.

The islands are home to roughly 30,000 full-time residents, and welcome more than 200,000 tourists annually.

From November to May, the average daily temperature is between 80 and 84 degrees. In the summer, June to October, the average temperature is between 85 and 90 degrees. On average, Turks and Caicos has 350 days of sunshine. But beware, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Another reason why I feel Turks and Caicos would be my favorite destination is the price. While doing research on several different Caribbean locations, Turks and Caicos is almost always the most expensive destination. So why would I favor the most expensive place? Because I have expensive taste. I always, unknowingly, pick the most expensive out of any option, whether it be shoes, a dress or a vacation spot. I like what I liked. I can't help it.

So if you think you would like Turks and Caicos as much as I do, go ahead and look into booking a trip. If you are into big, all-inclusive resorts check out Beaches Turks and Caicos.

If you prefer something a little smaller and more quiet, try Beach House Turks and Caicos.

Check back in next week to sea where we travel to!