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“The fish are biting” is not actually a colloquial saying within Spanish (locals are likely to catch you very plainly if you say it and tell you to stay out of the water), although the truth remains that the ancient homeland of the Mayan society on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is one of the leading deep-sea fishing areas in North America.

There are in reality a lot of kinds of saltwater fishing that is accessible from one of the many beach vacations or other vacation rental facilities on the eastern shore of the Yucatan, and offshore deep-sea fishing is simply one of them. Nearby are lots of outfits that sail into the Caribbean from the coast’s 3 main communities (Playa del Carmen, Cancun and the nearby island town of Cozumel). These azure waters are loaded for marlin, tuna, dolphin (the fish, not the mammal) and wahu. Thanks to the warm temperatures, many of these fish swim within a few miles of the shore, meaning you will not have to consume nearly all of the daytime just to arrive at the top fishing.

You will not have to go to sea to have a remarkable angling experience, however. The Mayan Riviera is well-known for its exceptional inshore flats and fly fishing as well. Indigenous fishing guides will be ecstatic to show you to any of the native reefs in pursuit of a distinct fish; the Yucatan in truth is home to the second-largest organism of reefs in the world (after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef). These reefs are crucial hunting grounds for snapper, barracuda, grouper and mackerel. And don’t discount fly fishing; there are many underground rivers flowing out of Yucatan’s flourishing jungles into mangrove swamps and salt marshes that are home to snapper and – for the extremely adventurous - small shark. A vacation rental near Ascension Bay guarantees some of the most excellent saltwater fly fishing in the world; try going to the website Pesca Maya  for more information concerning nearby accommodations and what kind of fish are abundant at different times of the year.

When you and the relatives crave to take a break from fishing you have additional possibilities. Followers of Indiana Jones might take pleasure in touring the near ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, home to a complex, literate Native American community ca. 600-1100 AD. Found in the northern part of Yucatan, Chichen Itza includes several of the best-preserved illustrations of Mayan architecture in the region, counting the mysterious Temple of Kukulkan, the Mayan serpent deity.

Of course, there are other recreational adventures that you would think to stumble on at a Caribbean beach resort; the flat, sandy seashores are magnificent for children and there is some first-rate snorkeling in neighboring Cozumel. Afterwards, check out indigenous fare and music at one of the area’s many excellent restaurants. As far as shopping goes, jewelry as well as arts and crafts stores are abundant, featuring works by native artisans. These natives are not fearful to bargain over price, so be primed to do a bit of strong bargaining with these merchants in order to get the best prices on gifts for the family.

You may have known that the expression “totally tubular” originated in Southern California, but you may not have known exactly what it means. Typically, it means something is really awesome or amazing, but the phrase really was first uttered by the surfing society to describe a wave that curls over the top of your head, making a tube shape.

If the Beach Boys’ surfer songs embody romance to you, fly to California and find out what influenced this fantastic band first hand. Converse to popular belief, the finest surfing is not essentially limited to California’s southern coast. It is possible to find great surfing all the way up the coast. Plan your beach rental accommodations right near the ocean, grab a board and drop right in!

Actually, if you have never surfed before, you will most likely want to buy your surf equipment and take a few lessons to start with. Based on which section of California you opt to visit, you will have a few options here. As it is with skiing, you have a choice between group lessons or personal instruction. Surf School Guide is an online listing of surfing schools and instruction all over the country, and can be searched by area.

Once you are up to speed or you are an experienced surfer by now, you will also want to check out the site SurfingCal to get all the up-to-the-minute conditions as well as look at photos and even videos of California surfers riding the waves.

Huntington Beach close to Los Angeles, with almost nine uninterrupted miles of unspoiled sandy beach, is perhaps California’s best recognized and visited surfing spot. Southern California’s climate is comparable to that of the Mediterranean, which translates mild temperatures year ’round. Through the winter months, Southern California starts experiencing the “Pineapple Express” air flows from Hawaii and the Santa Anas start blowing in in the direction of the coast. This makes for huge swells and what some surfers describe as “glass surf.” Besides that, there are fewer swimmers throughout the winter months, and it’s feasible to get in several great waves all the way up to Half Moon Bay next to San Francisco.

You are likely to obtain a better deal on California beach rentals and bed and breakfasts through the off season as well. Owners generally discount rates appreciably to attract guests to this fantastic area all year round. 

Not into surfing? Not a problem as California contains a large diversity of attractions for the whole family. While surfers from all over the world come for California’s beaches, the state contains several distinct areas that include deserts, alpine country and a few of the world’s leading wine-growing regions.  All the drama of the big cities in San Diego, Los Angeles and  San Francisco with their theme parks, cultural institutions and museums as well as world class golf and lively night life are also widely available.

Just make sure that you book your vacation rentals well in advance – as you can imagine, California is an exceptionally world-famous destination!

North Carolina beaches are not particularly known for surfing and that may be a good feature, since your conventional North Carolina beach vacation is likely to be less crowded. Besides that, North Carolina’s beaches and coastal islands have a great deal more than than merely swimming and surfing.

Nevertheless, if you are interested in surfing North Carolina, one of the more legendary beach rentals has the telling name of  Blockade-Runner.  If you remember your history, “blockade runners” were Confederate privateers through the Civil War. Situated on Wrightsville Island, Blockade Runner is a full service resort where boys and girls 12 and younger stay with their families for at no cost. You can literally walk from your seaside vacation rental to your surfing adventure in minutes.

If your preference in a vacation rental leans more towards quaint bed and breakfasts, Topsail Island is one of North Carolina’s best-kept secrets. Not only is this vicinity much less crowded, but many of the rental homes have amenities such as a private pool.  Ocean-front condos present private balconies facing the ocean, and both vacation and long-term rentals are on hand.  Also, a number of these residences have been completed in the last four years and include some of the most up-to-date in comfort and technology and are pet friendly.

The centerpiece of North Carolina’s coast however is Carolina Beach, which offers interesting experiences for everyone in your group. In addition to swimming, surfing and beach combing, guests during the summer will get a kick out of the community’s Film and Fireworks Series which has live music and recent movies shown outdoors after sunset. History affectionatos may enjoy the Fort Fisher Historic Site and Civil War Museum, and if music lovers don’t get their fill at the Fireworks, there is the Beach Music Festival  as well as the “Boardwalk Blast”  Summer Event Series each Tuesday night from the beginning of June until Labor Day.

Of course, what is a beach exercusion without some deep sea fishing? The Outer Banks are ample with tuna, mackerel sailfish, mahi mahi and shark. Charters average ranging from $450 for half day deep sea trips to $1300 for full-day trips out into the open ocean.

You will discover there is much more to North Carolina when you travel out from the beach and start moving into the rustic Blue Ridge territory. The flourishing deciduous forests of North America’s most ancient mountain range are the perfect background for a romantic getaway at one of the area’s quiet North Carolina cabin rentals. North Carolina genuinely is a colorful vacation destination with something for everybody.  

While the eastern shore of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its several different types of saltwater fishing possessing an amazing variety of edible species to go after, it is actually just a minor part of what the Mayan Riviera has to present. In fact, the main attraction of Mexico’s Caribbean coast is the miles and miles of unspoiled, sandy beaches, with world class swimming and snorkeling effortlessly available. There is a reason why this is one of the most enjoyed parts of Mexico.  Beach vacation rentals in the area offer perfect bases of operations when discovering this fascinating part of the country.

Chances are you will land at the Cancun International Airport, which is where the Mayan Riviera starts. Rent an car and go south on Highway 307, which the Mexican government has newly repaved and maintains in excellent condition for locals and guests. This drive alone is worth the trip, since the highway rarely strays more than half a mile or so from the shore. Along the way, you will notice an abundance of beach rental accommodations ranging from lavish to rustic. 

One of the best destinations along la Riviera Maya is Playa del Carmen which translates as “Carmen’s Beach” after the patron saint of Cancun, about an hour south of the airport. Capital of the Mexican State of Quintana Roo, this community is home to excellent, reasonably priced beach vacation rentals and several of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. It is also the western terminal for the Cozumel Ferry.  Cozumel is just a few miles off the coast and is where exceptional snorkeling is to be had. This is also home to several retailers providing a wide selection of goods and souvenirs. If you are visiting from one of the cruise ships that sail the waters of the western Caribbean, you will not have to pay duty on these items.

Back in the town of Playa del Carmen itself, the youngsters will be interested to discover an actual petting zoo where they can actually touch a lion and a boa constrictor. And when it is hora de comer (time to eat), there are plentiful restaurants and cafes at which you and the family can sample the local cuisine while listening to traditional live mariachi music.

This part of Mexico is an outstanding place to learn more about the remarkable Mayan civilization, which gave this section of the Yucatan its name. The ruins of many cities are within a few hours drive or bus ride, that include Chichen Itza, one of the better preserved of the ancient Mayan cities, and Palenque, which has been essentially restored and features examples of the 3000 year old Mayan ball game of ulama, which is still played by many of the regional indigenous peoples.

While you are there, do not miss a round of golf at nearby Playacar as well as the Xaman-Ha Aviary and Cavernas Sache, a dynamic underground cave with interesting formations.

It is said that there are almost as many aspects to California as there are citizens who live there. While this may be a bit of an embellishment, the fact is that California is a fantastically unique location with something for each person including lovely wine tours of some of the world’s premier viticulture regions. The Napa Valley is as close to old Tuscany and Provence as you are likely to come across in the United States.  North of this locale is the spectacular northern coast of California, where many say the Pacific Northwest actually starts. This is home to the recognized Redwood forests, where the largest trees on the globe still thrive.

Of course, this is merely a sample of the many areas that California romantic bed and breakfasts are available, which vary from warm, sandy beach vacation rentals on the state’s southern shore to unspoiled desert cabin rentals, snowy mountain cabin rental facilities in the High Sierra, and more.

One of the most romantic vacation destinations in California is Big Sur, near Monterey. With a varied terrain that ranges from sea level to over a mile up (Cone Peak, the highest mountain on the Pacific Coast of North America outside Alaska and British Columbia), Big Sur contains some of the most amazing vistas in the world. One of the most well-known beach vacation rental facilities in Big Sur is the Post Ranch Inn which has in fact won quite a lot of awards over the past two years.

One of the best-kept secrets in what is known as California’s “Steinbeck Country” (so-named for the reason that it was the set of novels such as Cannery Row and Of Mice and Men) is a charming little town known as Occidental. Formed in 1876 when the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived, it is no “occident” that it evolved into a popular destination for romantic getaways early on. Two Italian bistros built in the 1880s are still doing a thriving business, and the two-block long business district is lined with a variety of unique stores. The town has a weekly Farmer’s Market on Fridays from June until October as well as a unique Japanese-style health resort in neighboring Freestone.

Located in Sonoma County, Occidental is not far off from California’s most romantic city, San Francisco. Rich in history and culture, there is not room here to depict everything that the City by the Bay has to offer (books have been written on the subject), but a good place to start is the city’s own approved tourist guide.

Across the sizzling, dry Central Valley that is nonetheless one of America’s major foodbaskets, there is a much diverse side to California to be discovered in the High Sierra. This is where the thrill of the Gold Rush was played out in the 1850s, and contains a number of the most dramatic alpine landscape in North America. From condo rentals, one can discover renowned Yosemite National Park, one of the country’s most valuable natural treasures and home to excellent backpacking trails with consistent conveniences along well-market routes.

When it comes to romantic California getaways, there is a endless supply of attractions awaiting you.

To a lot of people, Orlando Florida means Disney World. It certainly made a splash when the Disney corporation chose to open its second theme park in this significant Florida community, but today, Disney World is just one of numerous theme parks, entertainment and recreation opportunities you and your family will encounter on your Orlando vacation.

While you are there, you will find no shortage of vacation destinations to stay.  There are an abundance of terrific Florida beach vacations spots available. Rentals on these facilities start out at as low as $29 per night, less than a lot of the commercial accommodations and all are within a few minutes of Universal Studios, Sea World and the cities fun filled water parks.

Orlando was originally home to the Creek Indian Nation as well as a few more tribes. The first European colony was established in 1836, but apart from the remnants of Fort Gatlin, there is not a large amount of that early history left.  The biggest inland city in the state, Orlando started to grow in popularity as a resort town during the initial part of the 20th Century, leading to a boom that ceased with the Great Depression of the 1930s. The area bounced back as a result of World War II when the U.S. Army Air Corps established bases in the area.  Afterwards, many former servicemen and their families settled in the area.

Today, Orlando has more theme parks and recreation facilities of any city in the world.  Each of the three main resorts, Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, are in fact several parks in one.  Nevertheless, these parks are not all that is obtainable.  Recreation venues in Orlando are diverse, and there is a bit for practically everyone. One unusual venue presents a taste of what it may have been like in a Prohibition-Era speakeasy.  Al Capone’s offers a nightly musical review featuring gin, jazz and flappers as well as an appearance by the arch-criminal himself combined with your preference of Italian or American cuisine.

If you are interested in earlier history, go medieval at the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in nearby Kissimmee. The devout vacationer may enjoy the Holy Land Experience, where re-enactors recreate ancient Palenstine including a rock climbing wilderness section for the little ones. It is highly reccommended that you visit during the week since weekends are exceptionally busy and the facility offers weekday discounts but advance reservations are required.

Some educational venues worth  visiting include the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in nearby Sanford which started out as a casual gathering by local fire fighters.  Gatorland is an additional fascinating attraction where you can get up-close and personal with the reptiles, the closest living relatives of the great dinosuars of 65-250 million years ago.
Afterwards, swim with dolphins at Discover Cove, part of the SeaWorld Resort and experience these gentle creatures in a recreation of their true habitat. 

Orlando has a host of family entertainment opportunities that contains a little for everyone.  You can be as vigorous or as casual as you would like to be, but no matter what your choice, a wonderful time will be had by all. 

It is inaccurate to call St. Augustine, Florida as America’s oldest city. Native American mound cities in the Upper Midwest and the Anasazi Pueblo cities of southwestern Colorado predate St. Augustine by several hundred years, as do Mexico City and the ancient Mayan city of Tikal further south. Furthermore, St. Augustine was the original permanent, named European community in what is at present the United States, established only a little more than seventy years after Columbus’ historic voyage.

As you can expect, there is a lot in this vicinity for the history buff, from the ruins of the original fort to the old town neighborhoods with colonial Spanish architecture and numerous museums. With an abundance of picturesque, historic romantic travel inns, you and your family will have no trouble setting up a cozy base of operations for your St. Augustine holiday vacation.

It was actually 1513 when voyager Ponce de Leon, then governor of what is now Puerto Rico, landed in the area, claiming it for King Ferdinand of Castile and Queen Isabella of Aragon as Spain was not an officially unified kingdom until 1516. Contrary to popular belief, he was not looking for a “Fountain of Youth” but more tangible commodities such as gold, slaves and land. It was decades before a permanent settlement could be established.

Once you and your family are happily established in one of St. Augustine’s beautiful bed and breakfasts or beach vacation rentals, you will discover enough interests and venues to last a lifetime ranging from outdoor sports and instructive trips to sheer enjoyment and fun. Get started by exploring some of the area as the initial residents and early Spanish explorers saw it with St. Augustine Eco Tours, rated the number one experience among tourists. Traveling by kayak, you will see salt marshes and wetlands and may even encounter natural dolphins at play. And even though it’s vacation time, you can keep the kids learning with Sheriff’s Historical Tours, which brings you through 350 years of St. Augustine’s history. Another piece of St. Augustine history worth exploring is El Castillo de San Marcos, an early Spanish military installation dating from the late 1600s.

Of course, the history of St. Augustine, like so many areas in the state, is closely connected to the Golden Age of the Pirates of the Caribbean who commonly made forays up the Florida coast. Kids of all ages will want to climb aboard the Black Raven for a feel of shipboard life on a 17th-Century privateer.

Budding herpetologists will enjoy seeing the last living kin of the earliest dinosaurs up-close and personal at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm which contains much more than just alligators. This is only a small illustration of what awaits you and your family in this beautiful town filled with sunshine the majority of the year.

If riding a wave that curls over your head, at which point is recognized as “tubular”, is your concept of a fun time, then a beach vacation at Daytona Beach, one of the USA’s leading surfing spots, is a great decision. Based on Florida’s central Atlantic Coast and only 90 minutes from the theme park capitol of the world, Orlando, Daytona is home to beautiful beaches with world class surf, motor sports and a spirited nightlife.

Whether you’re here to discover Ron Jon’s and other surf shops, attending an event at the Daytona International Speedway, taking part in Biketoberfest or just soaking up the sun on the beach sipping exotic drinks, beach vacations spots are so much better in a great vacation rental. You will be delighted to learn that there are several beach rental deals obtainable in Daytona Beach these days. Some beach rentals offer discount rates of over 80% during the off season. If you are planning on going to a speedway event while on your beach vacation, you can find some package deals that will enable you to save on both lodgings and speedway admissions.

Heart of Florida’s Fun Coast region, the city of Daytona Beach itself is less than 70,000 people except when tourists arrive for a choice of events throughout the year. Because of the tightly packed sand, Daytona Beach brought in motoring fanatics early on.  Motor sports date back to 1902, and the first of stock car races that would in the end evolve into NASCAR race and the Daytona 500 was held in 1936.

Since the 1920s, Daytona Beach has had a reputation as the “World’s Most Famous Beach,” and it is no small wonder.  The offshore surroundings with its sandy floor and constant swells make it the ideal surfing spot, particularly at Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna. You can see the Volusia County Website for frequent updates on surf conditions.

For the kids, there is a plethora of fun activities that include miniature golf, go-karts and even a ghost tour. Haunts of the World’s Most Famous Beach Ghost Tours will appeal to history buffs, budding scientists and folks who want a good ghost story. It’s not all about the water, however.  In neighboring DeLand, you can charter a hot-air balloon for a bird’s eye look at the area. Another method to view the area from the air is to go parasailing at Ponce Inlet.

After a day with the little ones, Mom and Dad will appreciate an opportunity to get away by themselves for bed breakfasts, and might consider treating themselves to a romantic evening dinner cruise out of Caribbean Jack’s in Daytona Beach. The soft, sub-tropical environment lends itself to this and other activities all through the year, but the springtime is particularly pleasing with balmy days and cool nights. And by the way, if you are worried about running into raucous college kids on spring break, don’t be. The city council has taken action to discourage such activities and with other options available, the college crowd has lessened making Daytona Beach a family-friendly vacation spot any time of the year.

To a lot of people, Orlando Florida means Disney World. It certainly made a splash when the Disney corporation chose to open its second theme park in this significant Florida community, but today, Disney World is just one of numerous theme parks, entertainment and recreation opportunities you and your family will encounter on your Orlando vacation.

While you are there, you will find no shortage of vacation destinations to stay.  There are an abundance of terrific Florida beach vacations spots available. Rentals on these facilities start out at as low as $29 per night, less than a lot of the commercial accommodations and all are within a few minutes of Universal Studios, Sea World and the cities fun filled water parks.

Orlando was originally home to the Creek Indian Nation as well as a few more tribes. The first European colony was established in 1836, but apart from the remnants of Fort Gatlin, there is not a large amount of that early history left.  The biggest inland city in the state, Orlando started to grow in popularity as a resort town during the initial part of the 20th Century, leading to a boom that ceased with the Great Depression of the 1930s. The area bounced back as a result of World War II when the U.S. Army Air Corps established bases in the area.  Afterwards, many former servicemen and their families settled in the area.

Today, Orlando has more theme parks and recreation facilities of any city in the world.  Each of the three main resorts, Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, are in fact several parks in one.  Nevertheless, these parks are not all that is obtainable.  Recreation venues in Orlando are diverse, and there is a bit for practically everyone. One unusual venue presents a taste of what it may have been like in a Prohibition-Era speakeasy.  Al Capone’s offers a nightly musical review featuring gin, jazz and flappers as well as an appearance by the arch-criminal himself combined with your preference of Italian or American cuisine.

If you are interested in earlier history, go medieval at the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in nearby Kissimmee. The devout vacationer may enjoy the Holy Land Experience, where re-enactors recreate ancient Palenstine including a rock climbing wilderness section for the little ones. It is highly reccommended that you visit during the week since weekends are exceptionally busy and the facility offers weekday discounts but advance reservations are required.

Some educational venues worth  visiting include the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in nearby Sanford which started out as a casual gathering by local fire fighters.  Gatorland is an additional fascinating attraction where you can get up-close and personal with the reptiles, the closest living relatives of the great dinosuars of 65-250 million years ago.
Afterwards, swim with dolphins at Discover Cove, part of the SeaWorld Resort and experience these gentle creatures in a recreation of their true habitat. 

Orlando has a host of family entertainment opportunities that contains a little for everyone.  You can be as vigorous or as casual as you would like to be, but no matter what your choice, a wonderful time will be had by all. 

If riding a wave that curls over your head, at which point is recognized as “tubular”, is your concept of a fun time, then a beach vacation at Daytona Beach, one of the USA’s leading surfing spots, is a great decision. Based on Florida’s central Atlantic Coast and only 90 minutes from the theme park capitol of the world, Orlando, Daytona is home to beautiful beaches with world class surf, motor sports and a spirited nightlife.

Whether you’re here to discover Ron Jon’s and other surf shops, attending an event at the Daytona International Speedway, taking part in Biketoberfest or just soaking up the sun on the beach sipping exotic drinks, beach vacations spots are so much better in a great vacation rental. You will be delighted to learn that there are several beach rental deals obtainable in Daytona Beach these days. Some beach rentals offer discount rates of over 80% during the off season. If you are planning on going to a speedway event while on your beach vacation, you can find some package deals that will enable you to save on both lodgings and speedway admissions.

Heart of Florida’s Fun Coast region, the city of Daytona Beach itself is less than 70,000 people except when tourists arrive for a choice of events throughout the year. Because of the tightly packed sand, Daytona Beach brought in motoring fanatics early on.  Motor sports date back to 1902, and the first of stock car races that would in the end evolve into NASCAR race and the Daytona 500 was held in 1936.

Since the 1920s, Daytona Beach has had a reputation as the “World’s Most Famous Beach,” and it is no small wonder.  The offshore surroundings with its sandy floor and constant swells make it the ideal surfing spot, particularly at Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna. You can see the Volusia County Website for frequent updates on surf conditions.

For the kids, there is a plethora of fun activities that include miniature golf, go-karts and even a ghost tour. Haunts of the World’s Most Famous Beach Ghost Tours will appeal to history buffs, budding scientists and folks who want a good ghost story. It’s not all about the water, however.  In neighboring DeLand, you can charter a hot-air balloon for a bird’s eye look at the area. Another method to view the area from the air is to go parasailing at Ponce Inlet.

After a day with the little ones, Mom and Dad will appreciate an opportunity to get away by themselves for bed breakfasts, and might consider treating themselves to a romantic evening dinner cruise out of Caribbean Jack’s in Daytona Beach. The soft, sub-tropical environment lends itself to this and other activities all through the year, but the springtime is particularly pleasing with balmy days and cool nights. And by the way, if you are worried about running into raucous college kids on spring break, don’t be. The city council has taken action to discourage such activities and with other options available, the college crowd has lessened making Daytona Beach a family-friendly vacation spot any time of the year.