sports Archives - Page 3 of 3

October 27, 2012 by Arlene

Visit exclusive Playacar for a luxury Cancun holiday

When I think of luxury holidays, white sandy beaches, tropical climates and exotic settings all spring to mind. And when it comes to destinations, Playacar in Cancun is the ideal location to experience all this and more, if it’s real indulgence you’re after.

Beach bums, activity lovers and nature enthusiasts will all be in their elements at the resort, southwest of Playa Del Carmen. While I fall into the first group, I’d still want to experience what else the destination has to offer. Read on to find out more about Playacar’s best bits.

Relax on the beach

The exclusive resort is popular among holidaymakers looking for a luxury break in Cancun that allows them to get away from it all and relax on the beach, soaking up the sun on the white sand.

You’ll find a number of sandy spots throughout Playacar, many of which are secluded and quiet, with only private villas nearby. Some hotels in the resort are located close to the beach, and if you’re staying at one of these you can enjoy a drink from the bar as you relax on the sand.

Explore nature

When you want some time off the sand, make your way to Xaman Ha Aviary, a tropical forest park where you’ll find dozens of species of bird. The 1.8 hectare facility is home to more than 200 winged creatures.

The small sanctuary houses a diverse array of birds, including parrots, toucans, macaws, storks and flamingos, while there are other creatures to be spotted on the ground like lizards and agouti (a type of rodent), so have your camera to hand.

Challenge yourself on the golf course

Keen golfers are also well catered for here, as the resort is built around an 18-hole golf course, designed by top course architect Robert Von Hagge. Gameplay on the green is the area’s most challenging, as many of the fairways are lined with undulating mounds.

Lizards and other wildlife dot the par 72 course, which can be found in the Playa del Carmen Hotel Zone in the Mexican Riviera. Here, you’ll find typical vegetation of the Yucatan Peninsula, meaning you can enjoy the jungle scenery.

Its proximity to the Caribbean Sea and the rainforest mean the views can sometimes be all-enveloping, but don’t let this distract you from your game!

As well as the course, there are putting and chipping greens, a shop, lockers and showers, and the opportunity to book lessons if you’re a golfing novice.

Try a range of sports

In addition to golf, pastimes like horse riding, swimming and scuba diving are all popular in Playacar. Any little ones travelling with you are bound to want to see the dolphins here, while hikers can get active and take in the glorious scenery at the same time.

You could rent bicycles and explore the resort, or hire a canoe and head out to sea. If you want to venture underwater, there are a number of dive centres located on the beach. The qualified staff here will be able to suggest excursions that suit both your level of experience and your confidence.

Indulge in a little retail therapy

You won’t find towering department stores in the resort, but there is a mini-mall called Plaza Playacar, and the shopping centre is well worth a visit if you want to pick up traditional Mexican goods. Inside the building, which has a hybrid Mexican-Colonial style, you’ll find a wealth of small shops selling jewellery, Caribbean clothing, handicrafts and more, making it the perfect place to hunt out an unusual gift or some souvenirs.

There are also restaurants in the plaza, and you might be treated to a live music performance as you eat, if you’re lucky.

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Photo by anahon on Flickr.

October 8, 2012 by Arlene

Meet Your Greens: 6 Top Travel Destinations For The Golf Enthusiast

Looking for the ideal golf holiday destination? You should not choose a destination simply because it has the best golf courses. You have to look at other factors such as availability of accommodation, the climate, local attractions as well as the surrounding landscape.

The following are some of the top travel destinations for golfers…

1. The Algarve, Portugal

This is considered as one the leading travel destinations for golfers in Europe. With amazing golf resorts, golf courses of world class status, an attractive climate and bustling local towns, the Algarve has increasingly become appealing to golfers from all parts of the world.

Vilamoura is the most attractive spot in the area. It is a harbor town that has undergone transition into a huge golf complex. Most of golf courses that are sought after in Portugal are in Vilamoura. This town neighbors other famous spots such as San Lorenzo, Quinta Do Lago and Vale Do Lobo.

Other golfing spots in the Algarve include Penina and Monte Bei.

2. Costa del Sol , Spain

Costa del Sol is today among the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. It has a rolling landscape, towering mountains and attractive coastlines that create an incredible landscape for golfing where some of the best golf courses in Spain have been created.

The neighboring Malaga province is also an attractive golfing spot.

If you are looking to go on a golf vacation in Costa del Sol, there is a wide range of golf courses to choose from including Calanova, Marbella Golf & Country Club and Clara. There are world class resorts such as Atalaya Park and La cala where you can stay during your holiday.

3. Northern France

Northern France is a popular destination for golfers because of its world class golf courses such as Saint Omar, Hardelot and Le Touquet that are considered to be among the finest golf courses in France .The coastline in the north is renowned for its attractive beaches as well as bustling nightlife which makes it appealing to golfers going for holiday as a group .

The Eurotunnel also makes Northern France ideal for golf holidays since it cuts the cost of travels and allow golfers to park all the items they would require during the holiday .This is not possible when you are flying to the travel destination you have chosen.

4. South Africa

South Africa has for many years been a famous tourist destination because of its world class accommodation, amazing landscape as well as the ‘Big Five’. Over the recent past, it has become one of the best golf destinations in the world thanks to the creation of world class golf courses in its landscape that stretches across the country.

Golfing destinations in South Africa include the Sun City and Fan court.

5. St. Andrews & Fife, Scotland

This is the top golf destination across the world .Regarded as the spiritual home of the golf; St. Andrews has many famous golf courses such as St Andrews old courses and the R& A. Both St. Andrews and the surrounding kingdom of Fife are today home to world class hotels and resorts such as Fairmount St. Andrews and Old Course Hotel.

6. Arizona, USA

Arizona is today a unique golf destination because of the attractive desert and towering mountains that appeal to golf courses designers. If you are looking to go on a golf holiday in Arizona, you have a wide variety of golfing spots to choose from including Scottsdale, the Boulders resort and the Dove Mountain.

October 1, 2012 by Arlene

The 6 Best Countries For White Water Rafting

White water rafting is one of the prime adventure sports around the world. The thrill of navigating through rough white water is immense and adventure enthusiasts always search for new rivers to conquer. It has always been considered a very dangerous sport but the advancements in safety equipment have reduced the risk significantly.

There are various rivers around the world which are famous for their turbulent white waters. Some of those locations are presented below…

1. Río Upano, Ecuador

This river is present in South America and it has white water zones that range from Grade 2 to Grade 4. The wide variety of water currents that one faces in this river makes it suitable for all kinds of White water rafters. There are narrow canyons and huge waves that challenge the skills and courage of most rafters. The grade 4 region in the Namangosa Gorge is a must try for professional rafters and adventure travel enthusiasts.

2. Colorado River, USA

It is one of the primary rivers in USA which is used for white water rafting. The popular sites for white water rafting are situated in the higher altitudes of Rocky Mountains. National Geographic has named West water canyon region as “The West’s Best Short Whitewater Trip” as the journey is very thrilling and one will surely experience an adrenaline rush. There are various organizations and adventure travel clubs who organize rafting trips here.

3. Futaleufú River, Chile

Futaleufú is an untouched river that runs through Chile. It has natural surroundings and the raw power of the river water makes white water rafting a memorable experience. This river gets most of its water from the lakes present in Los Alerces National Park. The river water has a blue tint as the water comes from a glacier. The rapid water currents and dangerous rocks make it a paradise for adventure hunters.

4. North Johnstone River, Australia

It is the northern branch of the Johnstone River situated in Australia. This river is suitable for very good rafters as it provides Grade 5 and Grade 6 white waters which are mainly filled with large drops, big waves and fast currents. The river goes through the rain forests of Palmerston National Park .The rafting organizations use helicopter to carry people to the starting point of the course.

5. Sun Kosi River, Nepal

The Himalayas are home to various adventure sports and White Water rafting is not an exception. “The river of gold” can be visited any time of the year except the rainy season (June-August). It is grade 3- grade 5 white water and hence provides lot of excitement. Along with rafting one can also have the pleasure of admiring the beauty of the mountains.

6. Zambezi River, Zimbabwe

The Zambezi is the 4th largest river in Africa and it has fabulous white water zones like the Batoka Gorge. Other amazing rapids that are present here are Stairway to Heaven, Gulliver’s Travels and the Midnight Diner. There are 4 say and 7 day rafting packages. Multi day packages make it a complete experience as people have to spend the night on riverbanks and work as a team.