Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Akbuk Is the Place to Go for a Peaceful and Relaxing Holiday

Akbuk is situated in a beautiful part of Turkey, and is a small and relaxing resort which used to be a fishing village. Although peaceful, it's not remote as it's just a few minutes’ drive from Altinkum, and is conveniently close to both Bodrum and Izmir international airports.

It's popular with Turkish people seeking a quiet retreat from the big cities, and many who holiday in the resort year after year eventually choose to retire here. This might make it sound very sleepy, but there is still plenty to see and do which would keep the average holidaymaker occupied for a couple of weeks or more.

There are lots of gorgeous beaches which are perfect for a few days hard sunbathing, or there are boat trips available from the local marina. However the area is well known for its numerous historical sites such as the Temple of Apollo which is only a short distance away.

It's a must see for everyone who visits the area, even for those who aren't particularly interested in history as it's quite spectacular. There is also a good waterpark at Altinkum, or a much larger one at the resort of Kusadasi, which is only 73 km away.

For an authentic Turkish experience, first-time visitors should definitely make time to go to a Turkish bath, an experience which is both relaxing and invigorating. Back in Akbuk, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to explore in the evenings, many of whom offer authentic Turkish food, although there is still plenty of more familiar food available for the less adventurous

Choosing Altinkum Just about Guarantees You a Great Holiday

If you are looking for a great place to holiday, or are even thinking about buying a holiday home in Turkey, then Altinkum is definitely worth investigating. It's located in a gorgeous part of the country, right on the Aegean coast, and is surrounded by spectacular scenery.

In spite of this it's very easy to reach, as it's just 110 km away from Bodrum, and just 200 km from Izmir, both of which have international airports that are well served with charter flights from the UK. Altinkum is also just 73 km away from Kusadasi, which is one of the most important tourist resorts in Turkey, and is well worth at least a day trip. It's also a good place to visit if you have children, as it is home to one of the largest water parks in Europe.

However you can have a great holiday without ever leaving Altinkum. This family friendly resort has three gorgeous beaches, and in fact its name means "Golden Sand," and with shallow waters these beaches are perfect for young children who are just learning to swim.

There's plenty going on at the beach, as there are numerous bars and restaurants nearby, so it's easy to get a cold drink or a snack without taking too much time off from sunbathing. If you want to do something slightly more active then there are plenty of water sports to try, including windsurfing, banana boat rides and jet skis, or if you simply want to potter about then you can always rent a pedalo.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, and friendly people, it's easy to see the charms of Altinkum, and if you get talking to other tourists you'll frequently find they have come here before, which is always a great recommendation.

Affordable Homes in Cayman Brac Nearly Completed

Eight affordable homes being built for the Sister Island Affordable Housing Development Corporate are nearly completed. The eight contracts were awarded last December to construct four homes on the site in West End, while another four homes are currently being built at a location in the Watering Place.

All eight are around 75% completed, and they should be completely finished by the end of April. In spite of the high-speed construction, the homes have been built to a high standard, with sizes ranging between one and four bedrooms. The homes come with full kitchens and include all the appliances, but there is no central air conditioning. However they have been built so central air conditioning can be added at a later date.

These houses are seen as being an investment into the community, as they not only provide homes for working families, but have also created jobs within the local workforce. Eligibility for the homes is based on household income, employment, personal references and residency.

Cayman Brac is located to the north-east of Grand Cayman, and is only around 12 miles long and 1 mile wide, and its most prominent feature is The Bluff, which is a large limestone outcrop which rises along the length of the island, reaching 140 feet high at the eastern end. The island is named after this feature as Brac is the Gaelic name for bluff. It's perhaps best known as providing the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Most tourists visit the island to explore the many caves, and it's also great for scuba divers as there are plenty of wrecks just off shore.

São Vicente Is All about Music, Culture and Art

São Vicente is a Cape Verdean island which is very much about music, culture, and art, and is where many of Cape Verde’s musicians and writers have grown up. It's the perfect island for anyone looking for a cultural experience, and the town of Mindelo is a delight. It's easy to see British influences in the architecture and monuments which date back to colonial times, and the town has a lively nightlife with numerous pubs, nightclubs and restaurants.

São Vicente is also a great choice for keen windsurfers, and some people think Sao Pedro is one of the best beaches for speed windsurfing. If you want to go swimming then Baia das Gatas in the north of the island is ideal as it is a natural lagoon. As always the beaches on this island are absolutely beautiful, as they are on all the islands in Cape Verde. São Vicente has two major festivals, one of which is a beach music Festival which is held during the full moon in August, while the second festival is held in mid-February, and is Brazilian influenced.

São Vicente is close to the beautiful island of Santo Antao, which is the greenest island in this archipelago. This is quite remarkable as Cape Verde is known for being extremely dry and arid. The island is just an hour’s ferry crossing away, and is popular with hikers as there are plenty of rugged mountains and green valleys to explore, and the ferry departs every day from Mindelo, which gives visitors plenty of time to explore the island before heading back to São Vicente in the afternoon.

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Akbuk is Perfect for Anyone Looking for Peace and Quiet

Akbuk is one of the most perfect holiday locations for anyone looking for a little peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking as the resort is set against a beautiful mountain backdrop and is surrounded by pine forests. The blue waters of the Aegean are beautifully clear, and the environment is renowned for being extremely healthy due to its low humidity and high oxygen levels.

Although it is a peaceful little resort, it still has all the amenities to offer holiday makers a trouble-free and enjoyable break. There is a good selection of local shops selling everything you need for day-to-day living, as well as a weekly market which is held every Friday, and which is great for purchasing super fresh and super cheap fruit and vegetables.

If you feel the need to visit larger shops then the resort of Altinkum is just 15 minutes’ drive up the road. Akbuk enjoys around 300 sunny days a year, and although temperatures can reach into the 40s during the summer months there is almost always a cooling breeze from the surrounding mountains.

Although it might be tempting to spend your whole time relaxing on one of the lovely beaches, it would be a shame not to explore the surrounding area as it is pretty interesting. There are numerous historical sites nearby including the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, Ephesus and The House of the Virgin Mary.

There are also lots of boat tours available from the harbour during the summer months so you will never be bored. In fact many people choose to return year after year, or even buy property here because they love it so much.

Why visit Altinkum?

There are such a huge number of resorts in Turkey to choose from, so why pick Altinkum? In fact there are many valid reasons for picking this resort. Firstly it is set in one of the most beautiful parts of the world but is conveniently close to Bodrum and Izmir international airports both of which have numerous budget priced flights from the UK.

The weather in Altinkum is extremely pleasant and it’s renowned for its high oxygen content making it perfect for anyone with asthma or other respiratory disorders. If you translate its name then you'll find it actually means Golden Sand which is a clue to the superb beaches here.

The resort has three main beaches and they are perfect for families and children as the beach gently shelves into the water. The beaches are also ideal for anyone who just wants to relax and take it easy, and there are always plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas available to rent for a reasonable price.

If you are easily bored by lying on a beach all day, then you'll also find a great selection of watersports which include banana boat rides, jet skis, windsurfing and the more sedate pedalos. It's one of those places where you can choose to do a lot or very little, so it's ideal for families or groups where everyone is looking for something different. There are plenty of bars and lively restaurants, but at the same time it's easy to find quieter spots where you can simply get away from it all and recharge your batteries.

Attractions on the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is a luxury upmarket destination which is renowned for its beautiful beaches and good year-round weather. It's fair to say many of the attractions on the islands are beach centred, but there are also a good choice of activities for those times when you feel like seeing a little more of the scenery.

One of the best-known beaches is Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman which is frequently named as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. There are numerous beach bars and restaurants located here, and you'll find most of the resort hotels on the island are situated on this beach.

Perhaps the best-known attraction on Grand Cayman is Stingray City which is renowned for being one of the top places in the world for shallow dives and snorkelling. If you visit the spot then you'll have the chance to hand feed these amazing creatures as they are incredibly tame.

If you are looking for some of the best snorkelling and diving in the Caribbean then Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman is one of the best sites around. Cayman Brac also has some great dive sites and the opportunity to visit wrecks. It's also the least visited of the Cayman Islands, but has the most dramatic scenery and is great for anyone who likes walking, bird watching and of course diving.

Back on dry land another very popular attraction is Queen Elizabeth the second Botanic Park which is on Grand Cayman and displays the islands native flora and fauna and includes a lake area which is a natural habitat for the Cayman Blue Iguana.