Imagine a place where it is just cool in the winter and not freezing. A place where you can lay down in a hammock and listen to nothing except the waves crashing against the sand in a beautiful beach. A place where not only crickets sing, but the wonderful soothing sounds of the native Coqui. No, I'm not just making up such a place. That place is the island of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is an incredible vacation for the whole family. The island is very family oriented and makes your family feel right at home. You have the wonderful and beautiful beaches for the surfer and beach lover. The great non stop nightlife for that party girl. Filling up your schedule with activities will be easy in Puerto Rico. You can explore the forests and see beautiful scenes like waterfalls in El Yunque. Puerto Rico also is rich in culture as you can explore Old San Juan and step foot in the same exact place were the Spaniards stood at in El Morro. Take a drive down to the south to Ponce and visit the Taino Village and see how the native Taino Indians lived. A must do in Puerto Rico is the Tropical Trail Rides, a guided horseback tour through the "real" Puerto Rico! Step inside of the oldest fire station in Puerto Rico in the very popular Plaza las Delicias. Eat the local Ponce ice cream in "Los Chinos". Walk around and keep an eye out during the summer for dolphins at Ponce's boardwalk "La Guancha". Make sure you order some pinchos while your there, a personal favorite for yours truly.

You will fall in love with Puerto Rican food when you visit any local restaurant and order some "comida criolla". Alcapurrias, bacalaitos, sorullitos de maiz, rellenos de papa, empanadillas and much others fall into this exquisite category. Their main dishes are to die for with their arroz con gandules, arroz con pollo, and pernil. You can't leave the island and say you went to Puerto Rico without trying the foods mentioned above.

As you can see history and food is a big part of Puerto Rico. Scenery is right behind it though. You can explore caves and caverns in Las Cavernas de Camuy. Puerto Rico is ideal for bird watching because the temperature remains fairly constant and see one of the fifty species of birds seen here, the bird watching will not disappoint. Imagine you laying down on a hammock, drinking a cold freshly made pina colada, and listening to the soothing breeze. This could all come true in Puerto Rico. Like they say "Your not dreaming, your in Puerto Rico!"

By: Jason Hobbs

Aruba is a land with great diversity. Aruba sits beside the Atlantic on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. The Atlantic has violent waters crashing over the rocks and coral ridges and cliffs, while the Caribbean is tranquil and a great setting for snorkeling and swimming. In the land of Aruba, you can find a beautiful and lush landscape, punctuated by the desert, which is home to towering cacti and divi-divi trees. You can find old lighthouses and windmills, together with modern hotels and resorts that are conveniently accessible to restaurants, fancy casinos and fitness center. Whether you are into indoor activities or the great outdoors, you will surely enjoy Aruba.

In Aruba, you can enjoy the azure waters of the powder-white beaches as well as unique landscapes and cool breezes. The tropical ambience in this wonderful environment invites you to soak in the sun and ride the surf. You can walk through the city to enjoy the colorful Dutch architecture. Hotel guarantee top-draw accommodations, luxury services and resort-style amenities. The residents are friendly and hospitable to tourists; their warmth heightens the vacation experience. Geological formations and the wild countryside caters to the nature lover in anyone. The beaches of Aruba are great for diving. The sea is great for surfing while strong and steady winds make kite-flying fun. You can hike through the desert or enjoy the championship golf courses. Casinos beckon to the risk taker in you, while nightclubs feed your party-animal side.

Aruba is not a place where you will get lost. Restaurants, casinos, bars, and malls are clustered together, making everything conveniently accessible from your hotel. Even the beaches are within walking distance. If you need a guide to help you get acquainted with the land, you can avail yourself of local tour packages from hotels or employ the services of local tour operators, which can prove to be more affordable.

By: Jimmy Sturo
Aruba provides detailed information on Aruba, Aruba Vacations, Aruba Hotels, Aruba Weather and more. Aruba is affiliated with History of Argentina.

Close to many of the resorts, Plaza Bavaro is the largest shopping area in Punta Cana. An open air garden in the central courtyard provides a pleasant and inviting atmosphere where visitors can stroll the unique shops and cool off from the sun. The Plaza features over 50 stores including local boutiques, pharmacy, jewelry stores, a travel agency, banks and restaurants. Browse gift shops selling every kind of souvenir imaginable, and hunt for bargains as you mingle with the local people. Located directly across the street is the Plaza Punta Cana, offering a huge variety of merchandise including local arts and crafts, cigars, souvenirs and unique gifts.

Also along Bavaro Beach among Punta Cana's most elegant resorts, is the Palma Real Shopping Village. This new addition to the resort area is home to a variety of great shops and brand name restaurants. Guests can enjoy shopping at stores that include Planeta Fashion, Tosca, Wine & Food Sensation, Bruga Boutique and Verganti. Another important addition to the Bavaro Beach area of Punta Cana is the unique and sophisticated Caribbean Street, located within the renowned Riu Resort Complex. Lush gardens and elegant architecture highlight a superb facility offering numerous gift shops, boutiques and enticing restaurants.

For those looking for an authentic experience away from the souvenir shops, The Domenico Cigar Manufactory offers visitors the opportunity to see fine Dominican cigars being made. Located behind Plaza Brisas on Bavaro Beach, Domenico cigars are produced and sold in this small family owned business by highly skilled master rollers, and visitors will enjoy watching the process before testing the cigars for themselves. The cigars are of a very high quality and offer shoppers a great value for money.

Value and variety are defiantly a big part of the appeal when shopping in Punta Cana. From the elegant resort boutiques to the colorful markets, there is something for everyone, just don't be afraid to bargain with the vendors for the best deal!

After a day of shopping, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying the numerous activities at your resort, it's time to discover the exciting nightlife that Punta Cana is famous for. When the sun goes down, the many bars and clubs inside and outside of the resorts come to life! At the Riu Palace Macao, Pacha nightclub provides high energy entertainment all night long for Riu guests and the general public. Featuring a vibrant mix of international dance tunes, meringue and salsa, Pacha is one of Punta Cana's top nightspots and a guaranteed great night out. Guests of Pacha also enjoy complimentary entrance to the casino, and the Copacabana amphitheater.

Across at the Barcelo Bavaro Golf and Casino, the Bavaro Disco has become a favorite among Punta Cana's nightlife. Bavaro Disco is an enormous club that draws guests from around the world with its exotic and visually stunning ambience. The disco is free to residents of the Barcelo Hotel complex, and welcomes the general public with admission. Dance the night away to exciting tunes in this thrilling party atmosphere quite unlike any other! Also within the Barcelo complex is the incredible Tropicalissimo show at the casino, staged in the style of the old Tropicana of Cuba.

Although the majority of Punta Cana's nightlife is concentrated within the resorts, it is worth checking out the local bars and clubs for a more authentic night out mixing with the Dominican people. The Mascara Bar is located in the Punta Cana shopping center, and is one of the area's best kept secrets! Enjoy the mix of great music and a refreshing cocktail with your friends as you mingle with locals. A warm and inviting atmosphere coupled with an extensive drinks selection make the Mascara Bar a great choice!

Another good choice for a lively night out is Hot Spot, located on Bavaro Beach, right behind Plaza Brisas. Open weekends only, Hot Spot offers a wonderful, friendly atmosphere, and local drinks such as presidente beer, cuba libre, plus exotic cocktails, all at reasonable prices. The cave style setting with volcano décor provides a unique nightlife experience not to be missed!

Whether you choose to stay within your resort and take advantage of the nightlife choices available, or venture out to sample some after-dark local culture, one thing that you can be sure of is a night to remember! Punta Cana has without question earned its reputation as one of the leading vacation destinations worldwide, and day or night, visitors will find an abundance of choices awaiting them in this Dominican paradise.

By: Ellie Cominos
Ellie Cominos is a travel expert and a content associate and travel guide writer for BookIt.com® - the online travel company offering discounted hotels and vacations wherever you are FROM! Visit the BookIt.com ® Travel Guides for additional travel information including articles, reviews and helpful travel tips.

Though they’ve seen many governmental changes over the years and more recently suffered a devastating hurricane, The Cayman Islands are still capable of providing a lovely and relaxing vacation experience. Grand Cayman is the largest in this inviting cluster of isles in the western Caribbean, and hosts millions of tourists each year. There’s a reason for its enduring popularity – many reasons in fact.

First, there’s the beach. It’s pretty much a given that a Caribbean island is going to have attractive stretches of shoreline, but Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach is a mighty fine specimen to behold. Beach enthusiasts name this as one of the finest in the world, and the ample resorts and activities here cement its reputation as popular, accommodating and a pleasure to visit. The reef makes it fun for snorkeling, the bars will quench any thirst, and any necessary gear can be easily acquired. Quite simply, it’s the best.

Top-notch conditions make diving and snorkeling popular activities throughout the island. Seasoned underwater explorers are happy to check Grand Cayman off their lists of places to see in their lives, and newcomers should feel welcomed to give it a try. The water is exceptionally clear and the marine life is abundant around the many reefs and walls. Especially worth a look is Stingray City, where a plethora of friendly stingrays float along the sand bars in the shallows and interact with people in the water. Feed them, touch them, and generally be amazed by these wild and beautiful creatures.

While in this region of the island (the northwest) feel free to stop by the other touristy spots. Hell is a place of strange beauty due to the black rock formations, and it gives visitors something to joke about. Sending a postcard from Hell or picking up a T-shirt satisfies most people’s curiosity for novelty well enough. Cayman Turtle Farm showcases thousands of turtles of all shape and size, exemplifying why the Cayman Islands were originally named “Las Tortugas” (the turtles).

The eastern part of the island is less developed, so those of you who enjoy straying from the beaten path might be able to cook up a little adventure or just claim a quiet stretch of sand. Cars drive on the left side of the road here but Americans can rent them (after showing a valid license and paying a fee) or there are buses and taxi cabs readily available in most parts of the island. Tourism drives the economy of Grand Cayman, conveniences tend to be plentiful.

History is another reason to appreciate Grand Cayman. In the capital city there are the Cayman Islands National Museum and Fort George (what remains of it, anyway), and Pedro St. James Castle and the Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum are also worth taking a look at if the island’s past is what floats your boat. Colonial influences and indigenous personality come together in an interesting way (as these things usually do) and add another dimension to a vacation that could be all about mindlessness.

Not that you shouldn’t spend plenty of time lounging on the beach, sipping fruity drinks or floating in the salty sea. In order to properly forget about work, school, stress and responsibility there must be lots of sunning and a few naps. Indulge in all that Grand Cayman has to offer – you did come all this way, after all.

Another indulgence not to be overlooked is a Grand Cayman Vacation Rental. Dozens of delicious properties are sprinkled around the island like so many accommodating jewels just waiting to be taken up by savvy travelers. Small and modest beach cottages, elegant villas, sophisticated condos and more have a way of opening their doors to reveal a host of unexpected amenities. Who know it was possible to whip up some scrambled eggs, sunbathe on a private deck or stroll to the beach minutes upon waking with a cup of coffee in hand?

Staying in a vacation rental opens up a world of possibilities on an island that is already quite promising. Arrive with a detailed itinerary in hand or let the winds of fate lead you along; either way a trip to Grand Cayman will be a journey that is sure to restore and relax your world weary self.

By: Caitlin Moore
Visit HomeAway.com and peruse the vacation rentals here and anywhere else you’re thinking of visiting.

Are you looking for a vacation by idyllic seashores? The Cayman Islands of the Caribbean should be the perfect choice. The combined magic of the Grand Cayman, the Little Cayman and the Cayman Brac are sure to work. Best of all, these havens of natural beauty are equipped with excellent facilities for a luxurious stay. You will certainly find an appropriate Cayman Island beach rental from the plethora of choices in the region.

The Little Cayman and the Cayman Brac are very sparsely populated. It is best to laze around in the beautiful seascapes or in a condo in the Cayman Islands. However, there is no dearth of adventure. The islands abound in water sport like diving, snorkeling and fishing. All these activities are mostly arranged by a good Cayman Island beach rental itself. Whether you are the contemplative sort or the energetic one, Cayman Islands has something suitable to offer.

The Cayman Brac provides for excellent diving and fishing. For the more adventurous divers, the waters have an accessible wreck. These islands also have a curious limestone rock structure. The islands offer hiking possibilities highlighted by caves like Bat Cave and Great Cave. However, if you are keener on vast stretches of beach and the abysmal depths under sea, Little Cayman is probably the answer.

Little Cayman offers snorkeling and deep sea diving. Apart from excellent beaches, the steep plunges of the sea bed are a major attraction. Spots like Bloody Bay Wall, Jackson’s Wall and Mixing Bowl are rich in versatile marine life. The Booby Pond Nature Reserve is a paradise for bird watchers. The Grand Cayman probably offers the most dramatic underwater adventures. The stark falls of the water has gone down to immense depths giving them the name of “mountainsides” under sea.

The luxuriant beaches and mystical seas of Grand Cayman can also be enjoyed from an aerial tour of the island. Other attractions include Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and the central points of George Town. The St. Pedro Castle restoration site presents an interesting glimpse into the history of the islands. The town also presents bunches of nightclubs for the young groups. The Cayman Islands enjoy a pleasant climate and are inhabited by friendly people of mixed cultures. English is the predominant language.

You will certainly be able to find a well-equipped condo in the Cayman Islands. Condos, beachfront properties, resorts and luxury hotels abound. Most of them have access to beaches and organize water sports and the island tours. Some of the popular rentals are Coral Sand Resort, Hyatt Regency, Resort Beachfront Condo Property, Cobalt Coast resort and Brac Reef. With such a lot to offer, the Cayman Islands are surely worth a visit.

By: Doug Fowler
Terry Malone is the owner and developer of http://www.vrul.com. VRUL.com is an established vacation rentals by owner website with over 1000 listings worldwide. Rent directly from the owner and save money.