Discover Hawaii's Big Island

Named for its size relative to the other Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii's Big Island is a popular travel destination because of the island's unparalleled natural beauty and active volcano. Hawaii's Big Island offers big adventures with exhilarating activities and unforgettable attractions. The island's diverse surroundings let you witness the Kilauea Volcano push lava into the ocean one day and scuba dive with dolphins the next. Unwind on the pristine white sands of Kaunaoa Beach and experience the unmatched beauty of the Kohala coastline with an exciting round of golf. All of this and more can be experienced on Hawaii's largest island which is one of Mother Nature's greatest accomplishments.

Depending on which area of Big Island you're on visitors can experience white, black and green sand beaches. Kaunaoa Beach is a beautiful white sand beach that is home to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Consistently rated as one of America's Top Resorts the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel features beachfront rooms that have direct ocean access, signature restaurants and an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. One of the many interesting attractions on Hawaii's Big Island is its black sand beaches which are formed from cooled lava. Punaluu is a black sand beach that can be found near the island's southern tip. It offers great swimming spots as well as a small shop to purchase Hawaiian souvenirs for friends and family. Puu Mahana is a green sand beach that is located on the slopes of Mauna Loa, the earth's largest volcano. Located at the southernmost tip of the United States, Puu Mahana is an amazing sight but can be difficult to get to.

Big Island is considered the golf capital of the Hawaiian Islands and provides a great selection of golf courses to choose from. Offering every level of play the golf courses on Hawaii's Big Island feature breathtaking views of lava lined fairways, tropical palm trees, sparkling blue waters and the picturesque Kohala coastline. Most of Big Island's golf courses can be found on the west side of the island. Kailua-Kona is the main western city where many of the island's most luxurious resorts can be found including the Mauna Loa Village, the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort and the Royal Kona Resort. Once home to Hawaiian royalty this historic area also provides excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Guests of the elegant resorts in Big Island will be treated like royalty with plenty of massage and spa options. Let yourself be pampered with body wraps, facials, yoga and more.

The east side of Big Island is home to Hilo, the island's capital city. Known as the nation's orchid capital, Hilo is a charming bayside town overflowing with colorful orchids, lush gardens and is also the gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. From Hilo continue to the island's south side to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where visitors can witness Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. From the Ranger Station visitors can walk along a paved road and then continue along rough uneven lava to the Steam Plume Viewing Area. This viewing area provides guests with the magnificent sight of lava entering the ocean and new land forming making Hawaii's Big Island even bigger. Big Island is also made up of the waterfalls and exotic plants on the Hamakua Coast and the sacred Hawaiian religious sites and the Parker Ranch on the north side.

Adventure can be found all around Iceland in a variety of exciting opportunities for land, sea and air. Start your day with some amazing snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay and then enjoy an afternoon riding Paniolo's Hawaiian cowboys, at Parker Ranch. Hiking through the lava tube Hurston Volcanoes National Park and then head to the summit of Mauna Kea to watch an incredible sunset and the stars shining Big Island. For an exciting adventurevisitors can experience skiing on Hawaii's Big Island. Mauna Kea, or White Mountain offers some of the world's highest skiing and finest snow. Skiing Mauna Kea is recommended only for expert skiers since it offers no lifts or grooming, frequently changing weather conditions and occasional strong winds.

Known as "The Island of Adventure" Hawaii's Big Island offers endless possibilities. With its numerous climatic zones Big Island offers everything from towering volcanoes and cascading waterfalls to black sand beaches and tropical gardens. With so much to explore it's easy to see why so many people return year after year to Hawaii's Big Island.

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Lamu Five (5) Star Island Hotels - Lamu Kenya Island Beach Hotels

You have a nicer choice of accommodations at the fishing village of Shela, a short dhow ride from Lamu town, and the site of its closest swimming beach. Although Shela Beach is good for swimming and some water sports, there has been danger from thieves and thugs.

1. Peponi Hotel
For many years people visiting Lamu have passed the word: "Peponi is the place to stay"

The hotel is right at the water's edge in Shela Village, a few kilometres walk, or a pleasant 20-minute dhow ride away from Lamu Town. This privately owned hotel has been in the hands of a Danish family, the Korschens, for 25 years.

Part of the appeal of staying at Peponi is arriving by water. Most guests take Flights to Lamu Kenya into the airstrip on Manda Island and then board the hotel's large wooden dhow. Immediately you are transported back to a slower, more peaceful time. You chug past Lamu Town, then by beautiful gardens and villas. After landing, you walk along a sandy beach to reach the hotel.

You are dazzled by white-washed terraces, blazing bougainvillea, and tall waving palm fronds. There is a color and life in the busy open-air public bar, the riot of exotic flowering shrubs, and the bustling boating activity in front of the hotel. On the other hand, peace and relaxation are found in the residents' section of the hotels with its quiet and established air.

There is a solid, timeless feel about Peponi-nothing slick or nouveau. It invites indolence: reading, sitting on deck chairs admiring the view, sipping a drink on the terrace, just watching boats...it lives up to its Swahili name. Peponi means place where there is coolness, rest and relief from trouble...

Ambience and décor at the Lamu beach hotel

There are only 25 rooms at Peponi Hotel, and the atmosphere is intimate and low key-no sense of bustling, mass tourism. There is an interesting layout of the Lamu hotel rooms. On one side of the main building, a row of rooms faces a lawn with tall palm trees and a low stone sea wall clothed with bougainvillea. There is a more unusual arrangement on the other side of the hotel, where rooms are at different levels and reached by meandering paths between flowering trees.

Some rooms are up narrow flights of open-air stairs; others are tucked below, overlooking sand and water. All rooms have a private veranda with comfortable chairs and pleasant views. The newer Peponi Lamu hotel rooms have been attractively decorated with bright carpets, modern art, and cane furniture. The older rooms are simply and solidly furnished, dim and cool with high ceilings and "Casablanca" fans-echoes of a colonial time.

The dining room is simple and elegant-predominantly white with dark wood furniture. Colourful Old Dutch plates and bowls brighten the white stucco walls, and there are attractive Lamu chairs with woven string backs. A wall-size painting of an intricate Swahili arch adds an exotic touch. Along one entire side of the rooms are windows with French doors leading out to a comfortable terrace overlooking the water.

In addition to the formal dining room, there is an outdoor grill restaurant with raked sand underfoot and a tangle of bougainvillea overhead. The hotel specializes in seafood and has both a table d'hote as well as a' la carte menu. The drunken prawns are a delight.

After a day of visits to Lamu Town lines up close and strong heat, peering in the dark shops and squeezed past donkeys and absorb the sense of history and exotic, is a pleasant relief, peace, beauty and safety Peponi back .. . and a cold drink and lime juice is wonderful.

The accommodations in Lamu Kenya Hotel Peponi

The 25 rooms vary in size slightly. There are high Lamu style beds (king size bed, double),ensuite bathrooms, 24 hour electricity, mosquito netting, and ceiling fans. The four newest rooms are nearer the water and seem brighter with more colorful interior décor. The favourite, new wing #24, #25. Old wing: #19, #20. Also check out the view from the room called "top"

Lamu Island Beach

A short walk around the rocks from Peponi leads to a long beach backed by dunes. This is the closest bathing beach to Lamu Town and dhows bring visitors here. Hotel guests are warned not to take anything valuable to the beach.

Lamu tour guides and boat men

Local residents are always available for hire at the hotel's outdoor bar to guide you through Shela and Lamu Town or to take you where you want to go by boat. Their knowledge is worth it, and so is their protection from others wanting you to hire them.

Hotel Lamu Dhow service to Lamu Town

Free 9 a.m. shuttle with return at noon. Takes about 15 minutes.

Lamu Beach, town Walks & tour

Transportation on Lamu Island is by foot, by donkey, or by boat. The walk to Lamu town takes about 40 minutes with interesting views of water traffic and villas along the way. Walk along the beach. Explore Lamu town or Shela

Lamu Water sports & activities

Through the hotel, you can arrange to go snorkeling, waterskiing, or Lamu deep-sea fishing. For a specific treat, enjoy lobster feast on a Lamu dhow trip by day or moon light. There is a windsurfing concession at the Lamu bay beach hotel.

Spring Break 2010 - Having a Blast on South Padre Island, Texas

Spring Break 2010 is with us, my friend! If you plan to make your way to the beautiful South Padre Island and have yet to book hotels - is best done as soon as possible. There are tons of great vacation, student discounts and savings - but you must act now and act quickly in order to really benefit from them. There are lots of great hotels nearby - but again, you really need to book soon, because pricesgo!

La Quinta Inn & Suites South Padre / North Beach is located approximately 45 miles from the airport, the La Quinta Inn 4 receives an average of three or five-star reviews from customers. Prices are very reasonable and the hotel was recently renovated. There is a swimming pool, business center, fitness center, free parking and wireless high speed internet. Probably will not be long in your room, but the rooms are clean, each including aBalcony or terrace. The house has the staff is very courteous. They have a daily happy hour with complimentary beer, drinks and nachos. You do not have this feature, but during the March - when the most students to visit for Spring Break.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites South Padre Island: With an average of four out of five stars, the site of the popular Holiday Inn Family hotel is wildly popular among tourists. Thisa few steps from the beach, very clean and includes a breakfast buffet. The larger rooms have splendid views of Laguna Madre Bay or the tropical pool. There is also Wi-Fi, fitness center, business center and of course - parking.

Sheraton South Padre Beach Hotel Iceland: forty-five minutes from the airport and is located directly on the beach, this is another well known chain, and a large living room. Youabout two hundred and fifty rooms, a large swimming pool, tennis court and access to areas of water sports. They have an on site restaurant, beach bar and grill - and there is also a poolside bar, bar Palapa you have a fitness center, free Internet access and parking as well. In general, it is a great value for money, rooms are clean, room service and friendly staff - and customers give him a perfect rating in which the concerns of security and protection.

Although notas a popular Spring Break destination like Cancun or Panama City, South Padre quickly becomes a favorite. And 'near the border with Mexico, offers many opportunities and surf just a very long time. Book now for the best discounts possible.