Mentawai and Merapi Disaster Assistance

Mentawai and Merapi Disaster Assistance

Manado Today - Tsunami Disaster that struck the Mentawai Islands regency of West Sumatra, and the catastrophic eruption of Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta Special Region, October 26, 2010, cause, concern internationally, not least with the Provincial Government of North Sulawesi.

It was seen from the commencement of movement throughout SKPD dilingkup mapalus North Sulawesi province, by starting to raise funds for people who experience relief in disaster areas in Indonesia.
Deputy Governor of North Sulawesi Kansil Djouhari MPd, said this mapalus movement, is one form of government and public awareness in order to ease the burden of North Sulawesi suffering people there. If aid funds have been collected, the North Sulawesi provincial government may soon send the aid in these two provinces.
"Later, when it collected a lot, the provincial government will hand direct this assistance to each local government to give it to those who become victims of natural disasters," said Kansil (01/11/2010).
Hoped also, this mapalus movement, will be followed by all governments in the districts and municipalities in North Sulawesi, and communities that exist in this area, to help ease the burden of the victims of these natural disasters.
"Let's help to our brothers who experienced a natural disaster," said Kansil. (Tonnes)

Historians Say Mbah Marijan Heroes

 

 

Historians Say Mbah Marijan Heroes

Historian Anhar howl say, Mbah Marijan is the hero for the community because he does not flee from its responsibility as caretaker of Mount Merapi volcano as it erupted. "Mbah Marijan small example of a hero, he got the job and not run away from responsibility. Mbah Marijan this attitude that should be a role model,"

Mentawai Islands on Monday

 After a tsunami hit the Mentawai Islands , one villager struggled through 30 kilometers of forest to reach Sikakap, abandoning dozens of bodies that lay strewn in his flattened hamlet.

Brenti’s home in Muntei Baru-Waru in Batumonga village on North Pagai Island — one of Mentawai’s three main islands, was devastated by an earthquake-triggered tsunami on Monday night.

More than 300 people were killed by the tsunami and about 100 more missing, according to authorities. They said earlier  that 113 had died.

Brenti said the first wave was eight meters high and engulfed half of the hamlet. But the second wave struck like a giant wall and was higher than a coconut tree. It struck harder and deeper, eventually reaching the slopes of a hill more than 800 meters inland.

“Only 40 people survived. All 73 houses were gone. The night after the disaster, we — the injured and babies — slept under the rain on a hill in the back of our hamlet,” the 40-year-old said, as quoted by Josh Kamatis, a disaster post coordinator for North and South Pagai Islands in Sikakap, who shared Brenti’s story with The Jakarta Post.

“Those who survived were those who ran to higher ground after the first wave struck, while the dead were mostly those who could not escape the second wave.”

Brenti’s wife and two children were swept away in the tsunami.

When Brenti left his ruined hamlet, dozens of bodies lay scattered on the ground and over 100 people were still missing.

He said that most residents had not felt the 7.2-magnitude quake as they were inside their homes due to rain. Residents were shocked after hearing a thundering sound that resembled loud wave breaks about 15 minutes after the earthquake.

Soon afterwards, the tsunami swept the hamlet.

“The hamlet is just a name now. No more buildings. On Wednesday, 80 dead victims were found and 102 still missing. There were only 40 survivors,” said Kamatis, adding the dead had been buried the same day.

Two days after the disaster struck, the death toll continues to rise, with the disaster post listing 282 dead and 411 missing.

The tsunami badly damaged 25,426 houses, flattened six hamlets and forced 4,500 residents to evacuate to makeshift shelters.

Rescue workers and relief supplies intended for more than a dozen villages on the islands arrived by plane and helicopter on Wednesday.

West Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Agency Operational Control Center head Ade Edward defended the agency’s decision to lift a tsunami warning that had been issued immediately after the temblor struck.

He said his office had not established a tsunami early warning system for Mentawai Islands, adding that even the most advanced equipment could not have processed warning signs fast enough to avoid disaster in the regency after the earthquake.

“The [epicenter] was very close and the tsunami arrived in just 15 minutes, so it was unnecessary,” Ade told the Post on Wednesday.

“The most sophisticated system currently available needs five minutes to process information from an earthquake before issuing a tsunami warning — and a issuing a command to respond to the field would take more than 15 minutes. It would have been too late for Mentawai.”

An early warning system would have been effective for the provincial capital, Padang, and for other areas along West Sumatra’s western coast that were more than 200 kilometers from the epicenter, he said.

When the earthquake hit on Oct. 25, Ade said his office had processed information from weather stations but did not issue an evacuation order since the sea level had not decreased. “In 15 minutes, we decided that a tsunami would not hit the west coast of Sumatra and informed the public by radio that there was no need to evacuate,” he said.

Mentawai Islands regency lawmaker Jan Winnen Sipayung said that some victims might have been asleep when the earthquake struck.

“Nearly all of the villages that were devastated by the tsunami were unconnected to the power network, so most residents went to sleep early. Some of the people likely failed to flee to safety after the quake,” he said Wednesday.

Latvia – Known For Its Excellent Beauty And Charm

Latvia is a country situated in Northern Europe near the Baltic region. It has derived its name from the river known as the Latuva. The Latvian folk songs are really popular and famous for their melodies. There are more than 30000 folk songs that are known. Also their culture and traditions are likely to be explored when you visit Latvia.

Best Places To Visit

There are many places to explore in Latvia but only a few are described here:

1. Pedvale Open Air Art Museum
It is a historical monument which was opened in the year 1991 and spread in a large area of 100 hectares. It covers the rivers and the forest. Many of the artists love to come here and want to spend their days here in this beautiful environment. Lots of artists have captured this wonderful beauty of nature in their canvas.

2. The Dome Cathedral

The Dome Cathedral built in the year 1212 is a masterpiece and its design is based on the renaissance style. Because it is visited by lots of visitors therefore sometimes music concerts are also organized here.

3. Jurmala Beach

The beach is located on the coast of Riga and it is surrounded by dense forest all around the beach. Because of its exotic location it is very popular among the tourist.

4. Aglona Basilica

It is a shrine that is a pilgrimage site for the Christians with history dating back to the year 1699. This is also a famous destination known for its beauty and exclusive architecture.

5. Tervete Nature Park
The park consists of amazing views and playground for children. The visitors can enjoy a lot as there are swings for kids. It is mostly seen as a picnic spot and so during the holidays it is full of people and kids.

Beauty Lummus Park on South Beach in Miami

Lummus Park on South Beach is a very nice and beautiful in Miami and state of Florida in United States. Lummus Park is the Mecca of outdoor activities, strap on your Rollerblade, tune on to your favorite play list and go "balding"……this is unbeatable fun and one of the sexiest beaches in the world, where else can you work up a sweat and then enjoy a good book afterward on the shores of the Caribbean sea. I went there and enjoyed a lot. There I stayed in cheap hotels. There they provided the facilities which pampered me. This beach is good facilities in tourist include lots of restaurants line the road by the beach so that is a great way to spend an afternoon sunning, swimming, eating, drinking, cheap hotels in miami, successful parking garage and just generally tourist watching.

vacation spot in Kuta (Bali) Indonesia

kuta bali surfing

Tourists congregate in hoards at Bali’s fun capital Kuta and for good reason. The beach is long, golden and soft, surfing is a popular sport and the night life is lively to say the least. But if you are tired of beach-bum watching head to the exquisite temples of internal Bali or wander and browse the many art galleries and warungs – hawker stalls.

Getting to Kuta

Frequent flights connect Bali’s Denpasar airport from many Asian cities, Air Asia has perhaps the most comprehensive schedule but full service airlines like THAI also fly regularly to Bali. Qantas and other Australian airlines offer a regular service and European holiday companies also fly into the island.

Every Asian country has many attractions from ruined and picturesque temples, pristine jungles and excellent national parks, a rich colonial history and friendly people who are willing to help a stranger. But for many visitors the jewels in Asia’s crown are most definitely its unsurpassed beaches.

Top Five Family Holiday Destinations in Spain

When it comes to choosing the ideal holiday destination, Spain has cemented itself as one of the top locations. Its brilliant combination of glorious weather, tourist attractions, culture and vibrant nightlife makes it the perfect destination to spend our holiday period and with all this to offer, it comes as no surprise why many choose to visit time and time again.

However, when it comes to choosing an appropriate family holiday, many of us can become unsure as to where the best destinations are. When it comes to Spain however, there is plenty to satisfy all families, no matter what type of holidays you may be used to.

Barcelona

Barcelona has been a favourite location for many who enjoy nothing more than soaking up some brilliant culture and scenery. Although this is primarily a more sight-seeing location, it also provides a fantastic backdrop for a family holiday-especially for those families who have slightly older children. With a wide range of galleries and museums, there is plenty to keep your family entertained here, and also provides a great way in which to escape some of the scorching hot weather you can hope to experience during its hotter months.
You will also find many street performers and entertainers throughout the city as you explore which are sure to put a spring in your step and leave you astounded with their talent. For those who are keen on sport, a must see location is the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys which was home to the 1992 Olympics and the Nou Camp Football Stadium, home to world-famous Barcelona FC. With fantastic transport facilities in the city, you will have the chance to experience everything the city has to offer-perfect for families who love to learn and explore at the same time.
To top it all, Barcelona also boasts wonderful sandy Mediterranean beaches just minutes walk from the city centre.

Benidorm

For those families who love a bit of fun and frolics, Benidorm has to be the ideal location. Located just outside of Alicante, Benidorm houses glorious, sandy beaches, masses of entertainment and fantastic eating facilities-perfect for both families with both young and older children. Many parents may worry about their children becoming bored, but with various attractions within Benidorm, that is something you need not worry about.
One of the biggest attractions is the Terra Mitica Park which is a theme park guaranteed to leave all involved exhilarated and wanting to stay all day! However, for those who are looking to escape from the heat there is also the Aqualandia Water Park which is a fantastic day out for those who love water rides, or who simply wish to lie back and soak up the rays.
You will also find the Terra Natura Park and Mundormar Marine Animal Park for those looking for animal and nature lovers. With a great variety of night entertainment from live music, family friendly pubs and a wide range of cuisine in the restaurants, everyone is sure to be happy here.

Galicia

Galicia is not an area within Spain many have heard much about, but is known as being one of Spain's provinces. This is the perfect destination for sun worshipping families who love to mix relaxing in the sun with exploring their surroundings. It is known for providing its tourists with a 'real' sense of Spain with its fantastic display of culture and heritage, but also has some breathtaking landscapes in the form of mountainous countryside, bays and coves.
What's more, this is the perfect place to experience all the Spanish cuisine has to offer with many of the restaurants providing some of the most delicious tapas you will ever experience. Again, this is more situated for an older family, but is a great place to explore and experience.

Granada

When it comes to Spain, many of us will automatically think of its beautiful weather and sandy beaches. However, for those families who wish to have a bit of adventure mixed with culture, Granada is the ideal holiday destination. Granada is situated by the Sierra Nevada ski resort, providing its tourists with the chance to mix lying in the sun with skiing through the snowy slopes-a brilliant combination for both novice and experienced skiers.
However, if skiing is not really your thing, there are many gorgeous areas oozing with culture and beauty for you to explore such as the Alhambra Palace and Generalife, which houses beautiful fountains and gardens-the perfect way to spend a glorious day out with your family. You will also find some magnificent museums such as the Archaeological Museum and the Science Museum-guaranteed to keep your children quiet and amused! However for those children who may get slightly bored by this, a quick whizz down the ski slopes or fun at the beach with the many water sports which are available, are sure to keep them happy and entertained.

Madrid

Finally there is the fantastic city of Madrid. Originally popular due to its vast amount of culture and sights, its popularity has led to some fantastic developments which has now made it a popular family holiday location. As with many of the areas within Spain, Madrid houses masses of attractions such as the Faunia Theme Park, Zoo-Aquarium and Warner Bros-Madrid Theme Park-perfect for children of all ages, and adults!
As you would expect from a city, you will also find a wide range of shops here from traditional trinket stores to designer's stores which will allow you to bring some souvenirs back or merely take advantage of any possible discounts typical of European shopping. For night time entertainment, you will be spoilt for choice in Madrid with cinemas, theatres, the ballet, and opera and for those old enough-some of the best night clubs in the whole of Europe. With masses of restaurants serving food from all over the world and many family friendly pubs providing some great live music, there is something for every family here.
When it comes to a great family holiday in Spain you will be spoilt for choice. So take the plunge and see what a great holiday experience you and your family can have on the holiday of a lifetime!

Holidays in Paradise Cozumel Beach Mexico

Cozumel Beach

Cozumel island located at the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, opposite the Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. Cozumel is a popular tourist destination renowned for its scuba diving and snorkeling. Cozumel has ranked for years among the top five dive destinations in the world. Tall reefs line the southwest coast, creating towering walls that offer divers a fairy-tale landscape to explore. For nondivers, it has the beautiful water of the Caribbean with all the accompanying watersports and seaside activities. The island gets a lot more visitors from North America than Europe for reasons that probably have to do with the limited flights.

Cozumel popular with the cruise ships, the waterfront section of town holds wall-to-wall jewelry stores and duty-free and souvenir shops.

When Hurricane Wilma hit the island in October 2005, this section, including the attractive shoreline boulevard Avenida Rafael Melgar, was severely damaged. But so extreme was the effort of the town’s merchants and the local and federal government that by early 2006 all signs of the destruction were gone, and a casual visitor would never have guessed how serious the devastation from the hurricane was. This and the area around the town’s main square are about as far as most cruise-ship passengers venture into town.

Romantic Beach Family Destinations - Perfect Locations For an Exotic Vacation

Everyone wants to spend their vacations in a destination that is surrounded by pristine beaches, exotic locations, turquoise water, mesmerizing lagoons and the calm sea. There are numerous beaches in this world which are famous of their dazzling environment, balmy nights, marvelous sunsets and amazing night life.

Whether you are planning your destination wedding, a honeymoon or a family vacation, a beach destination would be the perfect option for you. Beaches provide excitement and thrill to vacationers as they provide you fun filled water sports and a great ambiance. For your benefit, let me now tell you about the top beaches that are ideal for your vacation trip.

1. Anse Source d'Argent
This is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is an archipelago in Seychelles that is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is well known for its weathered granite boulders, secluded beaches, arching palm trees, pink sand and idyllic lagoons. Here you can enjoy numerous water sports like scuba diving, kayaking, swimming, surfing and snorkeling. Various luxurious resorts are located all around the place which provides you world class services.

2. Miami Beach, United States
Miami Beach is located in Florida, United States of America. It is one of the most exotic beaches that is usually crowded all the year round. People who come here enjoy jet-skiing and surfing in the clear crystal warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If you are lucky you can also spot a famous movie star here.

3. Ipanema
The spectacular stretch of sand in Rio de Janeiro can really take your breath away. Ipanema is famous for its twin mountain peaks, groovy mosaic boardwalk, Capoeira dancers, stylish spread of bars and eateries, exciting clubs and dazzling night life.

4. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Visiting this place can really be a memorable experience for you because this beach is not only famous for its immaculate beauty but is also known for its incredibly diverse locations. The beach is located on the Pacific Ocean from where you can watch the high waves. Near Sea of Cortez, the water is clam and the beaches are covered with white sand.

5. Paradise Beach
This place is located on the Greek isle of Mykonos and it is a perfect destination for you. This place has something for everyone and here you can enjoy the deep-blue Aegean Sea, discos, bars, restaurants, abundant aquatic life, glittering sandy coves, vivid coral and fauna, great hedonistic scene and the beautiful sunrise.

Carlisle Bay Antigua Best of Vacation Spots

Carlisle Bay is quite a large Antigua Luxury resort and very stylish indeed. It has eighty superb suites, a full service spa, a large pool, and two restaurants.

There is a Children’s Club, and nine tennis courts plus a host of other facilities you would expect from a luxury hotel. It is a great place for a family vacation, and yet appeals to the top end of the market as well, and definitely suits wealthy travellers who like to stay at fashionable hotels. Carlisle Bay Hotel Antigua is definitely a place where you can relax in a magnificent tropical setting, once described as contemporary luxury on the beach.

The Carlisle Bay Hotel is on the southern coastline of Antigua, and is located in a broad bay with steep sides with a mangrove lagoon to one side and the turquoise blue sea on the other. When you arrive at the gates you notice that everything from the gravel to the windows and balconies is grey which contrasts quite beautifully wit the lush vegetation, grass, and the sea. It also contrasts with the staff who are dressed in lilac. There are two distinct locations for the bedrooms, and this helps make this Carlisle Bay Antigua Luxury resort such a good place for a family vacation, and yet still an excellent place to stay without children.

The Beach suites which are two bedroomed, and the Carlisle Suites which have three bedrooms line the beach on either side of the dining room and they are for families, whilst the one bedroomed Ocean Suites are set back somewhat by comparison. You’ll particularly enjoy the hugeness of the rooms, the bathroom and all the luxury extras a hotel of the quality of the Carlisle Bay should have but don’t have. There are two restaurants, and they are excellent.

The East has an Asian theme, and is Carlisle Bay’s more formal restaurant, next to, but hidden from the Piano bar and the pool and Indigo on the Beach is particularly good just a few feet from the sea. There is a Friday evening BBQ on the beach which is very much a ‘must do’. It is also possible to dine in your suite, and there is 24 hour room service. The Carlisle Bay must be almost unique for a hotel, in having its own cinema, which is a great thing to be able to take in a movie, but beware the air conditioning is pretty fierce.

Another sign of a Luxury hotel is the availability of sun loungers, and one of the great things here at Carlisle Bay is the fact that even when the hotel is full, you won’t have a problem either by the pool or on the beach. If you want to go snorkelling off the beach then go along to the rocks on the left of the bay. The probable reason for this is firstly the families have their own bedroom suites as previously indicated. There is an extremely well run children’s program as well, and perhaps it is the fact that many of the children are from well off British families which is why they are so well behaved!! Carlisle Bay has made a point of helping you to relax and do nothing, and it does this very well. There are however a good few complimentary facilities including water sports as well as nine tennis courts and a spa. To summarise Carlisle Bay is an ideal destination for a family vacation in the Caribbean, being not a typical Caribbean Hotel. It is a class act well deserving its claim to be the top Antigua Luxury Resort

vacation spot in Kuta (Bali) Indonesia

kuta bali surfing

Tourists congregate in hoards at Bali’s fun capital Kuta and for good reason. The beach is long, golden and soft, surfing is a popular sport and the night life is lively to say the least. But if you are tired of beach-bum watching head to the exquisite temples of internal Bali or wander and browse the many art galleries and warungs – hawker stalls.

Getting to Kuta

Frequent flights connect Bali’s Denpasar airport from many Asian cities, Air Asia has perhaps the most comprehensive schedule but full service airlines like THAI also fly regularly to Bali. Qantas and other Australian airlines offer a regular service and European holiday companies also fly into the island.

Every Asian country has many attractions from ruined and picturesque temples, pristine jungles and excellent national parks, a rich colonial history and friendly people who are willing to help a stranger. But for many visitors the jewels in Asia’s crown are most definitely its unsurpassed beaches.

Latvia – Known For Its Excellent Beauty And Charm

Latvia is a country situated in Northern Europe near the Baltic region. It has derived its name from the river known as the Latuva. The Latvian folk songs are really popular and famous for their melodies. There are more than 30000 folk songs that are known. Also their culture and traditions are likely to be explored when you visit Latvia.

Best Places To Visit

There are many places to explore in Latvia but only a few are described here:

1. Pedvale Open Air Art Museum
It is a historical monument which was opened in the year 1991 and spread in a large area of 100 hectares. It covers the rivers and the forest. Many of the artists love to come here and want to spend their days here in this beautiful environment. Lots of artists have captured this wonderful beauty of nature in their canvas.

2. The Dome Cathedral

The Dome Cathedral built in the year 1212 is a masterpiece and its design is based on the renaissance style. Because it is visited by lots of visitors therefore sometimes music concerts are also organized here.

3. Jurmala Beach

The beach is located on the coast of Riga and it is surrounded by dense forest all around the beach. Because of its exotic location it is very popular among the tourist.

4. Aglona Basilica

It is a shrine that is a pilgrimage site for the Christians with history dating back to the year 1699. This is also a famous destination known for its beauty and exclusive architecture.

5. Tervete Nature Park
The park consists of amazing views and playground for children. The visitors can enjoy a lot as there are swings for kids. It is mostly seen as a picnic spot and so during the holidays it is full of people and kids.

healthbase agra travel tourism places interest tourist attractions delhi

healthbase agra travel tourism places interest tourist attractions delhi

Beauty Lummus Park on South Beach in Miami

Lummus Park on South Beach is a very nice and beautiful in Miami and state of Florida in United States. Lummus Park is the Mecca of outdoor activities, strap on your Rollerblade, tune on to your favorite play list and go "balding"……this is unbeatable fun and one of the sexiest beaches in the world, where else can you work up a sweat and then enjoy a good book afterward on the shores of the Caribbean sea. I went there and enjoyed a lot. There I stayed in cheap hotels. There they provided the facilities which pampered me. This beach is good facilities in tourist include lots of restaurants line the road by the beach so that is a great way to spend an afternoon sunning, swimming, eating, drinking, cheap hotels in miami, successful parking garage and just generally tourist watching.

Holidays to Santa Barbara - California

Santa Barbara is a beachy town 130 kilometres north of Los Angeles that's often referred to as the "American Riviera" because of its warm climate.

It has white sandy beaches perfect for sun-worshipping, and the beauty of this Spanish mission-style town is that you can choose from busy cosmopolitan beaches like East Beach near the famous Santa Barbara pier, through to Hendry's Beach where you have privacy and deserted stretches of white sand yet plenty of facilities.

Or for a long stretch of gorgeous white sand, try the easily-accessible City Beach which rolls into State Beach. This is the locals' favourite stretch of beach, and the beauty of State beach is that you can still set up camp on the beach without being told to move.

If you're after beach sunsets, try Butterfly beach which faces true west. This is almost like the Malibu of Santa Barbara, a private beach with plenty of expensive houses near the beach and plenty of interesting characters on Butterfly beach.

Americans love their piers, and the pier at Santa Barbara Beach is up there with the best of them. You’ll find a cluster of restaurants, shops and stalls all with great ocean views.

Strict planning in Santa Barbara has made this laid-back beach town an attractive spectacle. On arrival, you're greeted with the alluring sight of mostly whitewashed Spanish mission buildings and terracotta tile roofs. This and some of the best beaches in America have made Santa Barbara one of the most refreshing destinations on the US west coast.

The open air restaurants are wonderful in Santa Barbara’s balmy weather. Try Carlito's Cafe on State Street, the main street filled with restaurants.

Carlito's is Mexican-American food with a delightful alfresco area surrounded by those ubiquitous whitewashed walls with a lively Mexican band playing on Friday nights.
Try a fresh mango Margarita or a Mojito, Cuba's favourite drink with fresh lime juice.

As you may have guessed Carlito's is a local institution, so make sure you book or be prepared to line up and wait.

Photo Courtesy Carlito's Cafe Santa Barbara

The strict planning in Santa Barbara has made the drive through town an attractive one because billboards are banned, so much so that you won't even see them on the freeway 30 kilometres near Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara is a must-see beach town on any trip between LA and San Francisco.

Beach Holidays in Gambia

Beach Holidays in Gambia

The Gambia has been a popular winter sun holiday destination for a while, this is mainly because of it's fantastic picture perfect beaches, the weather in the Gambia is excellent all year round with it's moderate tropical climate, the people of the Gambia are warm and friendly, The Gambia is easily accessible, with plenty of last minute cheap flights to Gambia and bargain all inclusive beach holidays offered by many of the large tour operators.

In this article I will try and highlight the best of what The Gambia has to offer in terms of beach holidays, but it is important to remember that the Gambia has much more to offer the traveler than just stunning beaches and winter sun, wherever you go, you will not be far from the river Gambia and there are plenty of excursions should you get tired of lazing on the beach.

Las Islas Cies beach in Galicia, Spain

Las Islas Cies beach in Galicia, Spain

This has to be one of the best beaches in Europe and what is interesting is that it is one of the few beaches not in the Mediterranean. When most people think of a beach holiday is Spain, the Mediterranean cost usually is the first thing to spring to mind, but Las Islas Cies is on the western coast of Spain.

Delving a little further, you will see that Las Islas Cies beach is not only a fantastic beach, but also very exotic and I guess the best bit is you don't have to travel to a far off destination to get there

Benagil Beach, Algarve, Portugal

Benagil Beach, Algarve, Portugal

With Stunning white sandy beaches, tucked away in little coves and clear blue waters, Portugal's Algarve has many beaches that could easily make it onto any list of the best beaches in Europe.

One of the best is Benagil beach, near Carvoeiro, here you will find beautiful soft golden sands, free of high rise buildings and hotels, that makes you feel that you have escaped to somewhere remote, there is however a small kiosk selling drinks and snacks.

Benagil beach can be easy to miss as it is hidden away behind one of the Algarve's distinctive cliffs, just look out for cars parked on the roadside for a clue. You can also rent a small fishing boat to go and explore the picturesque coastline and wonderful caves.

The Best Laguna Beach Destination, California USA

Laguna Beach It’s located in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego offers a golden sandy area and fresh water became an excellent vacation area. Laguna Beach consists of 30 beaches. Laguna Beach holds the distinction of having one of the greatest number of localized beaches of any city on the California coast. The list includes the northern beaches of Irvine Cove, Crescent Bay, Shaw’s Cove, Boat Canyon, Diver’s Cove, Picnic Beach and Rockpile.

Central Beaches include Main Beach, Sleepy Hollow, St. Ann’s Street, Thalia Street, Oak Street, Brook’s Street and Mountain Road Beach. Southern Laguna Beach (South Laguna Beach) beaches include Bluebird Canyon, Pearl Street, Wood’s Cove, Moss Point, Rockledge, Victoria Beach and Treasure Island. Guarded by a premier force of lifeguards, Laguna Beaches are operated under the City of Laguna Beach Lifeguard Services. You can prefer many activities here.

Scuba diving, sailing, bird watching, surfing, and beach volleyball are the most preferred.If you prefer outdoor activities, you have an access to hiking, cycling, golf, tours, and picnics. Laguna Beach is a popular weekend vacation in Southern California. It’s known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in southern California. The city has good hotels, unique shops and restaurants, world famous art galleries and art festivals. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed here.

Laguna Beach presents a variety shopping vacations. You can find clothes, hand-made jewelleries, and antique shops. Besides, there are art galleries in which the works of artists are exhibited. Festivals are also held in Laguna Beach, which is well known by people all around the world.

In Laguna Beach, you can find many places to spend your time. It especially offers a pleasing vacation for the families. While your children enjoy the beauties and activities of the sand, you can sunbathe and enjoy its wonderful nature.