4 & 5 star resortsLuxury Beach Vacations. The very words seem to mystify most people. A beach vacation is easily understood as vacationing on or near a beach. The accommodations can be a hotel, condo, motel or even a timeshare. We all have seen those beach motels situated on prime beachfront property! Even staying at a friend’s or relative’s house near the beach can be considered a “beach vacation”! But add “luxury” to the same sentence, and most people will think of expensive resorts situated on faraway, exotic beaches with extra services and amenities. All-inclusive resorts, perhaps, that cater to honeymooning couples or families that have activities scheduled out for them! Luxury does imply convenience and extra activites that a regular beach vacation may not include. Some examples are golfing, massages, parasailing, and even gambling! And then there is the beach itself. Some beaches are soft, white and powdery. Some are soft and pink. There are even black beaches. However, most are brown grains of sand for those of us who do not live in a tropical paradise! Now complement all of that with the color of the ocean (blue, green, turquoise or all of them!) and the very words “luxury beach vacation” starts its magic on you!
Choosing a cruise destination can be difficult since the number of ports grows every year as the cruise industry expands to include private islands, exotic locales and cruises marketed to everyone from wine fanatics to mountain climbers. Keep reading to learn about some of the world’s most popular cruise vacation destinations and other lesser-known hot spots that you should know about.
There is a very good reason why Mick Jagger’s preferred second residence is in the Loire Valley where he purchased a 16th century chateau called “La Fourchette” near Amboise for 2 million francs (200,000 pounds ignoring inflation) around twenty-six years ago.
It is impossible even for the most jaded globetrotter not to be impressed by the impressive since the 16th century and a haven for tourists in-the-know in more recent times.
The Loire Valley in France has the largest selection of fifteenth and 16th century chateaux. With around 60 “must see” chateaux scattered on both sides of a 100-mile sweep of the Loire River, the first-time visitor can feel overwhelmed.
Details of 5 of the best-known chateaux are below.
Chateau Chenonceau
Chenonceau Chateau amazes you with its two-story, 260-foot Great Gallery spanning across the River Cher. Originally “acquired” by King Francois I, it passed to his successor, Henri II, who gave it to Diane de Poitiers his mistress. Diane expanded the castle and constructed a bridge over the river.