Thursday, July 29, 2010

Most Beautiful Tourists Destination in world – Boquete

Boquete is the little mountain town in Panama. It is very popular destination among tourists. By this destination's many natural wonders and the rich lode of outdoor activities they offer. Another reason why a stream of vacationers moves to the Boquete is superb services that are provided by the Boquete Panama Hotels. They can offer to the satisfaction of any keen tourists.

Boquete offers tourists the chance to be in intimate communication with the best of what nature having and enjoy many types of outdoor activities. Boquete offers some of the most memorable outdoor adventure vacations. The outdoor activities for Boquete are packed with the Kotowa Coffee Tours, Boquete Tree Treking, Boquete Mountain Safari Tours, whitewater rafting, Sea Kayaking, Paradise Gardens and many more. The tour guides of these outdoor activities are well-trained so the tourists can enjoy there self without being worry.

This city is known for producing some of the best oranges and richest coffees all over the world. Due the weather Boquete has all year long, Boquete is quickly becoming a tourist destination. It has both kinds of weather Sunny as well as Cool mountain weather. The climate of Boquete is so beautiful and healthy that many people believe is the secret of living long healthy life. Current population of Boquete is around 20,000. This is one of the best places in the world to retire and also for the outdoor lovers. There are nearly 11,000 feet tall mountains around the town. The tallest point in Panama is the rim of the extinct Volcano Baru. It is the only volcano in Boquete Panama. From here you can see both Atlantic Ocean as well as Pacific Ocean.

If you are looking for outstanding hotel in Boquete Panama then you must go for Los Establos Boutique Hotel. Los establos Situated 4000 feet above sea level and over 16 acres coffee farm in charming Boquete , Los Establos offers spacious suites, magnificent views and luxurious hotel amenities to suit even the most discerning traveler. Featured, is the spectacular panorama of Volcan Baru (Panama's only volcano) and the surrounding national park.  

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Florida Keys – An Ideal Vacation Destination


The Florida Keys, also known as the American Caribbean or Florida's Out Islands, are in close proximity to mainland Florida, but miles away from commonplace. They are a series of more than 700 islands off the southern tip of Florida, which can mostly be reached only by boat. However, there is a road, Highway 1, which links the main islands, being about 106 miles long, beginning at Key Largo and ending at Key West. It is a 3 to 4 hours journey, mainly due to the road being crowded and mostly a two lane outside the major cities.

In the Keys, the only living coral reef in the continental United States is located just offshore, so snorkeling and diving are gigantic. There are even smaller patch reefs nearby.  In the Key West, there are some small reefs close to the beach where the waters, in the Keys, are very clear and warm most parts of the year. There are also lots of glass-bottom boat tours available from every major town in the Keys.

The beach at Bahia Honda State Park, in the north of Key West is one of the most attractive beaches in Florida. While Key Largo and Key West have the most attractions, there are some others scattered up and down the islands. There are sites such as the Theater of the Sea, the Key West Aquarium, Mallory Square and any of the Key West trolley tours.

Fishing is very popular in the Florida Keys. A private boat can be chartered or a spot on a drift boat can be booked or even a back country guide can be hired, or also fishing can be done from a bridge. Depending on the season, popular fish are available, however, jacks and grouper are almost always there. Other fish such as dolphin (mahi-mahi), wahoo, tuna, snapper, billfish and bonefish are also found.

From north to south, the 4 main cities in the Florida Keys are Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and Key West. They give the options for staying in anything from a quaint mom and pop motel to a fancy resort.

If already in the United States, at any rate, a passport is not required in order to visit the Florida Keys. Life can get monotonous with the daily urban life, with worries of work and money wearing you down. A vacation to the Florida Keys is a good way to escape the unbearable city. It allows you to relax and recharge your mental batteries.

The Florida Keys, a chain of islands off the southern tip of the state of Florida has the water activities as one of its main attraction. But this place has much more to offer.

There are various Florida Keys vacation rentals, from Key West to Key Largo, which offer some wonderful choices in homes, villas, cabins, cottages, condos for rent, and much more. Lime Tree Bay resort is one of the best resorts in Florida Keys to choose from.

You can spend some outstanding time in Florida Keys by renting a home, duplex, condominium or villa, or even a luxurious boat for a week or two.

The various Florida-based vacation rental companies offer the ease and privacy of a home, with the choice to eat out or in, relax or enjoy various adventures you that you always wanted to experience. Big Pine Key, Cudjoe Key, Duck Key, Grassy Key, Islamorada Key Colony Beach, Key Largo, Key West, Little Torch Key, Marathon Ramrod Key, Sugarloaf Key, Summerland Key and Tavernier are some of the Florida Keys vacation spots where you can enjoy the beaches with family and friends.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

There's a hammock at Lime Tree Bay


There's a hammock at Lime Tree Bay with my name on it.

It hangs on the wood deck of a cottage shaded by a huge royal Poinciana tree, and it offered one of the most relaxing afternoons of my life.

Lime Tree Bay Resort in the town of Layton on Long Key has become our family's home base for annual pilgrimages to the Florida Keys. At mile marker 68.5, it's almost halfway between Key Largo and Key West in a stretch of the keys largely untouched by chain hotels and restaurants.

We are like so many others who spend time at this "home away from home." Go a couple of times, and Louise Ernst, who has run the place for 12 years, will know your family by heart.

"Lime Tree Bay was built in the early '60s by the founder of this town, Del Layton," she said. "So many guests that come here now who have been coming here for many, many years. I've watched a bunch of their kids grow up." The resort's buildings are painted a shade of beach house green that may date back to the 1960s. A renovation last year replaced the shell rock driveway with asphalt and updated the interiors, but left the Old Florida charm.

There is a strip of motel rooms nudging huge gumbo limbos, efficiencies and suites in a two - story building overlooking the bay, and the cottages. I've stayed in them all.

This year we got a first - floor efficiency with a queen - size bed and a fold - down futon across the room from a kitchen with a ful l - size refrigerator and small stove. Its painted interior was decorated with pictures of Ernest Hemingway. Our fishing gear leaning in the corner looked like part of the decor.

It's hard to pick which porch is the most perfect. The two - room cottages are at the rear and are most quiet. But for a crowd, nothing beats the big, two - bedroom Tree House on the end of the two - story building.

The porch is huge with a palm tree growing up through it. There's a hammock chair and a built - in low table surrounded by painted Adirondack chairs. And there's enough wood railing for a week's worth of wet towels. (Hanging towels over the rail is Lime Tree Bay's style.)

And while the hammocks always hang in wait, Lime Tree is the perfect jumping - off spot for a week of snorkeling, fishing and exploring. Across the driveway from the buildings is a grassy area of chickee huts and concrete tables beneath coconut palms. And a concrete, roped walkway leads to the old dock. Sand crabs peak out of their holes as you walk out to the edge for a look at the water. Our kids are usually fishing before the car is unpacked.

There are always grunts, tiny yellowtails, cow fish and crabs ready to take your bait - or become bait for the bigger guys. If you catch any dinner, there's a little wooden hut with plastic cutting boards for you to filet your catch. We watch beautiful sunsets while fishing from the dock. But the water surrounding Lime Tree offers the best of the Keys - snorkeling among the flats just off the property is a treat. This year, we watched a pair of dolphins splashing just yards from where the kids snorkeled and saw a manatee by the dock.

If you own a boat, there's space to tie up at the dock. If not, you can rent one at Lime Tree Watersports, which operates on the property.

Lime Tree's pool and hot tub are built into an above - ground structure camouflaged by chunks of old coral. Climb the stairs to the deck for swimming or sunning. Our group brings coolers and dominoes there for a lively evening.

We've spent weekends at Lime Tree without ever leaving the property. But Lime Tree's location makes it a good spot for exploring the Keys, too. It's a 1 1/2-hour drive to Key West, not a bad day trip. Closer in, we make annual trips to "hermit crab island" better known as Curry Hammock Park. It's on the ocean side about 10 miles south, and a must for collecting hermit crabs' abandoned homes.

If you're the shopping type, this stretch of the Keys provides an interesting collection of artsy stores for that perfect hand - made Keys souvenir.

Lime Tree Bay was named for the Key lime trees growing on the property. Pluck a few to squeeze over dinner or into your drink.


The Meaning Of Life: A Hammock In The Keys - By Angie Francalancia, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

DATE: 07-28-2002

PUBLICATION: The Palm Beach Post, Featured Travel Story