Spotlight on Cabo San Lucas in Mexico – what to do and where to stay

If you’re looking for a holiday in the sun in Cabo San Lucas, this guest article will give you ideas on the beach and accommodation options you’ll find in this popular Mexican Resort.

Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas

On Medano Beach, lazy waves quietly roll onto the shore, washing over the feet of children trying to build a sand castle. Parents relax nearby, keeping a watchful eye on their children while enjoying the sight of boats sailing past one of Mexico’s most comfortable and friendly beaches. Just to complete the holiday experience, vendors pass by offering anything from temporary tattoos and jewelry to snacks and beach supplies to anyone who needs them. Restaurants and beach clubs like Billygan’s Island and The Office are popular with people passing by and looking for refreshments.

Whether you’re looking to relax in the sun, head out onto the water, or just settle down and watch people pass by, Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas will probably meet your every need. It even has boats, jet skis, and other equipment available from shacks out on the water and luxury vacation rentals. Medano Beach is a bit of a nonstop party, but if that’s not what you’re looking for then try…

Lover’s Beach and Divorce beach

Lover’s Beach and Divorce Beach are more serene locations that can be accessed by Water Taxi (or similar transportation), and they’re located a little further away from the main entertainment areas in downtown Cabo. For a very reasonable fee, it’s easy to hire somebody who will take you out to the area, as well as show you which areas are safe for swimming and diving; you might even be able to do it yourself if you have access to rental equipment and know where to go.

Once you’ve had your fill of excitement, Cabo San Lucas villas, hotels, and resorts are all options for sleeping after a day out having fun, but not all bedrooms were created equal. A traditional hotel is probably your best bet if all you really want to do is swim, relax on the beach, and perhaps go shopping in downtown Cabo; it’s inexpensive and will get the job done.

Accommodation options in Cabo San Lucas

However, with everything from jet skis and kayaks to golf courses by designer Jack Nicklaus available in the region, you’ll probably end up missing out on a lot of things to do if the sun is all you’re looking for. If you’re going all the way to Cabo for a trip, you may as well do it right. The most effective way to get access to things in Cabo is to stay at a resort; places like Palmilla Resort offer fine dining, access to spas and recreation, effective concierge services, and other features that can help you get the best deals on activities in the region. The initial price tag may be higher than a hotel, but if you plan properly, you might end up saving a lot of money you might otherwise have spend on activities not connected to a resort. You should compare services, though, since different resorts offer different things.

From shopping to surfing and everything in-between, there’s no place in Mexico like Cabo San Lucas for a truly tropical vacation.

My thanks for this sponsored article to Lacure Villas who offer holiday villas in Cabo San Lucas and many other worldwide destinations.

More holidays in the sun

Diving and party time – a budget getaway in Cancun, Mexico
Swimming, Surfing and Snorkeling – best beaches in the Dominican Republic
Our top 5 sights on Awesome Aruba

Photo Credits: Medano Beach by Price Travel, Lover’s Beach by Minnemom,

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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A weekend by the coast in San Diego

If you only have a few days to visit the San Diego area with your family, this article from Vacation Home Rentals will give you a taste of the beach, natural coastline and the experience of the San Diego zoo.

Last fall my daughter and I headed to San Diego for a short break and a friend’s wedding – although we only had 3 days in the area, we decided to make the most of the time and see as much as possible. Arriving at San Diego International Airport in the late afternoon, we got a rental car and headed straight to the beach. After a long and tiring flight, swimming in the Pacific was the first thing on our vacation checklist.

Our first destination was a two-mile urban beach, the North Mission Beach. It has everything you would expect from a typical Southern California beach, but for someone coming from the east coast, the warmth of the water which was almost 70ºF was a surprise. The paved boardwalk allowed us to wander along, taking in the beach scene – from volleyball players on the sand, rollerbladers wearing next to nothing, to bicyclists and skateboarders showing off their moves. We shopped for souvenirs in the little stores until late in the afternoon and then watched the sun setting over the ocean.

Tired out from the travel and sea air, we checked into our San Diego vacation rental that was close to everything we wanted to see with a full size kitchen so that we could have the flexibility to eat out or eat in. The next day, we woke up refreshed and ready to see more of what San Diego has to offer.

My daughter had never been to a zoo, so I agreed that we could go to the San Diego zoo. Dubbed as one the world’s largest zoo, it would take more than a day to see everything. In the Flamingo lagoon, we were able to survey the flamboyant colors of the flamingos from the elevated walkway along the lagoon, enabling us welcomed to observe their behavior close-up. There was also a rainforest aviary housing a collection of more than 200 birds of different species with all the sights and sounds of a real Southeast Asian jungle environment. The best part of the zoo was Elephant Odyssey where my daughter enjoyed exploring the remnants of extinct animals and prehistoric fossil evidence. Nothing beats our experience being stepped down by an elephant as we went into a tunnel passage that goes under part of the elephant exhibit. Our first zoo experience was amazing – although I had my doubts about zoos, we both ended up loving it.

While visiting San Diego, we also visited a nature-protected area of Torrey Pines State Park. Basically a bluff rising from the Pacific ocean, along the trail were sandstone canyons and there were arches and alcoves on the beach. The high road led us to the coastal wilderness of pine trees. Although a local hiker told us that the area is usually dry and brown, we found wild flowers covering the cliffs. We finally reached Yucca point where we were confronted by the magnificent view of the ocean. We had our share of relaxing feel, enjoyed the breeze and inviting smell of pine cones in the park. Of course, we should not miss our purpose of coming in San Diego.

After our adventure, we headed back to our rental and changed our clothes from nature-friendly to black-tie ready for my friend’s wedding at the Thursday Club. It was a beautiful ceremony; the perfect conclusion to a great weekend away. The next day we were heading back to the airport, but next time we hope to able to stay for longer than just a weekend.

Photo credits: Mission beach by Kevin H., Elephant Odyssey by Cynr, Flamingo lagoon by r3v|| cls, Wild flowers by christopherallisonphotography.com, and Torrey Pines reserve by Jason Pratt

This article was brought to you by  Vacation Home Rentals - for your vacation rental in the San Diego area.

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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Yurts and shepherd’s huts – sleep under the stars on the South Downs

There are some parts of the UK that prove you don’t have to go halfway around the world to find the perfect holiday spot, and one of them recently became officially recognised as such. The South Downs National Park isn’t short of quirky and unusual places to stay.  Nestled in the peaceful counties of Hampshire and Sussex, and within easy reach of London, the South Downs became the newest of fifteen National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland when it opened in 2011, meaning it’s now a protected area of countryside for all to enjoy.

For a region which includes the best of rural and coastal beauty, towns and villages, historical sites of interest and outdoor activities a single day is far too short, and when it comes to accommodation, this beautiful part of the world deserves no less than seriously low-impact tourism. Though that doesn’t mean it can’t be great fun, or even luxurious…

At the centre of the new National Park lies Adhurst Wood, near Petersfield, in Hampshire. Generations of intrepid young explorers have played in this ancient woodland, now home to Alison Lubbock and family, and two yurts, named after the chestnut and birch trees which surround them.

At Chestnut Place, Alison has created the camp with sustainability in mind: there’s a green compost loo, the shower is solar powered, and so are the twinkling fairy lights. She can even bring you sustainable charcoal for the recycled oil drum barbecue. Take the kids (or a well-behaved dog) for woodland walks; discover the excellent, authentic pubs such as The Harrow Inn, a mile away; swim in the river – and try the zip wire, if you’re feeling courageous.

To the east, and still in the rural beauty of the South Downs National Park, lies The Shepherds Return, at The Hollow, in Sussex. Chintzy and charming, Lizzie’s shepherd’s hut sleeps two in cosy comfort: you burn ‘Eco logs’ wood fuel in the stove, and curl up in organic wool duvet and pillows. After a day of walking, you’ll enjoy a great night’s sleep here, and wake to a guilt-free hamper of Irish Soda bread, hot croissants, yoghurt, muesli, local preserves and organic fruit compote delivered to your doorstep. There are deer on your doorstep, too.

Just outside the National Park, you’ll still be perfectly poised to explore all it has to offer.

Families are very welcome at Withyfield Cottage, at Merrion Farm in Sussex. Designed and built by Ben Law and his team, who featured on Channel 4′s Grand Designs with his first straw bale house, this creation has been built with equally high environmental – and aesthetic – ideals in mind. Partly constructed by local craftsmen, there’s a real sense of community behind the house, and from the wooden veranda you can sit and see the wood where the trees to clad the house were felled, and replanted.

My thanks for this sponsored post to Canopy & Stars, provider of quirky and unusual glamping holidays in the UK and Europe

More outdoor living adventures

How to find the perfect campsite for your family?
A fairy tale of camping in mid-Wales
Camping in Sunshine and Showers on the Gower in Wales

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com – Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

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