Bali is a unique coastal destination consisting of breathtaking hills, mountains, rice terraces, rugged coastlines, beaches, and barren volcanic masses. It provides a picture perfect setting for any individual or family wanting to get away from the stresses of daily life. The areas distinctive culture and deep spiritual roots contributes to the locations popular nickname of the “Island of the Gods.” Bali is an ideal vacationing spot for travelers who desire a world-class diving or surfing experience. It also holds several historical and archaeological attractions that are easily reachable from a plethora of accommodation choices.
It is an Indonesian province lying to the west of Java and the east of Lombok as part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Mount Agung, an active volcano, is the highest elevated point on the island; however, many other elevated points can be found throughout the region. Rice crops lie to the south of the central mountains where they steadily descend and the northern portion of the mountain range has a steeper slope, which makes it ideal for coffee production. Bali is completely surrounded by coral reefs and the whitest sanded beaches lie on south side of the island along the resorts.
Popular Tourist Areas
Most tourist activities remain in the southern portion; however, certain excursion opportunities exist in other regions of the island for the more active traveler. Kuta, one of the most developed Bali cities, is a great location for surfing, shopping, an active night-life scene, and local culture. Visitors desiring a quieter, upscale resort area have the option of Seminyak. This suburb region holds a variety of fashionable restaurants, trendy bars, and dance clubs for fun nights near the beach. Sanur houses an abundance of sea-side resorts that are an ideal family location while Ubud, the cultural center of Bali, provides travelers with sightseeing opportunities such as museums and craft shops.
Bali Attractions
Bali is a perfect vacation destination offering extremely pleasant daytime temperatures ranging from seventy to ninety degrees Fahrenheit all year. Rain is more common between the months of December and March; however, the days remain sunny as most precipitation occurs in the afternoon for only a short period of time. The Hindu temples residing in Bali are one of the locations prevalent drawing points. A number of temples exist throughout the island since each village must maintain at least three as part of area customs.
The Bali shoreline consists of both white and black sanded beachfront with the exception of a few forest areas and straight cliff drops. Visitors should take some time to see a few of the museums in the area or to peruse local crafts. Scuba diving, surfing, white-water rafting, fishing, and swimming are a few water fun options made available to visitors. Sightseeing tours are another great choice for exploring the numerous wonders of Bali. Individuals desiring fun on land can choose from horseback riding, jungle trekking, mountain cycling, or paragliding. Whatever the desire, Bali is an island paradise where travelers get to bask in the sun while enjoying some their favorite activities in a gorgeous setting.
Barbados: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination
/in Featured DestinationsBarbados is part of the Lesser Antilles in the western portion of the North Atlantic and lies to the east of the Caribbean Sea. The island is one of the regions most developed of all local tourist destinations. With a fairly flat terrain, Barbados experiences two basic seasonal changes with the wet season occurring from June to November. Precipitation takes a large dip beginning in December thus resulting in the months up until May being referred to as the dry season. Temperatures remain at a comfortable seventy to ninety degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year regardless of the season. Gentle breezes aid in the warm climate experienced by visitors and the islands location contributes to a decreased risk of hurricanes. Barbados provides the perfect paradise for travelers who want an outstanding climate, reliable weather conditions, and a relaxing, fun experience.
Where to Go
Visitors desiring upscale resorts should consider remaining on the west coast of the island. This portion of Barbados offers picture perfect views, historical sites, and plenty of amenities. The Botanical Garden provides a plethora of plant species for visitors to look at and learn about. Cricket is a popular game on the island and it’s always fun to catch a game during a stay. The Mount Gay Rum Distillery offers a forty-five minute tour where participants not only get to view how the product is made, but also get to do a little tasting at the end. Each section of the island delivers its own roster of activities and accommodations for meeting individual preferences.
Travelers seeking chain restaurants like Burger King will be out of luck since locals rarely eat beef. Cultural tastes have resulted in fast food choices like chicken at KFC to be the only ones available on the island. Bajan cuisines consist of a spice yet flavorful combination such as stew and beans with toast. The Flying Fish is a signature dish of the area consisting of an outside breading served with a type of mustard sauce. Visitors should try the traditional dish of Pepperpot, which is a pork stew served with a spicier brown sauce. Restaurants in Barbados supply a variety of choices to meet the individual tastes of travelers.
What to Do
Barbados is known by many for its world class water sporting opportunities such as surfing. Visitors have various breaks to choose from based on preferences including the Soup Bowl located on the eastern coast of the island. The south coast has been a chosen location for the Silver Sands windsurfing tour and offers exceptional surfing options. Plantation houses located off the coast provide the opportunity to have a unique meal or view a few exhibitions. Atlantis Submarine Tours supply the chance to view the wonders of the deep from a real submarine and Segway tours can be taken along the north coast of Barbados to comfortably explore the countryside. Additionally, catamaran cruises are available to spend the day snorkeling above shipwrecks. The destination offers travelers a great time of trying new foods, participating in fun activities, and relaxing on the beach while staying at this gorgeous destination.
Bali, Indonesia: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination
/in Featured DestinationsBali is a unique coastal destination consisting of breathtaking hills, mountains, rice terraces, rugged coastlines, beaches, and barren volcanic masses. It provides a picture perfect setting for any individual or family wanting to get away from the stresses of daily life. The areas distinctive culture and deep spiritual roots contributes to the locations popular nickname of the “Island of the Gods.” Bali is an ideal vacationing spot for travelers who desire a world-class diving or surfing experience. It also holds several historical and archaeological attractions that are easily reachable from a plethora of accommodation choices.
It is an Indonesian province lying to the west of Java and the east of Lombok as part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Mount Agung, an active volcano, is the highest elevated point on the island; however, many other elevated points can be found throughout the region. Rice crops lie to the south of the central mountains where they steadily descend and the northern portion of the mountain range has a steeper slope, which makes it ideal for coffee production. Bali is completely surrounded by coral reefs and the whitest sanded beaches lie on south side of the island along the resorts.
Popular Tourist Areas
Most tourist activities remain in the southern portion; however, certain excursion opportunities exist in other regions of the island for the more active traveler. Kuta, one of the most developed Bali cities, is a great location for surfing, shopping, an active night-life scene, and local culture. Visitors desiring a quieter, upscale resort area have the option of Seminyak. This suburb region holds a variety of fashionable restaurants, trendy bars, and dance clubs for fun nights near the beach. Sanur houses an abundance of sea-side resorts that are an ideal family location while Ubud, the cultural center of Bali, provides travelers with sightseeing opportunities such as museums and craft shops.
Bali Attractions
Bali is a perfect vacation destination offering extremely pleasant daytime temperatures ranging from seventy to ninety degrees Fahrenheit all year. Rain is more common between the months of December and March; however, the days remain sunny as most precipitation occurs in the afternoon for only a short period of time. The Hindu temples residing in Bali are one of the locations prevalent drawing points. A number of temples exist throughout the island since each village must maintain at least three as part of area customs.
The Bali shoreline consists of both white and black sanded beachfront with the exception of a few forest areas and straight cliff drops. Visitors should take some time to see a few of the museums in the area or to peruse local crafts. Scuba diving, surfing, white-water rafting, fishing, and swimming are a few water fun options made available to visitors. Sightseeing tours are another great choice for exploring the numerous wonders of Bali. Individuals desiring fun on land can choose from horseback riding, jungle trekking, mountain cycling, or paragliding. Whatever the desire, Bali is an island paradise where travelers get to bask in the sun while enjoying some their favorite activities in a gorgeous setting.
Bahamas: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination
/in Featured DestinationsThe Bahamas is a popular tourist destination consisting of over three thousand islands in the Atlantic Ocean. It was first inhabited by the Lucayans who were a Taino people of the Arawakan language. These isles were the first stopping point of Columbus during the discovery of the New World in 1492. The location was never colonized by the Spanish and remained deserted until 1648 when the isle of Eleuthera was settled by the English. In 1718, the location shifted toward a plantation economy as slaves were moved to the area and American Loyalists made it their home.
Slave trading was abolished approximately one hundred years later by the British Empire and many liberated people made the Bahamas their home shortly after. Mount Alvernia is the highest point in the area with a total height of two-hundred and seven feet. The isles have a tropical climate, which is affected by the Gulf Stream and this contributes to hurricanes in the region. Temperatures remain around seventy to eighty degrees for most of the year with the exception of occasional dips caused by Artic outbreaks.
Local Culture
Less developed islands in the Bahamas center on crafts such as basketry, hat making, and bags with palm fronds. An African street parade called Junkanoo is held in Nassau on December 26th each year. It is a great choice for travelers desiring to experience local music, art, and dance. Additional events are held at various times of the year such as the Crab Fest to celebrate traditional crops as well as foods of the region. The Bahamas is all about fun on the beach and local culture. Travelers do not have to exchange US dollars to buy things as this form is currency is accepted by venders in the area. Few items are made for resale to visitors; however, luxury products can be obtained for quite a deal by bargaining with sellers.
Area Attractions
The Bahamas has been a popular vacationing choice for numerous years because of the supplied beach scenery and paradise like atmosphere. Travelers come to kick back, enjoy the sun, and have fun in the water while getting away from everyday life. Visitors have the opportunity to explore a variety of boutiques offering stunning prices on some of the most demanded, high priced products found in North America. Additionally, travelers can take some time trying out new, adventurous activities to receive a once in a lifetime experience.
While the gorgeous blue waters of the Bahamas are enough to envelope any traveler, these islands supply abundant opportunities for fun in the water or on land. Water activities include:
It is an ideal vacationing spot for fun in the sun or a more active adventure since the water temperature remains around eighty degrees Fahrenheit all year. Travelers seeking fun on land in the Bahamas have the option to view man-made attractions, attend a show, shop, take a tour, bird watch, hike, or relax at a spa. It is a true paradise that provides the perfect setting for a one of a kind getaway at any time of the year.
Antigua & Barbuda An Incentive Travel Featured Destination
/in Featured DestinationsAntigua and Barbuda are twin isles located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The two masses lie in the center of Leeward Islands, which is often referred to as the “Land of 365 Beaches.” Culture in the area has been immensely influenced by British customs since it was once part of the countries empire. Both isles reside to the southeast of Puerto Rico as part of the North American continent. The terrain of these islands was developed by limestone formations in addition to volcanic activity. They are low-lying land masses that have become popular for their beaches. Climates in the region are toned-down by the northeast trade winds and precipitation remains minimal due to the low elevation of each island.
Local History
Sir Christopher Codrington was the first to arrive in the beautiful lands of Antigua and Barbuda. The enterprising man came to the region in 1684 to determine if it was suitable for sugar cultivation. It was a successful venture where cultivation remained prominent on Antigua for approximately fifty years. In the mid-18th century, over one-hundred fifty processing windmills were scattered across the island and can still be viewed today by visitors. Many have been transformed into bars, shops, or restaurants; however, the original mill on Codrington’s estate has been fully restored. Antigua grew into a significant port and commercial colony at the end of the eighteenth century. It was then referred to as the “gateway to the Caribbean” since its position could be used to control numerous sailing routes. Several historical sites were built to protect the land from outside attacks during the colonization period and remain standing for visitors to view.
Things to See & Do
Of the two islands, Barbuda remains fairly undeveloped while Antigua has been slightly commercialized. Barbuda delivers white sanded beaches in a peaceful, mostly unaltered setting. The activities offered on this undeveloped mass of land are centered on nature. Travelers are able to participate in beachcombing, fishing, hunting, and resort offered fun. Resorts on both isles allow travelers to take part in activities such as:
Visitors have a few specific points of interest when staying on Barbuda including a trip to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary consists of stunning beaches mixed with shipwreck sites and gorgeous reef formations. The island, reachable by plane or boat from Antigua, houses luxury accommodations in addition to small, cozy hotels. Antigua is more modernized with a variety of things to do including eateries and shopping opportunities. Individuals visiting the island should take some time to see the best view of the English Harbour from Shirley Heights or the creative works of art housed at Harmony Hall museum. This particular museum plays a major role in the area arts community and holds many events to show off local creations. The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda presents the story of these two land masses from their first formation to present day. Both isles provide countless attractions, sightseeing opportunities, and some of the best beach scenery in the world.
Amsterdam: An Incentive Travel Featured Destination
/in Incentive Travel ArticlesAmsterdam delivers a little something to every vacationer rather the desire lies in seeing famous works of art or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a local coffeehouse. As one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, Amsterdam started out as a tiny fishing village and transformed into a vital world port at the time of the Dutch Golden Age. Canals, developed during the 17th century, lie at the center of Amsterdam and provide an interesting view of this destination. Visitors have several intriguing activities to choose from including:
As a popular tourist destination, Amsterdam caters to just about every individual interest whether traveling alone or with the family. Museums housing pieces of work created by some of the most famous artists in the world can be found throughout the city. The locations oceanic climate is influenced by western winds from the North Sea and winters are mild for the most part. Summers remain fairly hot with an average temperature of just a little over seventy degrees.
Transportation in Amsterdam
Most attractions in the city of Amsterdam are easily accessible by foot; however, services such as public transit can be used to get around. Public transit systems use a ticketing system where a reloadable or disposable card is purchased for touring the city. Travelers have the option of buying a ticket based on hours that ranges from one to one-hundred sixty-eight hours at no additional cost. Public transportation options in the city include the Tram, Metro, and bus with ferry services or boat rentals as alternative choices. Bicycle rentals offer another interesting form of travel and visitors can always grab a taxi at a little higher price. Whatever mode is chosen for getting around, Amsterdam has plenty of choices for having a fun-filled vacation.
Things to See & Do
While the museums, districts, and coffeehouses are common drawing points for visitors, a variety of alternative experiences lie around every corner including a large number of historic buildings. The street pattern found in Amsterdam remains basically unaltered from what it was in the nineteenth century since the area did not experience any significant bombings during the Second World War. Visitors with architectural interests should spend a little time at the historical city centre. Consisting of approximately ninety islands and countless bridges, the centre provides a beautiful view regardless of the time of the day.
The Van Gogh Museum, Ann Frank House, and the Rijksmuseum are a few of the artistic sites of the region. A museum card can be purchased to have access to more than four-hundred museums found throughout the Netherlands. Private tours are an option for seeing all the city has to offer and can be taken by boat, bus, or car. Visitors can also take a free tour in one of the diamond factories or spend a day walking along the canals while shopping at a market or boutique. Amsterdam offers plenty of options for the active traveler or those who just want to relax when staying at this exquisite destination.