When should you visit the Caribbean?

The Caribbean has become a year-round holiday destination which is great if you like to bag an off-season deal or have a favourite luxury Caribbean villa you like to keep going back to. There is still a peak season and those times of the year a visit isn’t recommended and we’re taking a closer look here as when the best times to visit are.

The Caribbean season is said to run from mid-December until mid-April which is when the area is at its driest and warmest. In these times you’ll see the highest prices as everyone from America and Canada wants the chance to get a bit of sun when they’re drenched in rain at home.

The off-season on the other hand runs approximately from mid-April to mid-December where you’ll see prices fall and though the climes may not be as inviting they’ll still be much balmier than you’re used to at home and if you’re living it up in luxury villa comfort you may not notice the weather at all anyway!

The main thing to remember when booking a Caribbean holiday is the hurricane season. It’s perfectly possible to book holidays during this time but keep an eye on the forecasts just in case anything appears on the horizon and you’ve got enough time to change your booking. The hurricane season runs from approximately June 1^st to November 30^th and this is the shortest it will be.

You will find drastically different prices in hotels on and off season so this is why villa holidays are always recommended. Yes, prices may differ but not so significantly and you can make savings in other places.

Essential Jamaica: Must Dos on your Jamaica Holiday

Planning a trip to Jamaica may be a once in a lifetime experience so you better be ready for it. Getting the most out of each and every day will be essential to ensure you remember it for a lifetime. Begin by booking into a luxury Jamaican villa rental and plan your itinerary keeping in mind our must dos from below.

Swim with Dolphins

There are plenty of places you can swim with dolphins but a visit to Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios will stay with you forever. You can enjoy all the fun of the jungle trail and take a dip in the crystal clear waters with the dolphins or even join the stingrays for a slower, more relaxing dip.

Tour the Canopies

See Jamaica from the tops of the trees with a swing through the jungle canopy. Make like a monkey and be amazed by the stunning scenery in both Montega Bay and Ocho Rios. Both places also offer exhilarating quad biking if being up so high isn’t your cup of tea.

Head to Rick’s

Rick’s Café is a Jamaican legend. You can tuck into an infamous Monster Rum Punch and settle down to watch the burning hot sun set in the sky. Before getting too sozzled you could even take a thrilling dive off the cliffs.

Try Scotchie’s Chicken

Scotchie’s Jerk Chicken has been named the best in Jamaica time and again. In the heart of Montego Bay it offers your simple, no-nonsense Jamaica jerk at great prices and with the warm welcome you’ll feel across the isle.

These are our top tips for getting the most out of your Jamaican holiday. Enjoy the scenery, the wildlife and the cuisine.

Experience Amazing Animals in Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos are known for their outstanding natural beauty, luxurious resorts and popularity as a honeymoon destination. Look a little closer and you’ll soon see that the beautiful countryside is home to some fascinating wildlife. Venture out of your luxury Caribbean villa and enjoy some naturally beautiful sights and sounds.

Bird Watching

You can bird watch at home that’s true but the salt ponds and marshlands of Turks and Caicos are awash with fascinating species. Look out for both resident and migratory birds including Great Blue Herons and Pelicans. Over 170 species of bird can be found in the Islands and it is home to the rare West Indian Whistling Duck – though you may need a guided tour to pick one out.

The Rock Iguana

You will only ever see the Rock Iguana on the Turks and Caicos archipelago. He’s much rarer than he once was and a completely harmless reptile who can still be spotted occasionally. They’re most famously spotted in Little Water Cay where over 2000 still thrive. As one of a kind it’s a stunning sight to see and you can honestly tell people you’ll never see anything else like them.

Humpback Whale

Whale watching is always a fantastic way to celebrate the scenery of an island whilst hunting a beautiful, elegant sea creature. North Atlantic Humpbacks are seen regularly around the main island of Turk and Salt Cay – mainly between January and April. It’s a key spot on their annual migration for mating and birth. If you book onto a tour you may spot some of these majestic mammals as well as hearing all about their lifespan, history and if you’re lucky you may hear their unique call.

Seeing wildlife in its natural state isn’t something that happens too often these days so grab the opportunity to do so if you visit the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

Where to go on holiday in January?

Going on holiday in January isn’t always the most popular time to go on a holiday, but why shouldn't it be? January is the best time to get yourself a bargain holiday, plus its quiet so if you’re looking to go on a relaxing short getaway just to take some time out January would be the perfect time. These are just a few of the advantages of going on holiday in January, another plus is that the weather isn’t too hot but isn’t cold either making it just right.

Family Holidays in 2014

So it’s nearly 2014, and a lot of families like to plan where they’re going on holiday next year so that they have something to look forward to and to get the best deals! Here the Telegraph have come up with loads of different holiday ideas for any type of family holiday, UK or abroad.

Why you should visit the Caribbean…

The Caribbean is always thought to be an exotic destination to visit, and people aren’t wrong to say that. The Caribbean has so much to offer, with its beautiful beaches and tasty cuisine what is there not to like? There are many different reasons as to why you should consider the Caribbean as your next holiday destination, and here are a few that will definitely persuade you.

The Beaches

The blue seas and white sands are one of the main attractions to the Caribbean, with tourists returning for more every year. With the gorgeous stretches of white sand and the stunningly hot sun shining pretty much all year round makes the Caribbean the idyllic holiday destination, for any time of the year!

Activities

In the Caribbean there are various resorts with lots of hotels who have a range of activities for you to partake in! A popular activity that a lot of people like to do when visiting the Caribbean is island hopping, this then gives you the chance to visit more than one area of the Caribbean, how exciting!

The Islands

Another good thing about the Caribbean is that there are so many destinations as it is made up of lots of islands, so many to choose from, all of which are stunning, with beautiful stretches of sand and sea. The image of the psalm trees, hot sun and amazing beaches will finally no longer be just a figure of imagination once you’ve got your holiday to the Caribbean booked and you’re there.

Unusual Attractions in Koh Samui

Visiting the exotic island of Koh Samui is not something you’ll be able to do every year. Therefore you need to make sure you stuff in as much as you can into it. You can enjoy all the mainstream attractions but why not take a look at some of these unusual attractions too.

Hin Ta Hin Yai

The Grandmother and Grandfather rocks may not be for everybody but they’ll give most people a laugh. Massive oversized, natural replications of the nether regions, they’re certainly worth getting your photograph taken next to and showing off in jest for years to come.

Snake Farm

Visiting a snake farm is probably something you never thought you’d do – in fact, most people don’t even know snake farms exist. Samui Snake Farm has the motto ‘look but don’t touch’ and they mean it. These slithery snakes can bite and many of them are venomous. That being said it’s a fantastic experience and there are daily shows and performances where professionals dance and interact with the snakes for your pleasure.

Magic Garden

In the high jungle hills you’ll find a beautiful garden filled with statues and hand-carved treasures. It one of those sights you’re only going to see if you’re a dedicated off-road driver with a hired Jeep on your hands though. It gives you a chance to go deep into the jungle so a local guide is also a good idea.

Samui Rum

Koh Samui is home to a boutique rum distillery. Magic Alambic is a unique rum distillery offering a wide range of gorgeous tropical rums including coconut flavour! There are lots of products to buy which make perfect souvenirs and wonderful keepsakes, as well as tasting wonderful.

It can be tempting to spend your whole Thai break in the comfort of your luxury Koh Samui villa but you’re missing out on many wonderful attractions. Try some of these unusual days out for a great experience day.

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Koh Tao Dive Destinations

If you’re planning a relaxing holiday in Koh Samui then you can mix it up a bit and enjoy something life changing as well as the indulgence of lounging on the beach. Within an hour and twenty minutes of Koh Samui is Koh Tao where there are wonderful sites for divers of all levels and experiences.

Spend a day or two outside your luxury Koh Samui villa and instead take a trip down the coast and enjoy one of these exhilarating dive sites.

Chumporn Pinnacle

Chumporn Pinnacle is only 7 minutes by speedboat from the north of Koh Tao and is considered one of the best dive sites the island has to offer. There are four interconnected underwater pinnacles which take you from 14m below water to 36m below water. It’s designed mainly for experienced divers and there’s the chance to see whale sharks, barracuda, schools of snapper and hundreds of beautiful pink anemones clinging to the pinnacle itself.

Twins

Twins is one of the most popular dive areas and is made up of two submerged pinnacles, hence the name. They can be dived by divers of all experiences as the maximum depth is only 20m. It is home to the clark’s anemones and you might also see stingrays, moray eels and young angelfish as you dive around the Twins.

Mango Bay

Mango Bay is heralded as one of the most beautiful sites to dive. Its bay too is well regarded and it’s the perfect site for complete beginners as well as students. Along the reef you can spot groupers, blue spotted stringrays, angelfish and beautiful butterflyfish. You may even see a seahorse if you’re very lucky.

Diving in Koh Tao is the perfect excursion during your Koh Samui holiday so make sure you give it a go.

Cottages in France

Looking for a relaxing holiday or short break but can’t decided where to go or what to do? Then you should try out a cottage in France! Rent a French cottage and spend your holiday sightseeing and enjoying the peace and quiet that is offered in France. There are all different types of cottages available in France, some by the sea offering beautiful sea views, or a range of country cottages for those who enjoy nature and want the perfect quiet getaway; and the best thing about cottages are that they are a great holiday at any time of the year!

Amazing Villas for Rent

If you have never considered a villa for your vacation before then Top Villas is the best place for you, they offer a fantastic choice of luxury villa rentals worldwide. United States, Asia, Caribbean and Europe. Wherever you’re planning to visit Top Villas will have a villa for you! All their properties are hand-picked by themselves to ensure they offer something that will suit everyone; they even offer villas near Disney, and beachfront villas in Barbados!

Family Breaks in the UK

Going on holiday in the UK is not only a way to save money on flights but is also a good time to see more of what is your home country, if you’re from the UK. With all the different regions within the UK you’ll never be out of places to visit, but check out this site for all different attractions and places to visit in all the different regions.

First holiday with your baby

Holidays can be a great time to make memories, especially when its your first holiday with your new born baby, a perfect time to make memories. So planning and booking the first holiday can be hard as you want to make it just right, but here are some tips to help you.

10 things you'll need for a family holiday

1. Rain Gear
2. Camera
3. Passports
4. Extra Luggage
5. Cooler
6. Drinks and Snacks
7. First Aid Kits
8. GPS
9. Laptop
10. Different types of money

These may all seem random, however, they are highly vital for a family holiday, to read more click here.

Holiday Help

Going on holiday is such a personal decision as it has to be somewhere you would enjoy and want to go on holiday as your spending your well earned and saved money on it. So planning your holiday can be difficult no matter what kind of holiday it is, a family holiday, a couple’s holiday or even just a relaxing holiday; because there are so many destinations to choose from. But there are a few things you can take into consideration which will make your whole life a lot easier and narrow down the choices of destinations to visit. They are: budget, who you are planning on going with, what you want to get out of the holiday, how long you want to go for and whether you’re going to enjoy it…

How much are you willing to spend?

Firstly, you should think about what you’re willing to spend on your holiday and how much you can actually afford. Depending how much money you have perhaps saved or got to spend will depend what destination would be perfect and affordable for you to visit. If you’re looking for cheaper holiday places to visit France, Turkey, Spain or Greece would be ideal. But if you have spent time saving up so you can go on a luxurious holiday you could perhaps rent out a villa in the Caribbean, California or Miami. 

Who are you thinking of going with?

Secondly, who you are going with; there is no point booking a holiday which would be ideal for families if you are looking at going on a couple’s holiday. An ideal place to go for a family holiday would be Disney Land, and visit Orlando as this would keep the children occupied all the time making everything a little less stressful, as well as time for you to enjoy yourselves too on the thrill rides or just letting the children go off on the rides they want whilst you sit back and relax. Therefore, a villa in Orlando would be perfect, especially if you have a larger family. If you’re going on a romantic or just a relaxing couple holiday then a villa in France would be well suited as many villas in France are beach villas, or have their own pool for you to relax by reading or just enjoying the company of your other half.  An exotic destination perfect for couples would also be the Caribbean with its beautiful sanded beach’s and clear blue seas making this the ideal destination.  

Why do you want to go on holiday?

Next, why are you going on holiday, what do you want to do on holiday, do you want to sight see and enjoy the beautiful views of the sunset and beach? Have an action packed week or just relax by the beach or swimming pool? Well there’s a destination perfect for all these kinds of holiday. For a beach holiday a beach villa in France or the Caribbean would be ideal, an action packed holiday to Disney World Orlando would be perfect, especially with children or Cape Coral in Florida which has an action packed water park, many bars and restaurants, natural attractions and an ecological park; and for stunning views the Caribbean or California would be ideal for watching the sunset over the beach in the evenings and exploring what these places have to offer.

How long do you want to go on holiday for?

Deciding how long to go on holiday for can vary, for example if you have small children going for 14 nights may be a little too long as they may begin to get bored or perhaps home sick. So a 14 night holiday would be ideal if you’re going on a romantic holiday or couple’s holiday or just for a rest from work and life in the real world. An ideal length of a family holiday would probably be 10 nights, it is just a little over a week and the perfect length of time before the children will start to get bored and home sick; but still allows you time to do everything you have planned. Furthermore, if you’re just looking for a short break 4 to 7 days would be the right amount of time allowing you enough time to get relaxed and be able to enjoy the few days you have away in the sunshine,  peace and quiet.

So now you've taken all of these points into consideration booking your holiday should be ten times easier! 

Holidays with teenagers...

Going on holiday with teenagers can be a nightmare as you never know what they'll enjoy or want to do, and if they get bored all hell could break lose. But here are 10 tips on going on holiday with teenagers..

1. Treat them like an adult
2. Treat them like a teenager
3. You can't buy happiness
4. Give them space
5. Food is not necessarily glorious
6. Master the art of travel
7. Sangria is the answer?
8. Act your age?
9. Look to the future and
10. Have a good time!

Holidays in the UK - London

Here is a guide from Trip Advisor as to what there is to do in London on holiday, where to go, what transport is available, restaurants, events and shopping. So looking for a family getaway to London? Then you'll need this guide as it has EVERYTHING you need to know! For further information: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g186338-s401/London:United-Kingdom:Family.Travel.html

Travelling with Kids - Top Tips

Getting ready for a holiday can be a very stressful time, especially for a family holiday as you have to pack the kids clothes as well as yours, remember the passports and booking information and make sure you get to the airport on time on the day. So here are some tips to help you with what to pack, how to pack and what the actual important stuff is.... http://www.netmums.com/lifestyle/galleries/view/travelling-with-kids-top-tips

Cheap Family Holiday

Looking for a cheap family holiday? Here Thomas Cook are offering cheap holidays to Italy perfect for the family! For further information: http://www.thomascook.com/lp/1x9-en6umu/family-holidays-italy/

Family Travel Guide

Telegraph - Family Holidays Travel Guide

The telegraph have created a guide to family travel which includes ideas and suggestions for child and teen-friendly holidays, expert advice and reviews.

Family Holiday Ideas

Need help with deciding what to actually do for a family holiday? Well here is some inspiration for you... family holiday ideas. On this blog there is information and ideas for UK holidays, beach holidays, family activity holidays, family villa holidays and adventure holidays with kids.