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Tags: Puerto Rico Hotels / Hotel Activities / Free Stuff / → All Tags

Gran Meliá Puerto Rico Offers Star Tours Without Leaving the Beach

Where: 1000 Coco Beach Boulevard, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Clear skies above the Gran Meliá resort offer ideal conditions for stargazing

You say Ursa Major, I say Ursa Minor; let's call the whole thing off. Actually, don't, especially not if you're stargazing in Puerto Rico. The country's Gran Meliá resort is capitalizing on its remote location to push a vacation activity that Copernicus would have approved of: star spotting (and we're not talking the Hollywood variety) and astronomy lessons on the beach with an expert to point out everything from Cassiopeia to Orion, and everything in between.

Gran Meliá is a decidedly anti-urban resort that has largely built its reputation on being "green." Located a short drive away from San Juan, the hotel has banned motorized water sports, has trained staff to keep the beach pristine, and they have instituted a conservation program for said beaches. Without towering skyscrapers, apartment complexes, and city smog polluting (pun intended) sky views, spotting constellations is markedly easier than in San Juan proper.

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Tags: Carribean Resorts / Hotel Activities / → All Tags

Get Your Scuba On In Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles

Where: Netherlands Antilles

This week, we’re venturing to the diving mecca of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Located in the Southern Caribbean, it’s part of the ABC islands, the others being Aruba and Curaçao. We’re here for "Celebrate Our Planet" week, and so far, it’s been rife with underwater-related action. We were here to witness Karol Meyer break her free diving record attempt (she did at over 90 meters), took a spin through the Caribbean’s only super-high tech decompression chamber (very Star Trek-y), went on a fantastic snorkeling trip to Klein Bonaire via the Woodwind (saw Hawksbill turtles, green sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, squid and lots of parrot fish), and tomorrow, Dr. Sylvia Earle, world famous oceanographer, joins the mix.

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Tags: Mexico Hotel Reviews / Hotel Activities / → All Tags

Kiteboarding and Sand-Biking are Big Attractions at La Zebra

Where: Carr Tulum-Boca Paila Km 86, Tulum, Mexico, 77780

Down on Tulum Beach in Mexico the La Zebra Beach Cantina & Cabanas are adding to their already established repertoire of having retro jungle vibes (and sometimes free tequila) by ramping up their onsite adventure activity sideline.

Combining transport, a workout and a lot of fun, La Zebra is offering guests the use of its special sand-bikes. The sand-bikes are specially geared and have extra fat tires so you can hit the beach in front of La Zebra and ride for miles (or until you want to turn back for more tequila).

And for more extreme adventurers, La Zebra has hooked up with a local kiteboarding school to offer lessons and equipment hire--apparently the wind situation makes this beach an ideal spot for kiteboarding year round.

And at the end of the day there are still plenty of chances to sample some local tequila (including regular Friday night tequila tasting parties) or to eat up a storm with Sunday's salsa fiesta pit roast grill meal. Must be something for everyone with all that mix.

Related Stories:
· Retro Jungle Vibes and Free Tequila at La Zebra [HotelChatter]
· Hotels in Tulum [HotelChatter]

Tags: Fiji Hotel Reviews / Hotel Activities / → All Tags

Jetskiing By the Dawn's Early Light in Fiji

Where: Nadi, Fiji

If lazing around by the pool or doing some casually calm snorkelling outside your water bungalow is not enough for you on a holiday in Fiji, the Sonaisali Island Resort reckon they have what it takes to keep you amused. With paintball, jetskiing and sports fishing already entrenched on their Adventure Sports activity list, they're now promoting their new dawn jetski "safari adventure".

Along with your Sonaisali Jet Ski Guide, you'll start of by motoring along to some of the best snorkelling places in Fiji; when you've been down below long enough, the guide will take you mountain climbing to get a view over all the islands. Or you can spend a half day surfing on some of the great waves of Fiji.

At the end of these kind of action-packed days then you definitely need a good bed to lay your head in. Air-con and ceiling fans turn up everywhere (definitely necessary), and the best relaxation comes in the beachfront spa bures, where you'll find a private spa on your balcony.

Related Stories:
· Sonaisali Island Resort reviews [TripAdvisor]