Island Trader Vacations Reviews The World's Top Ten Best Beaches

There are beaches everywhere in the world, from idyllic to famous, popular to secluded. What makes a beach great depends on any of a hundred reasons. Whether it is because of the view or the sand, the people or the wildlife, these beaches have found their way into the hearts of millions of travelers. Island Trader Vacations reviews the top ten beaches in the world both famous and not so famous.

Anse Source d’Argent, Seychelles – A remote beach, this beach ranks as one of the most popular in the Seychelles. Pink sands and massive granite boulders characterize this stunning beach which is protected by a lovely reef.

Horseshoe Bay Beach, Bermuda – Brilliant blue waters and beautiful pink sand make this a beach worth exploring. Named one of the most romantic and beautiful beaches, this quarter mile stretch of sand is a couples paradise.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia – Crystal clear blue waters and white sand characterize this stunning 4 mile beach.

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola, Florida – A number of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico barrier Islands, this national seashore encompasses some of the most stunning scenery in the U.S. and protects a variety of unique plant and animal species.

White Beach, Philippines – Named for the color of its sand, White Beach, is unique in that its sands are cool to the touch thanks to the makeup of the sand. Coral reefs, sparkling sand, and clear waters make this a top destination for any beach lover.

Ka’anapali Beach, Hawaii – The most famous beach in Hawaii, Kaanapali Beach is a long sandy beach with plenty of sun, shallow water and amazing opportunities for exploring including sailing, snorkeling, excursions and just relaxing.

Rabbit Beach, Islands of Sicily – Remote and unspoiled, Rabbit beach is famous for its natural beauty and wildness. Difficult to access, its remoteness and wildness sets it apart.

Eagle Beach, Aruba – Eagle Beach is famous for its soft sand and clear waters. It is the widest beach in Aruba and is perfect for nature lovers and luxury travelers.

Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos – Clear blue waters and soft white sand characterize this beach which is not just one of the best in the region, but one of the best in the world.

Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands – Named one of the ultimate beaches almost every year, Seven Mile Beach is literally 7 miles of sand which attracts millions of visitors each years. Known for its clear waters and coral sands, it is located near to many popular resorts, restaurants, bars and has plenty of room to relax or enjoy a multitude of activities.

Island Trader Vacations reviews news, destinations and tips about travel to help travelers become more informed. A members only travel club, Island Trader Vacations offers members only benefits on travel.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

All-Inclusive Belize Vacations On the Rise For 2014

All-Inclusive Belizean Vacation packages are becoming increasingly popular this year, according to The Lodge at Chaa Creek, and the Belizean eco-resort’s general manager said several reasons for this trend have recently emerged.

Lucy Fleming, who with her husband Mick turned their family farm into Belize’s first eco resort some 30 years ago, said that factors such as time management, security and value for money are some of the reasons driving the popularity of all-inclusive vacation packages in Belize.

"Since we first began offering all-inclusive vacation packages they've grown steadily more popular, but there has been a noticeable surge in the last few years, and recent feedback from our guests shows why," Ms Fleming said.

"One reason commonly given is that people want to make the most of their holiday time, and rather than micro-manage every aspect of their vacation, they’re happier to leave it to local professionals whom they trust.

"Another reason we hear is safety and security. With an all-inclusive vacation, travelers are looked after from the moment they are picked up at the international airport until we drop them back off, and this translates into a more attractive, carefree experience," Ms Fleming said.

All-inclusive vacation packages also offer better value as opposed to itemizing and paying for each aspect of a vacation, Ms Fleming said.

"At Chaa Creek, for example, we’re situated in the midst of a private 365 acre nature reserve on the banks of the Macal River in Belize, and over the years have been able to develop a wide variety of features, such as miles of well-maintained trails, stables, canoes, an educational Belize Natural History Centre, butterfly farm, infinity pool, our Hilltop Spa and fine dining restaurant and lounge. And being located in the heart of the ancient Maya civilisation, we have over 70 recorded Maya archaeological sites within our property, as well as a Maya medicinal plant trail, Maya organic farm and an ancient temple.

"All of this has been developed over the years, so that now we’re often referred to as Belize’s ‘destination within a destination’, offering an array of tours and activities such as cultural and nature walks as well as birding with professional guides, which means our guests can enjoy a complete Belize holiday without leaving Chaa Creek."

Ms Fleming said that overall improvements in Belize’s tourism infrastructure, such as the recent addition of a nearby airstrip with regular flights to Belize’s Caribbean coast, islands and the western hemisphere’s largest barrier reef and atolls have also made the resort’s all-inclusive "Rainforest to Reef" vacation packages more popular.

"It’s now possible to wake up in the midst of a pristine tropical rainforest and then spend your afternoon snorkelling in the clear Caribbean waters off one of our colleagues’ beaches, and all for one set price that includes everything from accommodation to meals, transfers and even staff gratuities.

"With everything arranged by professionals with an intimate knowledge of the country, and no surprises or hidden costs, all-inclusive packages make for a very secure vacation with one affordable upfront cost, and couples, families, groups and individuals are responding very positively to this," she said.

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is an award winning eco resort located in a 365 acre private nature reserve in Belize.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Stair Sainty Gallery Showcasing Cuban Born Painter Federico Beltrán-Masses Returning to Florida after 90 Years

After moving to Barcelona to study, King Alfonso XIII of Spain attended an exhibition of Beltrán-Masses’s in Madrid and became an early patron of the artist. Beltrán moved to Paris in 1918 and then exhibited at the XII Venice Biennale in 1920, in a pavilion dedicated solely to his work. There it earned the artist praise: critic Camille Mauclair described Beltrán’s talent as ‘like Veronese, like Tiepolo, like Tintoretto… a picture is lyrical drama.’

Reports of Beltrán’s fame reached the United States by 1921; a paragraph in American Art News mentioned the success of Beltrán’s first Paris exhibition, and in 1924 the painter was invited to exhibit at the Wildenstein galleries in New York City. A sell-out exhibition in Palm Beach, and show in Los Angeles followed in 1925. Such was Beltrán’s fame a year later that Martha Graham titled a dance in her first public performance in New York Portrait – Beltrán-Masses.

Beltrán-Masses found favor in Hollywood too, where he painted portraits of screen legends Gloria Swanson, his great friend Rudolph Valentino, of Joan Crawford and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Beltrán painted or sold his work to some of the most renowned personalities of the Golden Age of Hollywood including Charlie Chaplin, newspaper columnist Louella Parsons, actress Marion Davies as well as her lover William Randolph Hearst (who purchased four paintings by the artist and whose portrait he painted).

Whilst Beltrán’s portrait subjects included the Kings of England and Spain, Princes and Princesses, Hollywood stars, and society on both sides of the Atlantic, he was particularly sought out by women who rejected convention. We will show in Miami a portrait of aviator and socialite Mme. Bonnardel, Countess Montgomery, whose Chanel dress is in the Met Costume Institute, and a portrait of the Fashion icon Marquesa Luisa Casati.

Born in Cuba and raised in Cuba and Barcelona, the painter’s Hispanic heritage would influence his oeuvre throughout his career across the globe. Beltran painted enigmatic, languorously posed women and nudes, often in nocturnal settings characterized by their nocturnal light and open starry skies. These allegorical paintings are rich with musical and poetic references and like his friend, the painter Kees van Dongen, Beltrán captured the escapism that characterized post-First World War society and the Jazz age.

Further information, JPEG images and a 180-page catalog on the artist is available upon request from the gallery:
Stair Sainty Gallery

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Bambu Announces the Grand Opening of its Newest Shoppe in South San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area founded Vietnamese chè chain, Bambu Desserts & Drinks, announced the grand opening of its newest shoppe in South San Francisco this past weekend. “The love and demand for Bambu chè continues to expand across the Bay Area,” said Kelly Nguyen, co-founder and CEO of Bambu Desserts & Drinks, Inc. “Our chè is true enjoyment in a cup for all ages.”

Bambu - South San Francisco located at 2223 Gellert Boulevard, South San Francisco launched its grand opening this past Friday, December 27 at 9:00 am and they continued the festivities until 9:30 pm Sunday. “We were instantly hooked on our family first visited Bambu in San Jose,” said Richard Tan, owner of Bambu - South San Francisco. “As soon our visits became a weekly family tradition, we knew we wanted to open our own Bambu shoppe as soon as possible.”

Located in Gellert Square, Bambu Desserts & Drinks is surrounded by many popular restaurants such as Ling Nam and Topping. Also near Lucky Chances Casino, this Asian mecca serves South San Francisco and Daly City’s dominant Asian communities including Filipino and Chinese. “It was great to see such wonderful local support this holiday weekend,” continued Richard.

“It’s truly great to see Richard and his family’s passion and commitment to sharing Bambu’s unique experience with their community,” said Kelly. “My sisters and I are proud to share Bambu with South San Francisco and Daly City communities and we hope that they enjoy our chè and drinks as much as we do.”

Bambu Desserts & Drinks was founded in 2008 by four sisters in San Jose, California. With 32 new shops opening across the U.S. in the past 19 months, Bambu has become nationally known for its fresh, healthy and colorful Vietnamese-inspired chè, fresh coconut drinks, Vietnamese espressos, blended coffees, and exotic smoothies. Their menu has nearly 100 desserts, coffees, teas and drinks to select from, but you can order any item “just the way you love it” including extra jellies, pearls, or shots of espresso.

For more information on Bambu Desserts & Drinks, visit DrinkBambu.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a vodka enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.