Aruba...Ooh I wanna take ya!

“Aruba, Jamaica Ooh I wanna take ya”…the popular lyrics of one of the original and timeless boy bands…The Beach Boys. They sure knew what they were singing about when they were painting the picture for listeners of this beautiful and majestic destination.

You will be swept away from the moment you first arrive as you gaze around and take in the pure beauty of the natural surroundings. This stunning island is only about 20 miles long and 6 miles across making it the perfect calm, quiet and serene place to vacation at.

There is more to Aruba than just beaches and hotels though and just one step into the National Parks will show you a whole new world you wouldn’t believe existed. Thanks to the wonderful climate that averages between the 80’s and 90’s you will be able to enjoy a wide variety of wildlife, marine life, and plant life. Come for the beach and stay for everything else.

What would be your idea of fun activities while on vacation? Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, playing golf, or just having a personal day spent being pampered in a spa after a satisfying work out in one of the state of the art fitness centers? Whether you are a water activity fan or land activity person there is something that will catch your eye and put a smile onto your face.

Besides just sightseeing you can also enjoy tempting your taste buds at a wide variety of cuisines from restaurants that are considered more normal to the gourmet and specialty samples. There is something here for everyone’s particular palate. Word to the wise…stop a local and ask them the best places to dine you will get a firsthand experience and it can be super exciting to try something totally new and spontaneous.

Bring the entire family and have a wonderful and memorable family vacation, Aruba has resorts for everyone’s fancy…romantic honeymoons, family reunion, wedding destination, or family fun there is something here for everyone to enjoy.

Want to find a great place to stay in Aruba? Be sure to check out the listing of the top rated Aruba Resorts at Best Online Travel Deals!

5 Tips for Taking Amazing Travel Photos

So, you have the perfect vacation booked and ready to go for your family, whether you have a spouse, kids, friends, whoever going with you on vacation surely you will want to take memorable photographs.

Sometimes taking quality photographs can be tricky to take if you aren’t a professional photographer but with our helpful tips and trick taking amazing travel photos can be simple and quite rewarding.

1. If you want amazing travel photos you have to include signage in your photos. Signage adds character and depth to your photos especially if the signage is written in the native language and style.
 
2. Always carry your camera with you because you never know when an amazing travel photo opportunity will present itself, so always be prepared. While we are talking about taking your gear with you, let’s also mention that your gear should be properly packed to keep it safe and avoid damage.
   
 
3. Take notice of the little things – While on vacation or traveling most people take shots of family, friends, and other people on the vacation and of course the beach and the accommodations, but they fail to take notice of the smaller things in life and sometimes the small things make the most amazing travel photos ever.
 
4. Try different angles, you don’t have to point and click from the front of the building or place you are photographing, get a unique and odd angle for a more memorable photo. Be bold, be daring, be different and you will be sure to have some amazing travel photos.
 
5. Food Porn – Ok, you had to know this was coming since apparently taking photos of your food is the new black, when taking photos of your food while traveling though switch it up, get better light by sitting by the window, leave the menu in the background those sort of small things will help create a memorable and amazing travel food photo.

We invite you to visit the Best Vacation Spots Gallery at Best Online Travel Deals to see some really beautiful vacation photos.

Best Things to do in the Bahamas

Flight is booked, hotel is set and you are embarking on a lovely rest filled vacation to the Bahamas, but surely the question has popped up at least once as to what there is to do while there. We all know the crystal clear waters, warmed by the tropical sun are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving, but what else is there to do while visiting such a beautiful and breathtaking place? Allow us to show you just a few of the most popular things to do while in the Bahamas.

Book a visit to spend some time with the dolphins. There are many Dolphin Experience options to choose from, spend time in their natural habitat with them, swimming and interacting these ocean dwelling mammals are so gentle and loveable they almost remind you of water dwelling dogs, just without the fur. Experience Dolphin Cay at Atlantis Paradise Island one of the world's largest open-air, man-made marine mammal habitats.

Playing with Dolphins at Atlantis Paradise Island

National Parks are a great way to spend some time outdoors enjoying nature and the Bahamas has a wide variety of National Parks to choose from. You also might want to consider taking some hikes through the beautiful tropical forests and take some quiet time to keep on the lookout for wildlife local to the area.

Like fishing? Take a boat ride into the ocean and go deep sea fishing or even bone fishing. In fact bone fishing is one of the most esteemed forms of sports fishing in the world. The average fish weighs between 4-6lbs but can grow to 20lbs. Fishing in the Bahamas can be exciting, thrilling and the adventure of a lifetime.

Everyone loves shopping for souvenirs while on vacation and your trip to the Bahamas will include at least one trip to a shop. There are many different ones to choose from, each offering unique gifts and décor. There is a shop for everyone and for every budget, try asking the locals or visiting the small local shops that offer handmade crafts from the locals. Experience it all!

Food, no matter where you visit there are delicious cuisines to experience. Instead of visiting the expensive on resort restaurants why not venture out into town a little and see some local places to dine, again this is the perfect time to ask the locals and try some genuine Bahamas cuisine.

If you are on an adult only vacation and enjoy the thrill of gambling or casinos in general, you could always check out the casinos located in the Bahamas, try your hand at poker, roulette, or even slots. Whatever your fancy you are sure to find a game at one of the casinos that strikes your interest.

One of the best pieces of advice you can get is this…When vising a new place always seek out the advice of the locals, who else knows the area so well, they know the best places to eat, shop, and visit and majority of the time the costs will be much cheaper than if you just follow the websites you find or even the travel books you read.

For the best variety of the top rated Bahamas' all inclusive resorts to stay at, we invite you to not only check out our Bahamas page, but to also enjoy all the wonderful variety the Bahamas has to offer.

10 Best Caribbean Islands

Are you looking to book your next romantic getaway or family vacation but unsure where to go? You know you want some place warm and exotic but also won’t break the bank, have you thought about a trip to the Caribbean? 

The Caribbean has many different island destinations to choose from, there really is a vacation spot for everyone. We have compiled a list of the 10 most popular Caribbean Islands to help you on your decision.

10 Best Caribbean Islands

The 10 Best Caribbean Islands

10. Jost Van Dyke – located in the British Virgin Islands this lovely little gem is sure to give you the relaxing vacation you are searching for. Palm trees line the white sandy beaches as one of a kind beach bars dot the coastline for adult beverage needs. When you are not on the beach you have to be sure to check out the natural Jacuzzi “Bubbly Pool” during the high tide.

9. Virgin Gorda – Another lovely British Virgin Isle that is secluded and serene. The only way to the island is by ferry or puddle-jumper, giving you the secluded island feel but with all the amenities of a typical resort. This destination is wonderful for snorkeling as well as scuba diving and of course no vacation would be complete without dining on the finest Caribbean cuisine.

Virgin Gorda

8. St. John – One of the more well-known names when it comes to Caribbean vacation spots this is the perfect spot for the nature lover. If you are looking for solitude and serenity this might just be the right choice for you.

7. Saba – This island has a dormant volcano located on it that visitors can enjoy seeing and taking pictures of. This island is said to be one of the best out of all the Caribbean islands for preservation, another destination nature lovers will enjoy.

6. Bermuda – Another well-known name when it comes to Caribbean vacations. Unlike the typical Caribbean islands with their crystal waters and white sandy beaches, Bermuda boasts crystal clear waters and stunning pink sand beaches. This island is located only a few hours from New York and Boston so it is easy to see why many visitors come to the island for weekend getaways.

5. Anguilla – Said to have some of the best beaches of the Caribbean, you can enjoy a private beach area for the day or hang out at one of the many resorts the island offers to visitors. There is never a lack of activities to partake in when visiting Anguilla.

4. St. Vincent and the Grenadines – These tiny islands consist of over 30, mostly uninhabited islands to choose from. Sailors love visiting the Grenadines for the seclusion and serenity.

St. Lucia

3. St. Barts – One of the islands that the celebrities tend to flock to. If you are looking to see some stars then this would be the place for you. Think of St Barts as the Cadillac of all the Caribbean Islands, your trip here will be more expensive but if you want to catch a glimpse of your favorite stars on vacation it would be worth the price tag.

2. St. Lucia – If you like rainforests and hiking this island might be your first choice. Not only do you have the beautiful beaches and warm ocean waters you also have miles of unspoiled rainforests perfect for hiking and photography.

1. Aruba – The Beach Boys described it well in their hit song, Aruba is a popular destination spot for those looking to vacation in the Caribbean. Lovely beaches, divine food, and activities to keep you busy for weeks no wonder this destination is so popular.

We hope you enjoyed our list of the 10 Best Caribbean Islands. Looking for some quality resorts to stay at while you're on vacation in the Caribbean? Stop by our Caribbean Resorts page at Best Online Travel Deals!

It's Better in the Bahamas

You are trying to decide on your next vacation spot, you want something different, something memorable, something exotic, something that screams fun and relaxation while still being affordable. Have you looked into the vacation spots known collectively as The Bahamas?

The Bahamas are a very popular destination for tourists looking to travel to an exotic place, and while most people know the Bahamas consist of a “few” different islands not many realize there are actually over 700 different islands that make up the term “The Bahamas.” When most people think of The Bahamas they tend to think of the major islands only, such as Grand Bahama Island, Inagua, Nassau & Paradise Island and a few others.  It was 1973 when The Bahamas officially became an independent Commonwealth realm. The Bahamas are considered to be one of the richest countries in the Americas (only falling behind the United States and Canada) one main reason for this is due to the high tourism traffic.

The Bahamas are very appealing with their crystal clear blue waters, weather that always seems to be perfect, and white sandy beaches that are so perfect they should be in a picture, almost like looking at a postcard right from your balcony. There are many things to do besides just sit on a beach and sip chilled drinks with tiny umbrellas all day while on your vacation. Things like watersports, day spas, sightseeing, and tons of family fun await you during the day, while live entertainment, dance clubs, and fine dining will await you once the sun sets.

There really is something for everyone when you visit The Bahamas. The adventure seeker will fall in love with the private flying opportunities and will experience the islands in a way many people might not get to. There is no limit to what you can do once you arrive here.

The Bahamas makes a great place to go for a romantic getaway or even a honeymoon as well, with affordable packages and romantic scenery it’s no surprise The Bahamas is one of the more popular places for lovers to get away to. How memorable would your wedding day be with the vows being said along the crystal surf backdrop and warm sand between bare toes? Say I do at The Bahamas and stay to continue with your honeymoon, it’s a book once and done type of deal, no need to travel twice, give your wedding day a tropical feel.

If you are thinking your next vacation to The Bahamas would cost too much I suggest heading over to a listing of the Best Bahamas Resorts. You can make your dream vacation to The Bahamas a reality that will be memorable as well as affordable. You would be shocked to see how much it actually costs to travel to The Bahamas for a vacation, get those fingers working! You could be enjoying the waves crashing at your feet in the near future. And remember...it's better in the Bahamas.