Top Three Beach Vacation Destinations
Most of us anticipate a warm-weather beach vacation for some old-fashioned R&R: sleeping in, reading a book under a palm tree with the sound of waves crashing nearby, and the sensation of a warm breeze and the sun on our face.
But some of the Western Hemisphere’s hottest beach destinations have far more to offer visitors than the luxury of doing nothing, and the truth is, AAA’s travel clients often tell us they want more out of their vacation. Yes, of course, they want to unwind, but when they describe their perfect vacation, they want a little local culture, too. So what do travel consultants suggest? An independent vacation supplemented with daytrips, or in many cases, a guided vacation.
A guided vacation, to a beach, with other people? Yes, indeed. Here are three sunny destinations offering the opportunity to relax, learn, see and do, and make a few friends at the same time.
Costa Rica Vacations
There’s plenty to love about Costa Rica’s popular Guanacaste region along the Pacific coast: accommodations ranging from authentic boutique hotels to upscale all-inclusive resorts, an abundance of tropical wildlife and a superb array of optional eco-adventures.
Arenal Volcano, Cloud Forest, Hot Springs and Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
Most independent travelers to the region also book one or two nights inland at the spectacular Arenal Volcano and Montverde Cloud Forest, but the journey, while scenic with well-paved roads, is a three- to four-hour trip each way. A guided trip, such as Pleasant Holidays’ Marvels of Costa Rica, goes one direction, starting in San Jose (the capital) then continuing to Arenal for two nights. Activities include relaxation in one of the local hot springs, dinner with a front-row view of the volcano and an entire day exploring Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, home to myriad migratory birds, sloths, iguanas and monkeys.
The following day, a local expert guides visitors through more than 25,000 acres of flora and fauna in the Montverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where hundreds of mammal and bird species, nearly 500 varieties of orchids and 3,000 plant species thrive in a tropical paradise. The afternoon is open for nature lovers to explore independently or join local guided adventures. This nine-day journey wraps with three nights in Guanacaste, offering ample leisure time and a full day in Vida Adventure Nature Park, featuring zip lining, horseback riding, mud baths and more.
Pleasant Holidays’ 11-day Jewels of Costa Rica features even more, with overnights in Tortuguero National Park, a protected wilderness on the Caribbean, and Manuel Antonio National Park, a coastal rainforest along the Pacific.
Hawaii Vacations
Hawaii is and always will be an American jewel. One can make multiple island-sampling trips or see it all on a trip of a lifetime. Trafalgar’s 13-day Hawaii Four Island Adventure fits the bill, featuring a Be My Guest lunch at a local sustainable farm, an authentic luau, a choice of accommodations, interisland flights, VIP entrance to major sites and, yes, plenty of free time to explore.
Oahu, Honolulu, the Big Island of Hawaii and Volcanoes National Park
The journey begins on the island of Oahu with four nights in Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital. Tourgoers will explore the entire island in the comfort of a deluxe motorcoach, spend a morning touring the city and Pearl Harbor, and enjoy a leisure day in-between to do as they please. Then it’s on to the Big Island of Hawaii, with a two-night stay in Kona and a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. A three-night stay on Maui includes a morning with local conservationists at the Maui Ocean Center, and a final three nights on lush, tropical Kauai offers thrill seekers options such as kayaking, hiking and a helicopter ride over the magnificent Na Pali Coast.
Vacations in Greece
As a travel consultant, I was impressed by how often clients—especially honeymooners—asked about Greece. This is a country with irresistible allure: turquoise-blue water lapping against the rugged Mediterranean coastline and ancient towns scattered across hundreds of islands, each with its own history and cultural flair.
Logistically speaking, traveling to Greece from the U.S. requires detailed planning, with connections in Athens by air, ferry or cruise ship to the islands. It takes time to do this and explore ancient Greece, too.
Delphi, Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
AAA Member Choice Vacations accomplishes the task with the 15-day Exploring Greece and Its Islands tour, highlighting a visit to Greece’s ancient monuments and antiquities in Delphi, Olympia and Athens before cruising to popular Mykonos and Santorini, islands that surround visitors with postcard-perfect images such as white-washed, blue-trimmed architecture, winding narrow streets, sidewalk cafes and some of the Mediterranean’s finest beaches. This trip gives visitors bragging rights—they’ll kick back on a Greek island and also learn a thing or two about the origins of Western civilization and the early philosophers. A well-rounded vacation indeed.
For those headed to a warm climate this winter, call a AAA Travel agent. Whether it’s R&R only, some added activities or a fully guided experience, we’ll help you find the right mix.
