Platanias is a beautiful village that lies on the western part of Crete, the largest Greek island. The village is just 10 kilometres from the city of Chania, and it is a very popular destination amongst tourists. However, it is still quite peaceful and its scenic beauty will take your breath away.

Despite all the development that has taken place in the last few years, Platanias has maintained its natural charm. This means that you get all the facilities that you look for in a world class destination, while you soak yourself in the history and beauty of the village.

The old village of Platanias, which lays beside the river Iardanos, is located at the top of a hill. The recent developments have extended the village downwards, sloping towards the sea. While the old village offers excellent views, the lower region has some great amenities so that you can fully enjoy your vacation.

Platanias offers a mixture of nature, history, and modern facilities, which is very hard to find elsewhere. From a serene waterfront and old restaurants serving delicious Cretan cuisine to modern nightclubs and car rentals, you’ll find everything in this scenic village that you could need to make your holiday a memorable one.

(Image courtesy of riabaeck)

Located 16 kilometres west of Chania, Maleme is a beautiful seaside town in the Greek island of Crete. With a population of just 700, Maleme offers a quiet beach front. The beauty of the town is enhanced by vineyards, orange tress and olive trees, and if you are looking for a peaceful experience by the sea, Maleme is the perfect destination for you.

Although Maleme is a small village, you will find a number of excellent restaurants, cafes, and even a discotheque there. The city centre is hardly a few hundred meters from the beach, and these establishments are dispersed along the way and on the waterfront road. The beach is well organized, and there are chairs and umbrellas for you to spend some quiet time in the sun.

Maleme has a lot of historical significance too. The town saw the landing of German paratroopers during the Second World War. Almost 4500 German soldiers who died in battle are buried at the German War Cemetery of Maleme, located just outside the town.

You can get involved in many water activities in Maleme, like diving, snorkelling, and fishing. As the area is quite hilly, you can also go mountain biking or horse riding in the southern part of the town. Platanias and Chania are not far, so even if you are looking for a wider range of activities, you will never be short of options.

(Image courtesy of Manos Paraskakis)

Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most well known resorts on the east coast of Egypt. Situated on the Red Sea at the southern end of the tiny Sinai peninsula, Sharm El Sheikh offers warm temperatures, clear blue waters and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. While Mediterranean resorts are popular with people from Europe, going further south toward the Red Sea can mean even warmer holidays. The Red Sea resort of Sharm is located at just 27 degrees North, which really means long sunny days for the traveller longing for some sunshine.

However, plenty of sun and sand  is not the only attraction that Sharm El Sheikh offers. The resort is a major regional scuba diving centre which sees thousands of keen divers flocking to its shores to enjoy the wonders beneath the waves. Warm water diving at Sharm el Sheikh can be a good opportunity to brush up on your diving and snorkelling skills.The shores offer a plethora of marine wildlife at close range, so keep those underwater cameras ready!

(Image courtesy of Mattkeifer )

When visiting Central America, it may be well worth taking a departure from the usual tourist fare and delving deeper into the mysterious history and culture of the region. Mexico is one of the richest countries in the region when it comes to fascinating indigenous cultures. And what better place to introduce  yourself to local civilization than the pyramids of Chichen Itza.

Whenever  mention arises of ancient pyramids and associated structures, the ones in Giza (Egypt) usually come to mind. But did you know that there are equally inspiring and perhaps even more mysterious buildings in the fabled land of the Maya? Yes, the pyrmaids of Chichen Itza are some of the most wonderful ancient monuments in the world. Sitting amidst the dark, leafy foliage of the tropical American forests, the strucutres present a stark contrast to the the rugged and dry Egyptian desert. The Mayan structures are over 1500 years old and built in the shape of a stepped pyramid, akin to a Mesopotamian ziggurat. Indeed, the ziggurats of Babylon pale in comparison to the magnificent Mexican pyramids.

Imposing in its grandeur, El Castillo is the main pyramid in the compound. The pyramid features a total of 365 steps equally the days of the year, attesting to the Mayans’ proficiency in astronomy and their accomplishment of calendars and time keeping. You can climb to the top and marvel at the beautiful lush green surroundings, imaging the ancient times bygone when the Mayans priests held pompus ceremonies to the strains of local music. Chichen Itza is thus one of the most iconic sites in the region, and the ardent traveller to Central America would be well served to pay it a visit.