Island holidays provide the ultimate escape from the reality of life. They take us away from the big cities, towns and countries and leave us in the middle of nowhere to relax and unwind without a care in the world.

The trouble is that in the 21^st century, technology means there aren’t many secrets anymore. The internet and how well connected the world is means that islands that were previously unknown to all but a few seasoned travelers are now open to the world.

You might think that makes the unheard of island holiday a thing of the past, but that isn’t the case. Here are five island destinations you’ve probably never heard of.

Pulau Ubin, Singapore

Singapore might be the third most densely populated place on earth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go there to find undiscovered paradises. It’s actually made up of 63 separate islands, the majority of which are the polar opposite of the highly urbanized counterpart. Take Pulua Ubin for example. This tiny, jungle covered island is found in the northeast of the country and is famous for its bike trails, rural pigs and its kampong villages which were native to Singapore before mass development.

Mabul, Malaysia

You can walk around Mabul, located off the coast of Borneo, in one hour. It’s got a couple of famous island neighbors – Kapalai is known for having completely sunk into the sea with only a high-end resort visibly poking out through the crystal clear waters and Sipadan hit the news in 2000 when 20 tourists were kidnapped by Philippine rebels. None of those sorts of dramas effect Mabul which is one of the world’s premier diving destinations with plenty of undiscovered, coconut strewn beaches.

Boracay, Philippines

Ok, so Boracay does have over 300 hotels on an island that you can walk around in six hours, so it isn’t as secret as the title of this article would have you believe. Having said that, a disproportionate number of those travel from China, South Korea and Japan which means it is largely unheard of by the western world. It’s almost like going on a Dominican Republic Vacations – it has green rolling hills and sandy beaches that stretch for mile, all at a fraction of the price of visiting the Caribbean.

Koh Mak, Thailand

Plenty of Thailand’s islands have been overtaken by thumping discos and bright neon lights, but not Koh Mak. It features two white sand beaches that sink into clear waters and if relaxation is the aim of your island break, then this is the ultimate destination – there is quite literally nothing to do other than lie underneath a coconut tree and watch the world go by, save for a bicycle trail that encompasses the tiny island.

Pulau Bintan, Indonesia

There are two parts to Pulau Bintain. The first is the holiday resort, a gated community called Bintan Resorts which has its own immigration center, ferry terminal, shuttle bus and luxurious accommodation separated from the rest of the island by a huge fence and guarded checkpoints. Then there is the second part, which features beautiful untouched locations such as Tikora Beach which is only ever touched by the locals. Which part would you prefer to visit?

 

 

 

 

 

There are many islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and they all have a warm climate, wonderful cuisine, and very welcoming locals. Some of them rely on tourism as their main source of income and have made sure everything a visitor may want is available. It does depend on what type of break you are looking for as to which would be the best, but often, people ‘island hop’ to sample the culture and fun of various places.

Cyprus

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and is located just south of Turkey. Culturally speaking, it is similar to Greece and has a wealth of historical buildings to visit. The local cuisine is a traditional very tasty mix of seafood, salads, and vegetables, but you will have no trouble finding restaurants and cafes that cater for all tastes. It is also well known for its desserts, including one called lokum, which you may know better as Turkish Delight.

Entertainment and nightlife are plentiful, as Cyprus wants to encourage tourists to help its ailing economy.

Balearics

There are several islands in the Mediterranean that are part of Spain, but the Balearic Islands are a popular destination for many tourists. The largest of the three is Mallorca, which offers everything tourists could desire. It has over 260 beaches, many of which are Blue Flagged, and is surrounded by clear blue water. If your vacation is for the family, it is a perfect place to visit, with theme parks, crazy golf, water parks, jungle parks, and many other things to occupy the kids while you laze on the wonderful beaches

The local cuisine is similar to that of Cyprus. The Mallorcan people are very welcoming and it has a mountain range, the Tramuntana, which runs the full length of the island. Mallorca has had a very varied history, which can be seen with sights from the different rulers, such as Palma Cathedral and Bellver Castle, both of which should not be missed if you visit this island.

Ibiza

Ibiza is unrivaled for partying with no other Mediterranean island able to compete with the number and quality of its bars and restaurants. There are areas where the younger generation head, such as San Antonio, but the harbor and old town offer entertainment for all ages.

Ibiza has been entertaining tourists for many years and has turned it into a fine art. If you want to party for your vacation, Ibiza is definitely the place to go.

If you want to visit any of these islands, or anywhere else, Holidayshub.com is the ideal place to book flights and accommodation, trips and tours, so all you need to do is pack your suitcase.

Other Mediterranean Islands

There are more than 150 islands to choose from in the Mediterranean, the largest of them all being Sicily. With so many islands, there is no shortage of choice, no matter what type of vacation you are looking for. Each island is different, but one thing they do have in common is festivals. You will often find street parties and parades taking place, and whether you are a resident or a visitor, you will always be invited to take part.

Those who come to the UK are very likely to put the city of Oxford as one of their top destinations that they simply need to see. There are many good reasons why this is the case. After all, the city of Oxford has a lot to offer to its visitors, and it is easily one of the most culturally rich places to visit in the whole of the UK. Below you will find a few ways you might want to visit Oxford this year:

.

.

1. By bike. It is cheap, it is healthy, it is convenient. the only drawback might be that you might either lose your bike or it might get stolen from you. I hope none if this is going to happen to you, but if you do choose to scout Oxford by bike make sure that you have enough food and water because there are simply so many things to see there that it can take you a whole day just to visit one corner of this wonderful city.

2. By foot. This is by far the most popular way to explore Oxford as you don’t have to constantly keep eye on your bike, and you don’t have to pay anything for bus fares. You can step literally in any part of the city and you can do it on your own terms and at your own pace. If you choose this path, you might want to take advantage of Oxford guided tours that will show you all those places in the city you have never heard about. If you care about history, choosing a knowledgable tour guide is one of the best things you can do while in Oxford.

3. By car. It might seem like the most convenient choice, and for many it might indeed be, but you will soon realise that there are many places in Oxford where cars and buses simply cannot go, and for this reason it might be a good idea to opt for guided tours.

There are many great ways to explore the glorious city of Oxford. The key here is to find something that works for you and possibly something that you have never tried before and would be excited to try out.

For centuries dogs have been loyal companions to people. It is no wonder then that so many of us choose to have at least one by our side. I see people with dogs all the time, and it brings me joy to see how the dog owners enjoy themselves this way.

If you have a dog and feel a bit anxious about leaving it somewhere when you are away, take into consideration the fact that you actually can take your dog to places such as Bassenthwaite self catering, which was exactly set up with dog owners in mind.

Below you will find only some of the advantages of traveling with your dog:
1. Taking your companion anywhere with you can be actually a lot cheaper than using pet sitting services. Once you find a place you want to visit and realise how friendly this place is to pets, you might want to start planning. You will be surprised how many facilities are actually a lot friendlier to pets than you could imagine.
2. Traveling with pets can be more enjoyable because their company can make you feel more joyful and relaxed. This is especially true if you happen to travel alone and are looking for somebody to add some warmth to your adventures.
3. If you have a dog with you, you are more likely to attract the attention of passers by including children. Having a pet by your side is a great way to facilitate socialising with others, which will mean that you will actually make some friends during your travels.
4. Traveling with a dog will force you to stay more active as dogs are very active companions indeed. Even a few minutes of time spent with your dog will be enough to keep you healthy and reduce the chances of obesity and heart-related problems.

As you can see, there are many advantages of traveling with a dog you might not be aware of. One thing that you will need to keep in mind though is whether or not you will have a chance to stay with your dog in a hotel and how the dog is going to affect your stay.

Each one of us deserves a break, but getting one doesn’t have to mean that you have to leave the country as there are some great places to visit here such as the ever-famous Lake District, which continues to attract visitors from all over the world.

Winters can be a great time to spend some time in one of the many cottages in Keswick. If you enjoy a breeze of fresh and unspoiled air, this will be the place you will want to head to. Some trekking and hiking equipment will be helpful too, because after all this what you will be doing there most of the time.

One of the biggest advantages of visiting Lake District in winter is that it is more quiet there than during summer. This can be a big deal to all those who are looking for some place to hide from their busy lives. And here are some of the examples of what one can do in Keswick:

1. Hope Park cannot be missed especially if you have young children with you. They are arguably the biggest attraction of the town and rightfully so. It is true that the park might be more beautiful during summer due to rather fabulous gardens, but even during this time of year it is worth to give it a go.
2. The town itself has a rather impressive selection of shops and cafes for even the most demanding of customers. You can spend hours and hours just browsing through stuff.
3. Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of the marvels in the area. Nobody knows how the stones got there, but the place is really impressive.
4. Theatre by the Lake is just another place you might want to explore if you appreciate fine arts. The place is open all year round, so winter is a great time to visit.
5. The whole of Keswick is surrounded by picturesque hills and lakes that are great for hiking. A pair of warm boots and some warm clothes will be what you will need to start your adventures there. There will be a few other accessories that you might want to take with you depending on the weather.

It’s tough to find exotic holiday spots that haven’t been overrun by tourism and tackiness. but Samoa is worth checking out. This destination ticks all of the boxes: warm, wild and far away from the madness of modern life. It’s also surprisingly affordable and unspoiled.

The key word for Samoa is simplicity. It is a contradiction in terms, peaceful with a wild spirit; it was born by the violence of a volcanic eruption. It’s a land of waterfalls and jungles that feels like a little slice of heaven. Samoa packages from Canada are available for any budget whether you fly or take a cruise.

What’s in Samoa?

Best known as the setting for Treasure Island, modern Samoa is comprised of two main islands, Savai’i and Upolu, and surrounded by several smaller, private islands. One of these little gems is Namu’a, which can be seen from Upolu’s port of Mutiatele, which is separated by a narrow strait, but seems like it’s located in another world. There’s snorkeling in the reef or lounging on the beach. Evenings can be spent at one of the beach-side spots called Fale eating a simple local meal by the mellow light of an oil lamp; there is no electricity on the island.

If you’re looking for a little nightlife, you can find it Apia, h of the easternmost island. It has comfortable accommodations. colourful nightspots and cuisine and an amazing cultrual centre. You’ll also enjoy shopping at one of the there local markets. This town makes an ideal base of operations for adventurous self-drivers who want explore the beauty of Upolu on their own terms.

Other sites of interest in Apia include the Samoan Cultural village with interactive displays and workshops, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and – surprisingly – the Mormon Temple, which is a magnificent white granite building topped with a gold angel. For those who have an affinity for museums, there’s the Vanya Taule’alo Gallery and the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.

How Do We Get There?

The best way to make sure that you have a hassle-free visit is to go through a travel bureau that specializes in South Pacific travel destinations. This is a locale that’s ideal for cultural tours adventure travel and sightseeing, both guided and self-directed. Although there are cruises from Vancouver, the best and most cost-effective way is to travel by plan and save your time for the pleasures of exploring Samoa. You really won’t need much money to enjoy it, but there are luxurious accommodations available if a splurge is in your budget.

Contact your travel agent to learn more about the logistics of an affordable holiday in one of the more budget-friendly, unspoiled spots in the South Pacific. But, you should hurry before the secret gets out.