phagemann — Travelogue

Traveling on Credit Card Miles or Points

February 22, 2013 By phagemann Leave a Comment

Thinking of Rome maybe a weekend in Paris or just a exotic cruise in the Caribbean. One of the best benefits a credit card has to offer consumers is the ability to Traveling on Credit Card Miles or Points. Some credit cards offer travelers miles for every dollar spent, while other cards offer cardholders points for every dollar spent. Here is a quick guide to using credit card miles and points to book a fabulous vacation.

Miles

Credit card miles are given for every dollar spent. These miles can then be exchanged for airline tickets. It typically takes somewhere between 25,000 to 50,000 miles to get a ticket good for domestic air travel. More miles need to be used for business class, first class or international tickets.

The problem with credit card rewards in the form of miles is that there are not always seats available on flights customers want to take. This forces them to use extra miles to get a seat on the plane. This is why many people are turning to points instead of miles for their credit card rewards.

Points

The great thing about point rewards is that they can be used for many more purchases than simply airline tickets. They can be used to get hotel reservations, airfare, electronics and many more amazing rewards. It makes it really convenient when a traveler can use points to obtain all the components of the travel package with credit card rewards.

Where They Can be Used

Credit card miles and points can be used to get travel arrangements for nearly anywhere in the world. Travelers will need to book ahead of time to ensure they can use points to get to where they wish to go.

A Nice Perk

Because many credit card holders have been switching to the convenient points scheme instead of the traditional airline miles package, the airlines have added an inducement for using one of their rewards cards. Many airlines allow passengers who have their credit card reward program to check a bag for free. This is a real bonus in these sad days of baggage fees.

Earning Extra Miles and Points

For travelers who use their credit cards wisely, they can often pay for their entire vacations just by using rewards. Instead of using debit cards for purchases, travelers should use their credit cards to earn as many travel points or miles as possible. Travelers should check for the best credit card offers for both miles and points awarded. Consumers who do this should be sure to pay off the balance every month to avoid paying any interest or fees.

Filed Under: Caribbean, Europe, Featured, France, Italy, Paris, Rome

Altino Arantes Observatory, View of São Paulo, Brazil

October 28, 2012 By phagemann 1 Comment

No matter how often you visit a destination or your favorite vacation spot, it seems there is always something new and exciting to see or experience. This is was happened the other day in São Paulo, Brazil.

Even though I have been to São Paulo and Brazil at least 100 times in the last 20 years, a friend at breakfast had asked if I wanted to do his walking tour of São Paulo. I was about ready to back out and spend the day doing computer work. What peaked my interest was the mention of going to the top of one of São Paulo's highest buildings and viewing the city from the observation deck. I had never done that, or for that matter never knew you could.

The Observatory was located at the top of the Altino Arantes building also known as the Banespa Building. Not realizing this attraction was available and having passed by this building so many times at the corner of João Bricola and Antonio Prado streets right in the heart of the old financial district of São Paulo, it was time to see.

Taking the subway down to the Sé Station located at the Cathedral de Sé, it was a short 5 minute walk to the Altino Arantes building.

Standing at 529 feet (161,22 meters) 34 floors, Altino Arantes building is one of the tallest buildings in São Paulo and Latin America.

Visiting Altino Arantes is free to the public. The only requirement was showing your driver's license or passport so security could make a photo copy as well as take your picture.

Only 5 people are allowed at a time at the top of the observatory with a viewing time limited to 5 minutes .

Two elevator rides , one to the 26th floor with 10 people then the second elevator to the 32 floor with a capacity of 5 people. From the 32 to 34th floor was done by climbing 5 flights of stairs.

Arriving at the top we were greeted to a spectacular view of São Paulo, even though there was a bit of haze in the air and unable to see the surrounding mountains you were still given a sense on how big São Paulo really is.

Average time for visiting the observatory atop the Altino Arantes building is 35 minutes with 5 minutes at the top. This day it took us about 1 hour but well worth the wait for the view of the city.

Filed Under: Brazil, Featured, Sao Paulo, South America

Swimming With Whale Sharks, Cancun, Mexico

September 14, 2012 By phagemann 1 Comment

As the summer season was coming to a end it was time to squeeze in a long awaited adventure, Swimming With Whale Sharks. Being laid up with rotator cuff surgery this summer I had to delay this adventure.

Peak season for swimming with Whale Sharks off of Cancun is the last 2 weeks in July and first 2 weeks of August with the season ending on September 15th, so it was time to make a move and get this adventure going.

Arriving from Sao Paulo into Miami on the morning of September 7th it was a quick flight out on the first flight to Cancun Mexico. Arriving in Cancun around 11 it was too late to do the swim, so it was planned for the next day, Saturday.

Swimming With Whale Sharks In Cancun you will find a dozen tour groups offering day trips to Swim With The Whale Sharks. These tours are regulated by the Mexican Government, Season being from May 15th till September 15th and the size of boats, In Cancun they use "Pangas" as they are called in Mexico. A Panga is a high bow outboard motor boat that holds about 14 to 15 people. Being regulated the tour companies limit the tours to 10 people per boat. Prices will range from around $140 to $200 depending on the tour company and what they offer. Only snorkeling and no scuba diving allowed.

Panga Boat Isla Mujeres, Mexico

For this particular adventure we hooked up with Eco Color Tours of Cancun, we were picked up within a minute of our scheduled time at the hotel, 7:40 am. With a 20 minute ride through Cancun to the Eco Color Tours dock, Juan, our guide for the day gave a brief informative history and habits of Whale Sharks. Not only did Juan give this brief in English, but in Spanish and French for the 10 members of today's group.

Juan explained when we got in the water to stay with the head and swim with the shark, because losing the head it would be hard to keep up with get back in front. We were also told that for regulations we were required to wear a lifejacket for the boat ride and Swimming With The Whale Sharks. He informed us, if we would like, for the swim we could rent a shorty wet suit so you would not have to wear a lifejacket. Have you ever tried to go under water with a lifejacket on? I chose the shorty wetsuit.

Arriving at the dock we were given and fitted with snorkels, masks and fins provided by Eco Color Tours. We were then introduced to our water guy, the one that would actually swim with us, "Buda" it was explained that Buda would take 2 of us at a time for the swim then we would rotate to the next couple.

Off we went, destination about 1 1/2 hours out from Cancun, about 20 miles past Isla Mujeres into the Gulf of Mexico. After about 10 minutes we noticed several other boats joining us. Pretty soon it was like a cannonball race out to the whale sharks.

Arriving on the location of the Whale Sharks, there must have been about 40 boats, with a group of 20 to 30 Whale Sharks.

More Information on Whale Sharks

This trip I was able to get 3 swims with the Whale Sharks. The first swim, my wife and I slid off the side of the panga with Buda, adjusting my mask and clearing the fog, I lowered my head into the water and was surprised to see the Whale Shark coming right at me. In the neighborhood of , I guess 20 to 25 feet long, looked like 50 feet for the fish story, I was mesmerized. With my GoPro camera I filmed as the Whale Shark approached and started to pass, filming the entire body with gills flapping and then getting bumped by the tail, the tail had to be at least 6 to eight feet in height, I started to swim to catch up to the head. Remember back to when Juan the guide said "stay with the head" well for me it was a all out sprint to catch up, by the time I caught up I was exhausted. After what seemed like forever(actually less than 10 min) I gave up and headed to the boat.

Second dive, left my wife on the boat and head out with one of the French people, not that it matter, we weren't going to be doing any talking. The captain positioned us in front of the oncoming whale Shark that we could see just below the surface. Sliding in again and looking to where I had last seen the whale shark, I noticed that it had descended to about 30 feet. Not to waste my turn I dove down about 20 feet to be able to film and get a closer look. After several minutes the whale shark rose back to the surface, a very impressive sight. Again 10 minutes out but totally exhausted.

Third trip, Buda, our water guide offered to film me with the Whale Shark. Jumping in there was actually 2 Whale Sharks. I swam to the closest one, which out of the 3 dives I think was the largest, at least 30 to 35 feet looking like 60 feet. Swimming along and keeping up with the Whale Shark I tried to dive down to come under and up the other side, with the Whale Shark being down about 10 feet and about 4 to 5 feet thick and me fighting the buoyancy of the shorty wetsuit I was unable. Once again I returned to the panga totally exhuasted.

Eco Color Tours provided us with drinks and sandwiches out at the swim area. Finishing everyone's swims we headed back .

A stop was made just off Isla Mujeres where we were able to swim in shallow water. The crew from Eco Color tours made us ceviche and more sandwiches.

Overall , we could not have asked for a better day, perfect weather, fantastic crew and numerous Whale Sharks to see. I think all 10 people on this tour agreed that this was a well worth trip. Another boxed checked off on things to do in one's lifetime.

On arriving at back at the hotel I quickly looked at the video, seeing that I had some great shots, I was pleased. One thing that I did notice in the video was the plankton and bubbles passing by. In what I thought was the Whale Shark swimming fast was actually the current making it hard to keep up with the head. Looking at the video I am guessing the current was going about 4 to 6 knots.

Filed Under: Belize, Cancun, Caribbean, Central America, Featured, Honduras, Mexico, North America

5 Incredible Beaches of Menorca, Spain!

July 10, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

Thinking of heading to the Belearic Islands of Spain, and you are wondering where would be a good place to lay your towel and catch some sun?

Well take a look at these 5 beaches on the island of Menorca.

	1.) Macarella If you want to experience one of the most amazing beaches in Menorca, Spain, check out the Macarella Beach. This is one of the most popular beaches in the area and easily accessible by car. Macarella also has a restaurant just a short walk from the beach and there is plenty of parking close to the beach. Lifeguards are also on duty at the beach to assist you.
	2.) Pregonda With incredible golden colored sand and crystal blue waters, Pregonda Beach in Menorca is a great place to relax and just enjoy the warmth of the ocean environment. Pregonda is surrounded by fields of waving grass with dunes flanking the beach. Pregonda is a very natural environment, undisturbed by buildings or development. There is a small snack bar where you can get a drink or a quick snack, but other than that, it is just you and the elements.
	3.) Els Canutells When you want a bit more luxury while traveling in Menorca to go with an incredible beach environment, then check out the Els Canutells. The beach includes hotels and condos that offer a very comfortable place to stay while being just a few steps from the beach. You can also rent bungalows closer to the beach that offer you a number of amenities for you to enjoy while you are staying in Menorca.
	4.) Sant Tomás Experience sandy beaches and pristine waters when you visit Sant Tomas on Menorca. Sant Tomas offers a resort community with many convenient amenities just a few steps from the beach. The resorts provide a clean and comfortable location to relax while you are here enjoying the Spanish coast. Sant Tomas also includes several cafes and nightclubs where you can get something to eat as well as enjoying great entertainment and nightlife. There are also a number of specialty and gift shops that can provide you with an enjoyable shopping adventure.
	5.) Cala Galdana Located on Menorca's South Coast, Cala Galdana is one of the best loved beaches on the island. The horseshoe beach offers a secluded cove that gives an incredible coastal environment while also offering exciting activities like scuba diving, boating, swimming and more. Cala Galdana includes several resorts where you can find luxury rooms close to the beaches as well as restaurants and other entertainment venues. When you just want to relax in the Mediterranean Sun, Cala Galdana provides a very scenic and soothing place to unwind.

Filed Under: Balearic Islands, Featured, Menorca, Spain

Living it Up in the Highlands of Scotland

June 14, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

Guest Post: Ruth Elayne Kongaika

In July of 2009, we took my elderly father on a trip to fulfill one item on his bucket list, a visit to Scotland. He wanted to visit the hometown of his great grandfather. After much planning, saving, booking, and worrying, we finally left on our international jaunt. Since we live in Hawaii, we had to jet on over to Utah, pick up Dad, fly to Boston, Paris, and finally Edinburgh, Scotland. Luckily, we had a timeshare in Las Vegas we traded for accommodations in a lovely place called The Loch Rannoch Highland Club at Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire.

My high hopes for our trip included visiting several Scottish castles, keeping my father from having a stroke or heart attack, and driving through the highlands and lowlands. Our stop in Paris, France, challenged my aspirations as we discovered there was only a half hour layover, and we had to transfer to a different part of the terminal by bus. I was afraid my father would be overcome as we sprinted with our bags to the correct gate. Dad may have started questioning his decision to come with my husband and I, but fortunately he had stayed in good form by riding his bike and taking long walks.

Once we landed safely in Edinburgh, the next challenge was to maneuver the streets on the left side of the street. Our rented vehicle’s wheel was on the opposite side than we were familiar with. My husband actually picked it up pretty quickly, and I only shrieked a few times, especially on roundabouts and when we ended up on a one-way street going the wrong way. After a period of adjustment to the new time zone and mindset, I began to really enjoy the beautiful scenery. The rolling hills, green foliage, forests and wildflowers were amazing. It was reminiscent of the sights we had seen on an earlier trip to New Zealand in a different hemisphere. Occasionally, we spotted majestic castles with well-groomed lawns, gardens and rows of towering trees.

We were fortunate to travel through the highlands on very windy roads leading to our lodging. I felt blessed to have traveled to the land of Braveheart, Macbeth, Harry Potter, and the Highlander. It was truly mesmerizing, with thick woodland which included wild ferns, moss, lichens and small rivers bordered with heather, pretty blue bells and other flowers. I could hardly imagine why anyone would leave this beautiful place, especially to the deserts of Utah, where our ancestors had migrated. Religious freedom had been the motivational force behind their journeys.

There were several herds of sheep, which roamed in fenced off pastures along the way. Interestingly, my grandparents in Utah had also raised sheep, and I had been raised on mutton, so I felt right at home, until I got the chance to taste haggis.

Gaelic music played on the radio along our journey, and then we finally spotted a huge loch (lake) and we could see our accommodations on the other side. It was truly breathtaking!

Having finally reached our destination for the night, we bought some local food stuff and made our dinner in the fully furnished kitchen. The apartment was quaint and clean. The furniture was plaid, and the best part was the view out the large front window. We called it a great day, and had sweet dreams of castles and seeing Glasgow the following day.

Ruth Elayne Kongaika was raised in the mainland, USA, but has been living in the South Pacific for the past forty years. She enjoys trying to capture the beauty of the Polynesian islands through her photography, painting and writing. She has a blog which shares some of her art and favorite subjects at:

http://hawaiianart.ning.com/

email: kongaikr@byuh.edu

Filed Under: Featured, Guest Post, Ruth Elayne Kongaika, Scotland

Windsor, England, Day Trip from London

June 13, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

One of the best places to visit in all of England, the town of Windsor has many amenities as it is the home of the royal family. Just south of the River Thames and west of London, Windsor is only about a forty minute drive from hotels in London making Windsor a perfect day trip. Some of the finest residences in all of the United Kingdom are located here. Of course, many travelers come to tour the Windsor Castle, but the town itself has many other points of interest to anyone planning a visit.

The history of this region is ancient. Archeological discoveries date to the Paleolithic Period. Right from the establishment of this town of "New" Windsor in the 1200s A.D, the settlement was privileged because of its location as home of the royal family. By the 1300s the town was one of the wealthiest in England. Even the "Black Death" that hit much of the country did not kill too many people in isolated Windsor. While Windsor Castle was being built in the 1500s, the town of Windsor was a pilgrimage destination.

Today, most of the streets and buildings date from the 1700s and 1800s, but Peascot Street, or Peascod Street as it is also known, is still much as it was originally built. With many fine hotels, fabulous shopping and restaurants, visitors can enjoy a royal stay in Windsor.

Alexandra Gardens

This lovely riverside garden is usually the home of the Royal Windsor Wheel. Very infrequently, the wheel is borrowed by other parks. The ride climbs 50 metres into the sky and each enclosed gondola is air conditioned. From its location in Alexandra Gardens, those who ride can view a long expanse of the River Thames and the surrounding countryside. If the day is very clear, the London Skyline is visible.

Legoland Windsor

This park was the location of Windsor Safari Park until 1996 when it became Legoland, a child inspired theme park. Lego theme rides, amazing models and interactive workshops entertain guests. This Legoland is much like the other fun Legoland parks worldwide.

Windsor Great Park

Originally only for the royals, this 5,000 acre deer park was for private hunting. Now, with historical monuments and lodges to view, as well as scenic wooded, meadow and grassy areas, this park is available to the public. The Village, where castle workers lived from the 1930s, is open to visitors and has a gift shop.

Filed Under: England, Featured, London, Windsor

High Speed Ferry Service From Barcelona To Palma De Mallorca

May 22, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

It used to take seven hours to get from Barcelona Spain to Palma De Mallorca. Most people would jump aboard the night ferry and sleep until they arrived in the morning. But today travelers staying in Barcelona apartments can take a high speed catamaran that will get you to Palma De Mallorca in a little less than four hours, leaving you more time to enjoy your day or weekend trip to the island.

During the summer season travelers will find 2 high speed catamarans and super ferry making the journey between Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca.

Even if you have been to Mallorca before, there are always plenty of activities for you to enjoy. If you are on a weekend or day trip, and do not have the pleasure of spending the night, it is important to pack as much into one day as you possibly can. Hiring a personal guide is a great way to see the entire island. You can contact them directly, or have them arrange additional day trips outside of the city. If you would rather head out on your own, you can take a walking tour and rent an Ipod shuffle that is preloaded with everything you need to know. Another great way to take in the city is to jump on an open-top tour bus. Lasting 24 hours you can hop on or off when you like. Take a tour of one of the museums in Palma De Mallorca, or spend your time at the Bellver Castle. Just 3 kilometers from the center of town is was built in the 14th century and continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island and is home to the Municipal Museum. Climb to the top of the tower and enjoy spectacular views of the bay. Of course if you feel like relaxing you can spend your day at the beach. You can go windsurfing, or grab your fins and snorkel and explore the deep blue sea. You can hire a boat at some of the beaches, or try your hand at kite surfing.

If you decide to do nothing but relax and drink in the wonderful climate on the island, you cannot leave without enjoying a couple of the fantastic restaurants in Palma De Mallorca. Start the morning off with an authentic breakfast. Make sure you save some room, because you will want to have tapas for lunch washed down with a white wine Sangria. Before you head back to your apartments in Barcelona and board the high speed ferry, you have to try a seafood dinner as the jumbo prawns, muscles, angler and monkfish are absolutely delicious.

Filed Under: Barcelona, Featured, Mallorca, Spain

Beaches of Malaga,Spain

April 18, 2012 By phagemann 2 Comments

Malaga is a beach town on the Andalusia coast of Spain. It is the fifth largest city in Spain and is a popular tourist destination due to its prime location in the Mediterranean. Malaga has a comfortable subtropical climate, which is perfect for lounging and relaxing on the beach. There are several beaches to choose from in Malaga.

Playa Palo is a popular beach that is located to a marina called El Candado. It is perfect for travelers that enjoy sailing, fishing and diving. It is also popular for its amenities, which includes parking lots, beach bars, restaurants, life guards and a promenade. The sand here is soft, pristine and ta.

Playa Huellin is a local beach that is often overlooked by tourists. Here you will find a more relaxing and authentic beach experience. It is located near the Banderas promenade, which is named after the popular Spanish actor Anotonio Banderas. It has a laid-back atmosphere with several common beach amenities. This beach is perfect for those who enjoy less crowded beaches.

Playa Las Acacias is a popular beach that is often crowded with tourists and locals. This beach stretches a mile long that is divided by several comfortable coves. It is popular among the younger crowd because of its lively promenade. This beach has very fine sand and a variety of amenties.

If you are looking for a more tempting beach, consider Playa Almayate Bajamar. It is a nudist beach that stretches three miles long. Although it is a nudist beach, it has a laid-back atmosphere and is often far from being crowded. A new promenade is in the works, which may give the beach a tourist vibe and attract more international travelers.

Playa de la Malagueta is a pristine beach with beautiful black sand. It stretches one mile and is located near the Paseo Pablo Picasso, a busy town center that has shopping, restaurants and bars. It is accessible by bus and includes several life guards on duty. Although this beach is most popular among locals, tourists are finding out about this gem and visit more often, especially during the summer time.

Comfortable weather and plenty of sun has made Malaga a featured destination for many Europeans, with many cheap flights to Malaga it is no wonder that many travelers have made this a popular resort town on the Mediterranean.

Filed Under: Featured, Malaga, Spain

Popular Things To Do in Paris

April 10, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

Paris, the city of romance and culture, is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. It invokes the kind of old-world charm that is rare in most other parts of the world. Quaint cobblestone streets, grand Gothic cathedrals and beautiful parks are among the sites vacationers picture when they think of Paris. Grab a hotel or apartment in Paris for indeed, you could spend an entire summer exploring everything that Paris has to offer. But there are a few places you absolutely can't miss while you are there no matter how long of a stay.

Paris is the center of the art world. If you love art, Paris will be your personal heaven. Many of the best museums in the world are within its city limits. The Louvre is clearly the most popular of all the art museums in the city. Get there on a busy summer day and you may be waiting a while just to get into the building. But before you do, make sure to take a good look at I.M. Pei's glass pyramid, a structure that still evokes strong emotions among the citizens of Paris years after its creation. It seems as if half of them are inspired by it, the other half revolted by it. Whatever you do, do not get into a serious conversation about it! And one more piece of advice: don't spend all of your time staring at the “Mona Lisa.” The Lourve has too good of a collection to focus on just one piece of art.

Of course, Paris has a lot more than just art. It is pretty much a given that you will visit the Eiffel Tower at some point during your visit, the most popular tourist destination in the city and perhaps its most quintessential landmark. The panoramic views from the top of the tower will be the best in the entire city. But even if you are too scared to make it all the way to the top, at least go to the first floor and mail out some postcards at the post office to all of your friends and family to make them jealous of the fact that you are in Paris and they are not!

Of course, this only scratches the surface of what you can do in this magical city. So take a Paris apartment and explore the rest the city of lights has to offer, La Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie, the Arc de Triomphe and the Parc de la Villete are just some of the many things to visit on your vacation. Your sightseeing is limited only by your time and your imagination. For more information Get Your Guide to Paris Tours

Filed Under: Europe, Featured, France, Paris

Beautiful Beaches of South Goa, India

April 5, 2012 By phagemann Leave a Comment

Goa is India's smallest state, but it's one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. This coastal state is recognized for its biodiversity, history, culture and architecture. The area's spectacular beaches along the Arabian Sea are what attract domestic and international tourists to this popular region on India's western shore. With numerous cheap holidays to Goa available, travelers will be looking for that favorite place under the sun. Beachcomber Pete Travel Adventures has put this list of a few of the most famous beaches in south Goa India.

Benaulim Beach	With its expansive ocean frontage, there is plenty of room on Benaulim beach to find a secluded spot to relax while immersing yourself in the local culture. This beautiful beach is dotted with colorful fishing boats and lifeguard vehicles. It's less crowded than neighboring beaches, and there's always enough space to stretch out on the sand. The area near Benaulim beach is known for its fine cultural handicrafts and traditional rosewood furniture. Visitors to this lovely beach are frequently treated to views of dolphin pods that swim near the shore.
Palolem Beach	Measuring roughly two kilometers long, Palolem beach is situated along an arching cove that is frequented by fisherman and vacationers. Dramatic palm trees, verdant headlands and turquoise waters converge in this magnificent location. It's located roughly 40 kilometers from the town of Margao, but buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and trains connect the two destinations. This beautiful semicircular beach is already popular with backpackers and is gaining popularity with each passing season. The northern areas of the beach feature calm shallows while bars and restaurants are located in the southern area. Palolem beach is a wonderful place to relax under coco huts while spotting dolphins and enjoying seafood snacks.
Agonda Beach	Located along a rounded cove similar to Palolem, Agonda beach features a wide band of soft yellow sand measuring approximately three kilometers long. This secluded beach lacks the hoards of tourists, souvenir vendors and restaurants found in other areas, which makes this pristine beach even better. If you're lucky, you might even encounter water buffalo herds that are fond of this area. Stay in an elevated hut or a beachfront cottage to get in touch with nature at this beautiful spot.
Cavelossim Beach	As luxury hotels establish resorts, Cavelossim has quickly gained popularity, but the beach hasn't lost its charm. This celebrated beach is located on a peninsula between the Arabian Sea and the Sal River. Its white sands, sparkling clear waters and lava rock backdrop make it one of the country's most beautiful beaches. Seashell hunting, kayaking and snorkeling are popular activities along the 3.5-kilometer Cavelossim beach. It's also a great place to see schools of dolphins passing through the area.
Mobor Beach	This phenomenal yellow sand beach is situated along a narrow peninsula of dunes that are tucked between the Arabian Sea and the Sal River estuary. This outstanding beach covers a 10-kilometer area and features a variety of sheltered coves and isolated hideaways that are perfect for soaking in the sun. Visitors to this magnificent beach frequently see schools of majestic dolphins. Goa's 100-kilometer coast is lined with world-class beaches, which make it one of the top destinations for committed beachgoers.