Time to head south, east, west for beach vacations

Saturday, 27 October 2007

New England has had a warm and wonderful indian summer. Now that it's behind us the only way to find a warm beach is to travel south and east and west. Newspapers and magazines offer many suggestions. India might be one of the more interesting choices. If you still think of India as a depressing pool of poverty then you haven't been paying attention. Thanks to booming software and back-office service industries India now boasts one of the largest middle classes of any country in the world. As in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Polynesia and Bali, luxury five star $400+ per night resorts can be found. For people who seek value there are some first rate locations where near luxury an be found for $75 a night. India is a long flight, but at $75 a night you can stay for a month at the cost of a week. The next to last thing to say about India is that it is a friendly country where Americans feel comfortable (except near the Pakistan border region). Finally, India offers good surfing in the southern subcontinent and GREAT surfing at the nearby Maldive Islands.

There are affordable beach hotels and resorts in the Western Hemisphere. The NY Times scouted 13 Caribbean islands to find beach area rooms for $100 a night. If you're seeking a fast beach fix the Bahamas could be the answer. If you're thinking of getting that perfect North Shore condo for a couple of weeks this winter be aware that local governments in Hawaii are starting to enforce zoning laws and many vacation rentals will be shut down.

Beach vacations in India. Byron Ayonoglu writes in Montreal Gazette
Affordable Carribbean. The New York Times scouted 13 Caribbean islands to uncover affordable places. NY Times
Quick Bahamas trip. NY Times
Local governments on the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Kauai, and Oahu are cracking down on unlicensed vacation rentals. Conde Nast Traveler
Here are a couple of links for surfing in India: