Hitting the links on one of Myrtle Beach’s well manicured courses is an absolute must for any traveler, no matter what your handicap may be. There are numerous courses interspersed throughout the Grand Strand, about 115 public courses at last count, that are waiting to test your nerves and ability. To find the right fairways during your trip to Myrtle Beach, you certainly do not need to travel far since you can find some top rated courses here and in North Myrtle Beach.

To play on one of the best courses in the area, make your way to North Myrtle Beach to test your game on the Fazio course at the Barefoot Resort. Overflowing with pine trees, live oaks, tall grasses, and plenty of sand traps, golfers of every ability will face difficult shots if their game is not quite up to par. The beauty of the course, however, makes it a worthwhile adventure as the nearby lakes add a splash of color and the naturally occurring elevation changes add a slice of drama to many of the holes.

If you prefer to stay close to your home base, two Myrtle Beach courses to consider are Witch and Legends-Moorland. Witch is located in the most beautiful of settings, sitting amongst forests and wetlands so visitors must make their way over 4,000 feet of bridging to traverse the course. It features tight fairways that call for precise shots, moderately difficult greens, and two island holes that will test the mettle of even the most consistent golfer. Legends-Moorland is one of the most challenging courses on the east coast, so duffers beware. Featuring a sculpted terrain, numerous water areas, piles of natural growth, and deep, difficult bunkers, Legends-Moorland will require a dash of luck and some great up and downs if you don’t want the course to get the better of you.

With 60 miles of beach in the Myrtle Beach area, the call of the sand may be too much for any visitor to resist. While lounging in the sand and soaking up the sun are always popular activities, Myrtle Beach is the perfect place to learn how to surf, explore inlets along the shore on a kayak, or see the wonders of the Atlantic from below on a scuba diving excursion. One of the most popular activities out on the water, however, is to charter a boat and get out there for a fishing adventure.

For those who want an opportunity at the catch of a lifetime, a sportfishing boat charter will take you out into the depths of the Atlantic where you can troll for big ones such as wahoo, sailfish, king mackerel, and marlin. To catch some great scenery while trying for a big one, reserve your place on a large party boat or headboat where you can enjoy a smooth ride as you reel in grouper, snapper, and amberjack. If the possibility of seasickness deters you from hopping aboard a boat, there are eight piers in the Myrtle Beach area where you can drop in a line without ever leaving the safety of land.

When the temperature soars and you are ready to experience water away from the sand, head over to the oceanfront Family Kingdom Water Park for an exciting afternoon that is sure to delight the kids. For those looking for an indoor adventure, make your way to Ripley’s Aquarium to catch sight of stunning and interesting underwater creatures that will surely take your breathe away. And when it is time for some nighttime entertainment, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show and the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament can turn dinnertime into another great attraction.

Myrtle Beach is filled to the brim with entertainment options that will give you both a relaxing and thrilling stay. Whether you have come for the amazing golf or to spend some time on the pristine beaches, you can find accommodations that surround you with the best of what this coastal city has to offer. Myrtle Beach vacation rentals are located on the sand, amidst beautiful golf courses, and just about anywhere else you can imagine. Begin your search for the perfect vacation home rental today and experience the Myrtle Beach you have heard so many great things about.

The only bad thing that I can see about Key West is that there are so many different things to do; if you do not make a game plan before you go you might be overwhelmed. However once you get an idea of the different activities that you can do during your stay, you should have no problem having a great time. Key West offers many different attractions including fishing, snorkeling, museums, shopping, and many different tours of the area.

Fishing in Key West is out of this world. Key West boasts many professional fishing tournaments every year, because of the many different species that thrive in this area. You can catch blue marlin, sail fish, many different species of shark, as well as red snapper or grouper. If you would rather swim with the fish instead of catching them, then snorkeling might be right up your alley. The beautiful crystal blue waters of Key West allow you to swim with more than 200 species of fish.

If you would rather go back in history then the museums in Key West will take you where you want to go. From the Curry Museum, to the Ernest Hemingway museum, you will get an insight into the life that was enjoyed by the people that lived here many years ago. Of course Key West would not be a great place to visit without great shopping. This area offers many great places to shop from wineries, to island shops, to wonderful hand made furniture stores. Everyone can find what they need or want during their stay in Key West.

If you feel like you just do not know where to start then you can always take one of the many different tours that are available in Key West. The tour guides here are very friendly and very knowledgeable about the area, and are more than willing to help make your stay a memorable one.

The month of April features several small festivals and events throughout the island, each devoted to elements of Curacao’s uniquely Caribbean culture. The 9th of April features the Harvest Parade – a celebration of the island’s folkloric groups in the town of Otrobanda. The following week boasts a four-day celebration in honor of the Snoa synagogue, the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. This year, a full schedule of events and performances have been planned to mark the structure’s 275th birthday.

At the end of April, visitors can participate in the 41st annual International Blue Marlin Release Tournament – a unique fishing competition devoted to the preservation of this treasured species. Meanwhile, the fishing village of Boca Sami hosts a two-day sailing regatta event complete with live music, local food and plenty of Caribbean fun. If sailing and fishing don’t excite you, take part in the island-wide celebration on April 30th – also known as Queen’s Birthday. On this holiday, you can’t beat the festivities located in the Punda Market region of Curacao’s capital Willemstad. During the same week, you can also find plenty of live entertainment and great cuisine at the International Food and Family Festival.

The month of May might be one of the best times to visit Curacao. From great resort deals to some of the best events anywhere in the region, Curacao is one of the Caribbean’s best early summer destinations. Celebrating its 20th year on the island, the Curacao Jazz Festival has drawn visitors and performers from throughout the world. The two-day festival puts a unique island spin on the traditional jazz festival, offering some of the best live music anywhere in the Caribbean. The final week of May also features the popular Curacao Dive Festival, a favorite of experienced divers and amateurs alike. With event sites throughout the island featuring guest speakers, presentations, film viewings and once-in-a-lifetime dive opportunities – the Curacao Dive Festival is a must for anyone interested in exploring the majestic underwater treasures of the Caribbean.

Whether you plan to travel to Curacao in the next few months or later in the year, there are always plenty of activities for any type of tourist to enjoy. One of the island’s most popular attractions is the Curacao Seaquarium, a sprawling oceanfront complex famous for its open-water system that constantly pumps seawater into the holding tanks. Another family favorite is the Dolphin Academy Curacao, a truly distinctive program that allows guests of all ages to swim and interact with dolphins.

As Curacao is known worldwide for its excellent scuba diving and snorkeling sites, you will certainly want to spend some time underwater. Equipment rentals and dive operators are available year-round, so you don’t have to worry about finding a tour during the off-season. Furthermore, the weather always seems to be perfect. You can enjoy Curacao’s sunny, sandy beaches nearly every day of the year!

Curacao is also an excellent shopping destination, regardless of season. The capital of Willemstad is full of quaint shops selling everything from jewelry and handmade souvenirs to exquisite Caribbean artwork. Like the island’s more crowded neighbors, Curacao also has a number of luxury shops and high-end duty free shops. The most impressive of these is the renowned Harbor Duty Free Zone, the largest duty free shopping area in the Caribbean. This 57-acre complex houses an incredible display of clothing, perfume, jewelry and much more – all at prices far below American outlets. When you make a purchase in the Harbor Duty Free Zone, you don’t even have to worry about carrying it around for the rest of your trip – your goods will be transferred directly to your flight or shipped to your home!

When planning their Caribbean vacations, many travelers seem to forget about Curacao. However, if you want to escape the crowds and visit some of the best events, find the most picturesque dives and uncover the finest shopping in the Caribbean – just remember that there is always plenty to see and do in Curacao.

Considering that Cancun is a favorite destination for families, it seems almost too good to be true that the city is also one of the world’s premier locations for beginning scuba divers. In fact, the waters surrounding Cancun rest atop the Great Mesoamerican Reef – the largest coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere. Offshore from the small village of Puerto Morelos south of Cancun, the reef can be viewed at depths below 9 feet. Supporting an incredible variety of submarine life, the reef can be enjoyed by families thanks to such shallow depths and great visibility.

In addition to the sprawling coral reef system, there are several more underwater oddities for families to explore. Like many other places in the Caribbean, Cancun has its share of sunken vessels. At each site, you will find plenty to explore – from the corals that sprout from the ships’ hulls to the families of fish that call these boats home. As Cancun is also home to the world’s largest underground river, the inland caves and sinkholes are also popular destinations for more adventurous divers. Lastly, whether you plan to scuba dive or not, all visitors to Cancun should visit the pristine coral reefs and exotic surroundings of El Garrafon National Park.

Like scuba diving, snorkeling is a great way to see the underwater sights of Cancun. However, snorkeling doesn’t require as much equipment or training as scuba diving. If your time in Cancun is limited, your family might want to consider snorkeling as it is easy for all ages and skill levels to get involved. Snorkeling tours visit many of the sites popular with scuba divers as the reefs are shallow enough to be viewed from the surface.

If you want to dive or snorkel while in Cancun, you won’t have any trouble finding equipment or dive operators. Rental equipment is available at most resorts, while several dive tours operate daily and visit all the most popular sites. If you have never experienced scuba diving, it is also possible to receive training and certification while in Cancun. Affordable courses are available for all ages and range from brief classes to acquaint divers with the sport’s basics to full certification seminars that can last several days.

As the Caribbean Sea is generally calm off the coast of Cancun, jet skiing and kayaking have also become popular activities. Jet skis and other water toys can be rented from a number of shops at Cancun’s marina or directly through your resort. Kayaking can be enjoyed by simply paddling in the calm Caribbean water or by combining the sport with snorkeling for a complete Cancun experience. Where the waves begin to pick up along the northern end of Bahia de Mujeres, windsurfing is the sport of choice.

For those in search of a more relaxing way to enjoy the Caribbean, charter boats are available for deep sea fishing or simple cruises. Big game fishing is popular with locals as well as tourists, supported by annual fishing tournaments throughout the region. In the spring and summer months, fishers can reel in marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi and Spanish mackerel. Much like the other water sport activities mentioned here, it is easy to find boat rentals in Cancun and many are available with full staffs. For the ultimate in relaxation, take a ride with one of Cancun’s sailing catamarans – you won’t have to do anything but enjoy the sun and sea.

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Cancun and Mexico tourism for the Marriott Resorts.

This beautiful town on the Pacific Ocean was occupied long before the Spanish conquest, but it became a prominent port at the beginning of the last century, and became a major tourist attraction and hippie getaway after Federal Highway 200 was built along the coast.

You can reach the city by plane, or drive there from Acapulco, which is 400 km to the northwest along the coast, or from Oaxaco, the state capital, which is 324 km north of Puerto Escondio. A flight will take approximately 45 minutes from Mexico City.

One of the nicest aspects of this town, in addition to the views of the sea and the attractive colonial homes, is the availability of a rich variety of housing and hotels. If you plan to visit the city to see if it’s the perfect place for your retirement, you can stay in a 4-star hotel or rent a rustic cabin, depending on your taste or budget.

The local restaurants serve the traditional Mexican cuisine, but if you want a taste of Europe or North America, you’ll be able to find a restaurant that caters to your needs.

You will be able to see the famous beaches as you walk along the steets in town. Zicatela beach is known throughout the world in surfing communities, because the waves are truly huge. If you don’t surf yourself, you’ll still enjoy watching world-class surfers challenging the waves.

For a calmer, more tranquil experience, visit Main Beach, where you can swim, fish or dive. If you are just learning to surf, this would be the place to get your feet wet before you attempt to tackle the giant waves on Zicatela beach.

For a bit of peace and seclusion, you can visit Playa Bacocho, which runs for almost 30 miles and is often completely deserted. The beach is sandy, and the waves are mild. Or visit Playa Carrizalillo, a perfect spot for swimming or snorkeling because the water is warm and calm.

If you visit the area long enough, you can find several other beaches in the area, where you can go boating, learn to surf or snorkel, or just hang out on the sand. International fishing tournaments are held in the area in February and November, and the waters are known for excellent fishing for sailfish, marlin and tuna. Dolphins and whales also visit the water off Puerto Escondio, and the black coral reefs are home to a variety of smaller, colorful fish.

There are many smaller towns in the area, and anyone interested in traditional Spanish architecture and churches will want to bring a camera. Marketplaces in each village sell the local handicrafts.

If you’re thinking of retiring anywhere in Mexico, you’ll want to know the language. Many Spanish language schools have been set up in Mexico for business travelors, tourists and potential residents. There is a Spanish language school is in Puerto Escondio, that offers much more than just spanish lessons.

If you stay at the Maress Spanish School a while you can learn about the local culture, take some painting or sculpture lessons, learn to cook some Mexican dishes, and even take salsa dancing lessons. Many people combine a few months of classes with a stay in the home of a local family, and totally immerse themselves in the culture of Puerto Escondio. If you decide to do this, contact the school – they will help you make arrangements for your stay.

In Morocco, the four mountain ranges including the ATLAS chain and the RIF mountain range, provide an excellent opportunity for those who enjoy trekking, hiking and climbing. All of them are accessible to people in good physical condition. Perhaps the most popular is Le Deren, in the High Atlas. Certain peaks of the High Atlas remain snow-capped throughout the year. One can even do a “Grand Traverse” of the full range. However most people limit themselves to shorter treks round the Djebel Toubkal area.

Morocco gets good waves in the summer, but if you visit out of season (August to May) you will be sure to get much better swells. The Endo Marokko surf camp at Tamtraght offers you the chance to ride some of the best waves in Morocco, with expert guides and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also in a prime location surrounding by various Morocco property from where you can explore the Atlas Mountains and the city of Agadir.

There are many opportunities for fishing in the quiet waters of the rivers and lakes throughout the country and well as deep sea fishing. Bonitos, sea perch, mullet, chad and sea bream are abundant in the Oceans. Several ports are equipped for deep sea fishing, for example Sakhla in the Sahara and Mohammedia near Casablanca offering various Morocco property for your holiday, where you can go out and fish for tuna, swordfish, marlin, grouper and barracudas. Trout can be fished in the wadis and more challenging in the gorges. Pike, black bass, perch, roach, carp, eels and barbels are plentiful in the lakes (the season generally being from May – June according to species).

And what about national Moroccan sports? The Moroccan national team of Football is one of the most prestigious teams of Africa and of the Arab World. She has, with her credit, a cut of Africa of the Nation and four qualifications with the final phases of the world cup.

Morocco currently occupies the 6th world rank in tennis after Spain, France and the United States of America, and with the same equal footing with Sweden, Australia and Germany, according to the classification of the country, published by the F.I.T, according to the number of players classified in the 50 first. Parmis the national heroes of this sport, one finds Younes El Aynaoui, best Moroccan player. He occupied the 1st world place in January 2002, year when he won 4 international tournaments!

Horse riding and camel rides is another popular sport in Morocco. There are many hotels and property in Morocco for tourist holidays that offer guided treks through the Atlas Mountains. You should bring your own helmet though. Major riding centers of Morocco are Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Meknes, Fez, Oujda, Ouirgane and Tangier.

Golf is one of the most popular sports in Morocco since the beginning of century. Morocco organizes several golf competitions. Players from all across the world take active participation in these events. One of the most popular events being organized is annual Hassan II Trophy. Royal Golf club, Dar Es-Salam at Rabat is the venue for playing it.

The Sacramento is the home to monster native rainbow trout, steelhead, white sturgeon, striped bass and American shad. If you’ve never fished for American shad, an introduced species in California, then you’re missing a great fishing experience. The anadromous fish are a great source of entertainment for sport anglers wanting a fish that is tenacious, yet fairly easy to hook. Striped bass or stripers, linesides or rocks are also an exotic and introduced species in California. You can expect best fishing throughout May.

But if you’re keen about salmon and wanted to avoid from the crowds on the Trinity and the Klamath, there are kokanee at Whiskeytown Lake and king salmon in Lake Shasta.

New sport fishing regulations were adopted to help protect white sturgeon, a prehistoric largest freshwater fish in North America. Anglers must buy a Sturgeon Fishing Report Card and the new regs tighten the bag limit to one fish a day with a season limit of three fish.

Mazatlan, Mexico – the destination welcomes major developers, international sporting events and a growing number of visitors. Travelers enjoy a modern destination, with spectacular hotels, restaurants and nightlife on one hand, and experience the rich culture and history of Mazatlan on the other hand. Accommodations available here, ranging from charming beachside cottages to luxury resorts with spas, championship golf courses, award-winning restaurants, high-tech fitness centers, lively bars and more, are sure to fit your interests and budgets. Many visitors are drawn here by Mazatlan’s reputation for world-class sport fishing.

The city recently was selected as the site of the International Sport Fishing Federation’s 2009 World Championship. Fishing buffs are expected to participate from about 40 countries and more than 45 teams are expected for the tournaments held throughout the year. Here in Mazatlan, we can find Pacific sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dorado, and anglers do not go away empty-handed.

Northern Pike are found to be fairly common in certain areas of the United States, namely in the northern and Midwest states as well as some of the Rocky Mountain areas. However, no where are they more prolific and trophy-sized than what you can find by journeying out into some of the more remote waterways of Alaska.

The Northern Pike fisheries of Alaska can be found anywhere in Alaska’s interior and on out to the Eastern Kenai Peninsula. What you have to be aware of the most is how the climate (or the weather, if you prefer) affects the cycles of the individual regions in Alaska. Climate and weather influences are key factors when it comes to the success (or failure) of a fishing excursion in this state, so keep that in mind when it comes time to plan the trip.

Alaska has been broken up into nine regions where sport fishing is concerned, in the following manner:

1.Anchorage and Matsu Valley
2.Arctic, Yukon, and Kuskokwim
3.Bristol Bay and Kodiak
4.Kenai Peninsula
5.Northern Southeast
6.Prince William Sound
7.Southern Southeast
8.Susitna Valley
9.Tanana Region

Each of these regions offers a diversity of fishing, as well as some of the more unique and indigenous Alaskan varieties. However, the fly fishing opportunities are abundant, no matter what area you decide to visit. The northern interior and the arctic regions tend to be very primitive areas, while the Tanana Region lies in the heart of Alaska. The Northern Southeast region is rich in history dating back to the Klondike days, but also presents a choice of both freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities. If it’s a variety of challenging fishing that tempts you, then the Kenai Peninsula is definitely the place to break out the rod and tackle.

No matter where you venture out into Alaska, you will find a diverse range of excursions to award you with excellent Northern Pike fishing. Fly fishing tournaments can be found in a variety of areas year round in Alaska. If Northern Pike is your target, then by all means, you’ll definitely enjoy your Alaska vacation. Trophy Northern Pike excursions can be found by doing a little research, but your due diligence will more than likely pay off.

Look to the Internet when you begin your search. There are many websites offering information on the subject. Make sure to allow plenty of time for the planning stage. Private guides and fishing excursions for Northern Pike tend to fill up rather quickly, so the sooner you book your reservation, the better.

The Specifics of Penn International Reels

Penn International is famous among serious saltwater anglers because of its high efficiency in big game fishing. This is due to the fact that these reels are crafted with careful and thorough attention to quality and details. The following specifics should be present in your Penn International reels in order for you to get the most out of it.

o Stainless steel main gears and pinion
o Ball bearings that are made from stainless shielded steel
o Aluminum spool that is machined
o Storage bag
o Single speed or two speed mechanism
o Single piece rod clamp
o Single piece frame that is gold anodized and machined

Catch the Biggest Saltwater Game with Penn International

Penn International reels are available in two types. These are the:

o Single-speed Penn International series
o Two-speed Penn International II Reel Series

One category of this brand of reel is the baitcasting reel. These baitcasting reels feature a one-piece aluminum frame that is lightweight and machine forged. Its spool is crafted from a solid bar of stock aluminum. The machine forged aluminum side plates of these reels are smoothly contoured. Their spool, side plates, and frame are provided with the trademark of Penn International, which is the glossy gold anodized finishing touch. This makes the reels durable, resistant to corrosion, classic appearance.

The Penn International V Series

While there are baitcasting reels, Penn International reels also has its V series that are perfect for serious saltwater fishing. These reels provide you with a complete range of fighting performance and power when it comes to fishing big game fishes. The reels under the V series include the 30VSW, 50VSW, and the 70VS. These are designed to manage large fishes like tuna, sharks, and billfish. These have a convenient one-touch shift mechanism that lets you switch instantly from the reel’s high gear to relatively low gear retrieves. What is more, its drag mechanism has double discs that are capable of a complete 150-degree quadrant. This provides you full power that is required to tire down the most powerful charging fishes. On the other hand, the 80VSW allows you to tackle large tuna, marlin, and shark. It also has a drag with double discs, specifically, the new Dura-Drag of Penn International. This drag function utilizes similar material that is found within race car transmissions. The Penn International 16VSX uses lines that are super braided for heavier drag fishing.

All these are for your ready viewing at Sea Isle Tackle. Click your mouse on their site to give yourself the satisfaction of getting to know these fishing paraphernalia.

Big game fishing which is also called offshore game fishing or offshore sport fishing is one form of recreational fishing that aims to hook large fish such as marlin or tuna. It requires the use of a boat in transporting the big gamers to the fishing grounds and back, of course. Other fish targeted in big game fishing are billfish, shark and tarpon, a large coastal fish which is considered to be the prize catch. With these, you need the expertise of a Penn International, one with an improved drag performance and would endure extended fights with any big fish.

Techniques in Big Game Fishing

 Trolling involves moving the boat slowly in order to catch a large open-water fish.

 Chumming entails throwing chunks of fish as baits for the larger game fish.

 Fighting the fish, well it means technically fighting with the fish. When a fish gets hooked in the bait, the fisherman reels it in, another crew maneuvers the boat so that the catch holds steady at the rear, and the rest of the crew makes sure that it doesn’t get tangled with the anglers while spooling in the fish.

Penn International Reels for the Big Game

 Penn International V Series. Its frame, spool and side plates are accurately engineered from high strength solid forgings and lightweight grade aluminum alloy. It is purely alloy of intense strength. This Penn reel has the durability and quality to outmatch any competition.

 Penn International V Series Two Speed Reels. More enhancements were incorporated in this series. A push button shifter is employed with a higher capacity drag.

 Penn International VSX Series. It may be narrow and topless but is built tough. Its drag settings may be set to high but still maintain a smooth curve. The Dura-Drag system of this Penn reel is built for a long term big game performance. It has a more comfortable handle and makes shifting more accessible.

 Penn International 900 Series. This is the sport fisherman’s ultimate international quality reel. This is appropriate for light line fishing. It is compact and light but with outstanding international qualities. This Penn reel has aluminum frames and its side plates and spool are of stainless steel that is non-corrosive.

Penn International reels is the “big game” fisherman’s trusted Penn reel for offshore game fishing. You have a variety to hook the Penn International at Sea Isle Tackle.