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Sitting along the coast of North Carolina, Beaufort is an ideal place to get away from it all if your dream vacation entails plenty of sand and water with just a hint of intrigue and mystery. Not to be confused with its namesake in South Carolina, this oceanfront paradise is perfect for a long, relaxing weekend getaway or as a jumping point into the always popular Outer Banks. So pack your bags and get ready for some fun in the sun in coastal North Carolina.

Before diving into the multitude of water activities, an excellent way to get acquainted with the area is through a boat tour that takes you to the Cape Lookout National Seashore and other surrounding islands. The seashore is comprised of three underdeveloped islands, North Core Banks, South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks, that may appear secluded and sparse upon first glance, but which offer an array of historical and natural features that are ripe for exploration. Catch a glimpse of dolphins, wild ponies, and numerous birds aboard one of the many vessels that offer eco-tours out of Beaufort for a rewarding and memorable experience as you begin your Beaufort vacation.

Perfect for beginners or experts, a snorkeling or scuba diving adventure is a great way to view the spectacular marine life that exists off the coast. Whether you have been scuba diving for years or are trying to learn the basics, there are readily available companies that offer lessons and show you the best locations to explore. However, remember to book your water excursion in advance since it is a popular activity for visitors to the area.

No trip to the coast is complete without climbing aboard a fishing charter to reel in a big one. If are traveling with children and want them to experience offshore fishing, an excellent option is fishing in the inland waters off the crystal coast. Inland fishing means calmer waters, preventing the sea sickness that deters many individuals from venturing out to sea, so anyone who has ever desired to fish can try for trout, black sea bass, flounder, croakers, and many other varieties without worrying about queasiness. Of course, there are charters available that extend further offshore, and these are perfect for those who want to catch Spanish mackeral, king mackeral, dolphin, or bottom fish in the summer.

If you want to explore at your own leisure, consider a self-guided kayak tour that allows you to search those areas that interest you the most. If you are not comfortable blazing your own path, there are also tours available that are led by professional guides. After all your offshore activity, throw a towel in the sand and relax to the sounds of the waves creeping up the sand. There is plenty of sun to catch, and the water is perfect for wading when you need to cool off your increasingly warm skin.

Beaufort’s distinct history makes for some interesting, can’t-miss attractions that you will likely never forget. Throughout the 18th century, many pirates and captains built houses along the coast, settling themselves in cities like Beaufort. The legendary figure Blackbeard was one such figure, whose home, Hammock House, can be toured by visitors looking to hear terrifying tales of murderous pirates. Adding to Blackbeard’s lore, the ship that was destroyed in his final battle, Queen Anne’s Revenge, was discovered in 1996, prompting even more visitors to come for the historical intrigue of the area.

When planning your vacation to Beaufort, North Carolina, you will need to find accommodations that allow you to enjoy all the beauty and wonder this area has to offer. For convenience and amenities that you usually surrender when traveling to a far off destination, consider a Beaufort vacation rental for your next trip. You can stay along the shores of the ocean and relax as the waves crash into the beach while you drink your morning coffee on the porch. This is your time to truly escape from it all, so make the most of it by staying in accommodations that make it easy to forget all the stress you have left behind.

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Beaufort vacation rentals for your next trip to Coastal North Carolina.

Tags: beaufort, north carolina, travel, trip, vacationbeaufort, north carolina, travel, trip, vacation

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I will begin this postlude with the end of my prelude; “The only thing I feel certain of is that whatever words I can muster, or images on film I produce; they will serve but poor justice to the vibrant reality that awaits and tolerates my observation.”

In those words I got it exactly right. I knew before I left that whatever I imagined it then to be, it would pale in comparison to the experience of the true African bush and her scenic beauty.

I have now participated in a mobile, tented wildlife safari and have experienced the woodlands, flood plains, wetlands, and the vast and unpredictable delta; I’ve watched the sunset over the savannah, seen the birds skitter along the reeds in the marshlands and spied crocodiles basking in the sun next to the great rivers of northern Botswana; then drenched myself in the spray of Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River.

I’ve been to the African bush. Being mistaken for David Livingstone isn’t a concern, but I lay awake in the cold July winter night listening to the hippos grunt, the elephants wail and trumpet, the lions call, and the hyena and jackals howl; forever to the background of the night bird’s lonely and persistent song.

The camps were always expertly run, our needs were catered to, and our safety assured as is reasonable to expect given the situation.

I was awakened every morning as hot water was delivered to my little canvas wash basin; and again in the evenings for my bucket shower under the stars (and surrounded by canvas on all four sides lest you wonder if the sight of a naked white guy who eats too much cheese chases away the animals).

I pulled the old camp coffeepot off the fire every morning, just like they do in old westerns, in preparation for the morning game drive. I sat with my fellow journeyers around the campfire and sipped a glass of perfectly acceptable South African Chardonnay after the evening game drive; this being a perfect example of how well taken care of we all were. A special supply of Chardonnay was brought in at mid-safari resupply - not at my request, but only because it was discovered that I have a fondness for it.

Food was prepared in a wood-fired Dutch oven and I enjoyed gourmet meals every night. As if that weren’t enough, the cook had to accommodate two vegetarians and one wheat-free dietary requirement; and it always came together swimmingly. All over an open fire - Hey Martha, put that in your convection oven and bake it!

But keeping us comfortable and catered in camp wasn’t really the point. We were on a wildlife safari, after all, and life wasn’t that wild in camp. It was out on the game drives:

Impala
Giraffe
Zebra
Elephant
Hippo
Ostrich
Buffalo
Lion
Baboon
Vervet Monkey
Wildebeest
Crocodile
Wild Dog
Hyena
Jackal
Reed Buck
Sable
Puku
Water Buck
Leopard…

But it wasn’t about making a list either. There was a moment in the safari that the real purpose of us being there showed itself with such incredible force and beauty that it stunned the group into absolute and reverential silence. Any one of the eleven people present in that moment will be able to tell you:

It was the Quelea at sunset.

We were finishing up the evening game drive on our second night in the Khwai River Valley. The sun was an orange-red ball sinking behind the Mopane woodland to the west. Like a fluid wave the Quelea rose into the twilight in a massive flock of millions of birds darkening the sky in synchronized flight, circling the horizon in all directions. The sound and energy of the birds, in a transcendence that made a single organism out of the millions of individuals, was palpable and electrified the cool evening breeze. No one had a word to say, no words would ever have been adequate, nor could be adequate in this description. That we were all completely and simultaneously rendered awestruck and speechless, some brought to tears, bears testimony to the fact that untamed nature - perfect, raw, beautiful - still lies buried inside, calling us all eventually home. It really isn’t a clich

Tags: adventure, Africa, Botswana, safari, travel, wildlifeadventure, Africa, Botswana, safari, travel, wildlife

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There is only one reliable place to find good budget travel and that is online. The internet has opened up a whole new universe of travel for those who are stuck on a pretty tight budget. Not everyone can afford to go on a month long vacation to the South of France but most of us can make good solid use of budget travel.

When you do your travel shopping online you will find that you can afford much more than you thought you could. It is easy to find some good budget travel on the internet these days. All of the travel companies are throwing out some good packages for people with not much money to spare and some of the budget travel packages even include some meals. That is my idea of full service travel plans!

When it comes to budget travel you do have to watch out for a few things. For example, what kind of trip do you want to take? When it comes to budget travel the airlines can vary drastically. Some of the budget travel airlines are great, they are friendly and they are clean and fantastic, others, well, not so much. You should take some time to research about the different companies you are considering for your budget travel before you actually book anything. This will make a huge difference in the kid of trip that you end up being able to take.

Online you will be able to find all kinds of consumer reviews about budget travel companies, airlines and even cruises. Read through these carefully to find some great budget travel ideas. With these useful tips you will learn the best places to go for budget travel and the places and companies to stay away from in your traveling. There is no better, more reliable source for info than from people who have been in your shoes. They have nothing to lose by telling the truth so they do, they will tell it just like it is and that is what you need to help you make the right budget travel decisions.

Chances are that if you do all of your planning and booking online your budget travel is gong to be even cheaper. This is simple to do as well. Most of the major travel companies have everything you need online and they walk you right through it all. And if you have any trouble just contact them and they will help you out. There is nothing simpler or faster than booking your budget travel online these days. That is why the business is booming the way it is.

Each and every year the budget travel industry online grows and grows and it is not showing any signs of slowing down in the near future, that is for sure. So the next time you want to take a trip check out budget travel online and see where that takes you.

Adventure Vacations http://adventurevacationshq.com/ put some excitement into your next travel journey!

Tags: bargains, budget travel, holiday, travel, vacationbargains, budget travel, holiday, travel, vacation

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