| For many Americans, winter is a dismal time of year. | | | | for surfing. Costa do Sauipe is one of the largest |
| There is little daylight and it is cold. The weathermen | | | | resort developments in South America and it aims to |
| cannot get things right so we get unexpected snow | | | | please. You can stay near the resort and enjoy all |
| or more inches than predicted. Then there are the | | | | the typical beach fun or take a hike into the nearby |
| weeks of waiting for the snow to melt. No wonder | | | | forests. Tours of Salvador are readily available and |
| many of us dream of taking a trip to some warm | | | | there are tons of restaurants, museums, and |
| sunny paradise on Earth. | | | | churches to visit. Go at the right time of year and |
| One of the most obvious choices for a sun-filled | | | | you can be part of one of the biggest carnival |
| getaway is the Bahamas. The Bahamas are a series | | | | celebrations in the world. And if you must see Rio, it's |
| of twenty-nine islands and innumerable cays and islets | | | | only a short plane ride away. |
| located not far from the coast of Florida. Tourism | | | | Another great choice is just off the coast of |
| provides half of the country's economy and there | | | | Venezuela. Curacao resorts provide a unique |
| are many all inclusive resorts Bahamas. Being near | | | | experience. The island was under the control of the |
| Florida, the islands are a short plane ride away and | | | | Dutch for a good many years. They created a |
| most of the population speaks English. The largest | | | | wonderful blend of Dutch and Spanish influences in |
| city in the Bahamas is Nassau on New Providence | | | | architecture which make the capital city of |
| Island. There you will find stunning beaches with miles | | | | Willemstad a UNESCO world heritage site. On land |
| of white sand leading to crystal blue waters. You can | | | | there are ample trails that can be explored by foot, |
| have all the fun you associate with the beach and | | | | bike or horse. Gambling is legal if you want some |
| then spend the evening gaming at one of the nearby | | | | casino fun. However, the real gem of Curacao is |
| casinos. | | | | under the sea. Extensive coral reefs surround the |
| If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you | | | | island and experiments are being made to augment |
| might want to give Brazil a try. Rio de Janeiro is an | | | | the natural reefs with artificial ones. The island has |
| obvious choice, but a great alternative is Costa do | | | | one striking and distinctive feature in that the ocean |
| Sauipe. Located in the state of Bahia, Costa do | | | | floor drops sharply just a short ways from the |
| Sauipe is just an hour away from the old capital of | | | | beach. This makes Curacao one of the few places |
| Salvador. The coastline is varied providing both quiet | | | | were you can dive on a reef without having to take |
| pools for swimming and more volatile water perfect | | | | a boat out. |