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Showing posts with label #caribbean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #caribbean. Show all posts
Sunday, 3 July 2016
Caribbean Weather this (July/August) Summer
Information on the weather in July/August in the Caribbean for all those who were planning on visiting one of the islands this Summer.
Temperature
July is actually cooler throughout the Caribbean than at some cities in the southern United States. The ocean helps moderate temperatures and allows the islands to avoid severe heat.
Ocean water temperatures in the Caribbean Sea average 81 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit during July.
Rain
The rainy season begins in July on islands in the eastern Caribbean. It rains 2 out of 3 days this month at Port of Spain in Trinidad, at Vieux Fort in Saint Lucia and at Lamentin in Martinique.
To the west, July brings a lull in rainfall. For Jamaica and Dominican Republic, July is the driest month of summer.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are extremely rare during July in the Caribbean, although tropical storms sometimes reach Puerto Rico and islands to the east. No major hurricanes are expected in July. Caribbean weather in July: average daily temperature and monthly rainfall.
Should you be concerned about the rainy weather forecast?
While rain may be forecast every day, it's more likely to happen in short bursts rather than as sustained rainfall, and this means you may see a half-hour or more of rain every day, but usually only in the afternoon or evening. So it's entirely possible to have rain every day of your vacation but also have the rain not really affect you very much. Sometimes, you'll see an intense rainfall for a few minutes, and then the sun will come back out again for the rest of the afternoon.
What is the heat like in the Caribbean during the Summer?
It's definitely hot, but average temperatures are remarkably steady throughout the Caribbean over the course of the year. On most islands, if you are likely to see highs in the low- to mid-80s during the day in January, you are more likely to see highs in the mid- to upper 80s during the summer. But it's not unheard of to see highs in the 90s in the summer or highs in the low 70s during winter. (Water temperatures vary more noticeably than air temperatures.) You'll also find that larger cities (Santo Domingo, Kingston, Havana) are much hotter than the coastal areas, and that coastal areas are hotter than the inland areas that are higher in elevation. The constant trade winds help keep temperatures bearable all year even when the weather is hottest, but they are stronger in the winter season.
Is travel insurance necessary for my Caribbean Trip?
Travel insurance usually only pays off when a hurricane occurs during the dates of your vacation. Look for a policy that allows you to cancel for any reason; these are expensive but will give you the greatest amount of flexibility to make new plans if a major or minor storm threatens your vacation. Before you buy expensive travel insurance, see what kind of guarantee your tour packager or hotel offers. Some places offer a so-called "hurricane guarantee"; if your resort or packager offers this, then you may not want to buy an additional policy. However, these guarantees don't help you if you just get plain old-fashioned rain for a week and not a hurricane or tropical storm, and this happens from time to time regardless of the season.
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
Travelling to Europe from the Caribbean
Travelling to Europe from the Caribbean.
Some time ago 8 Caribbean countries have been chosen to travel to Europe without a visa. This is great news as many in the Caribbean have a great admiration for the land that once governed most of the islands originally. This is for every category of traveler, whether work or play, only to the Schengen parts of the country. This would allow for more business opportunities and tourism opportunities for all parties involved.
The eight Caribbean countries that are now allowed to travel to the Schengen parts of Europe VISA FREE are:
- Trinidad and Tobago
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- St. Lucia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Barbados Bahamas
- Grenada
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
So, we have compiled a must see list places to visit while touring Europe:
1. The Azores
The genesis of the Azores is found upon 1766 volcanoes, nine of which are still active. Underground, almost three hundred volcanic cavities, including caves, ravines and cracks, have been surveyed. The landscape is filled with dry calderas, craters lakes, fumaroles and thermal water springs. In the sea, there are submarine geothermal springs. The mountain of Pico, majestic and with an intact cone, appears to be protecting all this geological wealth.
The volcanism of the archipelago impresses for its diversity and creates its own magnetism. It is a witness to the power of Nature, and the basis for a very special experience.
2. Hallstatt
The picturesque village on the lake with the same name owes its existence to the rich deposit of salt in the mountain of Hallstatt. 7000 years ago. Rich findings in Hallstatt and the upper valley of Hallstatt gave this village international recognition; even today discoveries are still made in the salt mountain of Hallstatt.
Among the most beautiful places of interest are the oldest salt mine in the world and the ossuary in Hallstatt, a romantic boat ride on Lake Hallstatt, a trip to the breathtaking cave world in Obertraun and a visit to the Lake Gosau with the mighty Dachstein glacier. Additionally, Bad Goisern is popular in the summer with hikers and bikers. In winter guests are lured in by the ski areas of Dachstein West in Gosau and the Ski and Freeride Arena in neighboring Obertraun with perfect slope conditions.
3. Bonifacio
Bonifacio offer two seas for the price of one!
Unusually, Bonifacio allows you to swim in the Mediterranean Sea (West side) and in the Tyrrhenian Sea (East side).
With 70 km of coasts and 120 km if we include the islands of the Archipelago of Lavezzi, Bonifacio offers a complete collection of all the possible types of beaches: sandy beaches, hidden coves, islands of all sizes and other idyllic locations are available for spending vacations.
4. The Mont Saint-Michel
The 'Wonder of the Western World' forms a tower in the heart of an immense bay invaded by the highest tides in Europe.
It was at the request of the Archangel Michel chief of the celestial militia that Aubert, Bishop of Avranches built and consecrated a small church on the 16th October 709. In 966 a community of Benedictines settled on the rock at the request of the Duke of Normandy and the pre-Romanesque church was built before the year one thousand.
UNESCO has classed the Mont Saint-Michel as a world heritage in 1979 and this mecca of tourism welcomes more than three million visitors a year.
5. Tuscany
Tuscany is located in central Italy and stretches from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Its landscape, artistic heritage and stand-out cities - first among them Florence - make Tuscany an unquestioned protagonist of international tourism.
6. The Douro Valley
The Douro Valley could as easily be called the enchanted valley, such is the beauty and magic that its landscapes offer.
Departing from Porto, where the river flows into the sea and where the Douro wines (table wines and Port wine), produced on its hillsides, also end up, there are various ways to get to know this cultural landscape, listed as a World Heritage Site: by road, by train, on a cruise boat and even by helicopter.
Following a route between the viewpoints that offer the best vistas, you need to cross the river from north to south and back again. But along the way you can admire breathtaking landscapes over the river and visit vineyards, towns and villages until you reach Miranda do Douro, the point at which the river enters Portugal.
7. The Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are the hidden gem of the Scandinavian countries. To a lot of people they are unknown, to others they are this excotic destination in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. With the increasing tendency to seek north for new destinations we believe that the Faroe Islands are the perfect choice for the selective traveler.
8. The Dolomites
The Dolomites are considered one of the largest wellness centres in the world, because you can enjoy yourself a general well-feeling of body and mind. Relax yourself while taking in the breathtaking views of peaks and valleys, breathe in the crystal clear alpine air, bask in the warm sunshine next to turquoise lakes at the foot of inspiring mountains.
9. The Hallerbos Forest
The 7 to 10 days following the blossoming of the beech leaves are the most beautiful in the wood. The purple blue of the bluebells combined with the transparent bright green of the young beech leaves give a magical effect to the forest. The sunlight still reaches the flowers through the leaf canopy, but a little less each day.
10. The Lofoten Islands
Lofoten is known for excellent fishing and nature attractions, small villages off the beaten track and whale safaris.
Explore Lofoten by foot, go rafting in the Trollfjord and visit Lofotr Viking Museum. Taste stockfish and be amazed by the midnight sun. Experience the bird rocks outside the island of Røst and the cosy fishing village in Nusfjord.
Saturday, 18 June 2016
Summer in the Caribbean
Waves crashing on the shores and the tranquil breeze whispering across your face. Sipping fancy drinks on the beach while your family and/ or friend have fun in the sun. This is not just a dream, but a reality for some, and it could be for you as well.
Every Caribbean Island has a lot to offer for internal as well as external tourist. An yes, you can go vacationing in the island even though you live in one.
Check out these amazing vacation packages and plan your summer holidays in a Caribbean Island:
The Caribbean in summer? It’s a more appealing option than you might think, especially if you’re looking for a bargain vacation this year. Here are a few reasons:
Despite the overall trend in rising airfares, prices of Caribbean packages, including airline tickets, are down 16 percent compared with peak travel, according to CheapTickets.com.
In some cases, practically entire islands are on sale. St. Maarten, the United States Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands are all offering island-wide summer promotions including a night free at a bevy of resorts and discounts for tourist activities. (Information at www.vacationstmaarten.com, www.usvitourism.vi, and www.caymanislands.ky.)
The islands themselves are getting a lot more aggressive about trying to lure visitors over the slower summer months with festivals that show off what the island has to offer in the way of food, history, culture or music. Each summer, for example, Barbados celebrates Crop Over (www.barbados.org/cropover.htm), a festival that can be traced back to the late 1780s, as a way to mark the end of the sugar-cane cutting season. Today, it’s a tourist draw involving calypso competitions and parades. Last year, Bonaire created the water-oriented Dive into Summer event (www.bonairediveintosummer.com), which it plans to repeat this year. Grenada’s Carnival, one of the island’s biggest festivals, begins in July and gains momentum leading up to Carnival Sunday, usually in the second week of August.
Other islands try to draw visitors with big-name stars. In July Jamaica hosts the Reggae Sumfest, which has featured such popular performers as Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Missy Elliott. And for the first time this year, the Cayman Islands will host a championship-boxing event — Cayman Knockout, to be held on Friday, June 20. In a super middleweight bout, the Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward will fight the former Olympian Jerson Ravelo, and in a heavyweight match, Eddie Chambers will take on Raphael Butler. “We want tourism to the Caribbean to be a year-round exciting experience for travelers,” said Hugh Riley, a chief operating officer for the Caribbean Tourism Development Company.
Of course, there can be drawbacks to summering in the Caribbean. Some nonstop flights that run all winter long go on hiatus, requiring travelers who want to fly from Philadelphia to St. Lucia, for example, to make an extra stop or two. Once on the island, travelers may find that a number of restaurants or shops are closed for the season, resorts are undergoing construction, and staffing may not be quite as robust as it is during the winter.
That said, summertime brings some tourist opportunities that are simply non-existent any other time of year. From March to August, visitors to St. Lucia can take a Turtle Watch tour run by Heritage Tours (www.heritagetoursstlucia.org), where guests camp overnight on the beach and help measure the leatherback turtles and count the number of eggs they lay. Rain showers bring cool respites and lushness to the islands not usually found during the winter. And all deals aside, the dip in tourists during the summer allows for a sense of solitude that has become increasingly rare in the islands.
Anguilla
Looking for a beach? Anguilla, a small, low-lying Leeward Island, has 33 of them, all of which — including the well-manicured sands in front of the fanciest resorts — are open to the public. The increasingly upscale island also has a strong culinary scene, with an impressive array of restaurants (as many as 100) for an island just 16 miles long and no more than 3 miles across at its widest point.
WHAT TO DO From July 31 to Aug. 10, Anguilla will celebrate its annual Summer Festival, (www.axasummerfestival.com) with 11 days of carnival and boat racing festivities. Or explore the island by horseback. Seaside Stables (264-235-3667; www.seaside-stables.com) offers group rides for $60 a person.
HOW TO GET THERE From New York, take one of the many flights into St. Martin and catch a ferry. They run about every half hour between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. between Marigot Bay, St. Martin and Blowing Point, Anguilla. Another option: fly nonstop to San Juan and hop a connecting flight into Anguilla on American Eagle.
Aruba
Located 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba shares the distinction with Trinidad and Tobago, Bonaire and Curaçao of being below the hurricane belt, making it less prone to major storms. Its long white-sand beaches, Las Vegas-style casinos and array of water sports make for an ideal vacation spot for travelers with diverse interests. The island’s many all-inclusive resorts make it easy for budget-conscious travelers to know exactly what their vacation will cost. And strong ocean breezes keep windsurfers aloft and vacationers cool all summer long.
WHAT TO DO Watch windsurfers and kiteboarders freestyle at the Aruba Hi-Winds Competition (www.aruba-hiwinds.org) July 2 to July 7. Or try it yourself. Aruba Boardsailing Productions (297-586-0989; www.arubawindsurfing.com) runs windsurfing classes ($50 for two hours) and kitesurfing lessons ($100 for two hours). Beyond the beach the island has dozens of quirky attractions from an ostrich farm (297-585-9630; www.arubaostrichfarm.com) to a donkey sanctuary (011-297-584-1063; www.arubandonkey.org).
HOW TO GET THERE It takes less than five hours to fly to Aruba nonstop from New York. Many airlines fly there each week, including JetBlue and American, which offer nonstop flights to the island from New York.
Dominican Republic
This country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has seen a surge in luxury developments in the last few years, with hotels offering $600-a-night rooms to go with their championship golf courses. But a wide range of all-inclusive resorts, affordable beachfront cabanas and relatively low-cost flights continue to keep the D.R.’s reputation as a bargain-hunter’s paradise intact.
WHAT TO DO For a pure beach vacation, Punta Cana’s powder-fine sands are some of the most popular, with tall, swaying palms and a wide range of resorts. Outdoor adventurers tend to favor the north coast, which features jungle forests, rolling mountain ranges, blue waters and golden beaches. Using the towns of Puerto Plata, Cabarete and Sosua as a base, travelers can go mountain biking, rock climbing or kiteboarding or just enjoy the sun. And culture-seekers can head for the capital, Santo Domingo, for a vibrant mix of night life, modern boutiques and Old World charm.
HOW TO GET THERE The Dominican Republic has seven international airports throughout the country, and there are many nonstop flights from the East Coast. For example, JetBlue has daily nonstop flights from Kennedy Airport to Santiago, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo. Continental flies to Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo nonstop from Newark. And American flies nonstop to Santo Domingo, Santiago and Punta Cana from Kennedy.
Jamaica
Among the largest islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica, with its beautiful beaches, lush mountains, secluded waterfalls, clear waters, plentiful snorkeling spots and melodic grooves, offers something alluring for pretty much any traveler. There are a dozen golf courses, raucous nightclubs, quiet beaches and a wide range of resorts from adults-only playgrounds to all-inclusive havens to quiet boutique hotels perched on cliffs.
WHAT TO DO Music lovers can check out Reggae Sumfest (876-953-8360; www.reggaesumfest.com) at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay from July 13 to 19. Explore the Green Grotto Caves (876-973-3217; www.greengrottocavesja.com), said to have been a haven for runaway slaves in the 18th century and featuring large rock formations, stalagmites and stalactites. A 45-minute guided tour costs $20 or $10 for kids 4 to 12. Go horseback riding, mountain biking, river tubing or even dog-sledding on wheels. Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers these and other tours (876-979-6599; www.chukkacaribbean.com).
HOW TO GET THERE A wide range of flight options helps keep airfares to this island lower on average than to some of its smaller Caribbean counterparts. Air Jamaica has the most nonstops from the United States to Jamaica, including daily service to Montego Bay from Atlanta, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Orlando and Los Angeles. In addition, there is daily service to Kingston from both New York and Miami.
St. Kitts & Nevis
This twin-island federation, located in the northern Leeward Islands of the eastern Caribbean, was made more accessible from New York last year when American Airlines began flying nonstop to St. Kitts in November. Now, travelers can leave New York in the morning and be on the beach, daiquiri in hand, by dinner time. Any one of four ferry services can take you to Nevis in about 45 minutes from $4 one way.
WHAT TO DO Hike Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts’s dormant volcano. Cost is $65 for five-hour trip with the Tour Store. Take a three-hour railway tour ($90 a person) around the island by narrow-gauge railroad, built a century ago to haul sugar cane from the island’s plantations to the sugar mills (869-466-0413; www.stkittstourstore.com). Or just wander around the historic capital of Basseterre and take in the Creole and West Indian architecture. On Nevis, take a two-hour hike into the rain forest in search of vervet monkeys, also called green monkeys by the locals. (869-469-2758; www.nevisnaturetours.com)
HOW TO GET THERE American flies to St. Kitts from Kennedy Airport in New York twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, and five times a week from Miami. In February, Delta added a Saturday flight from its hub in Atlanta.
St. Lucia
Nestled halfway down the eastern Caribbean archipelago, this Windward Island, marked by the twin peaks of its dramatic Piton Mountains, has been gaining ground as a luxury destination with several high-end resorts to choose from in just the last few years. During the summer, however, even the Star, Moon and Sun suites at Jade Mountain (www.jademountainstlucia.com), which have private infinity pools and a fourth wall missing for maximum views of the mountains and sea, come down by $300 from peak season to $1,150, $1,300 or $1,600 a night.
WHAT TO DO During the summer, the island’s lush rain forest and secluded waterfalls are in full effect. Nature hikes ($10) and bird watching tours ($30) can be arranged with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (758-468-5645; www.slumaffe.org). From March to August, night tours are organized by the Heritage Tours (758-458-1454; www.heritagetoursstlucia.org) to witness the arrival of leatherback turtles as they come ashore to lay eggs on Grand Anse Beach. Cost: $90 a person, tents and including transfers to and from hotel.
HOW TO GET THERE American Airlines flies to St. Lucia nonstop daily from Miami and three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays from Kennedy Airport (except during September and October). Delta flies to the island from Atlanta as does US Airways from Charlotte, N.C.
Turks and Caicos
Though technically in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea, the Turks and Caicos has pretty much everything you could want in a Caribbean vacation. Made up of some 40 islands and cays, of which only eight are inhabited, the archipelago has an extensive national parks system with 33 protected areas, excellent sailing and exceptional diving, especially along the Wall — the face of a 7,000-foot trench separating Grand Turk and Salt Cay from East Caicos and South Caicos.
Providenciales, or Provo as it’s often called, is the most developed of the islands, with a growing list of restaurants, resorts and spas — most of which are on the north shore, along the 12-mile stretch of Grace Bay Beach. The Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival (www.musicfestival.tc) takes place on the island July 28 to Aug. 4 with performances by Lionel Richie and Anita Baker among others.
WHAT TO DO Provo’s calm, reef-protected waters and constant easterly trade winds make for good sailing, windsurfing or kitesurfing. Abuv-It-All, also known as Windsurfing Provo (649-241-1687; www.windsurfingprovo.tc) offers beginners’ windsurfing lessons starting at $90 a person. Visit the Caicos Conch Farm (649-946-5643; www.caicosconchfarm.com) to see how conch are raised. Conc i6s a specialty on the island, served at fine-dining restaurants and casual establishments like Da Conch Shack on Blue Hills beach (649-946-8877; www.conchshack.tc). In search of solitude? Check out the extremely calm waters of Sapodilla Bay on the island’s southern tip.
HOW TO GET THERE American flies nonstop to Providenciales from New York and three times a day from Miami. There are also nonstop flights from Atlanta on Delta.
- Prices are lower, with some hotels and resorts cutting as much as 60 percent off their winter rates.
- Temperatures are typically only a few degrees higher than they are in the peak travel months of January through March. And they can be even lower than you’ll find at popular beach spots back in the United States. (For example, last Sunday, the temperature hit 93 in New York; it was 88 in Montego Bay, Jamaica and 88 on St. Lucia.)
- The threat of hurricanes is certainly real, but perhaps not as great as you might imagine. Only one has hit the Caribbean before July 8 in the last decade — Hurricane Dennis, a Category 3 storm, which passed just east and north of Jamaica on July 7, 2005, producing hurricane conditions on the island. (This year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projects a “near normal or above normal” hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 with the peak typically occurring from mid-August to mid-October.)
- Did we mention that prices are lower?
Despite the overall trend in rising airfares, prices of Caribbean packages, including airline tickets, are down 16 percent compared with peak travel, according to CheapTickets.com.
In some cases, practically entire islands are on sale. St. Maarten, the United States Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands are all offering island-wide summer promotions including a night free at a bevy of resorts and discounts for tourist activities. (Information at www.vacationstmaarten.com, www.usvitourism.vi, and www.caymanislands.ky.)
The islands themselves are getting a lot more aggressive about trying to lure visitors over the slower summer months with festivals that show off what the island has to offer in the way of food, history, culture or music. Each summer, for example, Barbados celebrates Crop Over (www.barbados.org/cropover.htm), a festival that can be traced back to the late 1780s, as a way to mark the end of the sugar-cane cutting season. Today, it’s a tourist draw involving calypso competitions and parades. Last year, Bonaire created the water-oriented Dive into Summer event (www.bonairediveintosummer.com), which it plans to repeat this year. Grenada’s Carnival, one of the island’s biggest festivals, begins in July and gains momentum leading up to Carnival Sunday, usually in the second week of August.
Other islands try to draw visitors with big-name stars. In July Jamaica hosts the Reggae Sumfest, which has featured such popular performers as Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Missy Elliott. And for the first time this year, the Cayman Islands will host a championship-boxing event — Cayman Knockout, to be held on Friday, June 20. In a super middleweight bout, the Olympic Gold medalist Andre Ward will fight the former Olympian Jerson Ravelo, and in a heavyweight match, Eddie Chambers will take on Raphael Butler. “We want tourism to the Caribbean to be a year-round exciting experience for travelers,” said Hugh Riley, a chief operating officer for the Caribbean Tourism Development Company.
Of course, there can be drawbacks to summering in the Caribbean. Some nonstop flights that run all winter long go on hiatus, requiring travelers who want to fly from Philadelphia to St. Lucia, for example, to make an extra stop or two. Once on the island, travelers may find that a number of restaurants or shops are closed for the season, resorts are undergoing construction, and staffing may not be quite as robust as it is during the winter.
That said, summertime brings some tourist opportunities that are simply non-existent any other time of year. From March to August, visitors to St. Lucia can take a Turtle Watch tour run by Heritage Tours (www.heritagetoursstlucia.org), where guests camp overnight on the beach and help measure the leatherback turtles and count the number of eggs they lay. Rain showers bring cool respites and lushness to the islands not usually found during the winter. And all deals aside, the dip in tourists during the summer allows for a sense of solitude that has become increasingly rare in the islands.
Anguilla
Looking for a beach? Anguilla, a small, low-lying Leeward Island, has 33 of them, all of which — including the well-manicured sands in front of the fanciest resorts — are open to the public. The increasingly upscale island also has a strong culinary scene, with an impressive array of restaurants (as many as 100) for an island just 16 miles long and no more than 3 miles across at its widest point.
WHAT TO DO From July 31 to Aug. 10, Anguilla will celebrate its annual Summer Festival, (www.axasummerfestival.com) with 11 days of carnival and boat racing festivities. Or explore the island by horseback. Seaside Stables (264-235-3667; www.seaside-stables.com) offers group rides for $60 a person.
HOW TO GET THERE From New York, take one of the many flights into St. Martin and catch a ferry. They run about every half hour between 7:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. between Marigot Bay, St. Martin and Blowing Point, Anguilla. Another option: fly nonstop to San Juan and hop a connecting flight into Anguilla on American Eagle.
Aruba
Located 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba shares the distinction with Trinidad and Tobago, Bonaire and Curaçao of being below the hurricane belt, making it less prone to major storms. Its long white-sand beaches, Las Vegas-style casinos and array of water sports make for an ideal vacation spot for travelers with diverse interests. The island’s many all-inclusive resorts make it easy for budget-conscious travelers to know exactly what their vacation will cost. And strong ocean breezes keep windsurfers aloft and vacationers cool all summer long.
WHAT TO DO Watch windsurfers and kiteboarders freestyle at the Aruba Hi-Winds Competition (www.aruba-hiwinds.org) July 2 to July 7. Or try it yourself. Aruba Boardsailing Productions (297-586-0989; www.arubawindsurfing.com) runs windsurfing classes ($50 for two hours) and kitesurfing lessons ($100 for two hours). Beyond the beach the island has dozens of quirky attractions from an ostrich farm (297-585-9630; www.arubaostrichfarm.com) to a donkey sanctuary (011-297-584-1063; www.arubandonkey.org).
HOW TO GET THERE It takes less than five hours to fly to Aruba nonstop from New York. Many airlines fly there each week, including JetBlue and American, which offer nonstop flights to the island from New York.
Dominican Republic
This country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has seen a surge in luxury developments in the last few years, with hotels offering $600-a-night rooms to go with their championship golf courses. But a wide range of all-inclusive resorts, affordable beachfront cabanas and relatively low-cost flights continue to keep the D.R.’s reputation as a bargain-hunter’s paradise intact.
WHAT TO DO For a pure beach vacation, Punta Cana’s powder-fine sands are some of the most popular, with tall, swaying palms and a wide range of resorts. Outdoor adventurers tend to favor the north coast, which features jungle forests, rolling mountain ranges, blue waters and golden beaches. Using the towns of Puerto Plata, Cabarete and Sosua as a base, travelers can go mountain biking, rock climbing or kiteboarding or just enjoy the sun. And culture-seekers can head for the capital, Santo Domingo, for a vibrant mix of night life, modern boutiques and Old World charm.
HOW TO GET THERE The Dominican Republic has seven international airports throughout the country, and there are many nonstop flights from the East Coast. For example, JetBlue has daily nonstop flights from Kennedy Airport to Santiago, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo. Continental flies to Puerto Plata, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo nonstop from Newark. And American flies nonstop to Santo Domingo, Santiago and Punta Cana from Kennedy.
Jamaica
Among the largest islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica, with its beautiful beaches, lush mountains, secluded waterfalls, clear waters, plentiful snorkeling spots and melodic grooves, offers something alluring for pretty much any traveler. There are a dozen golf courses, raucous nightclubs, quiet beaches and a wide range of resorts from adults-only playgrounds to all-inclusive havens to quiet boutique hotels perched on cliffs.
WHAT TO DO Music lovers can check out Reggae Sumfest (876-953-8360; www.reggaesumfest.com) at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay from July 13 to 19. Explore the Green Grotto Caves (876-973-3217; www.greengrottocavesja.com), said to have been a haven for runaway slaves in the 18th century and featuring large rock formations, stalagmites and stalactites. A 45-minute guided tour costs $20 or $10 for kids 4 to 12. Go horseback riding, mountain biking, river tubing or even dog-sledding on wheels. Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers these and other tours (876-979-6599; www.chukkacaribbean.com).
HOW TO GET THERE A wide range of flight options helps keep airfares to this island lower on average than to some of its smaller Caribbean counterparts. Air Jamaica has the most nonstops from the United States to Jamaica, including daily service to Montego Bay from Atlanta, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Orlando and Los Angeles. In addition, there is daily service to Kingston from both New York and Miami.
St. Kitts & Nevis
This twin-island federation, located in the northern Leeward Islands of the eastern Caribbean, was made more accessible from New York last year when American Airlines began flying nonstop to St. Kitts in November. Now, travelers can leave New York in the morning and be on the beach, daiquiri in hand, by dinner time. Any one of four ferry services can take you to Nevis in about 45 minutes from $4 one way.
WHAT TO DO Hike Mount Liamuiga, St. Kitts’s dormant volcano. Cost is $65 for five-hour trip with the Tour Store. Take a three-hour railway tour ($90 a person) around the island by narrow-gauge railroad, built a century ago to haul sugar cane from the island’s plantations to the sugar mills (869-466-0413; www.stkittstourstore.com). Or just wander around the historic capital of Basseterre and take in the Creole and West Indian architecture. On Nevis, take a two-hour hike into the rain forest in search of vervet monkeys, also called green monkeys by the locals. (869-469-2758; www.nevisnaturetours.com)
HOW TO GET THERE American flies to St. Kitts from Kennedy Airport in New York twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, and five times a week from Miami. In February, Delta added a Saturday flight from its hub in Atlanta.
St. Lucia
Nestled halfway down the eastern Caribbean archipelago, this Windward Island, marked by the twin peaks of its dramatic Piton Mountains, has been gaining ground as a luxury destination with several high-end resorts to choose from in just the last few years. During the summer, however, even the Star, Moon and Sun suites at Jade Mountain (www.jademountainstlucia.com), which have private infinity pools and a fourth wall missing for maximum views of the mountains and sea, come down by $300 from peak season to $1,150, $1,300 or $1,600 a night.
WHAT TO DO During the summer, the island’s lush rain forest and secluded waterfalls are in full effect. Nature hikes ($10) and bird watching tours ($30) can be arranged with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (758-468-5645; www.slumaffe.org). From March to August, night tours are organized by the Heritage Tours (758-458-1454; www.heritagetoursstlucia.org) to witness the arrival of leatherback turtles as they come ashore to lay eggs on Grand Anse Beach. Cost: $90 a person, tents and including transfers to and from hotel.
HOW TO GET THERE American Airlines flies to St. Lucia nonstop daily from Miami and three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays from Kennedy Airport (except during September and October). Delta flies to the island from Atlanta as does US Airways from Charlotte, N.C.
Turks and Caicos
Though technically in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea, the Turks and Caicos has pretty much everything you could want in a Caribbean vacation. Made up of some 40 islands and cays, of which only eight are inhabited, the archipelago has an extensive national parks system with 33 protected areas, excellent sailing and exceptional diving, especially along the Wall — the face of a 7,000-foot trench separating Grand Turk and Salt Cay from East Caicos and South Caicos.
Providenciales, or Provo as it’s often called, is the most developed of the islands, with a growing list of restaurants, resorts and spas — most of which are on the north shore, along the 12-mile stretch of Grace Bay Beach. The Turks and Caicos Music and Cultural Festival (www.musicfestival.tc) takes place on the island July 28 to Aug. 4 with performances by Lionel Richie and Anita Baker among others.
WHAT TO DO Provo’s calm, reef-protected waters and constant easterly trade winds make for good sailing, windsurfing or kitesurfing. Abuv-It-All, also known as Windsurfing Provo (649-241-1687; www.windsurfingprovo.tc) offers beginners’ windsurfing lessons starting at $90 a person. Visit the Caicos Conch Farm (649-946-5643; www.caicosconchfarm.com) to see how conch are raised. Conc i6s a specialty on the island, served at fine-dining restaurants and casual establishments like Da Conch Shack on Blue Hills beach (649-946-8877; www.conchshack.tc). In search of solitude? Check out the extremely calm waters of Sapodilla Bay on the island’s southern tip.
HOW TO GET THERE American flies nonstop to Providenciales from New York and three times a day from Miami. There are also nonstop flights from Atlanta on Delta.
Sunday, 29 May 2016
The Artist "Prince's" time in the Caribbean with BONUS
May he rest in peace!
The Artist, as he re-branded himself while he was alive, had many great years of life, especially at him craft to which he was devoted; his music. However, he also spent some of those years in his Caribbean hideaway, though it was not so hidden, being as it was basically an island and all (LOL).
So, where did The Artist go to get a relaxing dose of Caribbean sun, sand and surf? He went to the majestic island of the Turks and Caicos.
Five Random Facts About "The Artist" formerly known as "Prince"
The Artist, as he re-branded himself while he was alive, had many great years of life, especially at him craft to which he was devoted; his music. However, he also spent some of those years in his Caribbean hideaway, though it was not so hidden, being as it was basically an island and all (LOL).
Prince's Caribbean getaway is now valued at an amazing US$12 million dollars for all interested parties. It boasts of 10 beautiful bedrooms, sea views all around, and of course the signature purple driveway. The Artist certainly loved his space as it had more than enough space for him to take a vacation from each room by simply going to another wing of the estate, as it stands at 10,000 square feet. The Artist also loved beaches so much his estate had two (2), just for him and who ever was lucky enough to be there with him as they were private.
Five Random Facts About "The Artist" formerly known as "Prince"
- His actual name is Prince.
- He was also a songwriter for a lot of the greats.
- He was a Jehovah's witness.
- He was born June 7th 1958
- He also did films (Purple Rain).
Sunday, 22 May 2016
Vacationing in the Caribbean in 2016
There is no place like home! That is if your home is a beautiful Caribbean Island. Yeah, no Caribbean island can boast of first world status. But, this is the beauty of it we don't have first world problems (lol)....The Caribbean is famous for it's laid back lifestyle (some more than others) and it's scenic beaches and resorts. If you haven't been to the Caribbean we suggest you make it your place to visit this year. It especially comes in handy for those seeking to escape the bone aching cold winters.
If you are looking for the cheapest all inclusive vacation, the Dominican Republic currently holds the mantle on that this year. When we say all- inclusive, we mean all- inclusive with luxury of course. Consider also when planning your Caribbean getaway, whether you are planning this trip in the high season or the low season (meaning peak travel time into the Caribbean or off peak travel time). In most islands, December through to April is the peak season while June through to October is the low season.
Air+Hotel packages are sometimes a deal worth considering and sometimes not. We urge that you consider prices together as well as separate when making bookings.
Here is a small list of the Best and Cheapest Caribbean Islands that you should consider coming to when planning your Caribbean getaway.
Firstly, we would like to state that this article is in no way sponsored by the Dominican Republic.
Now let's proceed...
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
High Season - US$135 - US$373
Low Season - US$80 - US$373
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
High Season - US$188 - US$708
Low Season - US$113 - US$609
- La Romana, Dominican Republic
Hgh Season - US$181 - US$373
Low Season - US$142 - US$256
- Negril, Jamaica
High Season - US$229 - US$967
Low Season - US$146 - US$757
- Ocho Rios, Jamaica
High Season - US$199 - US$1,156
Low Season - US$159 - US$640
Whichever destination you choose, we are positive you will have the most relaxing and enjoyable stay here in the beautiful Caribbean Island getaway.
Monday, 28 March 2016
Top five (5) islands you must travel to in the Caribbean
Don't get us wrong, all of the Caribbean Islands are worth seeing and experiencing at least once in your life. However, we have boiled it down a bit further to bring to you the absolute must travel too guide....you know for in the cases where someone is sponsoring it all and they asked you to choose 5.....(Laugh out Loud) lol....
So here goes our choices for the top five (5) must travel to islands in the Caribbean in no order...
St. Lucia
One of the Caribbean's not so hidden jewels, it is located in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea and holds many great treasures and pleasures for the island traveler. Some of St Lucia's treasure are the coral reefs, volcanic cliffs, ice blue waters, exotic fish, breath taking mountain escape just to name a few. But, if you are looking to party the day and night away St. Lucia Carnival is where it's at or maybe you would prefer St. Lucia Jazz festival. It's up to you, but no matter the need St. Lucia can provide an exotic and luxurious fix.
More info: Click Here
Turks and Caicos
Ahh, Turks and Caicos islands, the 40 little pearls of the Caribbean, however only eight (8) of which are inhabited. The archipelago is perfect for the US traveler, it themes with luxury from restaurant to hotel from one isle to the other. Looking for a get away with an island vibe, not too much hassle and that is tourist friendly. this is the one for you.
More info: Click Here
BVI
One of the top yachting destinations in the Caribbean, the BVI also known as the Virgin Islands is essentially British owned land located in the Caribbean. The inhabited four isles posses adventure for any type of traveler. Whether you are looking for a tour of the islands, or you would just like to wind things down and visit the several galleries and museums each island can accommodate your needs well. Maybe you would prefer adventurous activities, diving, fishing, hiking, everything. The BVI is also one of the top wedding destinations in the Caribbean. We suggest you pay any of these beautiful islands a visit soon, you will be glad you did.
More info: Click Here
Jamaica
Usually one of the first islands to be named on the lips of most travelers. Jamaica is no stranger to most, with it's lush rain forests and large stunning beaches, Jamaica has alot more hidden treasures to behold. Do it all while drinking it's local island beer and spirits, jamming out to it's soulful and vibrant local reggae music, and licking your fingers to it's mouth watering local jerk cuisine. Loads of adventure, tour and relaxation awaits in the rambunctious isle of Jamaica. With the warmth and friendliness of it's natives, it will feel like a home away from home.
More info: Click Here
Antiga
More info: Click Here
Sunday, 20 March 2016
Unique Caribbean food Culture Secrets
Food Food Food!!!
We eat it everyday all around the world. Most of us are currently obsessed with finding more organic/ healthy ways to enjoy eating our day to day food items. and the rest of us,... well we just go for what we are craving, tastes good, is easy to acquire and fills the space in our stomachs.....lol...
Well we have decided to maybe aid both sides of the spectrum and take you guys on a new way to eat that would be both healthy as well as easy and affordable.
This particular blog post will be updated every three (3) months, for your eating pleasure.
Now let's get into some deliciousness.....
First up!
The Bajan dish called Jug Jug.
Made with just three (3) ingredients and occasionally four (4): Pigeon Peas, Corn and Meat (okra, optional) (salt and pepper)
Now while we can go the boring route and talk / write you through, we thought it better to show you.
Enjoy! ;)
Next Stop in our Cultural Cuisine tour is Jamaica Jamaica!!!...
For some succulent Callaloo Stuffed baked fish.
Made with just Fish, callaloo, onion, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, scotch bonnet pepper and one carrot (Salt and Pepper)
Enjoy the how to video below!
Finally, to the spice isle of Grenada for its national dish; Breadfruit Oil down.
Yummm......Now us Caribbean born and bread will know about the breadfruit. However, I strongly urge everyone to get your hands on it and try this mouth watering dish out!
You will need:
2 lbs chicken
1 sprig basil1 sprig fresh thyme
2 sprigs of celery leaves
5 Caribbean seasoning peppers (or sweet peppers)
1/2 onion
6-7 cloves garlic
2 carrots
½ bunch of callaloo leaves (taro leaves) (or 1 bunch of spinach)
2 yams
8 green bananas (or 4 potatoes)
1 breadfruit (or canned breadfruit or 1 large taro root)
1/2 lb. salted fish or pork
4 fresh turmeric (or 1 Tbsp. turmeric powder)
1 brown, mature coconut + 6 cups water (or 3 cups canned coconut milk + 3 cups water)
1 cabbage
2 cups flour
Method cur to see the famous cook from the YouTube channel "Caribbean Pot"
Serve as is and do Enjoy!
That's it for now folks, we hope you all enjoyed learning about these alternative meals to the international cuisine, and for us bindge eaters to fast food. Try one!
Next food post update will be in June 2016.
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