Travel to Belize

Belize is located in Central America between Guatemala and Mexico, and is on the Caribbean Sea. It is just two hours away from three major US Gateways. It is a tropical location, with a hot and humid climate. It has a rainy season from May to November, and a dry season from February to May. The land is flat and swampy with a coastal plain, with low mountains seen in the south. It is also known as an adventurer’s paradise. It has a diversity of adventure opportunities with over 40% of the country set aside as parks and nature reserves.

Belize is a country of warm, peaceful, pleasant English-speaking people. It has a mixture of tropical forests, majestic mountains, and mysterious Mayan culture. Belize also offers fantastic diving and fishing opportunities for the traveler and boasts the second longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

What is there to see and do in Belize? Inland the visitor can hike or canoe under the rainforest canopy to see some of the over 500 species of birds that live here. Or they can awe at the stalactites and stalagmites in caves once inhabited by the ancient Mayans. What about discovering the brilliant colors of the sunset from the top of one of the Mayan temples, or taking a refreshing dip and letting the cool water from one of the many waterfalls splash over you?

Belize is well known for its famous barrier reef with its abundance of marine life. It also has three major offshore atolls and numerous mangrove systems (both along the coast and offshore) that harbor many birds, fish, mammals and reptiles. Belize is a favorite destination as a significant marine eco-system for scuba divers, snorkelers, marine biologists and sport fishermen alike.

And, of course, there is the sun, sea and sand that entice the frequent vacationers. The warm climate invites sun-bathing and relaxing on one the islands beautiful beaches. The coastline has over 386 km. of fantastic beaches ideal for sun-lovers and swimming enthusiast. The most popular beach area in Belize is located on Amergris, which is the largest of Belize’s cays or small islands.

Although Belize offers brilliant diving, pristine jungle and nature, along with dramatic historical ruins to visit, the unpaved roads, high prices and lack of infrastructure can make it a difficult place to travel to. Also, although most visits to Belize are trouble-free, violent crime can also be a problem on occasion (mainly in Belize City). Caution and common sense when traveling here is recommended.

Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

Choosing a Family Cruise

Cruising doesn’t have to be just for singles or adults. There are many cruise lines that offer many amenities geared towards families with children, and even some cruise lines (like Disney) that are especially geared to children. In fact, most cruise lines welcome families with children. Cruise ships can be an ideal setting for a family vacation.

Be aware, however, in some cases, traveling with infants or pregnant women may be subject to some restrictions. Some cruise lines may require a physician’s letter to state that the mother-to-be or baby are in good health and fit to travel, or that the pregnancy is not high-risk. Other cruise lines may have age restrictions for infants, or restrictions on the mother’s gestation time. It is best to check the guidelines for the ship you wish to travel on before booking.

Cruising today can offer families a lot of bang for their buck while vacationing. Many ships are designed with kid-friendly facilities and services in mind. Many have supervised activities for children, dedicated children’s areas, children-only swimming pools, and special counselors and babysitting services that allow parents kid-free time for themselves. Some ships even have youth programs for older children, with planned activities to help them meet other children their own age. Some ships even have special age-appropriate discos for traveling youth.

The cruise ships of today have numerous activities aboard that children love. They have swimming pools and water slides, movie theatres, bowling alleys, skating rinks, rock climbing walls, etc. as well as games, craft lessons, and other activities for children. Parents will not find it difficult to keep their children happy and occupied on any cruise ship.

Food aboard a cruise ship is also family and kid-friendly. While parents can enjoy a gourmet filet mignon and a vintage glass of wine, it isn’t hard for a child to find a slice of pizza or a plate of French Fries to munch on. Food variety onboard a ship is indeed vast. And, children can eat as much or as little as they want—good news for a growing young teenager!

There are also special cruise lines that especially cater to children. Disney has a line that provides activities for kids from sun-up to sun-down, with everything to entertain them from craft lessons to magic shows and everything in between. They also offer adult only areas for parents to seek refuge. These areas have adult-only pools or include activities like wine-tasting sessions.

Things to look out for when planning a family cruise? You may need to do a little research, however, as not all ships offer programs for children and youth. Although they may still allow children to cruise, parents may need to be prepared to look after and entertain their own children. Also you should find out about children’s discounts, how many children are allowed in a room with the parents, extra beds, cribs or cots, adjoining cabins, safety and security issues, and ratio of staff members to children. All of these could affect the cruise line you choose.

There are so many activities that children can enjoy aboard ship, and parents can also enjoy their own relaxing kid-free times as well. On the whole, a cruise can be a great way for a family to enjoy their vacation time.

Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try). It even has a section on cruising!!!

Review of "Tastes and Travels" Ebook

Travellers will love the new ebook "Tastes and Travels" It combines destination reviews with food culture and recipes.

The destinations cover lots of Caribbean locations (along with a couple of other locations around the world) with a load of information on what to do and what is exciting. Then the book goes onto to the food culture in that destination...and gives great-tasting recipes for you to try at home!

There are even some general articles on cruising and travel tips, as well as articles on cooking tips.

Would you like to learn about Jamaica? How about the Cayman Islands? Or how about Panama? Would you like to find out about Italian cuisine and then find recipes like Italian Wedding Soup or Stuffed Eggplant? Would you like to know how to make Curry Goat or Cuban Pork with Mango Salsa (from Cuba)? Would like to learn travel tips like "Purchasing Art on Vacation" or "Travelling with Kids"? All this is found in this new ebook...and much more!

This 115 page ebook is easy to read and makes it fun to discover new places. Priced at only $3.99, if you love to learn about travel, the book will provide you with a lot of information.

Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

Vacation in the Dominican Republic

The Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic is part of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago. Hispaniola lies west of Puerto Rico and east of Cuba. The Dominican Republic makes up the eastern third of Hispaniola, and the nation of Haiti makes up the other part of the island.

For most of its history, the Dominican Republic has experienced political turmoil and unrest and has suffered through many non-representative and tyrannical governments. The present-day nation has moved toward representative democracy.

The island is a classed as tropical maritime with a wet season from May to November. It can also be prone to hurricanes in season, from June to November.

Like its Caribbean neighbors, Dominican Republic is made up of a blend of European colonists, Tainos Indians and Africans. The official language spoken there is Spanish, with Haitian Creole, English, French, German and Italian also heard in varying degrees.

The cuisine of Dominican Republic is made up of a combination of Spanish, Taino and African influences and is similar to that of other Latin American cultures. Lunch is usually the main meal of the day, with chicken, pork or fish being commonly served. Meat or seafood, rice, potatoes or plantains, served with some type of vegetable or salad makes up a typical meal. Sofrito, which is a mix of local herbs and spices, is a common ingredient in many dishes.

One of the main features that draws tourists to Dominican Republic is its fantastic beaches. There are more than 1,000 miles of fine sandy beaches found in this nation with clear warm seas washing up against them. Dominican Republic’s beaches are thought to be among the world’s best. The east coast is lined with super fine white sand beaches, while the beaches of the north are made up of golden sand. In the west in Barahona, the sand is more a grayish color.

Dominican Republic is widely populated with resorts that host a full array of water sports on its many beaches. The east coast beaches consist of Isla Catalina, Isla Saona, Playa Bayaro, Punta Cana, Playa Cominicus and Playa Minitas. Isla Catalina offers one of the best coral reefs in the area for scuba diving and snorkeling. Punta Cana is known for its 30 mile strip of super fine white sand beach and is often referred to as the ‘coconut coast’ due to the many swaying coconut palm trees scattered along its length. Punta Cana is this regions most popular vacation resort area.

The north coast beaches of Cabarete, Playa Cofresi, Playa Dorada, Playa Grande, Playa Punta Rucia and Playa Sosua are great for sunbathing, kite-boarding and wind surfing. In fact, Cabaret is listed as one of the top five kite-boarding and wind surfing areas in the world. Visitors to this area can also enjoy golfing, boogie-boarding, body-surfing and all manner of other sun and water activities.

There are a number of beaches located in the north east of Dominican Republic, with Playa Rincon topping the list. This beach as been ranked as one of the world’s ten best beaches and many consider it to be the most beautiful on the entire island. It is over three miles long, surrounded by coconut and almond trees, with a 2,000 foot mountain located at one end. It is an isolated beach that is accessible by boat.

Where-ever you go in Dominican Republic, the beaches will be the highlight of your stay. With the turquoise waves washing up on the super-fine sandy shores, a fantastic beach vacations surely awaits you here.

If you would like a chance to learn a little more about various countries and their unique cuisines, why not try my new Ebook: Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

Bermuda

With a unique blend of colonial history and African charm, Bermuda has an old-world charm. Being Britain’s oldest colony, British influences dominate the island’s culture. Here you may walk down a street in the City of Hamilton and see a judge in a powdered wig, or witness a bobby directing traffic or stop to watch a cricket match. Or you could find African influences in the reggae music and spicy cuisine.

Although Bermuda seems like one long landmass, it is actually made up of 181 islands, islets and rock formed by lava millions of years ago. Most of the smaller islands are uninhabited, but eight of the larger ones are joined by bridges and one causeway to form what visitors know to be Bermuda. The geographical terrain is made up of low, rolling hills and relatively flat land, with what many believe to be the most exquisite coastline in the Atlantic.

Bermuda is known for its pink sand beaches, which exists in only a few places worldwide. The pink beaches are formed by the colored particles that wash ashore from the tropical coral reefs surrounding the south side of the island. Almost all of the southern shore has the spectacular blushing pink sands, but South Shore Park features the greatest concentration. South Shore Park, a public beachfront area, extends from Warwick Long Bay to Horseshoe Bay, and includes several secluded coves. Many hotels and resorts along this beachfront have private beach oases for their guests.

Bermuda offers an abundance of fish and other marine species for underwater lovers to enjoy. They have everything from anemones to humpback whales that frequent the sparkling clear waters. A vast barrier reef, which is one of the northern-most in the world, is home to an abundance of sea life and corals, and is a rich find for snorkelers and scuba divers alike.

The island offers many things for a tourist to do. For the sun lover, the fantastic beaches offer relaxing public and private sun-bathing, along with spa treatments and have many food and beverage stands. The more active visitor can enjoy body surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, golfing, or kayaking, just to name a few activities. Exploring more than 400 shipwrecks while diving is a treat for any visitor to Bermuda. In fact, Bermuda is called the “shipwreck capital of the Atlantic”. And divers can also see more than 650 species of fish.

Shopping is also a popular activity for island visitors. Bermuda is well known as an international shopping destination, and there is no sales tax to be paid here—the price you see is the price you pay. Popular items include handcrafted gold trinkets, cedar-wood gifts, and of course, Bermuda shorts.

For those who love sightseeing, Bermuda offers a great deal. Bermuda has more churches per capita than anywhere else. The visitor can see any one of the many ancient forts built by the British, or visit one of the 785 historic houses. There are Botanical Gardens to see, or the Royal Naval Dockyard (an active naval base during the War of 1812), or even a perfumery to visit.

Bermuda also has an abundance of wildlife for the nature lover. Their world-famous bird watching can include 360 different species of birds. There are many nature reserves with exotic flora and fauna, as well as underground caves to explore. A visitor can also splash around with the dolphins at the Bermuda Maritime Museum. They even have a zoo with animals from the Caribbean, Australia, Asia, Madagascar and the Galapagos.

There are art galleries to view, craft studios to shop in, local cinemas, and classical and modern dance and music productions performed throughout the year. The annual Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts is always popular.

With all that Bermuda has to offer, it is no wonder that it is an extremely popular vacation spot. Imagine sitting on the soft pink coral sands, enjoying the warm breezes that drift across the sparkling waters as the dolphins play and the bountiful fish swim nearby.

If you would like a chance to learn a little more about various countries and their unique cuisines, why not try my new Ebook: Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

Travelling to St. Lucia

If you are planning a Caribbean vacation, St. Lucia is sure to provide a memorable one for you and your family. St. Lucia can provide a wonderful beach vacation with lots of rest and relaxation for adults and a whole lot of excitement and outdoor fun for the children. Many hotels on the island are geared for families and offer special features like kids clubs, special meals for children, and cater to sleeping arrangements with beds and cots (or adjoining rooms) to accommodate families. And the beautiful beach coastline is rimmed with rain-forested mountains making it a fantastic sight to discover.

But, what is there to do in St. Lucia? Well first off, there are the land sports. St. Lucia offers volleyball, basketball and soccer games, between staff and guests, at most hotels. Vacationers can attend soccer, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, running races or swimming tournaments that are regularly offered on the island. Most hotels also offer squash or tennis courts for their guests. And, although the cricket season is from March to August, guests can enjoy the friendly matches held year-round throughout the island. St. Lucia is home to the Beausejour Cricket Grounds which is world renown.

The water sports available on this beautiful island are not to be missed either. Sailors and fishermen will love St. Lucia as it has been described as “an angler’s dream come true.” St. Lucia is home to several species of big game fish and it is not uncommon to bring home a white marlin trophy. There are many companies that provide guests with the enjoyment of deep-sea fishing or yacht charters.

Then there are the beaches…fine white sand beaches lined with gently swaying palm trees beside crystal clear warm waves lapping against them. The clear waters make for excellent snorkeling or diving opportunities. This island is well-known for some of the best underwater dive sites in the Caribbean.

Or how about a different view? Windsurfing, water skiing and para-sailing are also available. Advanced and intermediate windsurfers will enjoy the popular wave sites at Cas en Bas and Vieus Fort, while beginners can try the calmer waters of the west coast. Equipment and instruction are available at most hotels on the island. Para-sailers can be thrilled with an aerial view of this spectacular island as they soar above Rodney Bay.

St. Lucia also offers some voyages of discovery. Vacationers can visit Marigot Bay, a wonderful natural harbor that once provided a hideout for pirate ships. Another popular spot is the Maria Islands Nature Reserve, which are tiny islands located in Southern St. Lucia and are home to rare wildlife and birds. Some species that make this reserve their home exist nowhere else in the world. There is also the Pigeon Island Museum and Interpretive Centre which is a ‘hands-on’ representation of Pigeon Island’s history from the 1800’s.

Another attraction that may be of interest to St. Lucia visitors is whale or turtle watching. St. Lucia is recognized as a major whale watching site and over 20 species of whales are spotted regularly throughout the year, including sperm whales, pilot whales, humpback whales and spinning and spotted dolphins. There are also an abundance of turtles that make St. Lucia their home, and these fascinating creatures are protected by local environmental activists.

St. Lucia received the ‘2000 Ecotourism Award’ for its Heritage Tourism Programme and received the OECS Vacation Paradise Award which makes it one of the top family vacation destinations in the Caribbean.

If you choose to visit St. Lucia, you will not be disappointed. The sensational beaches and the fantastic water activities will be sure to please the entire family, not to mention the many attractions found on the island.

If you would like a chance to learn a little more about various countries and their unique cuisines, why not try my new Ebook: Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).

Food and Travel

There's no two ways about it -- food and travel go hand in hand. One of the best things about travelling is new experiences, and that also extends to food. For instance, would you really travel to France without trying out at least one of these famous French restaurants? Or would you travel to Italy and pass up trying real Italian pasta dishes?

Besides, everyone the world over loves to eat. So when you are travelling, one of the best ways to enhance your travel experience is to eat the local foods. Every place you travel will have its own specialities. Every place you visit will have foods you have probably never heard of before and foods that are local that you can't find anywhere else. You may even be surprised that places you think you know will often have new things for you to try that you never heard of before. For example, many people have been to Jamaica, but have you ever tried an 'ugly fruit' or do you know what 'callaloo' is?

Even if you don't like the food that you may be exposed to in new places, at least you will have had a new experience. You can say you tried it. You can come back home knowing that although some new food may not have been completely to your taste, at least you can say you ate it (and brag about it).

New foods, new lands and new experiences. That is the true beauty of travelling.

If you would like a chance to learn a little more about various countries and their unique cuisines, why not try my new Ebook: Tastes and Travels Ebook It offers reviews on various travel destinations and has articles on the cuisine of each place (as well as recipes that you can try).