With its crystal-clear blue waters and heavenly beaches, vacationers appreciate the Bahamas for its abundance of sun, sand and surf. While it is a fine holiday for those seeking natural gifts of the aquatic sort, if you live to eat, this nation of 700 islands is a foodie destination par excellence. Nassau and Paradise Island are ground-zero for epicureans looking to titillate their taste buds. Surrounded by clean water, you know the fish is … [Read more...]
Two Lovely Days, Where? Gorgeous Catalina Island, California
On an unusually gloomy day I found myself hanging out in the Commodore lounge on board a Catalina Express ferry with my friend Jacki. I promised her I would not continue to whine about the weather but that was a promise I soon broke. We were on our way to Avalon, the urban gem of Catalina Island. 22 miles from the mainland, in the 'olden days' this ride used take up to 4 hours to cross. On the Catalina Express ferry boat it took us only 60 … [Read more...]
Citadelle LaFerrière – or how to keep the French out of Haiti
I’ve been in Haiti for a few days now, trying to get a better understanding of life in one of the poorest nations on earth (see my related articles on Port au Prince and Cap Haitien.) By any measure, it has an arduous history. Haiti bears the misfortune of being the island that Columbus decided to claim and colonize first. The native Taino indians were promptly enslaved and sent off into gold mines to enrich the coffers of Queen Isabella of … [Read more...]
Chasing Adventure in the Dominican Republic
I'm standing at the edge of a mountain, taking in the gorgeous city sprawled below me. I hear the commands "Run, run!" The body instinctively resists but I take a leap of faith and go. I'm up in the air before I even know it, the parachute lifting me up and away. And just like that I'm paragliding in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. The name Dominican Republic more often than not stirs up images of a blue green Caribbean sea, and miles and … [Read more...]
4 Adventures for Thrill-Seekers in the Dominican Republic
Located in the heart of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic was the first place to be reached by Christopher Columbus in 1492 - making it the oldest country of the Americas. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, the Dominican Republic’s 18,704 sq. miles consist of rain forest, savannah and highlands. While the island is mostly known for its beaches, resorts and golf courses it also boasts the … [Read more...]
My 5 Favorite Caribbean Destinations
I have been fortunate to have visited all countries in the Caribbean except for Haiti and have visited nearly all of the territories. Haiti is definitely on the list for upcoming visits. I have stayed in a wide variety of accommodation in the region including a number of luxury properties. Luxury Retreats recently reached out to me; they focus on high end vacation rentals worldwide including a number of Caribbean luxury vacations. After … [Read more...]
St. Lucia Jazz: The Caribbean’s Heartbeat
This must be an out of body experience...or at the very least what this experience would possibly feel like. Those were the words going through my mind as I witnessed the performance of the internationally acclaimed zouk band "Kassav' perform on my old stomping ground in my hometown of Soufriere (St. Lucia). The iconic Pitons (dramatic volcanic spires that rise sharply) in the background must have added to this feeling of the experience being … [Read more...]
How to Spend a Few Days in Dominica
Dominica is ideal for the independent traveler looking to getaway from crowds, to bond with nature, and to explore the country on his or her own. Aptly called "the nature isle" when one visits the country, one soon understands this description. First of all, there are not a lot of people who live in the country, some 72,000 by the last count, so it never feels crowded, the island is full of rivers, waterfalls, some freshwater lakes and dense at … [Read more...]
Christmas in Cap Haitien, Haiti
I’ve been in Port au Prince for five days now, it’s time for a change of pace. I climb into the rinky-dink turboprop to Cap Haitien, a mid-size town on the northern coast of Haiti. It’s a bumpy 30-minute flight but it sure beats the 7-hour bus drive over rough terrain and potholed roads. Usually, I always opt for ground transport because it allows me to see the country up close. Circumstances force me to choose the plane this time - to good … [Read more...]
Petit St. Vincent: A Caribbean Gourmet Getaway
The Grenadines are a chain of Caribbean islands that have been only lightly touched by mass tourism. For water enthusiasts, it’s a treasure chest of crystalline seas, undisturbed coral reefs and top-notch diving. I’ve visited a number of Instagram-worthy Caribbean Islands but the Grenadines are my numero uno. Time spent in this part of the world is an instant elixir to my stress-filled urban existence. As a foodie, no vacation is complete if … [Read more...]
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