Caribbean

Best Places to Spend Your Holidays on an Island

Turks and Caicos Islands are a hidden gem of the Caribbean and are largely ignored in the favor of its more popular neighbors. This archipelago is located in the Atlantic Ocean and near the Bahamas so many tourists take the trip to Bahamas instead of exploring this collection of islands for their beauty and culture. Turks and Caicos have a low population and the locals are very welcoming, which makes this destination the perfect spot for a long and relaxing holiday.

While these islands aren’t as popular as the Bahamas, they do have a well-developed tourist infrastructure. The gateway island called Providenciales is home to excellent luxury resorts and restaurants. Turks and Caicos villas are also very popular and are often completely booked during favorable tourist seasons. You find beautiful villas for rent in Turks and Caicos Islands and can spend your entire holiday relaxing in comfort and luxury. Of course, there are a number of things to do and explore when you step out of the villas.

1. The beaches

Turks and Caicos are a collection of small islands with low banks in the Atlantic so you can be sure there are plenty of beaches to explore regardless of where you are. Some beaches are very popular and experience a surge of tourist activity while others are hidden gems and allow you time to relax in relative privacy. If you’re not in the mood to explore the local cultural and historical attractions and simply want to relax, beaches are a great way to soak up some sun and spend time watching the beautiful ocean.

2. Sightseeing

While these islands have ample natural beauty, they also have distinct culture and history that you shouldn’t miss exploring when you’re visiting them. The oldest settlements of this region are located in Bight and Blue Hills in Providenciales. These villages have a typical Caribbean atmosphere and most inhabitants just go about their daily lives in it . Tourists can soak up the culture and the relaxed lifestyle of the local people while they’re here. If you visit north of Caicos, you see the ruins of Loyalist plantations and the most impressive of these are Wade’s Green. You can also see artists practicing straw work here.

3. History

Grand Turk is the place to visit if you want to explore the islands’ history. It’s believed that Christopher Columbus made landfall here on his first voyage to the New World. The capital of this island is full of colonial buildings and you can also find the Turks and Caicos National Museum here. You’ll also find some great Turks and Caicos villas to explore and even rent for your holiday.

4. Water sports

If you’re on the beach and still want to have some fun, there are a number of water sport options you can explore. These activities are quite popular so you won’t have to go far from your Turks and Caicos villas in order to find something you love. Scuba diving is the most popular water sport in the area as the islands have some of the best diving spots in the world. There are stunning reef walls and several marine species to explore in these waters. If you visit during January and May, you will also spot some humpback whales.

Next time you thing of holidaying in the Caribbean, consider Turks and Caicos as an option. You can explore the beautiful natural scenery and soak in the culture while you stay in luxurious Turks and Caicos villas.

Get the Most Out of Your Vacations

If you’re someone who loves to travel, you should by now be one who gets the most out of their vacations.

When you head to relaxing and exotic locations, there is always something to do.

As it stands, you may very well run out of time with all the options in play. If that turns out to be the case there is no problem. You head back there again and again to enjoy all there is to offer.

One such area of the world that fits that description is the Caribbean.

Stop for a moment and think about all there is to do and see when you head to this part of the world.

Right off the top of your head, you can imagine things such as:

· Beautiful beaches and great weather

· Great food and drink

· Entertainment to keep you hopping every night

· Local cultures to welcome you with open arms

· Plenty of amenities for the little ones if you have kids

With that in mind, thinking about a trip to the Caribbean soon should be high on your priority list.

So, will you head there and get the most out of your vacations?

Planning Your Caribbean Visit

If the Caribbean sounds like your idea of fun, where do you start your planning?

The best thing to do is hop online and see all there is to learn about this part of the world.

If Jamaica catches your fancy, there is a good reason for that.

One of the most popular areas of the Caribbean, the country packs in visitors year after year. Whether you lean towards Jamaica all-inclusive resorts or others, you’re going to have a good time.

By using the web, you can scout the best resorts, airfares or cruise ships, attractions and more.

Also look at social media as a way to learn more about this area of the world.

As tourists and locals post on social networking sites, you can learn more on the Caribbean.

Ask locals or tourists about their positive experiences on any Caribbean islands.

Another feature of the Caribbean is the proximity of many of these islands to one another.

Without much effort at all, you can jump from place to place in no time at all. Now, what could be easier than that when it comes to getting the most out of your vacations?

Create Memories for a Lifetime

Even if you plan on heading somewhere other than the Caribbean, make memories for a lifetime.

From cell phone cameras to video cameras and more, be sure to record as much of your vacation as possible. There is nothing better than sitting at home or elsewhere and looking back on a great vacation. Not only does it bring back great memories, but it inspires you to start planning the next adventure.

So, get making those reservations and packing your bags.

If you’re off to the Caribbean sooner than later, prepare yourself for the vacation of a lifetime.

7 Places You Must See in Cuba

Cuba is a hugely popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. The island country is the largest and most populace in the whole of the Caribbean and is host to eight different UNESCO world heritage sites; a mere hint as to the extent of the culture and wonder that is just waiting to be explored in some of Cuba’s must-see locations.

  1. Jardines del Rey

Known as the King’s Garden, this cluster of islands rises triumphantly from the Atlantic sea and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cuba. Abundant with crystal clear waters, dazzlingly white sands and majestic flamingos wandering freely around the many lagoons, it is easy to see why.

  1. Havana

Havana, the capital city of Cuba and largest in all of the Caribbean is bursting at the seams with the history of the country. Cathedrals, castles and museums display the architectural beauty of Cuba in all its glory, so much so that the historic area known as Old Havana plays host to over 900 attractions alone, marking it as one of the country’s greatest and most renowned world heritage sites. The city is also the ideal place to soak up the rich musical culture of Cuba; known for its fusion of African and European influences.

  1. Varadero beach

Cuba is home to over 300 beaches, distinguished by their uniquely coloured sand and clear, turquoise waters. The most popular of all those beaches however is Varadero with its enviable golden sand. With a sub-tropical climate and 330 days of sunshine each year, this makes Varadero and its neighbouring Cuban beaches equally as ideal for those who love to sunbathe as for those who love diving below the surface of the water.

  1. Zapata peninsula

The Zapata peninsula, protected by one of the country’s numerous biospheres, is covered in dense marshland and thick forest, making it an ideal destination for those who adore admiring diverse wildlife in their natural habitat. The clear waters and coral reef at its coast also make it popular among scuba divers.

  1. La Farola

This world renowned highway delves deep into the beautiful mountains near Cajobabo. 11 different bridges along the way allow you to gaze into the abyss below, making the most of one of Cuba’s so-called ‘seven wonders of Cuban architecture’.

  1. Pinar del Rio

Any lover of old-fashioned Westerns simply must visit Pinar del Rio. The home of the world’s most beloved cigars and cowboys that still roam the limestone mountains and flat plains, this place is also protected by UNESCO due to its natural beauty and rich heritage.

  1. Cienfuegos

Known as ‘The Pearl of the South’, this waterfront city is home to yet another world heritage site, thanks to its glorious architecture. It also plays host to some of the calmest waters in Cuba, making it a popular stop for lovers of sailing. Meanwhile, below the surface, the underwater maze of coral referred to as the Notre Dame makes this another favourite location for divers.

With cheap holidays to Cuba so easy to organise, there really is nothing stopping you from immersing yourself in a country steeped with culture, history and beauty.