More than five years ago, I was lucky enough to find myself vacationing on the island of St. Kitts, a lush, 68-square mile volcanic island in the West Indies. I fell in love with the people, the culture and the sweet air of the small island nation, affectionately dubbed, “Sugar City.” On my return, this time with boyfriend along my side, I wondered: would the taste of rum cake, the sting in a ting, and the charming local population, Kittitians, hold the same allure for me? Not only did I fall in love with the island all over again, but the surrounding landscape, blue waters and warm hospitality of St. Kitts allowed us to not just explore the island, but experience romance with each other.
St. Kitts Beach
It sounds obvious to say that there are no shortages of beautiful, pristine beaches on St. Kitts, but if there is a must-see beach destination it is Cockleshell Bay. A secluded stretch of white sand located on the Southeast Peninsula, it is over two miles long and gives visitors a magnificent view of St. Kitts’ sister land, Nevis. Our destination was the Spice Mill, a romantic oceanfront eatery serving up delicious and fresh Caribbean cuisine. The turquoise waters invited us to place our things on our private canopy beds, and jump right into the warm waters. With Nevis to our backs, we floated and basked in the hot sun until it was time to chow down. The owner, Roger, greeted us at our table in the restaurant designed in the local style. We were offered fresh watermelon rum cocktails as we ate jerk chicken, island-spiced battered tilapia and the Spice Mill Salad. The food, fresh and cooked with local ingredients, was tasty and succulent; the service, lacking and a bit on the slow side, left something to be desired. I chalk it up to “Island Time,” which normally I can deal with on vacation, except when waiting for another watermelon drink! One can’t really be that upset when the ocean is beckoning, so back into the blue waters we went until our drink was eventually brought to us there.
St. Kitts Beach Explore
The lush rainforest and mountain peaks of St. Kitts rise to over 3,000 miles in height. Exploring the natural landscape of the island was a must for us and we connected with Greg’s Safari for our jeep tour. A native, Greg has been giving tours since 1988 and is a seasoned professional who provides not only interesting factual tidbits along the way, but also his own personal stories to enrich the experience. Customers can choose from four different tours and depending on fitness level (one involves strenuous hiking to the volcano crater rim at Mt. Liamuiga can opt for one that fits their needs. We took the Off-the-Beaten Path Plantation Tour, which focused on the 350-year history of sugar on St. Kitts. After driving past his very own home, Greg served us a picnic with homemade cookies and fresh fruit picked from his garden. We explored an old abandoned plantation home, the ruins of a windmill and sugar factory at Estridge Estate, and St. Mary’s Anglican Church. With a cup of rum punch in hand, we gazed at the sweeping vistas from inside the rainforest’s lower peaks; the highlight of our tour.
St. Kitts Glide
If exploring by jeep or hike isn’t for you, opt for gliding through the rainforest with Sky Safaris, a scenic zipline flying over Wingfrield River. Combining eco-adventure with awe-inspiring views and knowledgeable tour guides. There are a choice of three tours: 1) Full Tour (2 hours) exploring all ziplines, 2) Half Tour (1.5 hours) exploring some of the ziplines, 3) Fly and Walk (2 hours)- explore some of the ziplines and easy walk through St. Kitts Rainforest. There are five ziplines varying in length and height: The Boss, at 1,350 feet in length, is the longest and tallest line at 250 feet above the rainforest; MangoTango (1000 feet long); Brimstone Blast (900 feet long); Monkey Trainer (140 feet long); and River Rocker, a dual race line (500 feet long). Speeds of the zipline can reach up to 50 miles per hour! But don’t worry: the harness is safe (and comfortable); designed after a paragliding harness, you can sit comfortably in leg and back supports as well as a chest strap.
St. Kitts Sail
After doing land and air, it was about time for us to explore by sea and no better way to do that than on a sunset catamaran cruise out of Basseterre’s Porte Zante. On a vessel provided by Leeward Islands Charters, we headed out for our two-hour excursion. On board, a platter of sushi, cheese and crackers, and other snacks awaited us. The lively crew, after quickly explaining safety procedures, introduced themselves as the calypso and dancehall island music poured out of the speakers. With a beat in the background, the crew passed out rum punch drinks and the local favorite, ting (rum) with a sting (a grapefruit soda) – and yes, it tasted just as good as I remembered! We sat on the netting at the front of the boat with the ocean breeze hugging us as we sailed out into the sunset with Nevis ahead. Once the sun said its goodbye for the day, our captain turned us around and returned back to St. Kitts as the lights from the island’s capital twinkled in the distance.
St. Kitts Dance
With sting from the boat still in our system, a night on the town was next on the agenda. With the advice from the crew, it seemed “The Strip,” located in Frigate Bay, was the next destination. Lined with open-air bars and beach shack lounges, we found locals, tourists and expatriates alike, dancing, drinking Carib and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (both brewed on the island) and “liming.” With a Brinley mango rum drunk, also produced on St. Kitts, in hand, we let the live steel drum music guide us down the road, from Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack to Monkey Bar and Buddies Bar & Grill to Inon’s. While the party kept going into the early hours of the morning, we enjoyed a few and headed back to our nearby resort.
St. Kitts Stay
Situated on the shores of Frigate Bay, The St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino was home for our stay. During my last time on the island, I stayed at the 26-acre oceanfront resort and was eager to return; but this time, after a $3 million renovation in early 2012, the property offered even more. With nearly 400 well-appointed guestrooms, our accommodations in the five-story Frigate Bay House gave us a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean and four-mile stretch of tanned sand along its shores. With a private balcony and lush bedding, we found that taking breakfast in bed was a necessary daily ritual during our stay. Our favorite spot to relax on the property was the newly revamped Bohemia Beach Bar by the resort’s main pool (one of three free form pools on the premise). The 3,000-plus square foot bar served up delicious local bites (the conch fritters were a personal favorite) and signature Caribbean cocktails. When the pool was not an option (on one very rainy morning), The Emerald Mist Spa was the perfect hideaway to unwind with a rejuvenating couples massage.
Dining at the resort is certainly a treat and we partook every night during our stay. The Royal Grille Steakhouse, the property’s flagship eatery, was the culinary highlight: with a menu of Caesar salad made tableside, succulent surf and turf, and warm bananas fosters. The Blu Seafood Restaurant, with a 180-degree panoramic view of the ocean, had superb crab dip and the antipasto buffet at La Cucina barely left room for our fine Italian entrees (although we somehow managed). After our meals, we frequented the 35,000 square-foot casino, the largest in the Caribbean, with live entertainment after 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
The resort is also home to the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, featuring an 125-acre 18-hole golf course, with holes on facing both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Sadly, time on this trip to the island didn’t allow for us to play a game. But, we figured that was okay -– it gives us a reason to come to St. Kitts another time and fall in love all over again.
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People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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Amazing Post! about Amsterdam
There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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2 adults available to drive your car from New Orleans to north suburb of Chicago mid October. Need 3 or four nights. Split the gas,
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
The Ski and Snow Vacations for Families article is one of the best I have ever read!
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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Chicago is a famous place that has many impressive landscapes.
Most visitors like traveling there.
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helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.