Caribbean travel tips and tricks

I know they are advising against travel to Mexico. In two weeks I am planning on taking a vacation to Jamaica for my honeymoon. I have not heard anything from the resort yet but I was wondering if I have missed something? Thank you.

At this time there is no reason for concern with regards to travel in Jamaica. I have posted some websites that you can keep looking at prior to the trip and just make sure there are no travel restrictions. I honestly don't foresee any reason why you will not be able to travel to Jamaica Mon. Enjoy your honey moon lucky!

You would be happy to know that the governments in that region are planning extensively (as everywhere else) for proper precautions on prevention and containment if it should hit home. The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre - CAREC, called on Caribbean countries to begin immediate mobilization of key personnel to ensure that the region is ready to deal with possible cases of the flu.

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I know they are advising against travel to Mexico. In two weeks I am planning on taking a vacation to Jamaica for my honeymoon. I have not heard anything from the resort yet but I was wondering if I have missed something? Thank you.

At this time there is no reason for concern with regards to travel in Jamaica. I have posted some websites that you can keep looking at prior to the trip and just make sure there are no travel restrictions. I honestly don't foresee any reason why you will not be able to travel to Jamaica Mon. Enjoy your honey moon lucky!

You would be happy to know that the governments in that region are planning extensively (as everywhere else) for proper precautions on prevention and containment if it should hit home. The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre - CAREC, called on Caribbean countries to begin immediate mobilization of key personnel to ensure that the region is ready to deal with possible cases of the flu.

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This is the season to mix calypso with cricket! With the ICC World Cup 2007 going in full flow in the West Indies you can enjoy the potent cocktail of cricket and calypso with sunny and exotic Mediterranean beaches. Complete travel packages focussing around the world cup action are now available with many tour & travel operators.

Vacations are ideally meant for spending some quality time with family, few moments of unhurried intimacy with people who mean everything in your life. If the deal you avail also gives you opportunity to have a rocking time on the grassy banks inside most Caribbean cricket stadiums as well as unwinding on the sandy and exotic beaches, you certainly can’t ask for more!

You can go sun bathing, surf across the sea water, take amazing cruise through the islands or can just explore the islands by visiting all the watering holes and food joints serving superb and spicy food. To avail travel packages for your vacation trip to the Caribbean islands won’t require you to make a trip to the crowded high street, all you will need to do is to get hold of the nearest computer and key in the phrase you think describes your requirement.

The cut throat competition amongst the travel operators and travel websites has ensured that the biggest beneficiary is the consumer. The competitive rates have ensured that you can actually go to all the exotic locations that you dreamt about. Caribbean islands certainly are on the dream-destination list of most of us and with a sporting extravaganza like the Cricket World Cup being staged there, I’m hoping Vaughan and boys will at least reach the semis, it just got more appealing. So pack your bags and fly away to spend your vacations in the amazing and exotic Caribbean islands, but let the reason be cricket!

Adam Jaylin
http://www.articlesbase.com/vacation-rentals-articles/fly-to-caribbean-123839.html

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The Cayman Islands, made famous for their incredible diving, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and year round Caribbean sunshine, are made up of 3 different islands. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman; a fuse of Caribbean allure and American efficiency made complete with an inescapable charm from the friendly locals who will welcome you anytime. Although very small, the total landmass of the 3 islands is just 100 square miles, the grand Cayman Islands offers you the best of all worlds.

Cayman Islands weather is almost perfect year round. The winter months, Nov-Apr, the temperature ranges from 72-86 degrees during the day and 64-72 degrees at night. In the summer months, May-Oct, the temperature during the day ranges from 85-90 degrees and 73-85 degrees by night. Also, most people don’t realize just how close to the equator that these islands lay and that means that the sun is HOT. The islands are cooled by the prevailing trade winds but don’t let this fool you, take the sun in small doses and always wear lots of sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Given the beautiful Cayman Islands weather, do be aware that it does occasionally rain there! You might want an umbrella just in case. The rainy season starts in May and ends in October with the 2 rainiest months being May and October. March and April are usually the driest.

One of the things that you will experience on the Cayman islands, is world class dining. With over 150 places to eat that range from elegant fine dining to budget fast food and take out, there is something for everyone. Traditional Cayman cuisine has a strong Jamaican influence. Traditional dishes feature seafood cooked in a variety of ways, lobster and conch. Local dishes are often served with coconut, plantain, yams, rice and peas, along with other West Indian side dishes. You can also find many other alternative choices that include; Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, German and so many others! When it comes to tipping, keep in mind that most hotels add a 5-10% service charge and many restaurants add a 10-15% service charge but some don’t. It’s best to check your bill to see if the service has been added and feel free to reward those who give what you feel is exceptional service.

Shopping and nightlife; there is certainly no shortage on the Grand Cayman islands! You will find a wide variety of nightlife and entertainment from lively nightclubs, to watching live international and local bands perform, to pool halls, lounges and the theatre. Bars, clubs and dancehalls close at 3am during the weekdays, midnight on Saturdays and there are no nightclubs open on Sundays. When you arrive, you will be able to find local informational magazines, free of charge that will list all the special events and current happenings on the islands. The Cayman Islands enjoy tax free status which also means they have duty free status. You will be able to find items such as fine jewellery, watches, crystal, perfumes and china that can be as much as 30% cheaper there. One of the best places to go shopping is in the capitol of George Town in Grand Cayman, it is home to one of the nicest shopping centers in the Caribbean! The local currency is the Cayman Islands dollar and it is equivalent to $1.25 USD. It is a fixed exchange rate and never changes. American currency is generally accepted, as well as all major credit cards, and the CI dollar.

There are many options for getting around on the Grand Cayman Islands; taxis, public transportation, car rentals to mopeds and scooters. Upon arrival, you will find many taxis that are available from the airport and are readily available from all resorts. You will find fixed rates per vehicle or per person to all points on the island. This information is available from the taxi driver and there is also a sign with current rates posted at the cruise ship dock in George Town. One of the Caribbean’s most extensive fleet of modern rental cars are found here in the Cayman’s. Driving is on the left hand side of the road but you can find many rentals that feature right hand driving. Visitor’s need to obtain temporary driver’s licenses from the rental agency but this is easily done by presenting a valid driver’s license from your country and being over 21, although not all agencies will insure you if you are under 25. Rentals are readily available from Grand Cayman while there are more limited numbers of them on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Car rentals can be booked before arriving on Grand Cayman and it is advisable to do so during the winter months. A public bus terminal is located in downtown George Town and serves as a dispatch point to all the districts, service starts at 6am. There are also several mini buses that are operated by licensed operators that serve 8 routes.

The Cayman Islands have so much to offer and possesses unsurpassed beauty under the sea due to their protected Marine Parks. You can easily see why so many people realize their dreams here and love visiting this tropical paradise.

Sarah White
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/a-journey-through-the-grand-cayman-islands-92900.html

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06.00AM, Airport Mumbai.

I have made it in time, driving from the Hotel in Worli. Mumbai is one of the largest cities on our globe and leaves an unforgettable impression behind. In daytime the streets are bustling with activity, the stench of car fumes, the ever present pollution, the traffic jams, are all but pleasant surprises in this overcrowded city.

Jet Airways is always late, Modi-Luft has just taken off to an unknown destination, I observe the frantic activities inside the airport. People rushing, uplifting their Ego in front of the Airline counters, a normal sight in Indians airports. Everyone is a Tycoon, everyone displays a show of force to attract attention. In a country of 1,3 Billion, a vital technique of survival.

After a 3 hour delay our plane finally takes off, in India 12 hours delays are common. The plane is a 737-300 extended version, on the way to Lucknow, U.P. we touch down in New Delhi.

We reach Lucknow airport arolund 3PM. My contact in Kanpur has not shown up. Lucknow airport is not an International airport, its facilities are limited. Bring your own Rupees, there is no Bank to change your foreign currency. Taxi touts swarm around me,

Hello Sir, Taxi to Lucknow Sir. I decide to wait show lack of interest. I will gain this way. When all the passengers have left, after haggling with their drivers, I walk out of the terminal and find quietly a Fiat cabby, who agrees to take me to Lucknow for a decent fare. After years in Africa I find the same rules apply here when it comes to negotiating.

I ask to stop at the first communication center, ISD, or IDD telephone center, to call my contact. It appears the driver would not come and instead he asks the Cabby to take me to Kanpur, a 150 km from here.

The first impression of Lucknow is, the many street side shops in which Sarees are being sold. The craft of Sarree making here is known throughout India, and represents an important part of business. We pass the streets of this city, the usual sceneries with cows strolling through the streets, people respectfully giving way to them. Nobody would touch a cow here, a clear taboo. Donkey carts, with the driver asleep in the carts, are plying the route towards Kanpur. The immense afternoon sun radiates 45 degrees I notice by a thermometer located on a public building, no surprise to me.

After 3 hours drive we reach Kanpur, my destination. The driver takes me to my hotel as instructed, after paying the fare which is reasonable I am shown into my room. Thirty storey tall, the hotel is the best lodge in the city, and stands out from the low level buildings around. I notice the large numbers of buzzards circling above the hotel, using the thermals to their advantage.

Still the afternoon sun is high, the air condition helps me to cool down a bit.

At 18.30 PM I am to meet Mr. Rakej the rep of the company who I will visit. A very pleasant man, he apologizes for the inconvenience of not being picked up. We leave for dinner in his car, the obligatory Fiat, in immaculate condition.

Kanpur - The Railway crossing

We pass through the now darkened city, as everywhere we see whole families moving by scooters, bicycles. Cars are still a luxury here, the traffic mainly consisting of scooters and bicycles, and by passers on foot.

The heat now subsiding, Mr. Rakej explains the various sights of Kanpur, its history. We enter the restaurant, and the following dinner is a delight. The baby Naans (tiny flat breads baked in the Tandoor), Navratan Khoorma, (Nine Jewels), Rogan Josh (Lamb Stew), the various Indian dishes I savour frequently. If one thing strikes me of India, it is their cuisine. The Indian kitchen is one of the best this world has to offer.

A visit of the famous Hindu temple in Kanpur is on our next Agenda. The temple is known amongst Hindus for its unique design structure.

We reach the railway crossing, just when the barriers move down, accompanied by loud ringing of the bell. People rushing through the barrier, lifting it up to pass, crossing from both sides of the tracks. No one cares about the oncoming train, as Mr. Rakej .explains, every year people are being killed by the trains. As the minutes pass on, and no show of reduction of human traffic across the rails follows, I am getting anxious more and more. Yet the people still no sign of stopping to cross. The tracks are now vibrating, the trains whistle blowing not far, there, one motor scooter with family, man, woman and child, cross with their scooter. I want to close my eyes, and there another type with a bicycle enters the danger zone. Then, in a flash the train speeds through the crossing, at great speed, well over 120 mph. I can’t see a thing in the dark, almost I am certain those people have been hit.

When it is all over, the train has passed, I notice the bicyclist, who holds his bike across his chest, inches to the train’s carriages. An unbelievable experience, this will stay in my memories forever. I was breathless so to speak, not being able to comprehend the situation. Yet, my guide was unimpressed, noticing this is an everyday experience with the resulting consequences for those who can’t make it. If something ever struck me about this country, it must have been this incident.

The show of disrespect for life is over, we carry on to see the biggest Hindu temple in Kanpur. White marble from the onset, every one removes his shoes, and I am thinking if I should leave my pair of Moreschis or not. The temple entrance is a haven for rats, these rats are everywhere in here, crawling and running around in masses. The temple honors rats, they have a sacred status and are fed and looked after by the temple’s keepers. Donations are accepted for their upkeep. Apart from the rat infestation, the temple is a complex of marvel. Built to the highest standards, with no expense spared white marble throughout, I look stunned. In contrast to the outside world, the Kanpur temple represents the most lavishly built structure I have seen. The stark contrast of everyday poverty visible is amazing. And as it is Friday night, people are streaming to pray, lighting their brought incense. The scent of exotics, the scent of India is all present wherever you go.

Mr. Rakej has completed his prayers, and we leave, the impressions linger with me till this day, and Kanpur will be in my memories forever.

A travel to India, by HR.

Heinz Rainer
http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/a-train-crossing-kanpur-utar-pradesh-india-140381.html

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From time to time everybody needs to get away from it all, to forget about their day-to-day work and to recharge their physical and emotional batteries. And what could be more refreshing and alluring than engaging in some exotic travels and visiting the holiday destinations of your dreams? Here’s an exotic travel guide for your next vacation and I am sure that no matter which destination you’ll choose, you’ll come back reenergized and revitalized, with a lot of unique memories.

If you have never traveled abroad, I’m sure that there are countless exotic travels that you would like to make. Choosing only one could be a tough decision, but fortunately now you can find on the Internet a lot of information about every possible destination in the world. This exotic travel guide will just help you to make an idea about what kind of vacation will suit you and your family. Maybe what you dream about is to relax in the hot sun all day long and to go swimming in blue, warm waters. Or maybe you are more interested in historical artifacts or the cultural aspect of a place. There are exotic travels for all kinds of persons and tastes; you just have to carefully choose them!

Maybe Caribbean travels are the most popular exotic travels ever, because when it comes to vacations that are all about having fun in the hot sun, nothing can compare to these islands. This is why they must be included in every exotic travel guide. Caribbean vacations have thousands of things to offer to every tourist: clear blue skies, crystal clear seas, lagoons, volcanic mountains, tropical forests, shallow beaches, palm trees, mangrove swamps, sand dunes, colorful coral reefs, huge rock formations, waterfalls. You may choose what most pleases you from this wide variety of landscapes: if you want to relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, I strongly recommend you to choose Aruba, but if you want to explore the rain forests, you will be completely satisfied with Puerto Rico. A Caribbean vacation can offer you the exotic travels of your lifetime: lovely beaches, exotic food, risky explorations, an unspoiled heaven full of joy and most pleasant surprises!

I must confess that the exotic travels of my dreams are the trips to Asia, the mother of countless myths, religions, cultures and stories. Destinations like Japan, China, Bangkok, Singapore or Thailand are recommended by every exotic travel guide, because of the unique experiences and memories they offer. Japan, the land of the rising sun, is the most hi-tech country of the world, but it is also famous for its beautiful villages, ancient shrines and romantic getaways. Bangkok and Singapore are incredibly beautiful places and if you are a fan of sightseeing, you will surely be thrilled to visit them. Thailand is one of the most appreciated destinations of the past few years, because it is a country of untamed jungles, elephants, buffalos, exotic trees, vines and bamboos, but you will also find there a lot of modern hotels and conveniences. If you prefer destinations which combine unique landscapes and interesting culture and history, China could be the right choice for you.

Last but not least, our exotic travel guide invites you to a trip to Greece, where you will find seacoasts and mountains, ancient architecture and great shopping opportunities, coexisting in an amazing mixture of ancient and modern culture. The traditional food is mouthwatering, the seashore offers fantastic views and the architecture is extraordinary. Places like Athens, Crete, Sparta, Rhodes or Corinth don’t need any introduction and they should be included in every exotic travel guide.

Amelie Mag
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/an-exotic-travel-guide-for-your-next-vacation-101165.html

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The Caribbean is a good place for family vacations thanks to the numerous beaches, ancient ruins, and natural attractions. Thanks to the Caribbean kids activities available throughout the islands it is one of the best places to visit with your family. The itineraries of the various cruise lines operating in the Caribbean have expanded considerably during the past few years and include Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Costa Maya, and Mexico.

Caribbean kids activities are available throughout the range of islands and some of the top attractions may be found in the ports of Georgetown (Grand Cayman), Ohco Rios and Montego Bay (Jamaica), Cozumel and Costa Maya (Mexico), Belize City (Belize), and Bay Island (Roatan) located at the north coast of Honduras.

While the Caribbean has always been a popular tourist destination among people all over the world, there is a new trend spreading across these islands that is more focused at providing great vacations to families. There are several couples who have been here before but now they are enjoying the whole experience with their kids who in turn are having a great time thanks to the Caribbean kids activities. Some of the most popular spots within the Caribbean are now being visited by families. All over the islands, Caribbean kids activities are found readily available through resorts that are now including kids programs in their daily routine so that the adults are not the only ones enjoying the Caribbean beaches. Of course, the kids too can engage in the various water activities like snorkeling, etc. or simply stay on the beach proper building castles in the sand.

This is a vast change from the old days when the Caribbean was mostly known for being a haven for the rich and famous who would dress up for formal dinners and typically stay there for weeks on end. All that was changed by air travel that put the Caribbean within reach of the average family and it was not long before this collection of tropical islands became a pleasant destination for honeymooners and now, thanks to Caribbean kids activities, it has undergone another transformation and become one of the premier family destinations in the world.

Due to this change in the focus of the Caribbean from the honeymooners to the family, a lot of couples are coming back with their kids and staying at resorts that are more focused towards their family as a whole.

Couples without families have a very different impression of the Caribbean filled with tropical drinks and other adult activities. Caribbean kids activities at resorts would offer something as different as a competition for building sand castles.

The next time you are planning to go on a family vacation you must surely consider the Caribbean because of all the new family oriented options that are available now.

James Penn
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/activities-for-kids-in-the-caribbean-72608.html

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A bit of free time is hard to come by these days. In fact, with work, kids and countless other life pursuits to contend with, there’s seemingly no time to relax and do “nothing”; let alone take time off for a holiday. Yet the need for such free time is always there and continues to grow with the stresses of everyday life. So what can you do to remedy this seemingly endless cycle?

If you feel the need for a holiday but don’t have much time to spare, then why not consider taking a short break? This inevitably means that you won’t have the time to travel very far; but then again, you don’t really need to visit faraway lands in order to relax and enjoy a change of scenery.

If you live in the UK, a visit to Ireland is more than manageable in terms of both distance and cost. Many people are turning to ferry travel when it comes to travelling between the UK and Ireland - and why not? Ferries offer a comfortable and fast way to travel; in fact, with no hidden charges added to the fare, ferry travel often costs less than travelling by air. Another attraction of ferry travel is the fact that there are no restrictions on the amount of baggage that passengers travelling by car are allowed to bring on-board. Moreover, travellers can easily take their cars on holiday with them, enabling the simple transport of any special holiday equipment such as surf boards or golf-clubs.

Holidaymakers can discover the treasures of Dublin, the thrills of Belfast or the charms of Wexford by travelling to Ireland via ferry. With onboard shopping, dining and entertainment, you and the kids will never have a dull moment on your ferry crossing from the UK to Ireland. Moreover, travel takes only a few hours, so you won’t lose any valuable time getting to your destination.

Pick from a number of exciting locales to travel to in Ireland: dozens of daily crossings within an extensive network of routes ensures that you’ll find an itinerary and a destination which suits your travel plans. You can also be sure that there are many great value fares available on ferry transport; so it simply makes sense as an ideal mode of travel. Furthermore, the earlier you book, the lower your fare will be - it’s that simple.

If you’re considering travelling by ferry to Ireland from the UK, there are various ferry companies which can offer you a spectacular deal on your trip. Moreover, the start of a new year means that there are many promotional fares on offer. Stena Line, for example, offer deals on combined ferry & hotel trips and day excursions; so whether you plan to travel to Ireland from Fleetwood, Fishguard, Holyhead or Stranraer, rest assured that there’s a remarkable deal in store for you.

So take advantage of ferry travel to Ireland today - with so many benefits, you’ll see just why millions of people choose this fantastic mode of travel each year.

Martin Mcallister
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/ferry-travel-equals-smart-travel-94323.html

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Which Caribbean islands have the least amount of American tourists and has instead British, European, and Canadian tourists?

Apart from Cuba, the islands where there are fewest American tourists are Guadeloupe and Martinique, where French is spoken and which people from the USA avoid for that reason. There is also Haiti, but that is an island which sadly most tourists tend to avoid.

Angela G couldn't be more incorrect about the Turks and Caicos! It is swarming with US tourists in season.

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Which Caribbean islands have the least amount of American tourists and has instead British, European, and Canadian tourists?

Apart from Cuba, the islands where there are fewest American tourists are Guadeloupe and Martinique, where French is spoken and which people from the USA avoid for that reason. There is also Haiti, but that is an island which sadly most tourists tend to avoid.

Angela G couldn't be more incorrect about the Turks and Caicos! It is swarming with US tourists in season.

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