A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
The Caribbean remains one of the most popular holiday destinations for residents of the U.K. and Ireland, notably the islands that are (or formerly were) part of the Commonwealth. Here is information on the airlines that offer flights between Great Britain, Ireland, and the islands of the Caribbean.
Puerto Rico is an easy tropical destination to reach from most points in the continental United States, and for Americans, no passport is required. The main island encompasses just over 3,500 square miles, making it the smallest of the Greater Antilles.
The U.S. State Department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the U.S. and the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, and Canada: the U.S. Passport Card. This card is marketed as a cheaper, smaller, and more convenient alternative to carrying a passport when traveling to these destinations by land or sea. However, many travelers may still prefer to apply for a full passport, as the Passport Card is not valid for international air travel.
Here are the best picks for authentic Caribbean-related gifts to brighten any holiday or occasion — or just to bring home rather than that same old t-shirt or gift-shop shot glass!
Nassau has always been the prime shopping destination in the Bahamas. The bustling Bay Street offers the biggest selection of shops, includingKing’s Jewellery WorldandSolomon’s Mines. Alternatively, consider visiting thePort Lucaya Marketplaceon Grand Bahama Island, a twelve-acre waterfront market featuring over 66 retail stores with a wide selection of jewelry, souvenirs, and gifts that cater to all tastes.
Cruising is one of the most popular ways to explore the Caribbean Islands. With cruise visits approaching 30 million each year, cruise lines are continuously adding new and exciting destinations to their itineraries.
Caribbean countries generally utilize their own currencies; however, numerous tourist destinations across the islands also accept U.S. dollars to attract American travelers. Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, are widely accepted, although credit card transactions typically occur in local currency, with conversion rates managed by your card-issuing bank.
Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) serves as the heart of Cuba’s capital and stands out as its cultural nucleus. Founded in 1519 by the Spanish, Havana was initially fortified with walls. Although most of these barriers have disappeared, the dense 3,000-building district they once protected encompasses many of Cuba’s significant cultural landmarks.
The Obama administration has loosened the ban on travel to Cuba by U.S. citizens, allowing most Americans to visit the largest Caribbean nation for the popular “people-to-people” tours. If you plan to visit the vibrant land known for Castro, Hemingway, salsa, and cigars, this guide outlines the companies facilitating your journey.
For the first time since the 1950s, Americans are allowed to travel legally to Cuba. However, navigating the process of obtaining flights and accommodations in Havana or Varadero can be quite complex, influenced by both bureaucratic requirements and limited availability. Therefore, many Americans choose to join tours organized by companies authorized by the U.S. State Department, aimed at facilitating cultural exchange trips to Cuba.
In the Caribbean, travelers can find duty-free shops at almost any airport, but certain island destinations and ports are also famous for their concentration of duty-free shopping. At these locations, travelers can find jewelry, watches, perfume, liquor, and other goods at a deep discount—25 to 40 percent in many cases. Citizens from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe and elsewhere may bring a limited quantity of goods home tax-free when traveling to the Caribbean.
Caribbean travelers can discover duty-free shops at virtually any airport, with certain island destinations renowned for their extensive duty-free shopping options. Visitors frequently seek out jewelry, watches, perfume, liquor, and other goods at significant discounts — often between 25% to 40%. Travelers from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe, and other regions are allowed to bring a limited quantity of goods home tax-free when visiting the Caribbean.
The Caribbean is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world for disabled travelers; however, not all Caribbean islands are created equal when it comes to accommodating visitors who are handicapped, in a wheelchair, or have limited mobility. Here are some tips for planning an accessible Caribbean vacation that is both enjoyable and convenient.
It’s easy not to be a millionaire. Most of us aren’t. However, you can vacation like one at the Sandals LaSource all-inclusive resort in Grenada. The resort booklet claims a luxurious experience, and it lives up to the promise.
Visiting the Guadeloupe archipelago in the French Caribbean
TheBreezes Bahamasall-inclusive resort exudes the inviting atmosphere of a family-run hotel, despite its association with the diminishingSuperClubschain. Nestled on Nassau’s renowned Cable Beach and adjacent to the halted Baha Mar complex, Breezes enjoys a significant advantage over the luxury resort: it is fully operational.
Among the numerous dining experiences available, Bordeaux at Wild Orchid stands out as a remarkable French restaurant offering delightful cuisine. The restaurant maintains a strict dress code, so gentlemen are advised to avoid shorts. However, if you arrive in shorts and a collared shirt, they may graciously accommodate you by allowing outdoor dining. Initially seated on the patio, our group was later treated to a beautifully arranged larger table on the Promenade, enhancing our al fresco dining experience with exceptional French cuisine.
Carnival in the Caribbean has a complicated birthright, tied to colonialism, religious conversion, and ultimately freedom and celebration. The festival originated with Italian Catholics in Europe and later spread to the French and Spanish, who brought the pre-Lenten tradition when they settled and introduced slavery to Trinidad, Dominica, Haiti, Martinique, and other islands. Carnival itself is thought to mean “farewell to meat” or “farewell to flesh,” referencing the Catholic practice of abstaining from red meat from Ash Wednesday until Easter. This phrase embodies the sensuous abandon that defines the Caribbean celebration of the holiday.
By this point in the year, most people up north are sick of winter, so it’s no surprise that March is increasingly popular for Caribbean travel. The weather is dependably warm and dry, making this an ideal time to head to the islands if you have a vacation from work or school around Easter or Spring Break.
St. Eustatius, or Statia, is aptly described as a sleepy corner of the Caribbean, even though the island historically was at the heart of the action as the English, French, Dutch, and Spanish fought for control of the Caribbean. “The Golden Rock” is one of the last great destinations where you can get a taste of the old Caribbean, a laid-back island with few flashy attractions but lots of great diving, well-preserved natural habitats, and history aplenty.
