Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Places To See In The Caribbean Islands
There are so many places to see in the Caribbean Islands. Your choice of popular tourist destinations is almost unlimited as many countries in the Caribbean and in the area surrounding the Sea offer a lot for visitors. In the past this area was known as the West Indies and was colonized by the English, Dutch, French, Germans, Spanish, Portuguese and other European nations starting from the 14th century onwards. The area also has a native indigenous population that has been there for thousands of years as well as an African population that were brought there during the era of slave trading. For these historical reasons, the Caribbean Islands are largely multicultural and multi-ethnic. They comprise about 7000 islands, islets, reefs and cays and are considered a sub-region of North America. The name of the region comes from the local indigenous population called the Carib, who were dominant in the area at the time of European contact and settlement.
Trying to list all of the places to see in the Caribbean Islands would be a futile exercise, so the best approach is to present some of the more popular and famous islands. This article will look at two very popular summer tourist destinations - Aruba and Barbados.
Aruba
Aruba is a tiny 33 km long island located in the southern Caribbean Sea and is today still part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The first thing a tourist needs to know that to get into Aruba you need to have a valid Dutch visa or permission to enter the European Union. The tiny island is home to some 100,000 people and is very popular as a tourist destination in the summer because it is out of the hurricane area.
Some of the places to see in the Caribbean Islands in Aruba are Arikok National Park (taking up 18% of the island including a lava formation and other geological anomalies, as well as some unique snakes and birds), Eagle Beach (famous for its low-rise resorts and very wide public beach, including soft white sand), Palm Island (a small private island which is a popular tourist destination a short 5 minute ferry ride from the mainland; the island has a Water Park and is a fantastic scuba diving place) and finally the world famous Tierra del Sol Golf Club (which has villas, a spa, a fitness center and an 18 hole golf course).
Barbados
Barbados is almost as tiny as Aruba at just 34 km in length. It is located in the western area of the North Atlantic Ocean and is also outside the Atlantic hurricane belt, which makes it a popular summer destination. The European history of Barbados goes back to its status as part of Portugal, but eventually it became a British colony. Today it has a population of about 275,000 people. In 1966 Barbados became an independent nation but remained part of the Commonwealth. Barbados is the most developed. In fact, it is one of the most developed nations in the world.
Barbados has many stunning buildings to see that date from various periods of time going as far back as the Dutch and British colonization efforts. Churches, museums, universities in many different styles intermingle with beaches, resorts, spas and villas to provide a beautiful setting for tourists of all different tastes.
Matt loves the warm weather and beaches of the Caribbean and has put together many Caribbean travel tips for you as well as tips for traveling to Curacao, his favorite country.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Kepnes
http://EzineArticles.com/?Places-To-See-In-The-Caribbean-Islands&id=5575354
Friday, March 9, 2012
Great Caribbean Islands - Aruba
Aruba, one of the Dutch islands of the Caribbean, is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and can be found in the Caribbean's Lesser Antilles Islands, around twenty miles north of the coast of Venezuela. Aruba, which has an area of approximately seventy five square miles is one of the A B C islands (along with Bonaire and Curacao, which will be the subject of other articles).
Aruba's principal source of income is from tourism, due in no small part to its excellent climate. There is very little rainfall in Aruba and what there is tends to be concentrated during the autumn months. It is also located south of the hurricane belt.
The capital of Aruba is Oranjestad, on the North West coast of the island. The lack of rainfall on Aruba makes it one of the Caribbean's more arid islands and visitors will not find the lush tropical flora that is typical of most of the other islands. Cacti grow in abundance in Aruba's desert-like landscape!
Aruba's climate is complimented by some fantastic beaches, of which Palm Beach is the most well known. White sand and a turquoise ocean make the island a real must for tourists. The majority of visitors to Aruba are from the United States or Venezuela.
Aruba is famous for its glitzy nightlife and, in particular, its abundance of Casinos, which attract the modest gamblers and high-rollers alike!
The local language is Papamiento, which has strong Dutch and Spanish components, reflecting the island's past. The official language is Dutch, although English is spoken widely.
The official currency is the Aruban Florin, although the United States Dollar is accepted virtually everywhere.
The best way to get to Aruba is by air to Queen Beatrix International Airport, which is situated close to Oranjestad. Flights from North America and Europe, as well as Venezuela are regular throughout most of the year.
If you are contemplating travelling to the Caribbean for a lively time, with a near guarantee of great weather, magnificent beaches and a lively night life, Aruba is a place well worth visiting. And remember, Venezuela and its attractions are only an island hop away!
Author: Billy Phillips. Check out a Great Caribbean Resort in his Best Price Travel Comparison Websites directory, with links to the Best United Kingdom Comparison Site
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Phillips
http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Caribbean-Islands---Aruba&id=5131673
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Great Caribbean Islands - The Bahamas
The Bahamas, or Bahamian Islands, is a chain of twenty-nine separate islands located broadly between Cuba to the south and Florida to the north west. Of these, fifteen are recognised as leading Caribbean vacation resorts. The Bahamas are part of the British Commonwealth.
Not surprisingly, the islands rely heavily on tourism for their income. The climate in The Bahamas are sub-tropical.
The principal islands, which have something of an Olde England feel to them are New Providence Island (where the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, is located) Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, The Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini, Andros, Harbour Island, The Exumas, Cat Island, San Salvador, Long Island, Acklins, Mayaguana, Inagua and Ragged Island. The relatively close proximity of the islands to one another coupled with the availability of island hopping flights makes it easy to visit more than one on any Bahamas vacation. Swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling, fishing and scuba diving are popular. It should be noted that the Bahamas are located within the hurricane belt, so the best time to visit is between December and June, if you wish to avoid the risk of a hurricane.
The official language of the country is English, although most of the locals also speak Bahamian Creole.
The official currency is the Bahamian Dollar, although the United States Dollar equally welcome.
Flights to the Bahamas can be taken to the Lynden Pindling International Airport (which was formerly Nassau International Airport) close to Nassau, which takes flights from the United States. Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport, Grand Bahama also services flights from the United States.
The number of travellers who visit these islands year after year are the best proof of the fact that they stand alone in the Caribbean ocean as a chain of diverse yet essentially similar Caribbean vacation island destinations. It requires only a visit to one of the many online travel comparison or travel review websites to ascertain just how many people love these islands.
The Bahamian islands represent a real opportunity for the tourist to sample a number of Caribbean resorts within one vacation and within one country. The beauty of them is that you can safely visit any of them in the knowledge that you can spend the same currency and speak the same language on whichever island you land on! If you are into island hopping but don't want to spend an excessive amount of your vacation travelling to and from the different islands, the Bahamas are for you!
Author: Billy Phillips. Check out a Great Caribbean Resort in his Best Price Travel Comparison Websites directory, with links to the Best United Kingdom Comparison Site
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Phillips
http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Caribbean-Islands---The-Bahamas&id=5133057
Monday, March 5, 2012
Best Caribbean Islands - St Eustatius
Although St Eustatius is the official title of this small Dutch Caribbean island it is known affectionately by locals and visitors alike as Statia. Satia is located in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies and was once one of the most important trading islands in this part of the Caribbean.
Statia is an attractive island, with many of the locals engaged in farming the eight square miles that the island covers. An additional source of island income is, of course, from tourism. The tourist trade revolves around budget accommodation, hiking, exploring the old Dutch forts that are located on the island, and the great scuba diving, which is available in and around some of the one hundred or so offshore wrecks. Statia is also a good destination if you want to mix an activity holiday with a beach holiday. The favourite beach for holidaymakers and local alike is Oranje beach.
Statia is the home of a dormant volcano known as The Quill and the capital of the island is Oranjestad.
Dutch and English are spoken on the island but most people are able to communicate in English. The official currency is the Netherlands Antilles Gilder, although the United States Dollar is accepted in most places.
Getting around the island is easy. You can hire either a car or a bicycle or take a taxi-cab.
The best way to get to Statia is by air to its own airport, the F.D. Roosevelt Airport.
Although Statia is not one of the better known of the Caribbean islands it does have its own distinctive ambience and geography. It is one of the quieter, more friendly of the Caribbean islands but is also able to provide great eco-tourist activities together with the opportunity to chill out on the beach for a day or two if that is what you want from your vacation experience. Either way, Statia is a great Caribbean vacation destination.
Author: Billy Phillips. Check out a Great Caribbean Resort in his Best Travel Comparison Websites directory, with links to the Best United Kingdom Comparison Sites.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Phillips
http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Caribbean-Islands---St-Eustatius&id=5110987
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Why the Caribbean Islands Are Great
The Caribbean Islands are made up of some 7000 islands, atolls and cays throughout the Caribbean Sea. They are a very popular destination for tourists not just from North American countries such as the United States and Canada, but also from Europe and all over the world. The main reason why a holiday in the Caribbean Islands is so great is because of the stunning views of pristine white beaches, blue and green oceans, coral reefs teeming with fish and other sea life and the endless opportunities that abound for tourists of all tastes, whether extreme or leisurely or anything in between.
Ease of Access
One reason why the Caribbean Islands are great is the ease with which tourists can get there. Almost all the islands have an international airport that has connections to most major North American and European cities. Hubs such as Miami, Boston, New York, Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, London, Paris and Berlin all have flights that are either direct or with only 1-2 transfers.
Apart from flying, it's also possible to explore the Caribbean Islands on lengthy but memorable cruises. Cruise ships will typically depart from North American or European ports and then head south to pick up passengers along the way and slowly make their way through many of the Caribbean Islands. The highest quality entertainment is available both on the ship and on shore when the ship is docked for several days or even weeks at a time.
Cost
These days you don't have to pay thousands of dollars from your retirement fund to go on a cruise or spend a few weeks on a Caribbean island. In fact, one of the reasons why the Caribbean Islands are great is because getting there is so affordable. Most flights just cost a few hundred dollars and you can stay in a hotel for anywhere between $50-100 per night. The hotels are usually very good as most Caribbean Islands are highly developed and have a lot of revenue that comes in from tourism. Swimming pools, spas, saunas, water sports, leisure sports and many more activities are all available at low cost. In fact, many people will pay for some sort of package deal which includes accommodation, food, travel to and around their chosen destination and many times even guided tours and organized activities.
Variety
The sheer variety of activities, food, culture and endless fun is another reason why the Caribbean Islands are great. In the Caribbean you can go scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, swimming, boating, canoeing, sailing and many more. Apart from these water sports, hiking, golfing, walking and cycling are also very popular activities. Fishing, either on some of the inland lakes, rivers or lagoons, or off the seashore or even deep sea fishing in chartered boats is also a very popular activity. Camping, staying in a villa or a luxurious hotel are all possibilities as well. Caribbean food is also extremely tasty and memorable as is the mix of Dutch, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Indigenous and African cultures.
All of the above are just a fraction of the reasons why the Caribbean Islands are great.
Matt loves the warm weather and beaches of the Caribbean and has put together many Caribbean travel tips for you as well as tips for traveling to Curacao, his favorite country.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Kepnes
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-the-Caribbean-Islands-Are-Great&id=5595406
Great Caribbean Islands - Curacao
Curacao is the largest of the three southern Caribbean islands forming the Netherlands Antilles A B C islands along with Aruba and Bonaire, with an area of approximately one hundred and seventy square miles. This interesting island is located twelve degrees north of the equator.
Curacao is the least tourism reliant of the three sister islands, although there are still plenty of reasons to visit, not the lease of which is its warm climate. The relative lack of rainfall means that the landscape is arid, with cacti in abundance rather than the lusher flora that is associated with most of the other Caribbean islands.
The capital of the islands is Willemstad, whose architecture is decidedly reminiscent of The Netherlands.
There are thirty five beaches on Curacao, so the island does offer something for the bathers (both in the sun and the sea) but it is better known for its diving. There are coral reefs and the diving, particularly to the south side of the island, is a real must. There are over sixty designated dive sites on Curacao.
In addition to the beach and marine activities during the day, a lively nightlife is available in Curacao, with several casinos providing entertainment for those who like to take a flutter on the roulette wheel or the blackjack table.
The local languages are Papamiento (which has strong Dutch and Spanish components, reflecting the island's past) Dutch, Spanish and English. What is the most interesting thing about Curacao is that it manages to combine its ability to create a national income that is not entirely based upon tourism with a really effective programme to evolve itself into one of the more popular Caribbean tourist islands.
The official currency, as is the case with all of the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder, although the United States Dollar is also accepted in a great majority of shops, nightclubs, automobile rental agents and, it goes without saying, casinos.
The easiest way to get to the island is by air to Curacao International Airport, which is. Scheduled flights are served from the North America, South America and Europe.
This innovative Caribbean island is, on any analysis, a distinctive resort, where many of the locals speak four different languages! It is steeped in history and soaked in tradition for those who want something that is a little different from the conventional Caribbean island vacation.
Author: Billy Phillips. Check out a Great Caribbean Resort in his Best US Price Comparison Websites directory, with links to the Best United Kingdom Comparison Site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Phillips
http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Caribbean-Islands---Curacao&id=5131985
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