Cruising the Caribbean
Not many vacations can offer the amenities of a well organized cruise to the Caribbean. There are many destination and cruise companies to choose from and the all-inclusive nature of cruises makes this one of the most popular ways to discover these enchanting islands. Generally, the cruises are divided into three sections or areas of interest. The Western Caribbean, the Eastern Caribbean and the Southern Caribbean are usually the three most popular destinations.
The Western Caribbean includes stops at Port Canaveral, Florida; Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town; Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and then back to Port Canaveral.
The Eastern Caribbean includes stops at Port Canaveral, Florida; CocoCay, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and then back to Port Canaveral.
The Southern Caribbean includes stops at San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John’s, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; and back to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Island excursions are a great way to discover each new destination. General island tours by bus, car or bicycle are available at each island and are a great way to get a feel for the individual personality of each island. These destinations cater to the cruise industry so shopping, food, and entertainment are easy to find as soon as one lands at the port. Beaches are easily accessed for cruisers and additional amenities are available as well. Rentals of kayaks, canoes, skis, and other equipment can be accessed at every island.
Cruising allows one to visit a variety of locations while enjoying the ease of staying in the same place every night with great food and entertainment available. Bon Voyage!
Brazil is More than a Beach Destination
We have all heard about the beaches in Brazil and they are the most popular tourist attraction in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are two of the largest cities in Brazil, but there is much to learn by exploring some of the more remote and lesser known cities in this wonderful country. Below is a short list of destinations for the more curious and adventuresome traveler.
Belem is situated in the northeast corner of Brazil where the headwaters of the Amazon River meet the Atlantic Ocean. The river is tidal and can vary up to 10 feet depending on the position of the moon. Belem is truly a third-world city that has been in existence for hundreds of years. Heavily influenced by the first Portuguese explorers, Belem has two types of weather so close to the equator. Wet season and dry season dominates this area.
Belem boasts an Opera House 300 years old and is the site of one of the world’s most famous religious festivals – Cirio de Nazare.
Manaus is located in the north at the confluence of the rivers Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes, two of the largest tributaries of the Amazon River. The Amazon River accounts for 25% of the world’s fresh water and is by far the world’s largest river by volume. When one steps off the plane in Manaus you can cut the atmosphere with a knife! You are in the heart of the Amazon Region.
Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceara. It is the 5th largest city in Brazil, but the beaches and the culture are key attractions. Art and music are rampant in this city by the Atlantic Ocean.
Curitiba is the capitol of the Brazilian state of Parana. While the northern cities of Brazil have a distinct tropical flair, Curitiba and many southern cities are reminiscent of European destinations. The city is populated with many peoples of German, Polish, Italian and Russian dissent. Cattle and timber products, mostly pine, are key resources for this populous area.
The Pantanal is a key tropical area and is one of the world’s largest wetland ecological systems in the world host to a multitude of strange and exotic fish and creatures. Mostly located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, the Pantanal is Brazil’s version of the U.S. Everglades region.
No visit to Brazil is complete without a visit to one of this country’s most celebrated culinary inventions. The churrascaria is a true gourmet’s delight if roasted meat over an open fire is your forte. This style of cooking was first practiced by the gauchos of southern Brazil while working their cattle on the open range. It has a distinct Portuguese flair and is a treat not to be missed.
Explore Brazil and find some of these treasures for yourself.
Welcome to the Ultimate Travel Blog
Welcome to the Boston Extended Stay Hotel Ultimate Travel blog! My name is Carrie Frazier and it is my pleasure to welcome you to my new blog. The goal of my blog is to write about all of the interesting destinations and travel related topics that I find on the web. Since there are plenty of places to visit in the world, I will have plenty to write about. I hope you enjoy reading the Ultimate Travel blog!