Tag Archives: Plan

Pensacola Beach
Florida, Plan, South Walton, Trip Ideas

Florida Snapshots: Santa Rosa Island

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On a sunny summer day, it’s easy to see how Florida’s Emerald Coast gets its name. Lit from below by sunlight reflecting off powder-white sand, the clear waters of the shallows take on brilliant shades of green, then transition to a rich royal blue farther offshore.

This portion of the Gulf Coast includes a number of coastal parks and wildlife preserves, ensuring that many miles of beachfront will never see development. One favorite destination that’s within easy driving distance of both Pensacola and Destin, and not overshadowed by condominiums, is Navarre Beach.

Located near the mid point of the coastal barrier island of Santa Rosa, this quiet beach community is tucked between the protected lands of the Gulf Shores National Seashore and Navarre Beach Marine Park, with nothing to east or west but sand and surf. From the beachfront parking lot at the end of Highway 339 Causeway, a short walk down the beach will earn you private views.

Saba Mt Scenery
Caribbean, Plan, Saba, Trip Ideas

Walk This Way: Mount Scenery, Saba

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The highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands isn’t in Europe; it’s in the Caribbean. The high point of the island of Saba, known as Mount Scenery, rises from the ocean depths to a height of just under 3,000 feet. The slopes of this former volcano are covered in a lush array of foliage that changes with altitude. Hikers starting on lower slopes may wend their way over grassy meadows and redwood. Near the summit, the unique ecosystem known as the Elfin Forest is a mist-shrouded realm where giant tree ferns, mountain palms and elephant ears share space with groves of mountain mahogany. This elevated cloud forest is also home to numerous varieties of orchids and a range of rare tropical plants.

Saba’s 2,000 residents live in small villages connected by a single road, with other parts of the island linked by trials and footpaths. With barely a beach and no big resorts, hiking is a favorite pastime for the limited number of tourists who find their way to this quiet, charming island.

USVI St John Northshore Beaches
Caribbean, Plan, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

50 Shades of Blue: St. John Beaches, USVI

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Finding a gorgeous beach on St. John is easy- the island’s north shore is lined with one stunning strand after the next. Choosing a favorite beach might prove a bit more challenging. Island resident and photographer Christian Wheatley loves them all, and devotes much of his time to documenting them from land, sea and air. He’s either floating in the water, on a boat, flying overhead in a plane or helicopter or setting up a drone shot, always looking for a different perspective. To see more of his photos of the magnificent beaches of St. John and nearby islands, go to http://www.christianwheatley.com/

Jamaica Ocho Rios Dunns River Falls
Caribbean, Jamaica, Plan, Trip Ideas

Caribbean Cascades: Dunn’s River Falls, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

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The falls at Dunn’s River are as ubiquitous to Jamaica’s national identity as Red Stripe beer, jerk chicken and reggae. It’s one of the most popular attractions on the island and the climb should be on everyone’s bucket list.

The Spaniards originally called the area “Las Chorreras” meaning waterfalls or springs. The name later evolved to Ocho Rios—eight rivers—although there actually only four in the area. Dunn’s River Falls is situated in the island’s north-central coast three miles west of the town of Ocho Rios. Backed by lowlands and rolling hills and fronted by glistening beaches, the falls provide a cool place to take a break from the island heat.

In addition to flowing into the sea, its described as a living falls, constantly regenerating itself by rebuilding the limestone face of the cataract with particles of calcium carbonate deposited by the flowing water.

Plan on spending at least two hours climbing from bottom to top, stopping for a dip in the pools of clear mountain waters tucked within the falls. Guides are available to make your trip go easier, often initiating a handholding chain of visitors who work their way up the 600-foot face. Some prefer to balance on the slippery rocks on their own but shoes with a griping sole are essential in either case.

It’s rare to find the Dunn’s River Falls void of crowds. And, when there is a cruise in town it’s almost impossible. Head there early in the day or time your visit when cruisers are in another port.

Oahu Hawaii Hanauma Bay
Hawaii, Oahu, Plan, Trip Ideas

Hawaiian Snapshots: Hanauma Bay, Oahu

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Hawaii’s favorite snorkel site is also one of the best protected. This wasn’t always the case, and there was a time when the reefs of Hanauma Bay were showing wear and tear from the thousands of visitors who came each day to explore the coral grottoes and swim with colorful tropical fish. Things began to change for the better when the bay was designated as Hawaii’s first Marine Life Conservation District, and later designated as a nature preserve.

Today, first-time visitors are presented with a short orientation program at the reserve’s visitor’s center, which explains the proper way to enjoy the reefs without causing damage. Through education and controlled access, fish populations and corals have rebounded, and the waters are home to more than 400 species of fish, including numerous varieties of brightly colored parrotfish. The bay is also a nursery for sea turtles. Hanauma is just a short drive from Honolulu, and it’s best to arrive early if you want to stake out a prime bit of real estate on the beach.

Napali Coast, Kauai
Hawaii, Kauai, Plan, Trip Ideas

Hawaiian Snapshots: Napali Coast, Kauai

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Forget driving. You’ll need a sturdy pair of walking shoes to explore Kauai’s Napali Coast. That, or you could take a boat ride. This 16-mile stretch of coast on the island’s northwestern shore is a wild realm of towering sea cliffs that rise to heights of 4,000 feet, punctuated by hidden valleys.

Hikers depart from a trailhead at Kee Beach to discover a network of trails that climb over precipitous headlands to reach verdant valleys and cascading waterfalls. The hard-core can camp and transit the entire coast, but most settle for a day hike, either a moderately strenuous two-mile trek to Hanakapiai Beach, or an additional two-mile scramble to reach a waterfall higher in the valley.

A less-demanding way to view the cliffs and valleys is by boat or helicopter. A number of operators offer trips along the shoreline in everything from sea kayaks and speedboats to sailing catamarans. Some tours include landfalls on remote beaches or at historic venues such as the ancient fishing village of Nualolo Kai, which is one of Hawaii’s most significant archeological sites.

Tobago Cays Mayreau Salt Whistle, Grenadines
Caribbean, Plan, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trip Ideas

Caribbean Snapshots: Salt Whistle Bay, Mayreau, Grenadines

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The smallest inhabited island in the Grenadines chain, Mayreau is home to just 300 people, and one of the most idyllic anchorages in the entire Caribbean. Salt Whistle Bay is a crescent moon-shaped body of water on the island’s northeast coast that offers calm, crystal clear waters for snorkelers, white sand beaches for sun worshipers and secure holding ground for the yachtsmen who drop anchor during a cruise through the islands.

Shore leave usually centers around the Salt Whistle Bay Beach Club, along with a smattering of local restaurants and open-aIr bars scattered along the beach. The island’s only settlement is just a short walk away, and the views from atop Station Hill take in the Tobago Cays, Canouan and Union Island.

Mayreau is served by an island ferry, but most visitors arrive by private boat, often during the course of a yacht charter originating in St. Vincent or Grenada. This relative isolation ensures that Salt Whistle Bay will never see cruise ship crowds, and will remain one of the Caribbean’s most memorable stopovers for those who do make landfall.

Bocas Del Toro Playa Estrella
Central America, Panama, Plan, Trip Ideas

Panama’s Starfish Beach at Bocas del Toro

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Panama’s Bocas del Toro province is a favorite with adventure travelers seeking a more natural take on a Caribbean vacation. The wooded islands surrounding Chiriqui Lagoon are dotted with waterfront lodges ranging from backpacker-friendly hostels to eco-luxe resorts. Travel to the area’s more distant island retreats begins at Bocas Town on Isla Colón. From here, water taxis fan out across the lagoon to more remote locations. But as many savvy travelers know, Isla Colón shouldn’t just be considered a jumping off point. This largest of the northern islands is worthy of exploration, and is ringed by a range of spectacular beaches, some washed in surf, others calm as a millpond.

bocas del toro beach huts

Waterfront dining doesn’t get any closer than this. The calm waters of Panama’s Starfish Beach lap table legs at a small local restaurant located on the north shore of Isla Colon. Photo: iStock

One beach that shouldn’t be missed is Playa Estrella, aka Starfish Beach. Located on the island’s northwestern corner, this scenic white sand beach can be reached by land or sea. From Bocas Town on the island’s southern shore, a roadway cuts through the jungle-clad interior. Adventurous folk can rent bikes and negotiate a few small hills as they cross the island—a trip that will require an hour or more of peddling. An easier option is to hire a taxi or catch the low-cost municipal bus, which runs, between Bocas Town and the small beachfront community at Bocas del Drago. From there, you can hire a water taxi for a ten minute ride to the sheltered bay of Playa Estrella, or you can hoof it along the shoreline, enjoying a pleasant walk of about 25 minutes on a beachside path that may have you wading into the shallows in places, or stepping over a leaning palm tree that stretches seaward. 

Panama Bocas Del Toro

Starfish Beach can also be reached on foot by following a footpath around a point of land from Bocas Del Dragon. The walk, which takes about 20 minutes, hugs the palm-shaded shoreline. Photo: iStock

As you round the final point of land, the bay unfolds before you. Towering palms shade the sand, and a smattering of thatch-roof shelters edge close to the water. Playa Estrella is ideal for swimming or wading, as there are no waves, surge or currents to contend with, and the sea floor is soft sand with no exposed rocks. Wade in and you will likely catch a glimpse of the starfish that give this beach its name. Though they seem to just be lying there, these starfish are actually roaming slowly about the bay, feeding on algae and tiny crustaceans. It’s best to look without touching, but if you can’t resist the urge to bring a starfish up for a photo, make it brief and place the animal back in the water where you found it.

Panama Starfish

The namesake residents of Starfish Beach are found in abundance. It’s usually considered acceptable to lift one from the water for a quick photo, but they should otherwise be left alone. Photo: iStock

On most days, you won’t have Starfish Beach to yourself, but you’ll also never have to content with crowds, as even on the most popular days, you’ll have plenty of elbow room when you stretch a towel on the sand, or set a chair in the shade of a palm. In recent years, several small beachside restaurants have popped up, offering snacks and libations. If swimming with the starfish isn’t enough, you can rent paddleboards, water bikes and kayaks and send the afternoon enjoying the clear waters.

 

Downtown Orlando
Florida, Orlando, Plan, Trip Ideas

Orlando: 10 Reasons to Go

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It’s taken some time, but Orlando, Florida has grown out of its reputation for being the land of magical theme parks. Disney and other theme parks are, deservedly, still a huge draw, but the city has come into its own with cultural offerings, world-class performance art venues, fine dining, classy cocktails, designer shopping, natural beauty and more.

1  Improve Your Handicap

Central Florida is more than just a place for year-round golf; a visit to Orlando can help drastically improve your skills. Take lessons at Annika Academy, where hall-of-gamer Annika Sorenstam offers personal instruction based on her experience as one of the most celebrated female golfers of all time and a suite of high-tech gear to analyze every aspect of your game. 

Orlando Golf

The central Florida area is home to more than 100 golf courses, including everything from novice-friendly fairways to some of the nation’s top-ranked and most challenging courses. Photo: iStock

2  State of the Arts

The spanking new Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts brings a cultural side to the downtown Orlando scene. Broadway musicals, symphony performances, jazz musicians, avant-garde acts and more build around staples like the Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soliel’s La Nouba and the annual Fringe Festival to solidify Orlando’s emergence as an arts-centric city.

3  Family Fun

Visitors going to Orlando with the entire family will find it easy to secure a place to stay that’ll satisfy all ages and tastes. Have breakfast and dinner with Mickey and friends at Walt Disney World Resort’s Chef Mickey’s restaurant housed in the Contemporary Resort. At the other end of the accommodation spectrum, sophisticates can enjoy a champagne brunch at the downtown Grand Bohemian Hotel. The hotel features a jazz brunch and an extensive collection of original artwork is displayed throughout the hotel’s public spaces.

Orlando Disney

If you love a parade, Orlando’s theme parks are the place to be. Disney is best known for staging elaborate daily processions, but other parks also get in on the action. Photo: Andres Balcazar/iStock

4  Delectable Dining

Options abound when hunger hits in the City Beautiful. Independent restaurants specializing in fare from gourmet sandwiches to pork belly have added spice to Orlando’s dining scene, and a trip to restaurant row, south of downtown, lets you take in some of the classics, like the Hawaiian fusion cuisine at Roy’s Restaurant, founded by celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi.

5  On the Waterfront

Those looking for natural bodies of water won’t have far to go. Kayakers, canoers and paddleboarders can put in at Shingle Creek or the Wekiva River for some of the area’s best paddle runs surrounded the region’s natural scenery, and maybe an alligator or two. Long chains of lakes in the city and nearby Winter Park offer great paddling and some of the state’s best freshwater fishing. For the saltwater experience, a short drive can take you to the Intracoastal, Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico for a true challenge.

Orlando Kayaking

Central Florida still has a wild side, with a number of scenic lakes and wooded rivers awaiting exploration. Kayaks and canoes are favorite choices for viewing wildlife. Photo: Sherry Yates/iStock

6  Sweet & Sassy

Downtown Orlando’s nightlife has grown up considerably since the rave-heavy days of the 1990s. The cosmopolitan crowds head to the city’s “speakeasies,” like the Courtesy Bar and Hanson’s Shoe Repair to sip gin- and rye-based cocktails (among others) in settings designed after 1920s prohibition-style bars.

7  Adult Themes

Taking a stroll through the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland or battling with superheroes at Universal Orlando’s two theme parks is a no brainer for those with kids, but Orlando’s theme parks offer plenty of grown-up entertainment. Universal’s over-the-top roller coasters bring in the adrenaline junkies, while Downtown Disney and Universal City Walk offer upscale dining and several spots for fine cocktails. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, now including Diagon Alley, is a must for fans of all ages.

Universal Studios

The iconic logo of Universal Studios greets park visitors. This movie and TV-themed attraction combines rides with a chance to go behind the scenes of favorite shows. Photo: Andres Balcazar/iStock

8  Cool Down

Orlando is landlocked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a nice beach. Sea World’s Aquatica, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Universal’s retro Cabana Bay Beach Resort offer inland beaches experiences that slope into swimming areas washed by man-made waves. Beat the summer heat by soaking yourself in a lazy river or dropping down sheer waterslides. Aquatica adds dolphins to the mix, which swim around the enclosed slide as you take the plunge.

9  The Wild Side

Get up close with ancient reptiles and creatures from the deep. The jumping, rolling and wrestling alligators at Gatorland have been an Orlando tradition since the park opened as a roadside attraction in 1949. For a more resort-like wildlife experience, Sea World’s Discovery Cove lets you don a dive helmet and walk the bottom of a massive, man-made coral reef with tropical reef fish swimming all around you as you go, in addition to feeding stingrays and swimming with dolphins.

Dolphin, Seaworld

At the Sea World theme park, visitors can get up close and personal with a range of marine animals, and enjoy immersive programs such as swims with tropical fish and dolphins. Photo: iStock

10  Fashion Frenzy

Orlando built its reputation as a shopping destination around its outlet malls, where savvy shoppers go for great deals on brands like Coach and Ralph Lauren. Those looking for the absolute latest fashions can shop boutiques by Prada, Kate Spade and more at the upscale Mall at Millennia and Winter Park’s trendy Park Avenue shops.