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Caribbean, Plan, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

St. Croix: 10 Reasons To Go

June 16, 2014

Often called the sleeping virgin, St. Croix is the largest of the United States Virgin Islands, yet the least visited. This means there’s plenty of elbow room to wander the national parks and historic sites, and a table with a water view is always waiting at Christiansted’s taverns. You’ll even be able to find a secluded spot on one of the many beaches that ring the island.

1 Coral Wonderland

One of the Caribbean’s finest coral gardens lies just offshore of St. Croix. Buck Island Reef National Monument is a protected underwater park that’s part of the U.S. National Park Service. The 176-acre island is fringed by a 704-acre reef system rich with elkhorn coral groves that form interlacing channels and sun-dappled grottoes alive with colorful tropical fish and waving sea fans. Interpretive plaques identify the various types of coral, the marine habitats and the fish that swim by. Directional arrows lead the way through the coral maze. Topside, the sandy shores of Turtle Beach double as a nesting area for hawksbill turtles and a rookery for frigates and brown pelicans. Hike the nature trail to the crest of the hill for panoramic water views, then back to the sandy shores and throw down a towel for some time in the sun.

2 The Way It Was

Take a trip back in time at the seven-acre waterfront of Christiansted’s National Historic Site, which still resembles a Danish seaside town of the 18th or 19th century. Here, a collection of five sun-dipped historic buildings remain intact and ready for inspection. Fort Christiansvaern guards the harbor, complete with dungeons, ramparts and cannons. The nearby Scale House once regulated trade and collected duties for the crown, while the namesake spire of the Steeple Building guided mariners into port. Both are open for self-guided tours. Also not to be missed are the Danish Custom House and the Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse, which now doubles as a courthouse and post office.

3 Sunset and All That Jazz

Sunset views and jazz come together on the third Friday of each month in the seaside town of Frederiksted on the island’s southwest coast. Rebuilt after a massive fire in 1878, the town shows off its Victorian architecture with gingerbread-laced front porches wrapped in purple bougainvillea. Gather up your friends and family, some blankets and lawn chairs and find your spot at Frederiksted Beach just north of the pier. Local and international jazz musicians begin playing at 5:30 p.m. and continue on until sunset.

4 Footsteps of Columbus

Columbus landed at Salt River in 1493 while looking for freshwater deposits, and instead found the not-so-friendly Caribe Indians. Today Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve is explored by a different type of adventurer; kayakers paddle around mangrove forests and over coral reefs that are home to many rare and endangered species. If you are lucky, you might spot a hawksbill turtle or the roseate terns that roost here. Take a moonlight guided tour and watch the water light up with bioluminescence.

5 A Reason to Party

In addition to the island’s annual winter Carnival, The town of Christiansted blocks the streets four times a year for Jump Up, a cultural festival that’s a celebration of food, dance and music. Mocko Jumbies, traditional stilt dancers that ward off evil, parade through the streets while shops and restaurants stay open late. Vendors set up stalls along the boardwalk and sell local cuisine, artwork and jewelry while the music of the steel drum lingers in the background.

6 No Passport and Duty-Free

Direct flights from the East Coast and no passport or visa requirements for U.S. citizens make a quick weekend getaway easy. Pack light and add to your collection of tropical wear while you are there. U.S. citizens can bring back up $1,600 in duty-free goods without paying an import tariff, and locally made items like artwork, jewelry and clothing are also free of sales tax. Both Cruzan Rum and Captain Morgan’s Rum are island-made, so plan on stocking up the liquor cabinet as well.

7 Grass Roots

St. Croix embraces its agricultural roots with an annual fair and mango festival. The island, once known as the breadbasket of the region, is seeing a rebound in small-plot and organic farming. Nestled into the rainforest on the island’s northwest corner, the Ridge to Reef Farm practices sustainable agriculture and provides the local community with healthful produce. Weekly tours, overnight working stays and volunteer programs are offered for those seeking to learn about farm life on a tropical island or maybe spend a few days working in the fields.

8 Wine and Dine, Island Style

An island of foodies, St. Croix has its fair share of celebrated chefs and varied cuisines. The culture harbors a widespread fascination with food: its history, preparation and presentation. And drink is not far behind. First launched in the year 2000, the St. Croix Wine and Food Experience has grown into a top-rated international food festival that attracts globetrotting epicureans. During the week-long event, held every April, celebrity chefs host intimate Cork & Fork dinners paired with wines in private homes. Other highlights include wine tastings from credentialed sommeliers, chef competitions, sunset barbecues and progressive dinners in Christiansted’s old town. The signature event is Taste of St. Croix, a night of sampling that brings together the culinary offerings of more than 50 island restaurants, chefs, farms and caterers.

9 Get Hooked

St. Croix is noted for its jewelry arts, and nothing says a visit to the island like a hook bracelet. This Cruzan icon was originally designed by Sonja Hough more than 40 years ago and has since been duplicated by many. You can find examples cast in gold or silver, with or without stones. Whatever the form, the message is all about love. Wear it with the open end of the hook pointed up toward your heart to signify you are taken. With the open end of the hook worn down, away from your heart, the message is that you are unattached or single.

10 Turtle Watch

The peninsula of Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is the longest and most pristine stretch of beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This beach is the largest leatherback turtle nesting site in the U.S. and remains off limits to humans from May to September. The site is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department, which does allow human visitation on Saturday and Sunday during off-nesting months. This refuge is also a prime location for bird-watching, so be sure to pack a pair of binoculars and be on the lookout for brown pelicans, black- necked stilts and yellow warblers.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Plan, Trip Ideas

Cabo San Lucas: 10 Reasons to Go

May 28, 2014

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Like the celebrities who visit this seaside town, Cabo San Lucas achieved sufficient notoriety to be called by a single name: Cabo. Perched at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, Cabo boasts beaches on the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez—and some of the best tequila around. Whether you are seeking reclusive luxury or inclusive fun, it’s a destination that’s easy to reach and rewarding once there.

1 Fly Me

One of the best things about Cabo is how easy it is to reach. The modern airport in neighboring San José del Cabo is served by nearly 20 airlines that provide non-stop service from more than 30 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. A half-hour taxi ride from the airport to downtown Cabo, less time to the various coastal resorts that are scattered in between, puts you in vacation mode quicker than you think.

2 Sunny, but Mild

The lower Baja peninsula is a desert surrounded by water. Cabo averages around 350 days of sunshine each year, and the cool waters of the Pacific mitigate temperatures without raising the humidity. Daytime highs stay in the 70s in winter and climb into the 90s come summer, and nights cool off slightly. With such an agreeable weather forecast, almost any time of day or night in Cabo is refreshingly pleasant.

3 Appealing Growth

Cabo is firmly on the vacation radar. Yet despite its soaring popularity, the town has not succumbed to urban sprawl, and many of the upscale resorts added in recent years were built on picturesque sites along the coast, a few miles to the north. Visitors find the best of both worlds: uncrowded stretches of beach for recreation and a lively central district for shopping and celebration.

4 Night Moves

When the sun goes down, the music begins, the tequila flows and inhibitions are forgotten. Cabo has earned a reputation as one of the hottest party towns in the hemisphere, and the vibe is inclusive. Backpackers and coeds share the dance floors with incognito celebs and day traders on a weekend fun pass. Action centers around the marina district, where famous/infamous watering holes such as El Squid Roe, Giggling Marlin and Cabo Wabo anchor a downtown collection of more than two dozen bars and dance clubs.

5 The End

Cabo is perched on the southern tip of the thousand-mile-long Baja peninsula. The dramatic rock formation El Arco de Poseidon (Poseidon’s Arch), carved by wind and waves, is one of the most photographed natural places in Mexico. The adjacent sands of Lover’s Beach provide a scenic respite from the bustling downtown, but are just a short water-taxi ride away.

6 Reel Fun

Cabo was once a sleepy fishing village, which then became an international destination for big game fishermen. Today, the harbor is home to one of the best charter boat fleets in Mexico. Just minutes from shore, anglers can begin the hunt for coastal species such as roosterfish, or venture a bit farther into blue water to hook up with sailfish, tuna, mahimahi or a prized marlin.

7 Rooms for All

The Los Cabos area offers accommodations at all points in the price spectrum. High rollers can check into five-star digs such as the Experanza or Capella Pedregal for north of a thousand a night, while budget-conscious travelers can score local lodgings for a few hundred pesos, about $30. In between is a wide range of two-to-four star offerings, which provide downtown convenience or beachfront solitude.

8 The Water Way

Kayak tours along the rocky coastlines on the calmer east side contrast with surfing on the wave-washed Pacific. Factor in the mild water temperatures—70s in winter and 80s in summer—and you have an aquatic playground for every manner of driven, ridden and towed water toy, plus an environment where snorkeling and diving are equally popular. Those who enjoy sightseeing voyages can book a whale-watching tour or trips to Land’s End to see the sea lions.

9 Gaining Altitude

The south Baja peninsula is overlooked by the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, which rise to heights of 6,000 feet. Here, boulder-strewn canyons and pine-clad heights provide a cool respite and a chance to exchange beach time for an active alpine adventure. Hiking, horseback riding and four-wheel-drive tours are among the ways to discover the higher, drier side of the Cabo area.

10 Ocean’s Bounty

Given the town’s fishing heritage, it should come as no surprise to learn that Cabo is a great place for seafood. What does impress is the variety of ways in which the catch of the day is served up. Menus run the gamut from the just-caught simplicity of fish tacos and ceviches sold by street vendors, to authentic sushi and inspired fusions, such as Baja-Mediterranean cuisine, served with a commanding waterfront view.

Florida, Plan, Sanibel Island, Trip Ideas

Best Shelling Beaches on Sanibel Island

May 26, 2014

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It may surprise you, but Sanibel Island is actually made of shells-Mother Nature’s creation over thousands of years. When gardeners start digging and planting they often find whelks and clam shells. The east-west stretch of the island’s southern shore is like a shovel scooping up imports from the Caribbean and other southern waters, making all of the Gulf-side beaches excellent places to find seashells galore, especially at low tide. Here are five beaches from east to west where you can start your hunt.

Lighthouse Beach

Sanibel “stoopers” comb the island’s shores for seashells. Photo: Lee County

Sitting on the narrow tip of the island’s eastern end is Lighthouse Beach. Its shore wraps from San Carlos Bay to the Gulf of Mexico and is known for its abundance of smaller shells. A functioning historic lighthouse, plus a fishing pier and a nature trail through native wetlands, are more reasons to visit this beach.

Gulfside City Park

For a public beach, Gulfside City Park is usually not crowded. Walk a mile or so in each direction to look for shells, and if you’re lucky you’ll even find a sand dollar or two. Wooden boardwalks make it easily accessible, and the adventurous can follow the bicycle path to an old hidden cemetery.

Tarpon Bay Road Beach

Located mid-island, Tarpon Bay Road Beach has high sands, giving the beach a different look. A walk along the shore will turn up an assortment of seashells, as well as hotels and condos. However, keeping with city codes only low-rise buildings are allowed, so don’t expect any towering condominiums to cast shadows on the sunny beach. It’s also a dog- friendly spot so Fido is welcome to dig for shells too—as long as he’s on a leash.

Bowman’s Beach

A day’s bounty for the serious shell hunter. Photo: Dave Meardon

Pristine and quiet, this secluded white beach is sans hotels. Shuffling and digging through piles of shells is the major pastime here, followed by sunset viewing. Located up island on the northwest end, Bowman’s Beach offers a wider stretch of sand that lends itself to power walking if you can ignore all those gorgeous shells that seem to scream: “Pick me up.”

Blind Pass Beach

Considered the best spot to find larger shells, Blind Pass Beach is a favorite with serious shell seekers. You might even want to take a long-handled net or shell scooper and wade knee-deep into the water to scoop shells off the bottom. This usually turns up an interesting bounty, including an occasional live shell that has to be returned to the sea. The beach sits on the northwest edge of Sanibel, where a bridge crosses over to Captiva Island.

Florida, Plan, Sarasota, Trip Ideas

Sarasota: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

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A visit to this Gulf-side city and its islands combines culture with beach time, making it hard to choose between viewing masterpieces at one of Florida’s most impressive art museums or frolicking barefoot on soft sandy shores, where drum circles and sand sculptures entertain beachgoers. So whether you turn urbanite one day and beach bum the next, you’ll find plenty of ways to make your stay in Sarasota stimulating, yet super laid-back.

1 Island Hop

Sarasota’s barrier islands are an adventure for sunseekers eager to explore by car and foot. Visit five Gulf islands, starting on Longboat and Lido keys, the farthest north islands. Then zigzag your way, traveling back and forth over bridges and causeways between island and mainland, to Siesta Key, Casey Key and Manasota Key.

2 Cruise the Sarasota Bay

Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota is the place to set sail into the Sarasota Bay. Take your pick from a dolphin-and-manatee watch cruise, a sightseeing cruise or a sunset cruise. You can even book a lunch or dinner cruise on the sleek two-story Marina Jack II.

3 Tour the Ringling

This elegant cultural complex is home to the Ringling Museum of Art, where everything from ancient antiquities to 20th-century paintings is displayed in jewel-tone-painted galleries. But there’s more. The Circus Museum, with its miniature model of an early 1900s circus city, is a history lesson on the Greatest Show on Earth. Cà d’Zan, John and Mable Ringling’s 1926 home, shows off Florida’s version of old-world architecture with its perfectly restored Venetian Gothic design. You’ll also want to meander through Mable’s rose garden; look for the Diana Princess of Wales rose.

4 Dine Downtown

Sarasota is notorious for its indie restaurants and downtown is a culinary hub where you can walk from one to another. So plan to enjoy at least one meal here, whether it be breakfast at The Savory Street International Café & Bakery (order the French Crater: scrambled eggs with ham, brie and bacon in a homemade bread bowl), lunch at Nancy’s Bar-B-Que (North Carolina-style pulled pork with slow-smoked baked beans) or dinner at Mozaic (Mediterranean-influenced dishes like duck leg confit couscous with poached pears and pheasant hazelnut sausage).

5 Shop and Stroll St. Armands Circle

Three blocks from the Lido Key beach, St. Armands Circle is the place to spend a Sunday afternoon. Walk the circle and its arteries; you’ll be tempted by fabulous signature prints at Lilly Pulitzer, classic nautical sportswear at Island Pursuit and cutting-edge designs at Foxy Lady. Art lovers with a penchant for marine life art stop at the Wyland Galleries. When you’re legs can’t take another step, grab a sidewalk table at Café L’Europe, order a glass of chilled white wine and people watch.

6 Tour Exotic Gardens

The highlight at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is the Tropical Conservatory. Among the epiphytes you’ll see in this warm and humid greenhouse are species you won’t find at your local Home Depot’s garden shop. Think rare orchids and bromeliads nestled into the greenest foliage that makes you feel like you’re in a rainforest.

7 Catch a Show

Fondly called the “Purple People Seater” by locals, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, painted a vibrant shade of purple, sits on the edge of Sarasota Bay. In a town where life revolves around the cultural scene, this Sarasota theater delivers stellar lineups season after season. Not only Broadway musicals and the Sarasota Ballet, but pop concerts and performances by comedians the likes of Joan Rivers and Bill Cosby draw both residents and visitors.

8 Bicycle Siesta Key

Siesta Key Bike & Kayak rents beach and road bikes near the intersection of Midnight Pass Road and Stickney Point Road, the crossover to Siesta Key. From here pedal south under the shade of wide-spread banyan trees and peek into the backyards of beachfront Mediterranean-style homes and cozy bungalows. Bicycle north of Stickney Point Road and you’ll reach Siesta Key Village, where you can poke into shops or cool down with a cone of Key lime ice cream at Big Olaf Creamery, an ice cream shop run by the Amish.

9 Beat the Drum

You haven’t really been to the beaches of Sarasota until you’ve participated in a sunset drum circle. Men of all ages assemble with their bongos and tom-tom drums, beating out a boom-boom rhythm as hundreds form a circle and dance on the sand to celebrate the Gulf’s glorious sunset. The unpredictable, informal drum circle is usually held on Casey Key’s Nokomis Beach on Wednesday and Saturday.

10 Loll on the Sand

Everyone needs a beach day and Siesta Key is the most sought-out stretch for its powder fine sand and dramatic crescent shape. Bring a chair and spend the day. Stroll the shore and you’re sure to find some impressive sand sculptures by resident “artists,” who are regulars on Siesta Key’s beach.

Florida, Plan, St. Augustine, Trip Ideas

St. Augustine: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

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If someone told you St. Augustine is a town for history buffs, they’re right-and wrong. Northeast Florida’s gem is way more than timeworn forts and buildings (even though it has those and they’re pretty amazing). It’s a city of old-world elegance, exquisite architecture and brick- lined streets you can travel by horse-drawn carriage or explore on foot. And when you tire of that there’s a golden-sand beach and stretches of wilderness just a short drive away.

1 History, History, History

This is Florida’s birthplace where Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon came ashore in 1513 and named the land Florida or “place of flowers.” Since his claim, the French, British and Spanish all took turns at establishing settlements here. Well preserved, St. Augustine is a history lesson on Florida.

2 Architecture Flashback

Not only the Europeans left their mark on the town with Spanish colonial structures like the Oldest House built in the early 1700s. Visionary Henry Flagler came along in the late 1800s and built gorgeous churches with byzantine detailing and luxury hotels in the Spanish Renaissance Revival style that put Florida’s tourism industry in motion. The city’s centerpiece is the Ponce de Leon Hotel, now Flagler College, which still stands in full splendor along with Flagler’s other hotels.

3 Bed-and-Breakfast Bliss

This is the land of bed-and-breakfasts, and one B&B is more inviting than the next. Nestled in the side streets and across from the Intracoastal Waterway, these homes, most built in the early 1900s, are designed and decorated to celebrate a bygone era. Expect the ultimate: lots of lace, four poster beds, bric-a-brac touches, that quintessential wraparound porch and an elegant breakfast.

4 Made for Walking

Park your car and forget it. This a town designed for those who want to stroll, meander and just plain walk. The compact historic district’s brick-lined streets are jammed with shops, cafes and historic buildings. Sitting on the edge of Matanzas Bay, St. Augustine enjoys cool breezes off the water in summer when temperatures soar to the 90s. In winter months, highs in the 60s provide perfect walking weather.

5 Sights to See

Map in hand, you can navigate the streets on foot or board the Old Town Trolley and hop off and on as you please. There’s no shortage of historic sites, with the Castillo de San Marcos, a fort on the bay built from coquina, being a crowd pleaser. Reenactments add fun to a visit. Or stop at the Fountain of Youth, an archeological park that documents the area’s past. For a twist on traditional history take a tour of the Old Jail, where stories of past criminals portray the town’s darker side. And for those who want a paranormal experience, there’s always the ghost tours through haunted back alleys and old buildings.

6 A Romp with Nature

Spend an afternoon outdoors at Anastasia State Park, a short drive across St. Augustine’s landmark Bridge of Lions. From wooden boardwalks that cross sand dunes spiked with sea oats, you’ll get a view of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. At the park’s Salt Run, windsurfers, paddleboarders and brown pelicans show off their skills. You can also head north from the city to Guana River State Park, a stretch of Old Florida wilderness on the edge of the ocean, where you’ll have the beach pretty much to yourself.

7 Surf’s Up

Whether you want to hang five or just frolic in the waves, nearby St. Augustine Beach has that old-fashioned beach-bum vibe. No sleek high-rises will steal your sun, so spread a blanket and soak up the rays. It’s also a favorite stretch with fishermen, who reel in dinner from the municipal fishing pier, and bicyclists, who rent beach cruisers and pedal along Highway A1A, stopping for cold drinks, ice cream and seafood at the beach bars along the route.

8 Shopping Spree

A treasure trove, historic St. Augustine is chock-full of shops tucked in every nook and cranny. At the stores on St. George Street and its arteries, you’ll find whimsical gifts, handmade chocolates, exotic spices, hand-rolled cigars and more. Vintage-centric merchandise is plentiful in the antiques and collectible shops on San Marco Avenue, where shipwreck artifacts, estate jewelry and antique furniture are on display in Victorian homes-turned-shops.

9 Whoa Boy

The clip-clop of horses’ hooves as they pull vintage carriages through St. Augustine’s brick streets is heard from sunrise to nightfall. Almost impossible to resist the romantic tug of riding in one of yesteryear’s horse-drawn carriages, most visitors sooner or later give in to the urge and take a whirlwind tour of the historic district. Drivers eagerly share their animated version of the city’s past with passengers.

10 Holiday Spectacle

During Nights of Lights (mid-November to end of January) the city is adorned with 3 million tiny lights, and you couldn’t choose a more festive time to visit. At events like the Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour, innkeepers open their doors to show off their homes decked with garland and Victorian Christmas trees. The Holly Jolly Trolley, a Yuletide-version of the Old Town Trolley tour, travels past the city’s most extravagant light displays. But the best part: Passengers view the spectacle like never before through 3-D glasses.

Amelia Island, Florida, Plan, Trip Ideas

Amelia Island: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

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If you love long expanses of shoreline where miles of white caps turn into waves and hit the beach, and the ocean breeze and salty sea air tickle your nose, then Amelia Island, the last barrier island on Florida’s northeast coast (45 minutes from Jacksonville), has a spot for you right on the sand.

1 The Big Beach

There are beaches all up the east coast of Florida’s peninsula, but none compares to Amelia Island’s 13-mile stretch. It’s pristine, it’s water sport-friendly, it’s meant for long walks and it’s never crowded. Weathered walkovers preserve the sand dunes studded with sea oats that give this beach its natural beauty.

2 Get Outdoors

Kayaking the inland marshes is a good workout as well as a rendezvous with nature as you spot herons, egrets and other long-legged waterfowl. If you like the view from above, try a stand-up paddleboard for a different perspective on nature. Those eager for strenuous exercise can rent bicycles and tackle the mountain bike trails at Fort Clinch State Park.

3 Cast a Line

Fishermen need to look no further than the shore for good fishing. Grab a chair and a pole and try your luck at surf fishing, a daily pastime on Amelia Island’s sandy stretch. Or you can fish along the Cumberland Sound, where finger jetties provide excellent haven for game fish. There’s even a half-mile-long fishing pier that divides the Cumberland Sound from the Atlantic Ocean, where anglers reel in the catch of the day.

4 Go Old School

Not actually a beach, but a sweet little island town with a friendly vibe, historic Fernandina Beach boasts an old-fashioned main street that’s home to candy stores, book shops, clothing boutiques and even a year-round Christmas store. The old Palace Saloon, where Rockefellers and Carnegies celebrated their good fortune, still stands as one of the best watering holes on the block. Off of Centre Street are well-preserved Victorian homes with wraparound porches and gingerbread trim dating back to the turn of the 19th century.

5 Double Dose of Nature

If you didn’t encounter enough nature on the beach, head north to Fort Clinch State Park. A choir of cicadas greets visitors on the main road that passes through a tunnel formed by the branches of oak trees. Its northern point is wrapped by the Atlantic Ocean and Cumberland Sound so there’s more beach and a jetty. Besides six miles of nature trails lined with saw palmetto and sabal palms, the park has a Civil War-era fort where reenactments serve as history lessons.

6 Those Pink Crustaceans

A fun time to visit Amelia Island is the weekend of the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. The May event celebrates the town’s history as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry in the United States. Parades, arts-and-crafts exhibits, concerts and even the crowning of a “Miss Shrimp Festival” are reasons to come. But the best reason is to sample the local shrimp, prepared in more ways than you can count.

7 Room at the Inn

Fernandina Beach is known for its bed-and-breakfasts run by friendly innkeepers. Standouts include the Fairbanks House, an impressive 1885 Italianate home with blooming gardens; the Addison on Amelia Island, three antebellum-style buildings surrounding a courtyard; and the Hoyt House, an elegant 1905 Queen Anne-style 10-bedroom manse. The historic architecture and furnishings are amazing, but the gourmet breakfasts make for tough competition.

8 Big is Better

If you like sprawling resorts where you can find plenty to do without having to get in the car and drive, then the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is your destination. Its 1,350 acres is a sanctuary where flora and fauna thrive. A picturesque golf course plays through tidal marshes, the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Stroll the 3.5 miles of beach at dusk and then take your pick from restaurants serving everything from burgers and beer to fine Southern cuisine.

9 Giddy Up

Horseback riding on the beach, right along the water’s edge, is a signature thing to do on Amelia Island. Seriously, where else in Florida can you ride a horse with names like Porsche, Gem, Diamond and Coral and watch the sun come up or feel the ocean breeze cool your skin as you trot along the sands?

10 Eeriest Beach

Go search for one of Florida’s most mysterious beaches. South on Highway A1A, nestled between Amelia and Little Talbot islands is Big Talbot Island State Park. A ladder on a small bluff descends to a secret stretch where sun-bleached branches of fallen oaks and cedars, now giant driftwood relics, are scattered. The silver skeletons of trees covering the beach have a mystifying appeal that earned the area the eerie moniker: Boneyard Beach.

Florida, Miami, Plan, Trip Ideas

Miami: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

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Miami is one of few major cities that have a tropical vibe-warm temperatures and an abundance of palm trees-yet its urban pull is so intense you just might forfeit the beach for art, culture, sports and incredible dining.

1 An Artsy Side

Talk about being on the cutting edge of the art scene, Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, once an abandoned warehouse area north of downtown Miami in no-man’s land, was resuscitated in 2009 thanks to international graffiti artists commissioned by urban developer Tony Goldman. Meander along the sidewalks, where every building is covered in some of the coolest street art from caricatures to social messages. Art galleries, bars, restaurants and a coffee shop that roasts its own beans round out the scene, making Wynwood a hot spot to visit especially during Art Basel in December.

2 Design District

This is a neighborhood where uber home-design stores, the latest restaurants and more recently high-style stores (think Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Hermes) morph together to create an urban center oozing with its own fashion sense. Walkable streets and window displays make shopping in the Design District a main activity. Come at night and the restaurants are packed with city-chic diners, known for their adventurous palates.

3 Sports Fix

A coveted ticket to a Miami Heat basketball game at the downtown American Airlines Arena is reason to go urban. But the Marlins Ballpark, one of the country’s most modern and high-tech stadiums, is where traditional baseball is turned on its head. A retractable roof opens and closes in 13 minutes so rain or shine the game goes on. And South Beach’s iconic Clevelander bar sets up shop here with an actual swimming pool from which you can watch the game.

4 The Latin Beat

The influence of the Latin community in Miami permeates the city. But the core can still be found in the Little Havana neighborhood, settled by exiled Cubans in the early 1960s. Cigar shops, Latin art galleries, botanicas, bakeries and Cuban restaurants, serving some of the best ropa vieja, tres leches and Cuban coffee around, provide a concentrated dose of Latin culture for anyone looking for it.

5 Killer Cuisine

When it comes to up-and-coming chefs in the Southeast United States, the spotlight’s always on Miami. The culinary talent in this town makes for an innovative dining scene that is constantly evolving. And it’s more than the well-executed and delicious dishes; restaurant interiors get more glamorous with each new opening.

6 Showtime Miami-style

An architectural landmark, the Ardrienne Arscht Center for the Performing Art is an angular behemoth in downtown Miami. Just as its size is impressive so is the lineup of shows from Broadway productions to performances by Miami’s four resident companies—opera, ballet, symphony and orchestral academy—and entertainment in genres from jazz to pop. Don’t like big? Downtown Miami’s got small. Catch a show at the historic Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, where the ornate décor of a 1926 silent movie palace charms, complete with its star-studded ceiling.

7 Urban Sands

Even though Miami’s a big metropolis, it still has its share of beaches, and they’re like secret gems tucked in unexpected places. Highlights include the sandy shores of Key Biscayne’s Crandon Park, where Miami’s skyline looms in the distance. On the island’s south side, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park’s shoreline faces the open Atlantic Ocean. Head to Coral Gables’ Matheson Hammock Park and you’ll find a man-made atoll lagoon, which feeds from Biscayne Bay and has its own beach.

8 Chic Sleeps

Hot spots to lay your head when you want to stay on the mainland include Miami’s downtown hotels, where the Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, Epic and JW Marriott are as tall and sophisticated as you can get. Venture out of the downtown and the Mayfair in Coconut Grove has an art nouveau-esque touch and a rooftop lounge with views of Biscayne Bay. The historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables never gets old; the 1920s Mediterranean Revival building is one of those grande dames that seems to never age.

9 Flashback

Facelift after facelift has kept Miami looking young, but in reality it has some amazing historic place to visit, starting with Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the opulent winter retreat and Baroque mansion of Chicago industrialist James Deering. History buffs will enjoy the Venetian Pool, Freedom Tower, Coral Castle and others.

10 Going Tropical

Another touted Miami treasure is the Fairchild Botanic Garden for a close look at the world of tropical plants—palms, cycads, orchids and fruit trees, from cacao and durian to mangosteen and vanilla orchids. Head farther south to the Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead for tropical edibles—160 varieties of mangos, 75 varieties of bananas, plus jackfruit, papaya and star fruit—that grow well in South Florida’s warm climate.

Florida, Ft. Lauderdale, Plan, Trip Ideas

Fort Lauderdale: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

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Walk Fort Lauderdale’s famous beach and travel its endless canals by boat to discover this town’s sunny personality, then hit fashionable Las Olas Boulevard after dark to sample another side of this Florida city.

1 Boats and More Boats

It’s not just Fort Lauderdale’s delightful location on the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean that makes it a vacation hot spot for boaters of every variety, this town has a maze of canals that beg to be explored. Waterfront residents dock everything from speedboats to mega-yachts in front of their Florida manses. Rent a boat for the day or come in the fall when the nautical crowd descends on the city for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and shop for your own.

2 Biggest Cruise Port

Port Everglades can justifiably boast some of the best-designed terminals in the world that can move thousands of passengers from curb to ship in 10 to 15 minutes. Disembarking is just as quick and easy, which is why Fort Lauderdale is one of the most preferred ports for vacationing cruise passengers as well as cruise ships that call here. Plus its terminals are decked out with stunning public art that puts other terminals to shame.

3 Where the Boys Are

Atlantic Avenue is one of the hottest beach strips in Florida. Folks have been cruising this stretch since the 1960s when the movie Where the Boys Are put Fort Lauderdale on the map. Walk it, bike it, skate it, drive it—or just hang out on its sands. Along the pedestrian-friendly street you’ll find bars serving rainbow-colored frozen drinks, swanky hotels like the W and the Ritz-Carlton, bikini shops and even a museum with tropical gardens.

4 Las Olas Boulevard

A fashionable hub, Las Olas Boulevard is packed with personality. We love it best at night when palm trees wrapped in twinkle lights give it a romantic aura and sidewalk tables at 30-plus outdoor restaurants fill up with beautiful people. Book a room at the historic Riverside Hotel right on the boulevard so you can step out your door and shop, dine and enjoy the live music scene at your leisure.

5 Diver’s Jackpot

Off Fort Lauderdale’s coast divers find a natural three-tiered reef system that begins in 20 feet of water, just 100 yards from shore at its closest point. Making the destination even more diver friendly are 75 artificial reefs that been placed on the ocean’s floor over the past 20 years and serve as magnets for fish and reef life. From Deerfield Beach in the north to Hallandale Beach south of Fort Lauderdale, dive sites are plentiful, along with dive charters that depart from Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.

6 Museums and More

Fort Lauderdale may not come to mind when you think of museums, but surprise, surprise, the mix of cultural venues in this town is quite eclectic. Start with the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum and the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum for the lowdown on the two sports. At the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, the story of Fort Lauderdale’s early beginnings is told through this preserved historic home. In downtown Fort Lauderdale, you’ll find the Museum of Art and the Museum of Discovery & Science.

7 Place Your Bets

Gaming—horses, casinos and jai alai—are all nearby temptations for those who feel that Lady Luck is on their side. Horse racing and casino fun happens at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. Put on your poker face because there’s a game—plus slots and Black Jack—at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. For those who find the speedy game of jai alai from the Basque country of Spain intriguing enough to wager their hard-earned money, ball games happen at the Dania Casino & Jai Alai. And if you’re not the gaming type, then check out the bars, lounges, music and other nightlife options at all three venues.

8 Water Taxi

Much more than a means of transportation, Fort Lauderdale’s Water Taxi is an open-air sight-seeing boat that you can hop on and off as you ply the waters through Millionaire’s Row. En route you’ll pass Mediterranean-style mansions tucked in canals and the latest yachts docked out front. The guide’s commentary is a who’s who of the rich and famous that call Lauderdale home.

9 Events

There’s no shortage of events that give you a good reason to visit, but among our favorites is the Las Olas Wine & Food Festival in May, when local culinary talent lines Las Olas Boulevard and shows our taste buds what they got. In December, top rating goes to the Winterfest Boat Parade. One hundred vessels dressed in thousands of holiday lights cruise up the New River and Intracoastal Waterway to the delight of crowds. And of course the biggest is Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, a fall event partly responsible for the city’s moniker Yachting Capital of the World.

10 Stay on the Beach Side

A room on Fort Lauderdale’s famous Atlantic Avenue makes the trip so worthwhile. You can go hip and stay in an uber chic tower at the W or go classy by booking at the Ritz-Carlton in a building designed architecturally to resemble a cruise ship. If you want to be on the sand, then the family-owned Lago Mar Resort and Club, a five-minute beach walk away from the bustling Atlantic Avenue scene, is private and relaxing—a great place for both couples and families.

Florida, Key West, Plan, Trip Ideas

Key West: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

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The No. 1 reason people come to Key West is to have fun-it’s as simple as that. T-shirts, shorts and a pair of flip-flops will do. Key West’s nickname, the Conch Republic, has a comedic ring to it, hinting that this island is a place where almost anything goes (including a possible succession from the union in 1982). So get ready for some serious fun. You’re on island time now.

1 Old Town

The bustling Old Town is a national historic district, with Victorian charm and tropical gardens. A grid of narrow streets with homes from the 1800s and a mix of cultures from the Bahamas, Cuba, Europe and the Eastern Seaboard give it its intriguing history. Three places worth visiting are Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, President Harry S. Truman Little White House and Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum. Or, heck, just find a bar and chill.

2 Two-Wheel Paradise

You’ll get your share of exercise in this town, but not on two feet. Take your pick from a rental bicycle or scooter and ride with the wind in your hair as you exploring the island on a cool set of wheels. Just watch out for the chickens crossing the road.

3 Sunset Hour

Nowhere else in Florida is the setting of the sun celebrated with so much fanfare as in Key West. Mallory Square on the Gulf of Mexico is where tightrope walkers, fire eaters and jugglers entertain, and vendors with carts of local artwork and beaded jewelry hawk their wares. The shoulder-to-shoulder crowd may be toasting the end of a good day on Key West, but as the fire ball slips below the horizon, the party’s really just beginning.

4 On and Under the Water

There’s no limit to the choices for getting out into the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. Start at the Historic Seaport at Key West Bight and take your pick. Adventurers find dolphin-and-shipwreck snorkel trips on catamarans and snorkel trips to the reef by kayak. Fishermen can book charters—deep sea fishing, flats fishing or light tackle trips. The leisure traveler has several sunset sails from which to choose—we opt for the champagne sunset cruise.

5 Duval Street

Key West’s main drag, Duval Street, runs from bayside on the Gulf of Mexico to ocean side on the Atlantic, and you can easily walk the entire stretch. It’s the heartbeat of Key West. During the day it’s a shoppers’ and early-bird drinkers’ street, at dusk it welcomes diners and the five o’clock somewhere crowd and by dark it turns into a serious party scene.

6 Duval Crawl

Bars and drinking go hand in hand, a Key West tradition that one might say began with Ernest Hemingway at Sloppy Joe’s, the author’s favorite bar back in the 1930s. Only today there are more bars and more people doing the “Duval Crawl.” Whether you join the official Duval Crawl event to hit the watering holes or do your own freestyle crawl, drinking and making friends is what happens nightly on Duval Street.

7 Seafood

The catch of the day is always fresh and plucked from surrounding waters. The local hogfish makes a killer fish sandwich, the grilled Key West pink shrimp get a thumbs-up and a basket of conch fritters is a must.

8 Events

There’s never a shortage of events going on in Key West. But the big ones you need to book in advance are July’s Hemingway Days, with its Ernest Hemingway look-a-like contest; and October’s Fantasy Fest, a wild 10 days of outrageous costumes, parades, parties and borderline mayhem.

9 Hop On, Hop Off

Tired tootsies? Short on time? The Old Town Trolley to the rescue. This is the easiest way to take in as much of the island as possible—or just get the lay of the land. The ding-dong of the trolley is heard all over the island as it makes its way to 12 stops from Mallory Square to the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.

10 Stay the Night

Key West boasts some of the most interesting innkeepers, who run the bed-and-breakfasts, inns and guesthouses. Besides maintaining the architecture and history of these buildings—a ship captain’s home, a Caribbean cottage, a Victorian mansion—they make sure laughter accompanies your stay with daily happy hours.

Bahamas, Bahamas-Out Islands, Caribbean, Plan, Trip Ideas

Bahamas Out Islands: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

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If you’ve been to Nassau and Freeport, you’ve made a start. Now, there are just 698 islands left to go. Actually, the inhabited landmasses in the Bahamas geared to tourism number in the dozens, not the hundreds. But the principle remains: There’s still much more to see and do in this island nation.

1 Island Styles

The Out Islands range from pleasantly detached to truly remote, and you can plan your vacation experience accordingly. On Great Exuma, a mid-size commuter aircraft and a 10-minute taxi ride get you to a modern beachfront resort. A trip to Rum Cay requires a charter flight in a smaller aircraft and a taxi transfer to reach a secluded rental home on a bluff. Getting to Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos will involve an airplane, taxi, ferryboat and a golf cart ride to a rustic cottage on the beach.

2 Low-Rise Stays

Hotels in the Out Islands tend to be small and independently owned. For those who want even more privacy and personal autonomy, there is a wealth of rental cottages and villas. Some sit in the center of small villages, others perch on secluded points of land where wind and surf are the only neighbors. Rentals also run the price gamut. You can find a two-bedroom cottage in Georgetown for less than $100 a night or spend more than 10 times that amount for an oceanfront villa on Harbour Island.

3 Island Hopping

While some Out Islands sit alone, surrounded by blue water, others band together into closely linked archipelagos. The Exumas, Abacos and Berry Islands are prime examples, and each group provides an opportunity to explore by small boat, popping into the colorful harbor towns for a libation and a nosh at a dockside eatery or heading to an unsettled beach on a sunny lee shore.

4 Same Day Seafood

When you order a bowl of fish stew or a platter of cracked conch at an Out Island eatery, chances are it was swimming just hours earlier. One of the attractions of the Bahamas’ more remote destinations is that cooks rely on local ingredients because imported groceries are expensive and sometimes hard to come by. This result is culinary dishes that are both authentic and fresh, with a heavy emphasis on things that come from the surrounding seas.

5 Shallow Delights

While some Out Islands lie near the deep blue waters of the Atlantic or the Tongue of the Ocean, most also have at least one shore that opens to shallow, protected waters ideal for snorkeling, swimming and flats fishing. Islands such as Andros are doubly blessed by both expansive sand flats and fringing coral reefs that teem with tropical fish life. Discovering this underwater playground is as easy as wading out from shore.

6 Alternative Transportation

When you are staying on an island that’s a couple of miles from end to end, a rental car just doesn’t make sense. At many Out Island destinations, accommodations are within walking distance of beaches and villages. For slightly longer commutes, bicycles and golf carts are often the preferred conveyance.

7 See You at the Regatta

Sailing sloops no longer carry freight and passengers between islands, but their white sails and brightly colored hulls are still evident each year at Great Exuma’s Family Island Regatta. For six decades, boat crews and their followers from around the Bahamas have congregated in Georgetown each April for a week of racing and revelry, and everyone is welcome at the party.

8 Nautical Heritage

As would befit an island nation, the Bahamas has a strong boat building tradition. On Man of War Cay, families such as the Alburys craft both traditional and modern vessels from local woods. While on Bimini, fifth-generation boatbuilder Ansil Saunders handcrafts floating works of art that are prized by collectors.

9 Bluer Mysteries

Underneath the islands and coastal flats of the Bahamas are flooded caverns and underground rivers. When these chasms break the surface, they’re known as blue holes. Inland, they create freshwater oases in the forests and scrub. In the ocean, they flow in and out with the tides, a flow which local legend attributes to the watery breaths of the sea monster Lusca. Water movement attracts schools of fish to the entrances and creates coral gardens in the shallows. The largest known blue hole on Long Island has been plumbed to depths of more than 600 feet.

10 Rake-n-Scrape

To hear the traditional sounds of the southern Bahamas, make your way to Cat Island for the Rake and Scrape Festival. Held over the Bahamian Labor Day weekend (the first weekend in June), it brings together traditions, musicians and performers, who come to dance the quadrille and compete for top honors in the musical style known as rake-n-scrap or rip saw. As the name suggests, a performer coaxes the style’s signature sounds from a carpenter’s saw by raking it with a pic, while goombay drums keep time.