Tag Archives: Plan

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

Bahamas Out Islands: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

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.

High Rock Lighthouse Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas

Bahamas, Bahamas-Grand Bahama Island, Caribbean, Plan, Trip Ideas

Grand Bahama Island: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

Easy to reach, affordable and packed with activities, the island of Grand Bahama is a vacation destination all can enjoy. From the civilized luxuries of Freeport and Port Lucaya to the traditional villages and undeveloped beaches that dot the rest of the island’s coastlines, there’s a lot to discover.

1 A Diverse Destination

Like Goldilocks’ middle bear, Grand Bahama Island offers a just-right mixture of attractions and amenities for all ages and tastes. Freeport is clean, safe and family-friendly, but also ready to host a night on the town with fine dining, dancing to live music and a bit of casino action. Water sports from mild to wild await in the clear waters, while the land-bound can opt for anything from duty-free shopping to a round of golf, a jeep safari or just a relaxing afternoon on the beach.

2 Easy Access

Grand Bahama Island is the closest major vacation destination to Florida. The cruise ships come calling, while longer-term guests arrive by both air and sea with equal ease. Flights connect daily from southern U.S. gateways, and charter airlines offer direct service from cities as far away as Canada. Private boats have a 60-mile run across the Gulf Stream to West End, while a fast ferry makes a daily run from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport, with a one-way ticket going for as little as $50.

3 Room Rates

A handful of five-star properties on Grand Bahama are worth a splurge, but what makes the Freeport and Port Lucaya area a favorite is the abundance of three- and four-star hotels and resorts at attractive prices. Book smart and you can get an ocean-view room for around $200 or a canal-front three-star within easy walking distance of a prime beach for less than $100 a night.

4 Life’s a Beach

Grand Bahama Island has more than 180 miles of coastline. The north shore mixes beach, marsh and mangrove, but most of the south side is swathed in pure sand. This means beaches for all tastes, from the popular strands near the resorts to deserted stretches miles from town. And these beaches are made for play, offering everything from high-flying parasailing adventures to horseback rides in the surf and sunset beach parties.

5 Sweet Water

Unlike drier islands to the south, which must rely on rainwater conservation and saltwater desalinization, Grand Bahama has abundant supplies of fresh water. Below the surface, the limestone substrate is riddled with underground rivers and caverns that trap and hold rainwater like a huge natural cistern. Hotels are able to tap into these reserves to keep pools sparkling and showers flowing.

6 Natural Attractions

While Freeport and Port Lucaya are lively resort destinations, most of Grand Bahama Island remains in a natural state. You can get a sampling of the native flora and fauna at nearby Rand Nature Center or venture eastward to Lucayan National Park, which is home to more than 250 species of birds. Just across the road is a wild expanse of perennial-favorite Gold Rock Beach.

7 Blue Waters

Beckon While the island’s north coast is bordered by extensive shallows, the south side sits close to deep blue water. A fringing reef shelters the beaches, creating calm water for swimmers and underwater adventures for snorkelers, while less than a mile away lies an ocean playground that is a favorite with divers, fishermen and sailors.

8 Local Flavors

When dinner ingredients swim within a stone’s throw of the shore, it’s no surprise that good seafood is easy to find. Some of the best comes from the least assuming venues—rustic fish shacks with names like Robinson’s Seafood Delight, De Conch Man and Daddy Brown’s. For an authentic taste of the Bahamas, served with a side of beach party, stop in for the Wednesday night fish fry at Smith Point, which has become a local tradition.

9 Many Menus

If lobster, conch and fresh fish aren’t enough, the Freeport area offers more than 80 restaurants serving up a wide range of local and international cuisines. You’ll find everything from upscale Italian to pub food, Pacific Rim creations and even an innovative chef serving up Bahamian-Mexican fusion.

10 Authentic Undertones

With its modern architecture and U.S. influences, Freeport seems comfortably familiar, yet just different enough to remind you that you are in the islands, mon. For a richer Bahamian experience, head out to the quieter villages to the east or west, where the old ways still hold. Keep time to the rhythms of a rake-n-scrape band, plan your visit around a Junkanoo parade, or head to the Conch Cracking Festival in McLean’s Town.

Paradise Island Condos, Nassau, Bahamas, New Providence

Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, Caribbean, Plan, Trip Ideas

Nassau and Paradise Island: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

The island of New Providence is home to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas and the center of this island nation’s commercial and cultural activity. It’s also the most popular destination for visitors. And while those who come by cruise ship depart with souvenirs of the Straw Market and Bay Street, anyone who lingers a bit longer will discover a vibrant destination beyond the docks. A place where quiet back streets harbor bistros, galleries and artisanal craft shops, and where Technicolor beaches are overlooked by resorts ranging from glam to intimate.

1 Arawaks, Pirates and Freedmen

Nassau’s cultural heritage draws on the traditions of three continents. Once home to the Arawak people, the island became the haunt of European pirates and wreckers by the late 1600s, and a haven for British Loyalists a century later. The influence of the British Crown permeates Bahamian culture, but equally strong are its African roots. These influences come together in the food, language and music to create what is a distinctly Bahamian experience.

2 The Original Tourism Destination

New Providence Island and the city of Nassau are no strangers to tourism. Cunard ships brought visitors to the Royal Victorian Hotel in the 1860s, and by 1900, the first of many beachfront hotels was up and running. Fast forward a century and Nassau is still the No. 1 resort destination in the Bahamas, with the best-developed infrastructure and the widest variety of dining, lodging, shopping and leisure activities.

3 Fly Right

Nassau International Airport is not only the primary arrival and departure point for international flights; it is also the hub for air travel to numerous Out Island destinations. With more than 120 flights arriving each day, there are direct connections to North American destinations including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Toronto, along with numerous daily flights from Miami and other Florida cities.

4 The South Shore

Scene While Nassau occupies much of the island’s northeastern corner, a whole different scene unfolds along the quieter south shore. Here, a sandy plateau lies between deep blue water and the beach, creating an underwater playground that is a favorite with scuba divers and Hollywood filmmakers. When the studios need to shoot an underwater scene, this is where they send the crews, and actors from Thunderball’s Sean Connery to Into the Blue’s Jessica Alba.

5 From Pigs to Paradise

The internationally renowned resort destination known as Paradise Island once went by the unglamorous title of Hog Island. Its first transformation began in the 1940s, when a wealthy industrialist acquired the island to create his personal vacation paradise, which he called Shangri-La. Next came the elegant Ocean Club, which was an A-list destination through the 1960s. Today, the island is home to the Bahamas’ finest resorts, including the expansive Atlantis Resort complex, the One and Only Ocean Club and the quiet Sivananda Ashram.

6 Mail Boat’s a Coming

From Nassau, a fleet of inter-island freight and mail boats sails to the Out Islands, carrying everything from baby formula to auto parts for the remote settlements scattered through this 700-island archipelago. These same boats also accept passengers, and for around $50, you can book passage. Sailing times range from a few hours to an overnight trip, but this is no luxury cruise. You’ll find yourself sharing the decks with backpackers and locals, and cabin space is likely to be simple communal bunk beds.

7 Junkanoo Time

Though the holiday is celebrated throughout the Bahamas, the street parades of Junkanoo are best and biggest in Nassau. Elaborate floats share Bay Street with marching troupes such as the Music Makers and Prodigal Sons, who sport resplendent costumes as they compete for top honors. The processions move to the sounds of goatskin drums, cowbells and whistles, and onlookers soon find themselves keeping time with the infectious rhythms. The party begins on December 26, and repeats on New Year’s Day. If you can’t make it then, be sure to stop by the Junkanoo Museum near Prince George Wharf, where you can try on a costume and make some noise yourself.

8 Art Appreciation

It’s not surprising that Nassau is the cultural capital of the Bahamas, with an art community that is one of the most dynamic in the Caribbean. A walking tour of the city’s gallery scene should begin at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas on West Street. Another must-see is the nearby D’Aguilar Art Foundation, which features more than 75 Bahamian and international artists. For cutting edge creations, try Popstudios and Liquid Courage Gallery, and take time to seek out the street art that enlivens walls and buildings across the downtown.

9 Try the Fry

For an authentic taste of the islands, head to the waterfront of Arawak Cay, where a row of colorfully painted seafood shacks and bars fry up fresh fish and conch dishes, served up with sides like peas-n-rice or baked mac and plenty of cold Kalik beer. Among the perennial favorite eateries are Seafood Haven, Twin Brothers and Goldies. Music rolls from open doorways, and each June the Cay stages a summer Junkanoo festival.

10 Take A Chance

It’s been nearly 50 years since the first players tried their luck at Nassau’s casinos. Today, the island’s gaming scene is bigger than ever, with Cable Beach’s Crystal Palace, and the Paradise Island casino at Atlantis. Also on the horizon is the much-touted Bahama Mar Casino, which is slated to open in December of 2014 as part of a world-class development project between Cable Beach and downtown Nassau.

Caribbean, Grenada, Plan, Trip Ideas

Grenada: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

Leave a comment

The Spice Island appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Grenada’s lush mountainous terrain and tropical wildlife attract the nature lover in all of us. For those preferring to remain at sea level, there are 300-year-old churches and colonial buildings to marvel at in St. George’s, while Fort Frederick and Fort George will surely please the ardent history buff.

1 Room with a View

Some say the best panoramic views of the picturesque harbor of St. George’s are seen from the jail, the hospital and the cemetery. No kidding. A hike or ride up any hillside road will offer a peek between the buildings, unveiling the scenic image of red roofs against the cool blue Caribbean Sea.

2 Hiking

One-sixth of Grenada is designated for parks and natural wildlife preserves. Hiking trails for all levels lead to six named waterfalls, cool streams, warm sulphur springs and crater lakes formed from extinct volcanoes, all are centrally located within the rainforest. Finding your way to many of these sites requires the services of a local guide.

3 Entry to the Tobago Cays

The Grenadines are a collection of 600 small islands located between Grenada and St. Vincent. The Tobago Cays, known as one of the prettiest places on earth, consists of five uninhabited islands that lie within the Grenadines. Sailors from around the world come to Grenada to charter boats or join day trips heading to these idyllic waters, which were designated as a wildlife preserve in 2006.

4 A Look Back

Movie buffs with a penchant for vintage films will appreciate the scenes from the 1957 screen play Island in the Sun, starring James Mason, Harry Belafonte and Joan Fontaine, when they visit Grenada. Much of the island still looks as it did decades ago.

5 Three Islands, One Nation

Grenada, the nation, is actually three islands. Big sister Grenada gets all the glory and has the posh resorts, the trendy restaurants and most of the visitors. For a step back in time visit Carriacou and tiny Petite Martinique. Board the Osprey Lines’ ferry for a beach day on Carriacou or head on to Petite Martinique to totally escape the modern world.

6 Spice Cabinet

The island’s air is redolent with the subtle scent of spices. This is your chance to stock your kitchen with a supply of nutmeg, mace, cloves, bay leaves and cinnamon before heading home. Packets, baskets and jars of spices are found at the market in St. George’s and at many roadside stands.

7 Wrecking Havoc

From cargo ships and fishing boats to navy minesweepers, a varied collection of shipwrecks ready for dive exploration lies at the bottom of the sea off Grenada and Carriacou. Scuba divers and snorkelers will also find an expansive array of reefs to enjoy off both islands and a selection of dive operators to help with arrangements. Advanced divers and those accustomed to currents have the opportunity for a day trip to Isle de Rhonde, a group of tiny volcanic islands between Grenada and Carriacou.

8 Charcoal Sands

Grenada is blessed with a lineup of gorgeous white sand beaches, and a handful of strands with glistening black grains. With a little exploration and a hike from the main road, you can find the secluded, stunning grey stretches of Petit Bacaye Beach and Black Bay Beach.

9 Festivals

While the main island of Grenada has its share of celebratory festivities, its little sister Carriacou hosts some of the most unique parties in the region. In August the Carriacou Regatta draws crowds, in March Carnival explodes on the island, and in April the Maroon Festival rocks music lovers. The Christmas season brings the Parang Festival, a celebration based on the past custom of strolling serenaders caroling from village to village. The concerts and dances are held indoors nowadays but the event is still a welcome holiday tradition.

10 The Big Lake

Lakes on Caribbean islands are unusual, and Grenada has two. Both Lake Antonine and Grande Etang Lake were formed by volcanic craters. The latter is a 36-acre pool in the midst of the rainforest of the Grand Etang National Park, where a hike around its rim takes you through lush flora and over crushed nutmeg husks. Trek in deeper among towering mahogany and giant gommier trees draped in rare orchids and bromeliads for a chance to see the broad-winged hawk, Antillean crested hummingbird and the mona monkey.

Caribbean, Martinique, Plan, Trip Ideas

Martinique: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

Leave a comment

Martinique is classic Caribbean.Waterfalls, rainforests and secluded beaches to discover, and above it all looms a towering mist-shrouded volcano. Island culture blends the spices of Africa and the East with the sophistication of Paris. Discrete, upscale resorts and intimate inns share the countryside with red-roofed villages and makeshift coastal fishing enclaves.

1 Living in the Past

Martinique’s colorful past lives on in a diverse assembly of more than 20 museums, which offer far more than just timeworn photos and relics. One can examine Pre- Columbian art and artifacts, relive the Caribbean’s most deadly volcanic eruption or watch traditional rum makers at work. A whimsical banana museum mixes agriculture, commerce and a tasting room; another exhibition includes intricate dolls made of more than 600 types of dried vegetable leaves. Musée de la Pagerie honors native daughter Empress Josephine, and Musée du Chateau Dubuc tells the tale of another island girl who became the legendary Sultana Validé, wife of the Sultan of Constantinople.

2 Gauguin’s Muse

Take a drive in the hills and you’ll understand why Paul Gauguin never wanted to leave this island. Martinique has breathtaking views at every turn. Quaint mountain hamlets look down on church-steepled fishing villages. Hillsides overflow with sugarcane, banana trees and flowers, and above it all are volcanic vistas shrouded in clouds. It’s enough to inspire the artist in anyone, whether you bring paints and brushes or simply seek to fill your camera’s memory card.

3 Rhum, Rum, Ron

No matter how you spell it Martinique has earned a reputation for creating some of the Caribbean’s best and most memorable rums. Local distilling traditions focus on producing “rhum agricole,” which is made from the wine of freshly pressed sugarcane and not from processed molasses, as is common elsewhere. Aged versions are generally sipped over ice or served neat.

4 Isle of Flowers

The indigenous Caribe called the island Madinina; the French named it Martinique. Both mean flowers and more flowers. Everywhere there are flushes of red, pink and orange. Frangipani, hibiscus and anthuriums grace every garden. At resort entrances, meticulously maintained flower beds spell out property names. Once within, you’re sure to find a fresh bouquet in your room— and possibly petals on your bed.

5 Paris of the West Indies

The village of Saint Pierre was once a sophisticated port city of more than 30,000 and the capital of Martinique. In 1902, Mount Pelée erupted violently, destroying the town and killing most of the inhabitants. The survivors rebuilt on a more modest scale, and reminders of former glory and tragic demise can be found at sites such as the ruins of the grand theatre and in architectural details, such as the intricate wrought-iron balconies that overlook downtown’s narrow streets.

6 Hiking

Nearly half of the island is forested and is either a national park or some other form of protected land. These green spaces are crisscrossed by more than 200 miles of traditional footpaths dating from colonial days, including some 30 official and well-maintained hiking trails that are mapped and graded by degree of difficulty. Routes ascend into lush mahogany forests or wind through coastal woodlands to access deserted beaches. Serious hikers can hire a guide for a two-hour scramble up the steep trails of Mount Pelée or enjoy a more leisurely but longer ramble along a portion of the north coast that roads don’t reach.

7 Savor the Flavors

Martinique’s melting pot of cuisines draws inspiration from African, European and East Indian traditions, and favorites such as the local Colombo takes its cue from Indian curry. The island’s dominant flavors, however, are Creole and Classic French—plus some interesting fusions of the two. One can begin the day nibbling on a fresh croissant and savoring a café au lait, sample lambi with accras (conch with malanga) at lunch, adjourn for a rum-based ti punch as the sun goes down, then sup on grilled lobster with a christophine gratin.

8 Golden Crafts

The downtown shops of Fort-de-France may tempt with the latest Parisian designs, but it’s the local artwork and jewelry that make shopping so much fun. Head to the main shopping district along Rue Victor Hugo and Rue Antoine Siger, where glittering baubles beckon you into some of the finest jewelry stores. Women of Martinique love their gold jewelry and a twisted chain necklace, gold balls made into a bracelet and fiacre earrings are never too much. Fine metalwork and intricate details are signatures of Martinique’s 18-carat craftsmanship.

9 Market Value

Weekends bring out vendors, farmers and artists with bounties that passers-by find hard to resist. One of the best markets is on the way to Les Salines beach in the town of St. Anne, where spices, madras, snacks and locally grown produce and sugarcane are on display. In Fort-de-France, the Saturday morning spice market is not to be missed. Tables overflow with spiky green plantains, huge breadfruit, aromatic seasonings, homemade salsas and spiced rums.

10 Oceans, Two

Martinique has a beach for everyone, from the windswept Atlantic coast, where surfers and kite boarders play, to the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea, where families lounge in the sun and splash in the clear shallows. Sands come in all shades from volcanic blacks to dazzling coral white. Some strands sit adjacent to luxury resorts offering on-call amenities, while others provide palm-shaded solitude and opportunities for long walks with barely another soul in site.

Punaluu Black sand beach, big island, Hawaii

Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Plan, Trip Ideas

The Big Island of Hawaii: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

Earning its nickname for the orchid flowers that thrive in the dark volcanic soil, the island of Hawaii is also referred to as simply “the Big Island.” It’s a fitting title, as many things here happen on a bit grander scale: the distances, the mountains and the views. Few other places in the world can you swim in tropical waters in the morning, then stand atop a snow-capped peak two hours later. Or transition from lush rainforests to cool grasslands then move on to arid lunar-like coastal flats in the same afternoon. From the quiet luxury resorts of the Kohala Coast to the fiery energy of Kilauea, it is an island of contrasts and wide-open spaces.

1 Land of Fire

This is the youngest island in the Hawaiian chain, and it’s still growing. Volcanoes National Park is one of the only places in the world where you can come face-to-face with an active volcano and see the still-smoldering remains of a lava flow emerge and flow into the sea, creating clouds of steam as the molten rock cools to form new land.

2 Room to Roam

The Big Island isn’t just a slogan. At 3,000 square miles, it’s almost twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined. A “once around” driving tour will put more than 200 miles on the odometer, and it’s possible to visit 10 climate zones ranging from tropical to polar.

3 Snow in the Tropics

T-shirts emblazoned with “Ski Hawaii” aren’t a joke. Towering nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, Hawaii’s two major volcanic peaks—Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa—are sometimes covered in snow during the winter. Adventurous skiers and snowboarders ride to the summit of Mauna Kea on four-wheel-drive vehicles for a chance to glide on “pineapple powder.”

4 Open Range

Hawaii is cow country. The Parker Ranch is one of the oldest working cattle ranches in America, and at a quarter million acres, it’s half again the size of the entire island of Molokai. Hawaiian cowboys, known as paniolos, stage a rodeo each Labor Day, and the ranch is open for horseback tours year-round.

5 Home of the Iron Man

Each October, the town of Kailua-Kona hosts the world’s most famous endurance race: the Iron Man. The race was born in Oahu, but moved to the Big Island in 1981 to take advantage of the uncrowded roadways for bikers and runners, and Kona’s expansive sheltered bay for swimmers.

6 Golf Galore

In a state known for golf, the Big Island offers not only the most chances to play a round, but also many of the best opportunities. Some of the most stunning courses are those on the Kohala Coast that place green fairways against a backdrop of jet-black lava flows. A total of 23 courses on the island provide everything from affordable, democratic play to some of the most storied holes in the sport.

7 Big Fish

Trophy game fish swim close to the island’s western shore. The two largest blue marlin in the world were landed in Kona, as well as the most fish over 1,000 pounds. Prime fishing grounds are just a short run from Honokohau Harbor, and seas are usually calm, as the prevailing trade winds are blocked by the island’s towering volcanoes.

8 Black Sands

When lava rock is ground fine by wind and waves, the result is black sand, and the Big Island has some of the finest black sand beaches in the world. The easiest to reach is Punaluu Beach, which lies just to the east of the island’s southern tip. If you are driving a circle tour of the island, make sure to look for it between mile markers 55 and 56 on Highway 11.

9 Legendary Coffee

Kona coffee is prized for its rich flavor, derived from the fertile volcanic soils and cool mountain air that envelops the slopes where coffee plants thrive. Scattered throughout the Kona district are coffee farms, which offer tours and tastings. The small town of Holualoa, known for its art scene, is a good place to start a caffeine quest.

10 Totally Tubular

When lava spills from an erupting volcano, it sometimes flows in subterranean conduits called lava tubes, which eventually cool to create caves. At sites like Kaumana Cave near Hilo, visitors can walk more than a mile into one of these former lava highways, which are now refreshingly dark and cool.

Hawaii, Molokai, Plan, Trip Ideas

Molokai: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

Traditions are alive and well on Molokai, where farming and ranching is still a way of life for many, and tourism supplements rather than dominates the economy. There are no high rises or mega resorts, no traffic lights or streetlights, and no franchise eateries or stores. Instead, you’ll find quiet villages, where accommodations run to small inns and rental cottages, and nightlife is more about stars than bars.

1 Rural Roots

Though no longer a major pineapple producer, Molokai is still an agricultural island, where family plots grow bananas, papaya, sweet potatoes and taro, and cattle roam the island’s western grasslands. The primary settlement of Kaunakakai is still known as a paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town, and a place where dinner is more likely to come fresh from the garden and the sea rather than the refrigerator.

2 Home of the Hula

Oral traditions name Molokai as the island where the hula dance was born. Now synonymous with Hawaiian culture and often incorporated into luau floor shows, hula was originally danced not only as a form of entertainment, but as a way to preserve the island’s oral history and mythology. The stories of hula are told through gestures and the accompanying chants, and one of the best places to see its purest form is the annual Ka Hula Piko festival, which is a showcase for traditional dance, culture and food.

3 The One Percent

Of the more than seven million visitors who come to the Hawaiian Islands each year, fewer than one in a hundred will make it to Molokai. As a result, you won’t find tour buses clogging the roads or excursion boats lining the harbors. Things get even quieter in the evenings when day-trippers from Maui reboard the ferry, leaving the island to its residents and a very few longer-term guests.

4 Something Fishy

Long before the modern science of aquaculture developed, Hawaii’s native people were raising seafood in coastal impounds made of coral and lava rock, which kept fish corralled while allowing sea water to flow in and out. Some of the best preserved are located near One Alii Beach Park. These structures are thought to be 700 to 800 years old. Two in particular, Keawanui and Ualapue Fishponds, have been designated as National Historic Landmarks.

5 A King’s Vacation

King Kamehameha V constructed his summer home at Kaunakakai Beach and raised cattle on land that later became the sprawling Molokai Ranch, which is Hawaii’s second largest. He’s also credited with planting hundreds of coconut trees in what is now the Kapuaiwa Coconut Beach Park. This shaded grove is one of the island’s signature landmarks—just be sure to watch for falling coconuts if you enter.

6 St. Damien’s Legacy

The Catholic missionary Joseph de Veuster was granted sainthood for aiding the leprosy victims exiled to Molokai’s remote Kalaupapa peninsula. The site of this former colony is now open to the public as Kalaupapa National Historical Park, but it can be reached only by a rugged trail. Here visitors can learn the story of St. Damien and the colony, and visit St. Philomena Roman Catholic Church, where Damien served and was originally buried in the adjacent cemetery.

7 Cliff Hanger

The precipitous trail leading to the Kalaupapa colony drops 1,700 feet in three miles and often runs just inches from the brink of a cliff. Surefooted mules ferry visitors up and down this dramatic pathway. Plan on devoting most of the day to the ride, as the three- mile trip takes about 90 minutes each way, and there’s a break at the bottom to explore and have lunch. The path is also open to ambitious hikers looking for a good workout.

8 Southern Exposure

The longest barrier reef in Hawaii stretches for nearly 30 miles along Molokai’s southern coast. The clear waters that envelop these coral gardens are home to hundreds of species of fish and are a favorite with divers and snorkelers. The site called Murphy’s Beach is a favorite entry point, as it provides calm water and shaded beachside facilities for gearing up.

9 Seaside Heights

Along the island’s northern shore, the world’s tallest sea cliffs rise abruptly to heights of almost 4,000 feet. In the rainy season, tendril-like waterfalls cascade down the green cliff faces to form feathery plumes of spray. A short hike from the parking area at Palaau State Park takes you to the edge for a look down. Boat cruises along the bases of the cliff face originate from Kaunakakai harbor and from the island of Maui, where you can also book helicopter fly-bys of the cliffs.

10 Honey Do

Bees turn the flowers of the kiawe tree into a pure white honey that is prized by gourmands. Known as meli in the Hawaiian language, this sweet concoction is produced at a select few apiaries on Molokai, and sold at local stores.

Hawaii, Kauai, Plan, Trip Ideas

Kauai: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

Leave a comment

Nature takes center stage on the lushest of the Hawaiian Islands. Kauai has been around for more than five million years, and the ages have carved deep canyons and covered the land in a rich and diverse mantle of greenery. This is the island for anyone who packs hiking boots rather than dress shoes— though golf shoes will also work. And for those who are less interested in returning to nature, an assortment of upscale properties also stands ready to pamper.

1 The Wild Side

Kauai’s Napali Coast is a land without roads, where narrow valleys are walled by sheer cliffs that drop thousands of feet to the sea. This rugged landscape is a mecca for adventurous hikers, who challenge the cliff-side trails for the reward of remote beaches and wild green valleys. For a less strenuous viewing experience, there are helicopter tours and boat cruises along the seaside bases of the cliffs.

2 Waterworks

With an average of 450 inches of rainfall each year, Mount Waialeale is said to be the wettest place on earth. It’s certainly one of the greenest, with plenty of cascading waterfalls set against towering emerald cliffs. Reaching the summit is an arduous—and damp—endeavor that few attempt, but jeep tours to the rainforest at the base of the slope are a popular option.

3 For the Birds

Kauai has more free-roaming wild chickens than people. These birds are mixed descendants of the island’s once-native red jungle fowl or moa and domestic chickens. They thrive because Kauai was the only island where the mongoose, a predator of eggs, was never introduced, but in settled areas, free- roaming become fair game for the stew pots of locals.

4 Canyon Land

Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” the rugged Waimea Valley is enclosed by towering 3,500-foot canyon walls that expose the underlying lava substrate in shades of red, blue, green and purple. Highway 550, aka the Kokee Road, skirts the western edge of the chasm, offering dramatic views from overlooks and access to the hiking trails of Waimea Canyon State Park.

5 Hollywood Goes Green

When producers go for the prehistoric look, they often find it in the rainforests and rugged mountains of Kauai. Think Jurassic Park, Lost World and the opening scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark. The island’s more civilized side also sees its share of production crews, dating back to classics such as South Pacific and Blue Hawaii.

6 A River Runs Through It

Kauai is the only Hawaiian island with navigable rivers. The placid Wailua River flows past historic sites where temples stood, and kayakers now ply waters where warriors in dugout canoes once paddled. A favorite cruise takes visitors on a two-mile voyage upriver, with a stop at the lush Fern Grotto, where the walls of a natural lava rock amphitheater are covered in thick greenery.

7 Seeing Red

Kauai is famous for its brilliant red dirt, which was used to make traditional fabric dyes and in folk medicines. The soil’s dramatic color is the result of iron-laden minerals, and certain microorganisms which ingest those minerals. This red earth can be quite cloying, but that’s OK, because it’s considered good luck to come home with a trace of the soil on your clothing. Or you could buy one of the island’s signature Red Dirt Shirts.

8 Growing Attractions

Kauai’s nickname is “The Garden Island,” and this is certainly true of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, which features the world’s largest collection of native Hawaiian plants. For a wilder take on native flora, head to the Wainiha Preserve, which is home to more than 130 flowering plants found only in Hawaii, including more than 40 growing only on Kauai.

9 A Pinch of Salt

At the Hanapepe Salt Pans, traditional evaporation beds turn ocean water into sea salts known locally as paakai. The right to harvest the solidified mineral residues in the salt pans at Hanapepe is passed down through generations, and traditions dictate that this salt can never be sold, but only given as a gift. Of course, it is possible to buy other varieties of Hawaiian sea salts at places across the island.

10 Gushing Waters

Kauai is home to some of Hawaii’s most spectacular waterfalls. Some like the “Jurassic Falls” are located in remote areas that can only be seen by helicopter tour, but others can be reached by hiking, paddling or simply pulling off the road. One favorite that is within driving range is Wailua Falls, which some might recognize from the opening scenes of the vintage television series Fantasy Island.

Hawaii, Lanai, Plan, Trip Ideas

Lanai: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

The smallest and least populous of Hawaii’s six major islands, Lanai blends natural beauty and small-town quietude with first-class service, thanks to a pair of upscale resort properties and their affiliated championship golf courses. Those seeking a beach experience will find one of Hawaii’s finest stretches of protected sand at Manele Bay, while the island’s pine-clad and mist-shrouded central highlands create a vacation experience where morning treks, afternoon tea and sporting clays don’t seem out of place.

1 Pineapples Past

For most of the 20th century, Lanai was owned by the Dole family and was home to the world’s largest single pineapple plantation. The fields now lay fallow, and the former nickname of “Pineapple Island” no longer applies. Reminders of the island’s agricultural past include Lanai City’s Dole Park and the small Hotel Lanai, which was original built to house company managers.

2 Crowd Control

The least populated of Hawaii’s six major islands, Lanai has only 3,000 residents and hosts fewer than 70,000 vacationers each year. On any given day, you’ll probably be sharing the island with fewer than 1,000 other visitors, and many of them have come for the day and will depart with the ferry or catch a flight back to one of the larger islands before evening.

3 Traffic, Light

With just three paved roads and zero traffic lights, it would be hard to get lost on Lanai’s “main roads” (though the island’s numerous dirt tracks are another story). A shuttle links the harbor docks to Lanai City, which, despite the ambitious name, is a village of about 3,000 people, where everything is within walking distance.

4 Trail Blazing

Though paved roads are scarce, some 90,000 acres of Lanai’s backcountry is laced with more than 400 miles of dirt roads and tracks suitable for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Off- road rentals are the best way to reach some of the island’s best beaches and sights. For those willing to go the distance and traverse nearly 60 miles of dirt roads and tracks, Polihua Beach provides the ultimate in seclusion. This two-mile strand overlooks the Molokai channel and is about as far from civilization as one can get in Hawaii.

5 High and Drier

The central highlands of Lanai sit in the rain shadow of Maui, providing a climate that is tempered by altitude but not inundated by the heavy rains that fall on the higher parts of other islands. A substantial portion of the island’s drinking water comes from desalinization, and plans are in the works to quadruple production capacity to ensure there will always be ample supplies.

6 Rocking Out

The dramatic rock formations known as Garden of the Gods appear to be stacked and scattered by some unseen giant’s hand. Geologists claim it is the work of erosion, while local traditions maintain it is the detritus of sky gardens cultivated by island deities. If you are into rocks and solitude, it’s a must-see, but don’t expect interpretive trails or other trappings of more developed natural wonders. Make sure to rent a four-wheel- drive vehicle and get good directions before attempting the bumpy seven-mile drive from Lanai City.

7 New Ownership

The nickname ‘private island’ reflects not only solitude, but the fact that some 98 percent of the island land is held by a single entity. The recent sale to Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison has resulted in an infusion of resources. Among the projects now in the works are upgrades to the island’s two signature resorts, new homes in Lanai City and an airport expansion to potentially accommodate direct flights from the U.S. mainland.

8 A Place for Pines

Lanai’s relatively dry climate is ideal for pine trees. The first Cook Island pines were introduced nearly 150 years ago and now cover much of the island’s central highlands. These trees harvest the fog that sometimes envelopes the slopes and actually return water to the land. A hike along Kaiholena Ridge will take you into the heart of this pine forest.

9 Game Place

Wild sheep and axis deer now roam much of the island’s unsettled backcountry. Managed hunting is used to control the populations of these non-native species, but they are still common sights when hiking or driving the back roads.

10 Five Islands

On a clear day, you can see five islands from the summit of Mount Lanahale: Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kahoolawe and Hawaii island. Getting to the view requires some backcountry driving along the Munro Trail. This 12-mile single-lane dirt track winds along the island’s sharp spine, passing through forests of pine, eucalyptus and ironwood on the way to the top. Pullouts along the route provide views of Maunalei gulch.

Anguilla, Caribbean, Plan, Trip Ideas

Anguilla: 10 Reasons to Go

May 9, 2014

2 Comments

Anguilla was mapped as a tourist spot in the mid-1980s and has become an island known among the glitterati for luxe resorts, private villas and pristine beaches all sans paparazzi. For the rest of us, we find resorts so close to the sea that you can have your morning coffee with your feet in the sand. It’s a place where you can ride a horse into the surf, dine like a gourmand and sail off into the sunset.

1 Strands of Sand

Considered to have the world’s best collection of beaches, Anguilla is blessed with 33. Each strand varies in degrees of intensity from blinding white sand cast against electric blue water to shades of beige rimmed by turquoise shallows.

2 Ultra-Lux Digs

Anguilla boasts some of the most luxurious resorts in the region, and when money is no object it’s blissful to stay at top-drawer elegance. It’s tough to choose from the lavish seaside settings—all are relatively small and intimate, even the larger glitzy and trendy properties have their share of cozy spots. If you find that your stay takes you to one of the charming and more affordable alternatives, then enjoy a meal or cocktail at one of the swanking top-dollar hot spots and soak up the atmosphere for the evening.

3 Spiny Pleasure

Another touted treasure on Anguilla is the local lobster prepared simply on the grill, dusted with herbs de Provence or the local favorite, marinated in a sweet curry sauce. Restaurants serve delectable presentations of both the common spiny lobster known as “lobster” and the smaller spotted spiny lobster known on Anguilla as “crayfish.” Most restaurants will have at least one if not four lobster-themed entrees on the menu. For appetizers there’s the lobster-and-shrimp cakes at Blanchards, pumpkin-and- lemongrass soup with Thai lobster dumplings at Hibernia or the long-standing lobster spring roll at Straw Hat that comes with lobster, crayfish and other local seafood.

4 Maritime Passion

Island regattas turn into island parties as the time-honored cultural tradition of boat racing is celebrated at every occasion. Wooden and epoxy boats with single sails ply the waters beginning Easter week. The highpoint is the Anguilla Day Regatta, which takes place on May 30, but races run through August, when national holidays begin to wane. Boat racing is Anguilla’s national sport, and a race will manifest on any holiday or for just about any reason.

5 Music on the Move

Chase the island’s music scene, which travels from bar to bar, beach to beach and runs from day to night. Melodic reggae or soothing jazz can be heard at most any beachside bar or resort. Like many Caribbean islands music pulses through the veins of Anguilla.

6 Island Hopping

Whether it’s a day of snorkeling or a break for lunch, the sandy spits of land at Scilly Cay, Sandy Island and Prickly Pear Cay are just a short boat ride from the main island. Scilly Cay can pack a crowd and serves grilled lobster, fish or chicken while Sandy Island’s lean-to of a kitchen will throw out a few plates of lobster. At Prickly Pear Bar & Restaurant (aka Agatha’s) folks satisfy their cravings at its tiki bar—most visits here last the full day unless you come on a private boat.

7 No Wake Zone

Tranquility is the island’s mantra and the absence of jet skis and casinos helps to maintain a calm and peaceful environment, which places Anguilla in a league of its own.

8 Weekend Barbecue

Each weekend, the grills heat up in one of the Island’s favorite traditions. What started out as a family meal has turned into a small enterprise as cooks set up shop on Friday and Saturday evenings to sell chicken and ribs slathered with secret sauces and accompanied by island staples like mac ’n’ cheese, rice ’n’ peas and coleslaw. Once you lock in on your spot (ask around to see who is cooking when you are there), you’ll want to arrive early for a take-away plate of fixings.

9 Get Pampered

Anguilla has some of the best spas in the Caribbean. Whether it’s a relaxing massage at Malakh Day Spa under a gazebo on the sands of Shoal Bay East or a hydroponic cucumber and aloe wrap, a signature treatment at the Venus Spa at the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, the pampering teams are always on hand.

10 Moonsplash Time

Time your visit to take in Moonsplash, an annual weekend of music, when local legend Bankie Banx hosts musicians from all parts. Music crosses all genres from reggae to blues and soul. The atmosphere is cool, beachy and absolutely magical. Performances take place under the stars and moonlight at his indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant, where an island driftwood décor sets the mood. The party happens during the full moon every March.