Taking up 40 percent of the island of St. Martin and with a population of around 58,000, this territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands packs a whole lot of fun, flavor, and personality into a petite package. Whereas French St. Martin leans elegant and relaxed, the multicultural, largely English-speaking Dutch side offers its share of quiet corners, but also a livelier menu of casinos, nightlife, beach bars, waterfront dining – along some of the most photographed aircraft landings
CARIBBEAN (66)
Stepping off the plane in capital Kingston earlier this year, I was immediately greeted by a symphony of sounds: reggae beats drifting from open-air cafes, the chatter of street vendors, and the distant buzz of traffic weaving through the city. The colors of murals, tropical flowers, and painted storefronts created a kaleidoscope that dazzled the senses. The air smelled of salt, spices, and something uniquely Jamaican, a promise of adventure waiting to unfold.
This journey was set to be more
Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Since the beginning of resort development (especially of the all-inclusive kinds) and the opening of an international airport in the early 1980s, this town sprawling along 62 miles of the DR´s northeastern coast has evolved into Latin America´s second-most popular beach destination (and by the way, contributing around a quarter of the DR´s entire GDP), and it´s not hard to see why: pristine white sands, turquoise blue waters, a variety of attractions, and more
Over the years, through my one trip to Haiti and various visits to Haitian restaurants in the United States (especially here in Chicago, as well as New York City and Miami, like the fantastically colorful but now sadly defunct Tap Tap), I have come to greatly appreciate the cuisine that is a wonderful, soulful fusion of this country´s Indigenous Taíno roots, French colonial history, African traditions, and the creativity of a put upon but resilient people. It´s a cuisine th
Freya19
Way out west near the city of Aguadilla (and a two-hour drive from San Juan), the good-size town of Moca (pop. 38,000), founded in 1772, enjoys a unique status in Puerto Rico: it´s the island´s capital of mundillo, intricate cotton bobbin lace brought over from Spain centuries ago, still laboriously woven by hand, and used to adorn all manner of textile items, from handkerchiefs and shirts to tablecloths. (Bobbins are small wooden spindles around which the cotton thread is wound, and t
Cuba is one of the Caribbean´s most popular countries with visitors because of its paradisiacal beaches, lovely landscapes, handsome architecture, compelling history, its infectious music, and its tasty cuisine. In capital Havana all of this is distilled into a marvelous must-visit - and of course this is where you´ll find the most and best restaurants and cafés in the entire country.
Typical Cuban Dishes
Ropa Vieja
One of the most classic island dishes of all, "old
by Jazzmine Raine
The main reasons millions come to Cuba each year are (primarily) beaches and (secondarily) culture. But the lag in the country’s development since 1959 has been a boon for ecotourism, leaving the island with quite a few natural treasures for visitors to discover, from hidden waterfalls to castaway beaches, national parks, and conversatories. I recently discovered one such gem in the Sierra del Rosario mountains just over an hour’s drive west of capital Havana. Allow me to intr
Though mostly shabby and decrepit except for its UNESCO World Heritage colonial core, Habana Vieja, being restored for the tourism trade with the help of the Spanish government, the European Union, and other international donors, the capital of Cuba is truly one of the more remarkable cities in all the world, as millions of new visitors have been discovering each year since the régime started increasingly opening up the island to visitors in the years following the 1991 collapse of its
Photos: Victor Block
Most travelers have heard of the U.S. Virgin Islands; some of the British Virgin Islands. Those familiar with the BVI usually know Tortola, and maybe even Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. But it seems that few have ever heard of Anegada. Which is a shame because it has so much to recommend it.
For starters, the northernmost of the BVI - a mere 15 square miles and with a population of just 450, a 45-minute ferry ride from Tortola - boasts multiple beautiful beaches with so
Never heard of it? You´re far from alone – last year just 5,700 flights – by one of the Caribbean´s lowest arrivals figures – landed on its third smallest island (just five square miles/13 sq. kilometers sitting on an dormant volcano Mount Scenery, with a population of just under 2,000). But those in the know realize that the self-styled "unspoiled queen," part of the Caribbean Netherlands (along with Bonaire and Sint Eustatius, aka Statia) and first settled in the 1640s, is a
Based in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the famous Caribbean resort chain founded in 1981 by legendary Jamaican entrepreneur Gordon "Butch" Stewart was instrumental in pioneering the "all-inclusive" concept - paying one (usually very attractive) rate to cover all food and drink as well as many activities and amenities, in addition to just a room. Sandals properties now number 18 on eight islands, and they´re especially popular with (and indeed, marketed to) couples and especial
The smaller of the two main islands which make up the country of Trinidad and Tobago lies 22 miles northeast of larger Trinidad (a 20-minute flight away, as well as with direct service to/from Barbados, the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany).It´s known for its unspoiled natural beauty; gorgeous beaches (such as Buccoo, pictured above); rich history (dating back to 1654); and vibrant culture (which besides numerous current ways to experience it is particularly on dis
Summer is a vibrant season beckoning you to soak in the warm embrace of the sun and immerse in adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities with your friends and family. It is a period to savor a bounty of fresh fruits & vegetables and revel in the lively festivals and parades.
These longer months promise nothing but double relaxation, fun, and a lifetime of cherished memories.
But the big question is — how do you make the most out of Summer?
What would you think if we told you that you are merely 5 hour
Matt Kieffer
One of the “ABC” islands* of the Dutch Antilles, just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela, this 111-square-mile island is a welcoming and tranquil trove of eco-adventure (which they play up with the tourism tagline “It´s in Our Nature”), and it´s known especially for its diving and snorkeling. For a nice, laid-back slice of the old Caribbean (albeit a pretty arid one, so please don´t go expecting luxuriant greenery), many travelers in the know very much appreciate this off-the-beaten
SPC Gibran Torres
Haiti, really? You´re no doubt wondering. Well, yes, the Americas´ most impoverished country has been an abject basket case for many years, and its current tragic vicissitudes with violence and instability approaching near collapse make it seem unlikely to recover any time soon. But here´s a reminder of what a fundamentally beautiful country this is, how rich is its history, how vibrant its culture, and how friendly its people – as I can attest when I visited way back in 26 y
The northern part of the island shared with Dutch Sint Maarten was colonized by the French in the early 17th century, and today Saint-Martin (population just over 39,000) is a “collectivity” of France, an overseas territory with considerable autonomy. This side of the island is known for its French influence, gastronomic delights, and beautiful beaches.
Marigot
The capital of French St. Martin (pop. 5,700, above and top) is a laid-back blend of French and Caribbean culture filled
