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Cuba (Cuba)
by Clurbur85 I took my Mum to Cuba as a 50th birthday present. I decided to take her to the island because I wanted us to have a holiday of a lifetime, I wanted a long haul holiday and although I wanted sunshine I didn't want to sit on a beach for the whole trip. We flew to Cuba for a week at the beginning of May. I booked the holiday ... through Thompsons and we flew with them - on a really spacious aeroplane. Our base was a 3 star hotel in the tourist resort of Valadero. The hotel wasn't anything special, the service wasn't great and there wasn't a wide variety of food and drink on the all inclusive menu. But we didn't particularly care what the hotel was like - we were in CUBA! We spent the first few days of the holiday getting to grips with the Caribbean sunshine, white sand and crystal clear seas, and then, a few days into the holiday we paid to go on a trip to Havana. If you have booked a holiday to Valadero I cannot recommend booking a trip to Havana enough! It is a fabulous place! The trip cost around $280 each, but that money we got a night in a 5* hotel, food for the whole trip, a tour around Havana and a night at the fabulous Club Tropicana. In Havana you will get to meet locals, see signs of the revolution, drink mojitos and dance salsa! My top tourist tips are to visit the Ernest Hemmingway bar (and pay the extra to see his bedroom - you will see the best views of Havana from there), go to the museum of the revolution and have a good look around the markets. Club Tropicana is a fabulous show that could be compared to the Moulin Rouge in Paris. The show was completely out of this world... the costumes, the dance routines and the songs really do need to be seen to be believed. I didn't think I would enjoy the show as much as I did but it was a real holiday highlight! The other perk to this trip is that you are given a bottle of rum to drink throughout the show, so you don't need to waste money on expensive cocktails! Havana has so much history and it was great to experience the real Cuban city life. When we came back from Havana we went on another trip the following day - the jeep safari. On this trip our guide took us into the Cuban countryside. The guide used to be a teacher but he gave it all up be a tour guide, because he didn't think that the $20 a week he earned as a teacher was worth the hassle and although, theoretically, everybody earns the same in Cuba, tour guides pick up tips from tourists and come out with a little extra. During the jeep safari we also met local famers, ate sugar cane and saw the human cost of revolution - the people were so very poor and old factories that had been ruined during the hurricane season had never been replaced. During that trip we also got to drive a speed boat down a local river and watch an authentic Cuban show. It is probably worth mentioning that American credit cards aren't accepted in Cuba, so if you are planning on seeing the sites, make sure you make alternative cash arrangements. I absolutely adored my time in Cuba. It was an amazing holiday, I'd recommend it to everybody and I'd go again in a flash. Read the complete review |
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Trinidad & Tobago
by low_rider Please note this is a very long review, but I hope it is worth reading! I got married in August to the lovely woman of my dreams, and decided to plan a surprise honeymoon for the pair of us. We both love the outdoors and adventure, preferring holidays that allow us to experience new cultures, and see wonderful new things. We ... aren't big fans of city holidays, so after doing a bit of research, I though that Tobago, with its wonderful mix of beaches, rainforest and Caribbean culture, would be ideal. A little about Trinidad and Tobago: The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago comprises of two islands in the Southern Caribbean. Trinidad is the larger and more populous (around 1.3 million), whereas Tobago is a lot smaller, with a far lower population (around 50,000). Its first encounter with Europeans occurred when Christopher Columbus landed in 1498. It became a Spanish colony in the eighteenth century, only to be conquered and become part of the British Empire in 1797. It was a haven for a number of European settlers, including French and Dutch, influences of which can be found through the islands. T&T gained independence in 1962. The industry of Trinidad is largely based on petrochemicals, whereas Tobago's main industry is tourism. The currency of T&T is the T&T dollar, although the American dollar is widely accepted, especially in tourist regions. The main religions are Christianity and Hindu, with a very small Muslim population. English is the official language, but there are a number of slang and creole terms which may be unfamiliar to you. However, we had no problems at all getting by. Climate: T&T lie within the tropical regions. However, the islands lie just outside the main hurricane belt, so are lucky enough to avoid many of the worst hurricanes that hit the Caribbean. Annual mean temperatures are around 26 degrees celsius (yummy and warm). Annual rain fall is 250cm. This is very high, but much of the rain is concentrated into sharp, quick bursts early in the morning. Don't be put off, however, the rain is lovely and warm - one of our guides described it as 'liquid sunshine'. There are two seasons; a wet season (June to December) and a dry season (January to May). This makes the first half of the year the 'high' season for tourism. We went there in August, in the middle of the rainy season. We did notice the rain, but for the most part any showers passed within half an hour. We only had one day of bad rain. This played to our advantage; the island was quieter, and our hotel was quite empty, giving us lots of peace and quiet. There are few mosquitoes and so is a low risk zone for malaria, but unfortunately there are plenty of other biting insects. Take plenty of insect repellant. On another note, there are very few poisonous insects and snakes in Tobago, so don't be afraid! How to get to Tobago: Tobago does have an international airport (Crown Point) on the Southwest tip, but there are few charter flights which fly to it directly. We flew with Monarch, and Virgin also has a route to Tobago, but I don't know if any other airlines have direct routes. You can also fly to the far larger international airport in Trinidad (Port of Spain), and then catch a flight or ferry across to Tobago. Monarch flies to Tobago once a week. It is a circular route; first it calls at Grenada to drop off and pick up passengers from there, and then heads to Tobago. It then flies directly back from Tobago. Published flight times are 9 hours for the outward journey from London Gatwick, and 8 hours return from Tobago. The extra hour for the outward flight is to accommodate the stop-off at Grenada. However, we found that the stop-off at Grenada generally takes a lot longer than an hour, so expect the outward journey to last at least 10 hours. Accommodation: There are a number of large resorts in Tobago, many of them located in Crown Point, near the beaches there. I didn't want to stay in a large resort, and a little bit of searching came up with the Blue Haven Hotel. This is located just outside Scarborough (the capital of Tobago), and is a small, boutique hotel with its own beach. It was incredibly popular with film stars in the fifties (Rita Hayworth stayed there, and even filmed a film there!). It fell into disrepair during the seventies but was then purchased and lovingly restored, and is now widely regarded as one of the best hotels in Tobago. Each room looks out over the sea. Rooms are large, comfortable and come with air conditioning, a must in the heat. There is a swimming pool, bar, restaurant and beach restaurant. The hotel is right next to a beach, Bacolet Beach. It is not a private beach but tends to be dominated by hotel guests, and is reputedly the beach at which Robinson Crusoe was supposed to land! Staff were friendly, courteous and efficient, and we would definitely stay there again. Towns on Tobago: The towns of Tobago are not large; even the capital, Scarborough, would barely register as more than a village in the UK. Scarborough and Crown Point are the main towns in the South. The centre of Tobago is dominated by a rainforest, so the rest of the towns and villages are scattered around the edges of the island. As it is such a sparsely populated island, the towns are something of a shock. They tend to be somewhat shack-like in construction, and you don't see any buildings more than two stories high. There is little in the way of shopping as most shops are for locals, and anyone who is looking for more of a city should visit Trinidad's Port of Spain. Getting around Tobago: Anyone who has driven along English country lanes will have a good understanding of the roads of Tobago! Outside of Scarborough and Crown Point, the roads tend to be narrow and windy. You can hire a car which is to be recommended if you will be doing a lot of travelling (cheaper than hiring taxis), but you must be over 25 to hire a car in Tobago. Unfortunately I am not, so we were largely reliant on taxi services and also the transportation provided by the tour guides we used. Taxis are easily recognised as their number plates start with the letter H (for 'Hire'). Cars starting with the letter P (for 'Private') are privately owned. Many car owners in Tobago will offer themselves as taxis to tourists and locals. However, you should never accept a taxi ride in a P car, as this person is not a registered taxi driver and could be dangerous (although it is unlikely, it is just good sense). Taxis do not have fare metres fitted. Although there are published fares available, negotiate the rate with your driver before you get in. There are also bus routes and so called 'maxi-taxis' (they operate along a set route like buses, but will pick up and drop off at any point along the route) which are a slower, but cheaper, option of transport. Culture of Tobago: Tobago is a very Caribbean place; lazy, laid-back and good natured. The locals are friendly and more than happy to talk to tourists. Women should be aware that it is quite a macho culture and the local men will often try it on, but the safest bet is just to smile and laugh. For anyone looking for a holiday romance, you should be aware that AIDS and other STIs are a serious problem in Tobago. If you do have sex with a local, make sure you use a condom! Tobago does not have much of a night life, and the bars that tend to stay open late into the night tend to be tourist places. Having said that, Tobagonians are exuberant and fun-loving; 'liming' is the term they use for going out and having a good time drinking, dancing and singing. It is a very musical culture. T&T is the birthplace of the steel drum, and Soca music (a blend of reggae and calypso dance) can be heard everywhere. It is wonderful music, full of energy and beats, and you will often see locals breaking out into spontaneous dance. The main nightlife occurs on Sunday night, with the famous Sunday School in Buccoo, near Crown Point. There are street barbecues, shops, bars, and a local steel drum band plays. We went, and it was wonderful - so much fun. It is an amazing culture, so warm and friendly, and it really puts a smile on your face Food: The cuisine of Tobago is creole, a word meaning made up of a variety of ethnic backgrounds, due to its long history of colonisation and settlement. Indian, Caribbean, Italian, French and even Chinese all make their mark. Pizzas are popular dishes, and as curries. Seafood is obviously a staple, and never have I had fresher or tastier fish. My wife hates fish, but every meal she was ordering it! There are local specialities such as curry chicken, crab and dumpling, and stir fries, and all are made with fresh, local spices. For the less adventurous there are places which will serve pizzas, fish and chips etc., and there is even a KFC in Crown Point. However, I do not see the point of going to another culture and eating fast food, so I did my best to try as much local food as possible. Because our hotel was rather isolated from the main restaurants of Tobago (which are mainly in Crown Point, to cater to the tourists), we mostly ate at the hotel and a hotel close by in the evening, which served excellent local food. During the day we would eat at whatever local restaurants were near us. A highlight was Jemma's Tree House in Speyside (the North of the island). Built on stilts around a tree, they serve huge quantities of excellent local food. It is very popular with tourists, but the food is top notch. Food at restaurants tends to be a similar price to food in England. However, if you decide to eat at the roadside shack restaurants, you can often get great food for a good price. Just be wary; the quality will vary hugely! In terms of alcohol, being the Caribbean, rum is incredibly popular. Be cautious when ordering, a standard measure is around a triple! There are also two local beers, Caribe and Stag, both of which are tasty and refreshing. Things to do in Tobago: Birdwatching is incredibly popular, and there is an island off the north coast of the island called Little Tobago, which is a wildlife sanctuary. Tours can be arranged. The centre of the island is a protected rainforest. The rainforest is the longest continuously protected rainforest in the world, having been protected since the eighteenth century. Unfortunately, in 1963 a massive hurricane swept across Tobago, uprooting nearly every tree. As a result, the rainforest is still quite young. You can organise tours into the rainforest. We took one, and it was fantastic; there is so much wildlife to see and it really is beautiful - one of the highlights of the trip. Diving and snorkelling are very popular, particularly around the north side of the island where there are a number of hotels and companies specialising in diving holidays. We went snorkelling, and it was a wonderful treat. There are so many exotic and beautiful fish, and the water is incredible and warm. I could have stayed there all day. There are several wrecks around Tobago to explore, as well as numerous reefs. Do be aware that there are fire corals in the water, and any attempt to touch them will cause enormous pain. For those concerned, you never see large sharks around Tobago, and none are dangerous to humans. The most common is the nursing shark which, if disturbed, will simply swim off elsewhere. However, always follow your dive master's instructions. There are golf courses on the island which are reputed to be very good, as well as fishing and off-road biking and driving. We didn't try any of these, but they are very popular. There isn't much history left over from colonial times, but there are several areas such as Fort King George (near Scarborough) are well worth a look, and are a nice way to spend a morning. If you know what you are doing, you can organise such things yourself. As newbies to the island, however, we decided to go with a tour operator, Katerina Dumas Tours. You pay a bit more, but you get transport (and often food) provided, as well as experienced guides. Tours are an excellent way to explore the island in safety and relative comfort. There are a number of tours you can do, and tour guides are normally more than happy to tailor a course to you - for added expense, of course. A whole day tour will normally cost between £60-£90 for two, but food, travel and a guide are included. One of the best tours we did took us on a boat trip out to Nylon Point. This is a pool in the ocean a short distance off Crown Point. There is a collapsed coral reef, so the water is only about a metre deep, and you have beautiful white coral sand underneath. The water is incredibly clear (hence its name - clearer than a pair of nylon tights!). This keeps the water incredibly warm with the heat reflected back off the coral sand. A number of tour boats go out there. One of them has a huge speaker system attached which blasts Soca music, and another has a barbecue. You end up with a huge party out in the middle of the ocean, and it is incredible - the best part of the honeymoon. Beaches: Of course, a major factor in choosing Tobago as a honeymoon destination were its beaches, so as to have a chance to lie down and relax in the sun. The most famous beech in Tobago is Pigeon Point in Crown Point, which is the only beech in Tobago with white sand. The beaches in Crown Point are very touristy, and so it can often be difficult finding a space. There are a number of beautiful, small, secluded beaches in Tobago, such as Bacolet Beach and Englishman's Bay. If you can, take the chance to visit them, as they are real havens. Advice for tourists: Crime: Crime can be a problem, so be on your guard for pickpockets. However, the police take crimes against tourists very seriously. There have been one or two well-publicised cases of attacks on tourists, but there are very rare and unusual. As long as you stay safe by locking your doors and trying to stay in areas with some security (such as a gated fence), you should not have a problem. Women are advised not to walk around by themselves, especially at night, and not to accept lifts from strangers, but these are universal rules. Drugs: People think of the Caribbean as a 'Rasta' culture, and the laid-back attitude of the locals seems to confirm this. I often caught whiffs of marijuana, and one of the friendliest locals we got talking to positively reeked of it. However, be aware that T&T are very anti-drugs, and drug taking is not tolerated by the police. If you are caught, you can face a very serious jail sentence. Homosexuality: T&T have quite a macho culture, so if you are gay, you are advised to be discreet. There are some gay-friendly areas, but to be on the safe side, do not be overly affectionate in public. This is a problem which the T&T govt. are trying to address, but do be aware. Health: Tobago is tropical, so the sun shines brightly all year round. Wear factor 50 sun cream, and stay out of the midday sun. You don't need any inoculations to visit Tobago if you come from the UK, nor do you need to take any anti-malaria pills. Visas: Most travellers from the UK and EU do not need a Visa. There is a Departure Tax to pay (around £12 or so), but this is incorporated into the price of your plane ticket. However, do check before your travel if you need a Visa. Overall Impressions: Everything about Tobago is heavenly, from its sun-kissed beaches to its exotic rainforest and the incredible local culture. This was a perfect honeymoon and an amazing way to start married life. Although the towns are a bit disappointing, we were not looking for a city-break, and for those desperate to shop, you can easily get over to Port of Spain in Trinidad. I definitely want to return, as we only had a week and it was not enough to experience all that this jewel of the Caribbean had to offer. Useful websites: http://www.mytobago.info/ - A really useful website run by a couple who visit Tobago every year. A definite place to check before you go. www.gov.tt/ - The government of T&T's website. Useful to check for health advice etc. www.lonelyplanet.com/trinidad-and-tobago - The Lonely Planet guide. We ordered one, and it proved invaluable as a source of information to take with us. www.bluehavenhotel.com - The website for the hotel we stayed at. Read the complete review |
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Barbados
by stuff10 A while ago I did a review of simonseeks.com - a new website that allows you to write travel reviews. My review obviously didn't go down too well with the guys at simonseeks, as they never posted it on their website, so I'll post it on here for my 50p... A Beginner's Guide to ... Barbados ************************** I've just returned from my first ever visit to Barbados (for my honeymoon), so here's my first timer's guide to this beautiful island... Location, climate and currency ************************ Barbados is around an 8-hour flight away from the UK and is served by daily flights from Gatwick (from Virgin Atlantic and British Airways) as well as weekend flights from Manchester. It's an island for year-round sun, with average temperatures ranging from 28-31 degrees. The local currency is the Barbadian Dollar, although US Dollars are also accepted. The Barbadian Dollar has a fixed 2:1 exchange rate with the US Dollar - so $2BB = $1US. In our experience, you will always get your change in Barbadian Dollars, even if you pay in US Dollars. Where to stay? ************ We stayed in the south west of the island in a resort called St Lawrence Gap. The Gap (as it is known) is described as one of the liveliest places in Barbados, but to us it seemed as quiet and laid back as the rest of the island. The Gap is located to the south of Bridgetown (approx 15 mins by car) and is a 10-minute drive away from the airport. The hotel ******** We stayed on a room-only basis in The Southern Palms Hotel, which is located right in the middle of the Gap. The hotel has 2 swimming pools, however these are very quiet as the hotel is located right on the beach and only yards away from the sea. Rooms were clean and benefited from a maid service every day. We chose this hotel due to its location (in the Gap), the price (£1900 for 2 people for 10 nights) and also the number of amenities... there's an on-site mini golf course, a tennis court and the hotel also provides free body boards and snorkelling equipment. There's also free internet access for those who get withdrawal symptoms when they're away from a computer (like me). Where to eat? ************ We're not very adventurous when it comes to food - both my wife and I prefer plain food such as burgers and chicken. Luckily for us there were many restaurants that cooked to our taste, all at varying prices. Right across the road was St Lawrence Steakhouse that would serve up a terrific burger and chips for around $20BB. Further down the Gap are mid-range restaurants including Café Sol (Mexican), McBride's (Irish) and the Ship Inn (English pub, showing Sky Sports). The food at all 3 places was excellent, with meals being nearer $40BB each. Right at the top end of the scale is Pisces, a lovely restaurant overlooking a bay to the north of the Gap. This is one of the priciest restaurants in the area with a steak costing $89BB, but it was well worth it! Many of the restaurants have a daily Happy Hour where all drinks are buy one get one free - an excellent way to start your evening whilst saving money! What to do? ********** As we'd just got married, we used our 10 days in Barbados to recharge our batteries - mainly lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun. However, we did go on 2 trips to break up the holiday, these were Calabaza Catamaran and Island Safari. The Island Safari takes you (and 9 others) in a jeep, touring the east coast of the island. The knowledgeable driver also acts as your guide and will explain about the history of Barbados, as well as amusing you with a few of his own stories. Be warned: the ride can get a bit bumpy, so make sure you hold on! The trip lasted around 6 hours (9am - 3pm) and is priced at $80BB each. Tip: It's buy one get on free if you have a VIP card - get one online before you go! My wife had done some research before we got to Barbados and we actually booked our Catamaran trip whilst we were back in England - we chose the Calabaza Catamaran as its numbers were limited to only 12 people, giving you a more relaxed and intimate time than being on a boat full of 80 or even 100 people. We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the port in Bridgetown for 10am, where we set sail up the west side of the island. The catamaran made 3 stops - once to swim with turtles, once to see an old shipwreck and then finally for lunch. The crew were friendly and forever filling up our drinks! At $200BB each, it's quite expensive, but definitely worth it... it was the highlight of our holiday! Will we go back? ************** We had a fantastic time in Barbados. The people were friendly, and the island itself is lovely. We'll definitely be going back some time in the future. Read the complete review |
Caribbean Destination International |
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1 review City: Port Antonio / Destination International / Country: Jamaica / World Region: Caribbean - Port Antonio is the capital of the parish of Portland on the northeastern coast of Jamaica, about 100 km from Kingston. It had a population 12,285 in 1982 and 13,246 in 1991. It is the third largest port of the island, famou... |
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Country: Grenada / Destination International / World Region: Caribbean |
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City: Grenville / Destination International / Country: Grenada / World Region: Caribbean |
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City: Manzanillo / Destination International / Country: Cuba / World Region: Caribbean |
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1 review City: Varadero / Destination International / Country: Cuba / World Region: Caribbean - "Varadero is a resort town in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, and one of the largest resorts in the Caribbean. Varadero is also called Playa Azul, meaning "blue beach" in Spanish." |
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City: Guantanamo / Destination International / Country: Cuba / World Region: Caribbean |
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6 reviews City: Havanna / Destination International / Country: Cuba / World Region: Caribbean - "Havana (Spanish: La Habana), formerly named Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana, is the capital of Cuba. The city also forms one of the 14 provinces of Cuba, with the province called "City of Havana" (Ciudad de La Habana). With a c... |
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City: Saint George / Destination International / Country: Bermuda / World Region: Caribbean |
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City: Road Town / Destination International / Country: British Virgin Islands / World Region: Caribbean |
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City: Speightstown / Destination International / Country: Barbados / World Region: Caribbean |
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