San Juan – A Caribbean Beauty Rich In History #IFWTWA

Paula — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 12:21:08 +0000

San Juan is one of the can’t miss areas of the Caribbean that anyone traveling to the area should incorporate into their travels. Located between the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico shares some prime Caribbean real estate, and its capital, San Juan is a show-stopping destination. San Juan, Puerto Rico – Two Sides of One Amazing Coin When we visited the Puerto Rican capital for the first time, I didn’t know what to expect. Puerto Rico, in general, had been on my travel bucket list for five years or so. I figured that since it was an excursion stop on our cruise, it would be nice for the entire family to explore a new destination. The city – and the country, in my opinion – are highly underrated Caribbean locations. Much love is reserved for places like Jamaica, the US and British Virgin Islands, rightfully so because these are stunning family travel favourites, but don’t overlook Puerto Rico and its capital. San Juan has a rich history with glorious beaches. It’s also a photographer’s dream that should be on every Caribbean traveler’s list. Old San Juan If you love history, architecture and the feel of age, then Old San Juan is for you. Walking through this part of the capital city is like stepping back in time. As you walk down the streets, you’ll take in brightly colored homes that pop in vibrant shades of red, yellow, and other primary colors. Continue through the area, and you’ll find museums, landmarks, plazas, restaurants, and shopping. And through it all, you’ll experience that friendly, welcoming vibe that permeates everything in the city. You’ll also be able to experience the festive events that occur almost weekly. It’s an amazing experience in history and culture. We began our day tour of Old San Juan at the port of San Juan of course on our most recent cruise. From the port to the major landmarks in the city, it was a very short drive. First up was the National Historic Site. I could have spent all day just photographing and walking around the walled city. In fact Old San Juan remains one of the prettiest and most captivating capitals I have ever seen. There’s so much history here that my teenager and my tween were extremely interested. They both found the National Historic Site, the public art and monuments and the stunning President’s Walk truly memorable. We will try to return to Puerto Rico next time for a lengthier visit. New San Juan This amazing city has two sides – the old and the new. And if you’re less about history and more about dynamic contemporary cities, then New San Juan is the place for you. This bustling Caribbean metropolis is constantly on the move, ever growing and ever changing. In contrast to the old world architecture and feel of its counterpart, the modern side of the city features luxury hotels, posh beaches, upscale shopping and dining, and vibrant nightlife. San Juan – Beautiful on Every Level Whether you want a laid-back, island time experience or a super hot, super posh getaway, the Puerto Rican capital has what you’re looking for. We were on a family trip, so we kept mostly to Old San Juan, but for honeymooners or single travelers, New San Juan is definitely the place to be. Wherever you choose, you can’t go wrong in this city of contrasts.

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Florida Destinations – Five Lesser Known, Less Crowded Spots to Visit #TravelTuesday

Paula — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 04:42:05 +0000

Who doesn’t love Florida? I have been a few times and every single visit I see something new, or find some new city or spot that I would love to return to. We all know the popular spots and many of us have visited spaces like Orlando, Kissimmee, Tampa, but I wondered what other Florida destinations might be just off the beaten track, so I did a little hunting. Florida Destinations – 5 Lesser Known, Less Crowded Spots Florida is a wonderful state to enjoy a vacation. Its sunny, breezy weather and absolutely beautiful beaches make it one of the most pleasant places to relax with the family. Unfortunately, many Florida destinations are jam packed with all of the other families who also want to get away. Instead of competing with the crowds, why not think about one of these five Florida destinations that are off the vacation radar. Florida Destinations You can Enjoy in Peace I’ll be you had no idea that there were any Florida destinations left that weren’t filled to capacity with tourists vying for their slice of the sunny Florida pie, but there are still some places out there where the family can relax without rubbing elbows with their neighbors. 1: Boca Grande Boca Grande is a quite historic town on Gasparilla Island. No spring crowds or hustle bustle mobs are to be found on this island about an hour and a half west of Fort Meyers. Instead of tall buildings, stop lights, and crowds, you’ll enjoy seven miles of beaches. You’ll also be able to enjoy the state park in the areas as well as bicycle trails, fishing, sailing, and all the wildlife you could as for. All of this is rounded out by some excellent dining spots and art galleries for those like a little culture on their vacation. 2: Clewiston Another great pick in lesser known Florida destinations, Clewiston is about smack in between Fort Meyers and West Palm Beach. Situated on Lake Okeechobee, this town’s biggest draw is fishing. Lake Okeechobee is known for its largemouth bass, blue gill, speck, crappie, and bream fisihing. That’s not all Clewiston has to offer, though. It’s known as “Amerca’s Sweetest Town” because of its sugar cane production, and visitors can take tours to learn about the sugar production process. You can even take swamp and airboat tours to get out and see the wildlife. 3: Apalachicola Apalachicola is less than two hours from Tallahassee, and it’s one of the most lovely Florida destinations that hasn’t been overrun. Part of Florida’s “Forgotten Coast”, Apalachicola is a town rich in history. It was designated a National Trust for Historic Preservation Distinctive Destination in 2008 for its more than 900 historic homes and structures. When you visit this town, you’re visiting a piece of history. In addition to its historical properties, Apalachicola is known for its fresh oysters from the bay and Apalachicola National Forest, a preserve of more than 550,000 acres for any outdoor activity imaginable. 4: Stuart One of the more lively Florida destinations in this article and less than an hour from West Palm Beach, Stuart is known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World”. Sport fishing is one of the main attractions of Stuart, and there are more than 800 species to be found off its shores. If fishing isn’t your thing, you can sunbathe on its peaceful beaches, explore its nature preserves and parks, or just take in a round of golf in the Florida sun. In addition to all of that, Stuart boasts a robust cultural scene, with free live jazz and rock performances regularly downtown from October to May. They even have a Pirate Fest! 5: Crystal River One of the most exciting Florida destinations to me, Crystal river is a nature lovers dream. The biggest draw to this gorgeous town is manatees. The Crystal River – which gives the town its names – is always around 72 degrees, so the manatees come there when the gulf gets too cold. This is the ONLY place in the entire United States where it is legal to swim and snorkel with the manatees, and I think that’s pretty cool. You can choose from a wide variety of tour operators that can get you an up close, personal experience with the manatees or a birds eye view from a chopper. After you have basked in the some manatee wonderfulness, you can also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, birding, antiquing, and fishing. It’s a real relaxation destination. Florida Destinations for Rest Instead of Wrestling Wrestling crowds, that is. If you’re planning on visiting Florida, I’m sure it’s for a much needed break from your life’s hustle and bustle and not for more hustle and bustle. That’s what makes all of these lesser known areas so great. You can enjoy all of the wonderful things the Florida destinations have to offer without all the less appealing side effects of elbowing through crowded tourist destinations.

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San Juan – A Caribbean Beauty Rich In History #IFWTWA

Florida Destinations – Five Lesser Known, Less Crowded Spots to Visit #TravelTuesday