Want a honeymoon in paradise? Mexico delivers!
October 20, 2009
When the leaves start to change colors and the air gets brisk, I am instantly in awe of the romantic nature of this season. It’s hard to get away from images of lovers walking arm and arm or enjoying those last few warm days at the park on a picnic blanket. Before Halloween even hits, my mind is already on the holidays and snuggling up next to your loved one with cocoa in hand. All of these lovey-dovey ideals might seem trite to some, but I am a total sucker for them. With several friends newly engaged, this is of course, all the more relevant and its got me thinking about the perfect honeymoon in paradise. Read more
Panama - More Than Just A Canal
September 21, 2009
My most recent stationary global exploration takes me to the vibrant country of Panama. The more I research and chat with the experts, the more I realize that Panama is an undiscovered gem in Central America, and it has so much more to offer than just the Panama Canal. I find it hard to shake the feeling that just having Panama on my vacation radar means that I’m in on a little secret the rest of the traveling world has yet to discover. However, until the anticipated tourism explosion, Panama remains totally accessible to travelers on a budget, and there’s no shortage of beaches, mountains and rain forests to explore in this scenic country. Read more
Costa Rica- Monkeys and Toucans and Alligators, Oh my!
August 18, 2009
No artificial ingredients, huh? That’s Costa Rica’s credo and from the experts I’ve spoken with, this statement holds true. So while tied to my desk, my newest journey takes me to this exotic Latin American destination. When you mention Costa Rica, people imagine it’s what paradise must look like. I personally always pictured a rainforest with wild cats lounging in giant trees. In my mind’s eye it was a lot like the children’s movie Jungle Book. Read more
Hawaii is Chock Full O’ Aloha Spirit
July 17, 2009
“The fresh, floral air energizes you. The warm, tranquil waters refresh you. The breathtaking, natural beauty renews you.” At least that’s how the Hawaii Tourist Board describes a vacation experience on one of their six unique islands. Not surprisingly, that’s also what I’ve been hearing from all my internal Hawaii experts. So I’m taking my latest journey without ever leaving my desk to Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, Molokai and Lanai. Read more
Fall Into “The Gap” In Barbados!
June 23, 2009
No, I’m not talking about the retailer…. I am talking about the super hip-strip in Barbados called the St. Lawrence Gap, which has some of the hottest clubs and bars to be found in the Caribbean. My newest faux adventure takes me to this sunny destination and thankfully I had an expert on hand to tell me all about it. Barbados is a place rich with beauty, not only in their stunning landscapes but also in their native people, called Bajans. Read more
Dive into fun in Grand Cayman!
April 14, 2009
My latest desktop journey outside the US takes me to the very beautiful Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. But, as you can imagine with the current economic climate, my company sure isn’t sending me anywhere anytime soon, but hey- what else is new? Just because they’re not sending me to a supremely gorgeous beach on the company dime surely doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some down time. Sometimes a little escape is just the trick when you’re feeling gloomy.
With the abundance of airline sales going on right now, flights are competitively priced and hotels seem to be cutting their prices at every turn. So the only question left is what to do when you get there? I wish I could tell you all about it from personal experience, but you already know how that goes. Thankfully, I can rely on others and travel vicariously through the experts and report back to you.
As Grand Cayman is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, there really are endless options for fun and sun here. The biggest attraction for visitors seems to be the crystal clear water and breathtaking diving and snorkeling here. It turns out that on this majestic island there are absolutely no natural fresh water lakes or rivers causing run-off into the oceans and inhibiting reef development which accounts for the exceptional clarity of the sea. Also the Cayman Islands naturally give way to reef formations as they are submerged mountains tops. These incredible underwater walls offer protection and refuge for thousands of species of marine life, reaching in some areas 20,000 feet or more in depth. In fact, Grand Cayman is world class recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving in the Caribbean since 1957 when scuba pioneer Bob Soto opened the island’s first dive shop. Today, Cayman is one of the world’s top dive destinations, with more than 40 dive operations and 200 dive sites marked with moorings.
The western side of the island is more developed than the east, holding the capital city of George Town and the airport. Here, restaurants, night clubs and resorts can be found in abundance. The island’s seafood often arrives at the restaurants within just hours of having been caught making traditional favorites like tuna, mahi mahi, red snapper, wahoo, conch and lobster deliciously fresh and of the highest quality. And though Grand Cayman occupies only 76 square miles, great diversity in cuisine, accommodations and activities can be found there. Thankfully the temperature stays warm year round, usually about 85* in the summer which means fun and sun are available any time you are.
Kids will certainly enjoy playing with sea turtles in Boatswain’s Beach, riding the waves at Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park, frolicking aboard a pirate ship or learning about Cayman’s ecosystem at Sir Turtle’s Sea School- just to name a few. Though there are enough activities to satisfy any interest, water sports seem to take the cake in Grand Cayman. You could try riding a banana boat, two person parasailing or discovering the marine world by swimming with colorful tropical fish. Why not view the amazing underwater reefs in submarines, semi-submersibles, or a glass bottom boat?
Take a trip to the famous Stingray City while you’re there to swim with tamed southern stingrays in their natural habitat, the open sea. There’s also horseback riding, cycling, golf and tennis. But for those looking for an out-of-the-way spot to enjoy nature, Cemetary Beach one of the best places on the island to snorkel. If you’ve never seen a sea urchin before, you’re in for a treat! This is a wonderful area to relax, worship the sun and snorkel the afternoon away.
Another fun day trip idea is to go to Hell. No- literally. There is a town called Hell on Grand Cayman. You’ll come back home with tales of a blackened and jagged rock formation that give this little district in West Bay its name. A post office was opened in 1962 for tourists who wanted to send postcards from Hell and the proprietor of the local general store dresses up in a devil costume every day. How fun!
One last thing, while you’re there definitely take a trip to the new Camana Bay development during your stay. The $400 million Town Centre is quickly becoming a hub for fashion, food, entertainment, business and cultural events. Featuring duty-free shopping and an amphitheater with space for up to 2,000 people, this area often hosts outdoor concerts, street fairs and festivals. And don’t forget, next time take me with you!
Book Grand Cayman online at www.travelimpressions.com
Agents: To book, log on to Quest.
Travelers: To book, search our locator to find a Travel Agency.
Jamaican Me Crazy!
February 23, 2009
In my latest stationary exploration, the journey this time is to the third largest Caribbean island, Jamaica. As one of the few destinations I have actually been to, I can corroborate my Senior Product Manager’s story. Jamaica really does look like the postcards. As she’s gearing up for a vacation there next week and thus has “Jamaican Fever”, I figured now would be the perfect time to pick her brain. But as soon as I heard she was going away, I said, “Wait, wait, wait… this just sunk in. You’re going on vacation to Jamaica? But you go there like a few times a year for work already. Why would you want to go back on your own time? Aren’t you burnt out?” To which she replied, “Jamaica is the perfect destination. If you get burnt out, you’re not doing it right. There’s so much to do there, I’ll never have the ability to do it all.” It was in that moment that I realized she was completely right. Jamaica is one of those islands you could visit 20 times and still have a ton of stuff on your to-do list for next time. Read more
Iguana Go Back To Aruba!
January 24, 2009
In my ongoing quest to explore the world beyond my cubicle, this time I find myself in Aruba. Well, not actually in Aruba but vicariously vacationing there through the descriptions of two of my managers. These two lovely ladies recently spent four sun-soaked days in Aruba and came back to report their findings. Just as I had suspected, Aruba turned out to be awesome and I turned out to be jealous.
The thing that sets blog apart from others is that I actually have been to Aruba. Yes, I was with my family and yes, I was only 15- but so what? I’ve been there and that’s what counts. Even all these years later, I can remember how the crystal clear water was set ablaze with colorful tropical fish swimming around. All these exotic species I had only seen on Animal Planet were just hanging out as I waded in the water. The flood of wild iguanas sunning their bellies mid-morning was also a sight to see. I even had a flashback to my cousin Ilana and I going horseback riding on the beach for the first time. We also took a sunset cruise, but mostly we just spent long afternoons lazing under the warm sun. To this day, it is probably the best Caribbean vacation I’ve had to date.
So, as you can imagine, hearing that Aruba is just as beautiful as ever made me reminisce and want to go online and book a getaway immediately. The Managers told me all about the gentle yet constant trade wind breezes which keep the island’s temperature comfortable all year long. They told me about the multicultural patchwork of diverse ancestry which describes the local culture. They even told me about the bustling night life, superb shopping, cool architecture and the affordability of local restaurants. But none of that matters to me…. I just want to feel like I am swimming in a really expensive fish tank again.
On a Caribbean island like Aruba where hospitality and friendliness are tantamount to natural beauty, it’s easy to understand why people choose this destination time and time again. One of my managers mentioned that she had been to Aruba several times before this trip for weekend girl’s getaways. She regaled me with a wild tale of amazing Cuban food and live music at Mr. Jazz (along with the island’s best Mojito) followed by late night dancing at Soprano’s. It made me want to plan a little escape with my best girlfriends too, but I can appreciate that Aruba would also make a great romantic destination for couples. Either way, I’m definitely going back one day.
Book Aruba online at www.travelimpressions.com
Agents: To book, log on to Quest.
Travelers: To book, search our locator to find a Travel Agency.
Blue Curacao?
January 2, 2009
Okay, so this travel blog assignment comes down the pike and the word around the campfire is that I’m going to interview people when they come back from their trips. It’s funny. I thought they knew that I wanted to see the sugar sand beaches for myself and maybe get a spa treatment and eat some gourmet food while I was at it. So because they won’t let me leave my cube, I’ve decided that the blog will be called “The Inside Traveler”. I can now look forward to hearing about the beauty of the Caribbean from my coworkers even more than I did before. They’ll watch me salivate as they tell me detailed accounts of amazing cuisine, adventurous excursions, beautiful architecture, fascinating culture and breathtaking sunsets. Awesome- can’t wait!
So this entry is about an interview I did with my Director who just got back from Curacao. When I got the assignment, the first thing I thought of was an Electric Margarita… let me tell you why. I bar tend at night and we have this bitter orange flavored liquor at my bar called Blue Curacao. It tastes exactly the same as Triple Sec, but it has blue food coloring in it. Every time I look at it, I immediately think of all of those Caribbean cocktails, frozen and otherwise, that are just made to be consumed while on a beach chair and from what I’ve heard, this totally captures the vibe of this island.
When I sat down with my Director she told me all about her fabulous four days on this diverse island paradise and it sounded so beautiful and romantic. She spoke of the colorful Dutch architecture, the unique local dialect and the immediate sense of community she felt upon arrival. As this was her first trip to Curacao, I asked her what misconceptions were broken down for her and she plainly said, “There is nothing cookie-cutter about this destination.”
I think a lot of people look at the Caribbean as one big beach with little variation between islands and the more people I talk to, the more I realize that this is a total fallacy. What really seems to set Curacao apart is a population of less than 192,000 and a 96% literacy rate, making it a melting pot of language and culture. Going to one of the island’s many amazing restaurants and finding that your server speaks 4 languages is not uncommon. Curacao really is one of the hidden gems of the Caribbean, plus it’s affordable too! Many of the hotels capture the island feel with open air lobbies and the service is very good island wide. Because the hotels vary their décor to suit the tastes of all different travelers, you can have thatched roof cabaña style accommodations next to traditional Dutch architecture. Next to that you’ll have an ultra modern spa resort beside a luxurious high rise hotel. There really is something for everyone and I wish I could have been there to see it all.
I’m curious to see where they’ll send me next… I mean send someone else and have me write about it. Keeping in mind that I am not the only one who is not able to travel, please use me to travel vicariously through others and gain knowledge. This way you can plan the vacation of a lifetime to a destination that really fits your tastes and budget.
Book Curacao and the Caribbean online at www.travelimpressions.com
Agents: To book, log on to Quest. Travelers: To book, search our locator for a travel agency nearest you.
The Best / Worst Assignment Ever
December 5, 2008
In an effort to try to satisfy the desire to have a legitimate job (and not be a homeless vagabond eating spaghetti every night) while continuing to chase the dream of seeing the world, I ended up working in travel almost two years ago. I know it sounds good, but in actuality, I’m sitting in my cramped cubicle right now without a single window in sight. It’s a place so depraved, that it gravitates from far too warm to freezing cold in the span of a single afternoon. I type away at my computer eight hours a day and fantasize about a life filled with the kinds of travel adventures my parents had in their 20s and I try to stay optimistic. The prospect that one day I too will see the world and experience all that life has to offer outside of this teeny, non- temperature controlled environment is out there, and it’s taunting me. While we’re on the topic of torture, get the nerve of this maddening new assignment that just came down the pike!
Me to Boss: “Wait, wait, wait…. You want me to write a travel blog about places you won’t send me, about places I’ve never seen? You’ve got to be kidding. You want me to talk about places I’ve only heard about when people come back to the office after their trips. Every time they look at me with their overly tanned faces and smile, I die a little on the inside. They tell me how nice it was and they probably pity me. I’d pity me if I were them. I’ll never know of their joys. So, wait… you want me to lie?”
The very nature of this assignment sounds terribly unfair. How am I supposed to get in the zone and picture myself immersed in the “sparkling azure” Caribbean water I’m always writing about in my marketing copy when I’ve never seen it? Is this punishment? All I want to do is have a little adventure. What an awful realization to finally get to my 20s and understand that my parents were once cooler than I am today. Is it too much to ask for some funny stories to tell at a cocktail party next summer? Some tales of romance to tell my daughter in 20 years? Or some exploits to inspire my grand kids with when I am old and grey? The good stories that I have up my sleeve thus far have come from traveling, but I want a lot more under my belt before the end of this story. They all usually revolve around one of four things: a crazy person I met, a ridiculously cute guy I flirted with, a breathtaking site I saw or an adventure I had because I decided to be friendly to someone I didn’t have to be friendly to.
At the present moment I may have a small cubicle without the luxury of temperature control and although I haven’t been able to go away on the company’s dime as of yet, I am not going quietly into the night. This assignment might be just the thing I need to leverage myself into a position involving travel. Or at least I am praying to God it is. This past month I was able to grab a little taste of what may lie ahead when a friend and I spent three days in Jamaica. I have to tell you, I loved it. Having a bit of Caribbean sun on my pasty shoulders and taking a swim in the warm water made all my worries disappear into thin air. If only I could find a way to do this for a living? Wink, Wink. Maybe I do completely romanticize travel and for now I might be stuck in this office with no sunshine, but just you wait and see… adventure is on the way. Stay Tuned!
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