Alaska (AK)

Alaska State Flag

"The Last Frontier"

Why visit Alaska?

Ideal for cruise and nature lovers to experience active volcanoes, biking, birdwatching, camping, canoeing, Denali National Park, diving, dog sledding, fishing, glaciers, helicopter flights, hiking, hunting, kayaking, mountains, northern lights, rocky coastlines, skiing, snorkeling, snowmobiling, whale watching and wildlife.

A popular destination for:

• Amateur & Professional Photographers
• Bucket List Destination
• Cruises
• Groups: Family, Friends and Multigenerational 
• Milestones: Anniversary, Birthday, Honeymoon, Proposal, Retirement and Vow Renewal

Mount Iliamna, AK. Photo Credit: Barbara Jackson/Pixabay

At a Glance

• Capitol: Juneau
• State Bird: Willow Ptarmigan
• State Dessert: Baked Alaska (Bread Pudding)
• State Flower: Scorpion Grasses (Forget-Me-Not)
• State Gemstone: Jade
• State Mammal: Moose
• State Rock: None

Fun Facts

• In 1912, became an U.S. Territory, however not granted until 1959.
  
• The largest U.S. state. 
  
• Most of Alaska is surrounded by water, the Beaufort Sea and the Chukchi Sea, both merging into the Arctic Ocean. Also, boast around 3,197 natural lakes (over 3,000,000 unnamed natural lakes), approximately 67 artificial reservoirs, and 167 dams.
  
• Juneau is the only U.S. state capital that cannot be reached by highway.
  
• Broken into regions: South Central, Southeast, Interior, Southwest, North Slope and Aleutian Islands.
• The famous Klondike Gold Rush during 1896-1899 really put them on the map.
  
• Has seventeen of the highest peaks found across the U.S.
  

Photo Credit: skeeze/Pixabay 

Thank You!

• Spotlight Celebrities: Dan Minitz (Comedian), Darby Stanchfield (Actress) Derek Theler (Actor), Jessica Moore (Athlete), Joshua Morrow (Actor), Mario Chalmers (Athlete) and Parker Schnabel (TV Reality).
• Movies to that may inspire your visit: Runaway Train (1985), To Brave Alaska (1996), Snow Dogs (2002), The Big White (2005), The Last Winter (2006), Into the Wild (2007), The Proposal (2009), The Bourne Legacy (2012) and Hold the Dark (2018) just to name a few.

Good to Know

• The cost of goods (and living) is very high.
  
• Lack of fleas or ticks but plentiful are black flies and mosquitoes.
• Midnight Sun (constant daylight) is mid May through early August.
  
• Frequent high winds cause travel delays whether by boat or plane.
  

Small earthquakes are common.

• Best Time to Visit: Mid May - Mid September
• Coldest Month: January
• Hottest Month: July
• Peak Season: Mid June - Mid August

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) above the Arctic Circle and Fairbanks are best visible from November - January.

Portage, AK. Photo Credit: McKayla Crump/Unsplash 

Cruise lines offers:

• Inside Passage ("Panhandle"), the protected waterway between the mainland and the coastal islands. Usually departs from Seattle or Vancouver is a great way to see Southeast Alaska. Common port stops /areas: at: Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan and/or Wrangell.
• Gulf of Alaska, sails the south central region. Popular port stops/areas usually include: Anchorage, Cook Inlet, Girdwood, Ketchikan, Prince William Sound, Seward, Skagway, Sitka and/or Valdez. Since, arrival and departing from different ports, allows you to experience more of Alaska often referred to as "Glacier Discovery Route" and "Voyage of the Glaciers".

Itineraries vary by cruise lines! Do consider combining a pre or post stay to your sailing.

Photo Credit: skeeze/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• Historical Sites: Adak Army Base and Adak Naval Operating Base, Aleutian Islands World War II, Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, Amalik Bay Archeological District, American Flag Raising Site, Anangula Site, Aniakchak, Attu Battlefield and U.S. Army and Navy Airfields on Attu, Bering Expedition Landing Site, Birnirk Site, Brooks River Archeological District, Cape Krusenstern Archeological District, Cape Nome Mining District Discovery Sites, Chaluka Site, Chilkoot Trail and Dyea Site, Church of the Holy Ascension, Dry Creek Archeological Site, Dutch Harbor Naval Operating Base and Fort Mears, U.S. Army, Eagle Historic District, Fort Durham Site, Fort Glenn, Fort William H. Seward, Gallagher Flint Station Archeological Site, Holy Assumption Orthodox Church, Ipiutak Site, Iyatayet Site, Kake Cannery, Kennecott Mines, Kijik Archeological District, Japanese Occupation Site (Kiska Island), Kodiak Naval Operating Base and Forts Greely and Abercrombie, Ladd Field, Leffingwell Camp Site, Nenana (River Steamboat), New Russia Site, Old Sitka, Onion Portage Archeological District, Palugvik Site, Russian-American Building No. 29, Russian-American Magazin, Russian Bishop's House, St. Michael's Cathedral, Seal Island Historic District, Sheldon Jackson School, Sitka Naval Operating Base and U.S. Army Coastal Defenses, Sitka Spruce Plantation, Skagway Historic District and White Pass, George C. Thomas Memorial Library, Three Saints Bay Site, Wales Site, Walrus Islands Archeological District and Yukon Island Main Site.
• Museums: Alaska Aviation Museum, Alaska State Museum, Anchorage Museum, Hammer Museums, Iñupiat Heritage Center, Juneau's Alaska State Museum, Juneau-Douglas City Museum, Kodiak History Museum, Museum of the North, Oscar Anderson House Museum, Pioneer Park, Russian Bishops House, Sullivan Roadhouse, Talkeetna Historical Society, Tongass Historical Museum, University of Alaska Museum and Valdez Museum. 
• National Parks: Denali, Gates Of The Arctic, Glacier Bay, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, Klondike Gold Rush, Kobuk Valley, Lake Clark, Noatak, Sitka, Wrangell - St Elias and Yukon - Charley Rivers.
• Popular Attractions: Alagnak, Alaska Public Lands, Alaska Railroad, Alaska Zoo, Alpenglow, Anchorage's Alaska Native Heritage Center, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bering Land Bridge, Birch Hill, Beluga Point Site, Cape Krusenstern, Chilkoot Trail, College Fjords Glaciers, Creamer's Field, Eaglecrest Ski Area, Fort Abercrombie State Historic Park, Glacier Bay, Hatcher Pass, Hilltop Ski Area, Holy Ascension of Our Lord Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Iñupiat Heritage Center, Moose Mountain, Mount Aurora Skiland, Klondike Gold Rush, Noatak, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Shrine of Saint Therese, Sitka National Historical Park, Skagway's Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, SS Nenana, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Totem Bight State Historical Park, Yukon - Charley Rivers and Yukon Gold Rush.
• Popular Cities/Towns to Visit: Alyeska, Anchorage, Arctic Circle, Arctic Valley, Barrow, Fairbanks, Fort Yukon, Girdwood, Homer, Junea, Kenai, Ketchikan, Nome, Prudhoe Bay, Seward, Skagway, Soldotna, Unalaska, Utqiagvik, Valdez and Wrangell.
• Special Events: (January) Alcan 200 Snowmachine Race, Anchorage First Fridays, Kake Day (February) Alappaa Film Festival, Fur Rendezvous Festival, Iditarod Trail Invitational,  Idita-splash and Idita-walk, Iron Dog Race, Iron Dog Snowmobile Race, Jr Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Sitka Jazz Festival, Susitna 100 Miles & Little Su 50K, Wearable Arts, Willow Winter Carnival (March) Arti Gras,  Bering Sea Ice Classic Golf Tournament, Cabin Fever Reliever, Iditarod Sled Dog Race Restart, Mat-Su Valley Pike Derby, Nome-Golovin Snowmachine Race, Running of the Reindeer, Talkeetna Trio (April) Alyeska Slush Cup, April “Hawk Watch”, Cannonball Snowmachine Race (May) Copper River Shorebird Festival, Fairbanks Area Farmers Markets, Great Alaska Craftbeer & Home Brew Festival, The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, Homer Yacht Club, Kodiak Crab Festival, Palmer Friday Flings, (June) Barrow Whaling Festival, Chickenstock Music Festival, Midnight Sun Festival,  Nome River Raft Race, Pelican King Salmon Derby, Polar Bear Swim, Palmer Colony Days,  Sitka Summer Music Festival, Slam’n Salm’n Derby, Unalaska Halibut Derby, (July) Golden Days, Kake Dog Salmon Festival, Nome Salmonberry Jam Folk Fest, Palmer Friday Flings, Poor Man’s Beach Gold Panning Contest, Southeast Alaska State Fair, Wyatt Earp Dexter Challenge,  (August) Celebration of Bears, Heart of the Aleutians Festival, Homeskillet Music Festival, Houston Founder’s Day, Sitka Seafood Festival, Talkeetna Bluegrass Festival (September) Burning Basket, Great Bathtub Race, Kodiak Rodeo & State Fair (October) Alaska Day Festival (November) Alaska Bald Eagle Festival, Kaatiluta Celebration,  (December) Anchorage International Film Festival, Luminary Ski, Nome Christmas Extravaganza, Talkeetna Winterfest and Winter Arts Faire.
• UNESCO Sites: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, Kluane National Park & Reserve, Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve.




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Alabama (AL)

Alabama State Flag

"We Dare Maintain Our Rights"

"Heart of Dixie", "Cotton State" and "Yellowhammer State"

Why visit Alabama?

Historian travelers particularly interested in Civil Rights along with antebellum homes, caves, college football, festivals, golf, Gulf Coast beaches, hiking, music lovers (country and blues), NASCAR enthusiasts, recreational outdoors, southern cooking and waterfalls.

Montgomery City, AL Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

Fun Facts

• Named after an Alabama Indian Tribe.
  
• In 1819, became the 22nd state.
  
• Known for African-American freedom marches led by: Booker Washington, Dr Martin Luther King Jr and George Washington Carver.
  
• The Saturn V Rocket was built in Huntsville earning the nickname, "The Rocket City".
  
• Known as the "Peanut Capital of the World" producer.
  
• American Civil War started in Alabama.
• Thirtieth largest state in the United States. 
  
• Largest supplier of cast iron and steel pipe products.
• Since 1850, Chilton County has been leading production of local peaches.
• In 1861, joined the Confederacy.
• In 1953, the State Legislature officially adopted the Creed of Alabama written by Mrs. H.P. Thetford.
  
• In 2004, Alabama State Legislature named Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey as the official state spirit. 
  

About Alabama State

• Capitol: Montgomery
• State Bird: Yellowhammer
• State Dessert: Lane Cake
• State Flower: Camellia
• State Gemstone: Star Blue Quartz
• State Mammal: Black Bear
• State Rock: Marble

Bellingrath Gardens & Home, Theodore, AL. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

Thank You!

• Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, written by Fannie Flagg.
  
• Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, written by James Agee.
  
• To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee.
  
• Spotlight Celebrities: Bo Jackson (Athlete), Channing Tatum (Actor, Dancer, Model), Condoleezza Rice (Politician), Courteney Cox (Actress), Hank Williams (Country Singer), Jesse Owens (Olympian), Jim Nabors (Actor), Joe Louis (Boxer), Laverne Cox (Actress), Lionel Richie (Singer), Nat King Cole (Singer), Nell Carter (Actress), Robin Roberts (TV Journalist), Rosa Parks (Activist) and Willie Mays (Baseball Player).

Be sure to enjoy the local state grown peaches, pecans and peanuts! Allow your taste buds to feast on regional southern specialty: grits, barbecue pork, black eye peas, collard greens, fried catfish, fried green tomatoes and fried okra. No meal is complete without dessert, so save room for a slice of peach or pecan pie.

   

Alabama Cotton Farm. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay

Good to Know

• Shop in Scottsboro, Unclaimed Baggage Center to purchase the contents of unclaimed luggage lost by major airlines.
  
• One of our most religious states.
• Home to Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr, offering 468 holes between eleven sites.
• Approximately twenty tornadoes occur annually.

Amongst the hottest summers with mild winters; is prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms and vulnerable to droughts and floods.

• Best Time to Visit: June, September - November
• Coldest Month: January
• Humid & Hottest Month: July
• Peak Season: May - August

Noccalula Falls, Gadsden, Alabama. Photo Credit: Loc Giang/Unsplash

Your Must-See & Do

• Historical Sites: Belle Mont Mansion, Cassimus House, Clarkson Covered Bridge, Forks of Cypress, Fort Gaines, Fort Mims, Fort Mitchell Historic Site, Fort Toulouse-Jackson Park, Freedom Riders National Monument, Geographical Center of Alabama, Historic Redstone Rocket Test Site, Jemison Turner House, Kymulga Covered Bridge, Kymulga Grist Mill, Kenworthy Hall, Middle Bay Lighthouse, Old Alabama Town, Pond Spring (General Joe Wheeler Home), Sweetwater Mansion, Tanglewood, Union Station Montgomery, Tankersley Rosenwald School, Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park, The Jackson-Community House, Toomer's Oaks, Wetumpka Impact Crater Marker and Winter Place.
• Museums: Aircraft Pavilion, Alabama State Capitol, Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens, Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Battleship Memorial Park, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, Capitol Historic Building Tour, Civil Rights Memorial, Colonial Fort Condé, Dexter Parsonage Museum, EarlyWorks Museum, First White House of the Confederacy, Freedom Rides Museum, Gaineswood, Helen Keller Birthplace, Jule Collins Smith Museum, Magnolia Grove, Mobile Carnival Museum, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Alabama, Moundville Archaeological Park, McWane Science Center, North Alabama Railroad Museum, Old State Bank, Oakleigh House Museum, Old Courthouse Museum, Pioneer Museum of Alabama, Rikard's Mill Historical Park, Rosa Parks Museum, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Spear Hunting Museum, The Hank Williams Museum, The Legacy Museum, The MOOseum, The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, U.S. Army Aviation Museum, U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, USS Alabama, U.S. Snagboat Montgomery, U.S. Space & Rocket Center and Vulcan Park & Museum.
• National Parks: Alabama State Park, Bankhead National Forest, Blakeley State Park, Bladon Springs County Park, Blue Springs State Park, Buck's Pocket State Park, Cathedral Caverns State Park, Cheaha State Park, Chewacla State Park, Chickasaw State Park, Conecuh National Forest, DeSoto State Park, Florala State Park, Frank Jackson State Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Gulf State Park, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, Joe Wheeler State Park, Lake Guntersville State Park, Lake Lurleen State Park, Little River Canyon, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Meaher State Park, Monte Sano State Park, Oak Mountain State Park, Paul M. Grist State Park, Rickwood Caverns State Park, Rock Garden, Rock Springs Nature Trail, Roland Cooper State Park, Russell Cave National Monument, Talladega National Forest, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Wind Creek State Park.
• Popular Attractions: Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Alabama & Mississippi State Line, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Alabama State Fair, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Alligator Alley, Aldridge Gardens, Ave Maria Grotto, Bamahenge, Bellingrath Gardens & Home, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham Zoo, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Cathedral Caverns State Park, Confederate Memorial Park, DeSoto Caverns, Devil's Den Falls, Dinosaurs In The Woods - Brontosaurus, Dismals Canyon, Donald E. Davis Arboretum, Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve, Edmund Pettus Bridge, Falling Rock Falls Trail Head, Governor's Mansion, Fairhope Municipal Pier, Floating Fun, Harmony Park Safari, Heritage Park Cullman, High Country Cellars, Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, Huntsville Botanical Garden, Kings Chair, Lowndes Interpretive Center, Montgomery Zoo & Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, Maggie's Glen, Moss Rock Preserve, Noccalula Falls, Peavine Falls, Phobia Factory, Pisgah Gorge Falls, Point Mallard Park, Railroad Park Foundation, Ruffner Mountain, Shrine of The Most Blessed Sacrament, Sportsman Lake Park, Spring Valley Beach, Talladega Superspeedway, The American Village, The Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Town of Spectre, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, USS Alabama, W.A. Gayle Planetarium, White Oak Vineyards, World of Coca-Cola, World's Smallest City Block, Waterville USA/Escape House and Wright Brother's Park.
• Popular Cities to Visit: Anniston, Athens, Auburn, Birmingham, Cullman, Daphine, Dauphin Island, Decatur, Dothan, Eufaula, Fairhope, Florence, Foley, Gadsden, Hoover, Huntsville, Madison, Mentone, Mobile, Montgomery, Muscle Shoals, Pelham, Phenix City, Opelika, Prattville, Scottsboro, Selma, Spanish Fort, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Tuscumbia and Wetumpka.
• Special Events: Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Ongoing), Mobile Mardi Gras (February - March), Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee (March), To Kill a Mockingbird (March-April), Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic (May), AOHA Alabama State Championship Horse Show (May), Civil War Reenactment (May), Hangout Music Festival (May), Alabama Sports Festival (June), Chilton County Peach Festival (June), Helen Keller Festival (June), Muscle Shoals Street Rod Festival (June), Monroe County NCPRA Rodeo (August), Fayette Arts Festival (September), Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride (September), “Oka Kapassa” Return to Cold Water American Indian Festival (September), Alabama Renaissance Faire (October), Barber Motorsports Park Festival (October), Kentuck Festival of Arts (October), Secret Stages Music Festival (October), Peanut Festival (November), Christmas on the River Cook-Off (December) and Dickens Christmas Feast (December).

Talladega Superspeedway, Lincoln, AL. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

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Caribbean Islands

Chic Chateau, Haiti. Photo Credit: Emily Bauman/Unsplash

The Caribbean consists of the Caribbean Sea, islands and the surrounding coasts in the Americas region. Regionally comprising southeast the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, and north of South America.

Not in the Caribbean but, thought to be amongst many travelers is Bermuda, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos. Bermuda, located in the North Atlantic area consists of isolated islands. A chain of islands and coral reefs Turks & Caicos is located Southeast of Florida and north of Cuba in the Atlantic Ocean.

Santa Martha Bay, Curacao. Photo Credit: StockSnap/Pixabay 

There three island groups outside of the Caribbean Sea:

• Bermuda
• The Bahama Islands
• Turks & Caicos Islands

Because of their similar island characteristics they are often associated with the Caribbean Islands. 

A part of the Lucayan Archipelago includes: The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos.

Photo Credit: Graham Lawrence/Pixabay 

Greater Antilles

A grouping of the larger islands in the Caribbean Sea. 

• Cuba
• Cayman Islands
• Hispaniola
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico

Hispaniola includes the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The British and U.S. Virgin Islands are in the Lesser Antilles.

Barbados. Photo Credit: lorax20/Pixabay 

Leeward Antilles

Along the southeast of the Caribbean Sea and north to Venezuela coast of South America.

• ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao
  
• (Federal Dependencies of Venezuela)
• (State of Nueva Esparta Venezuela)
  

Among the Lesser Antilles, are not to be confused with the Leeward Islands.

Photo Credit: Hajnalka Kosiba/Pixabay 

Leeward Islands

A group of islands located where the Caribbean Sea (northeast) meets the Atlantic Ocean (west).

• Anguilla
• Antigua
• Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Guadeloupe
  
• Montserrat
  
• Nevis
  
• Redonda
  
• Saba
• Saint-Barthelemy
  
• Saint Kitts
  
• Saint Martin
• Sint Eustatius

St John, USVI. Photo Credit: inactionsolutions/Pixabay 

Lesser Antilles

A group of islands in the Caribbean Sea between the Greater Antilles (northwest) and South America, causing an eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

• Aruba
• Bonaire
• Curacao
• The ABC Islands
• Trinidad & Tobago

Union Island, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. Photo Credit: Diane Holmes/Pixabay 

Windward Islands

The southern, larger Lesser Antilles islands within the West Indies.

• Barbados
• Dominica
• Guadeloupe
• Martinique
• Saint Lucia
• St Vincent & Grenadines, Grenada

Depending on who you ask, Barbados and Guadeloupe could be bundled with the Leeward Islands.

Photo Credit: Patrizia/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• British West Indies (BWI) refers to islands whether currently or previously affiliated with Great Britain: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, The Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands.
• French West Indies (FWI) are islands owned or affiliated with the Netherlands (Dutch Antilles, Dutch West Indies or Netherland Antilles): Guadeloupe, La Désirade, Les Saintes, Marie Galante, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy or Saint Martin.
• In 2019, the Caribbean population census was 44.42 million.
  
• Hurricane Season is June - November. Islands generally outside of the Hurricane Belt: Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grenada, St Vincent & Grenadines, Tobago, Trinidad, Turks & Caicos.
• "Windward Islands" derives from sailing ships with prevailing trade winds blowing east to west. 

Photo Credit: Toni Paul/Pixabay 

Cruise Lines often group the islands into the following regional sailings:

• Eastern Caribbean: British Virgin Islands (BVI), Dominican Republic, Haiti, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
• Southern Caribbean: Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Western Caribbean: Belize, Cuba , Grand Cayman, Honduras, Jamaica and Mexico Caribbean Coast (Costa Maya, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen​, ​Progreso, Puerto Costa Maya).

May vary by cruise line.

St Lucia. Photo Credit: Jolyne D/Pixabay 

Popular island destinations for:

• Destination Weddings: Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, 
  The Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
• Divers: Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Honduras, Saba, St Croix (USVI), St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos.
• Family: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, British Virgin Islands (BVI),  Cayman Islands, Curacao, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Barts, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
• Golf: Barbados, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Croix (USVI), The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos.
• Honeymoons (Romance): Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Barts, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and U.S. Virgin Islands.
• LGBT/LGBTQ Friendly: Aruba, Curaçao, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Saba, St Barts, St Croix (USVI) and St. Martin/St. Maarten.
  
• Nude Beaches: (Hawksbill Bay) Antigua, (Anse du Gouverneur) St Barthelemy, (Pointe Tarare) Guadeloupe, (Booby Cay) Jamaica, (Anasco Beach) Puerto Rico and (Orient Beach) St. Martin.

Your experience can vary greatly depending on the activities you desire during your visit, the destination island and the time of year (or season) traveling.

Antigua. Photo Credit: photosforyou/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• U.S. Citizens do not need a passport to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John or Saint Thomas) or Puerto Rico​. However, do keep in mind the Real ID applies effective 10/1/21.
• Depending who you ask, Guadeloupe flip flops between the Leewards and Windwards. If you consider their culture, lush landscape or mountains it's best compared to Windwards.
• It's easy to island hop either by ferry or flight depending on the destination.
• BVI has over 50 small islands and cays.
• ABC Islands refers to: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
  
• Be mindful, some beaches are nude or topless.

​

Photo Credit: André Rau/Pixabay 

Are you suddenly daydreaming about palm trees, salt air blowing through your hair, the sun kissing your cheeks and white sandy beaches​?

Fortunate to have visited most of the islands, each island declared to make the best local rum and to have the best local tasty fruit!

Maho Beach, Saint Martin. Photo Credit: kendallpools/Pixabay 

My industry designation earned as a Caribbean Specialist combined with our local connections with Cruise Lines, Tour Operators, Hotels, Resorts, Airlines, Villa Rental Companies, Adventure Travel providers and Limo companies will offer you Exclusive Benefits that you won't be able to achieve on your own. Such as: Complimentary Breakfast for Two Daily, Dining or Resort Credit, Spa Treatment, Airport Transfer, or other privileges. Even Room Upgrades, Early Check-In and Late Check-Out when available. 

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice. 

Curacao (kyoor-uh-SO)

Curaçao Flag

Why visit Curaçao?

Ideal for the active premier traveler seeking an European flair cosmopolitan sophisticated Caribbean destination to enjoy beautiful beaches, caves, coral reefs, culture, diving, Dutch architecture, golf, hiking trails, nightlife, off-road adventures, snorkeling, and water sports.

Willemstad, Curaçao. Photo Credit: Dave Drury/Unsplash

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Aloe vera products, ceramic goods, cheese, Dutch Delft Blue goods, hand painted chichi doll, hand painted animal form wall hangings, jewelry, orange flavored liqueur, and painted bottles with scenery.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Bitterballen (meatballs). Karni Stobá (beef stew). Keshi Yena (traditional). Oliebollen (doughnuts). Poffertjes (pancakes). Stoba (strw). Stroopwafels (snack).
• Local Drink to Try: Blue Curaçao. Curaçao Liqueur. Fria (local soda). Lovers (local juices).

Willemstad, Curaçao. Photo Credit: Michelle Raponi/Pixabay

History

• In 1499, settled by the Spanish.
• In 1634, the Dutch took possession.
• In 1888, Queen Emma Bridge (pedestrian toll) was built. An effort to promote social equality.
• In 2011, became independent of the Netherlands Antilles.
  

Willemstad, Curaçao. Photo Credit: Humphrey Janga/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• An independent entity of The Netherlands.
• The primary Economy is banking and commerce with supplemental income from tourism.
• No permanent rivers.
• The Laraha Oranges (grown on the island east side) produces 150-200 fruits per tree. Commonly used for liqueur produced in five colors: clear, blue, green, orange and red.
• Windmills located in the northeast area provide a portion  of the island's electricity.

Photo Credit: Michelle Raponi/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Carnival, Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament, Full Moon Party, Horseback Parade, KLM Curacao Marathon, Tumba Festival, (February) Carnival Horse Parade, International Kite Festival, Ride Walk & Swim for Roses, (March) Farewell March, Grand March, Heineken Regatta, International Blue Marlin Release Tournament, We are One Gospel Caribbean Tour, (April) BlueSea Festivals, Farmers & Fleas, Harvest Festival, Zanzibar Festival, (May) Culture Cuisine & Heritage Experience, Jazz Festival, (June) Caribbean Sun Splash, Curacao Pride, (August) Dive Festival, Salsa Festival, (September) Curacao North Sea Jazz, (October) Restaurant Week, (November) Amstel Curacao Race, and Dutch Santa Claus.
• Holidays: New Years Day, Rosenmontag, Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday, Kings Day, Labor Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Flag Day, Curacao Day, and Christmas Day.

Photo Credit: Humphrey Janga/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Plentiful bays, limestone formations and salt marshes.
• You may be inspired to visit after watching, Curacao (2007).
• Multicultural with 55 different nationalities.
• Rainstorms are rare.
• Topless sunbathing is permitted.
• It's illegal to use spearguns or remove coral.
• In shallow waters watch out for deadly poisonous spines from the local lion fish or stonefish.
• Airport departure fees are charged for international destinations, usually included with airline costs.
• Tourism industry is unevenly regulated and inspections do not commonly occur.
• Local law is based on Dutch Law.
• Access to quality medical care is limited.
• Prevalent Diseases: Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika Virus.
• Public transportation is limited. 

Photo Credit: Mali Ancor/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Required from select countries. 

Hurricane Season is June - November. However, outside of the Hurricane Belt, it is not directly impacted.

• Coolest Season: January
• Humid & Hottest: September
• Peak Season: December - April
  
• Shoulder Season: May - November.

Photo Credit: Paul/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• Historical Sites: Alley District, Bell Pole, Beth Haim Cemetery, Bonam - Fund Jave's Station, Bull's Eye, Cinelândia, Fort Amsterdam, Fort Beekenburg, Fort Church, Fort Piscadera, Keukenstraat, Klein Curacao Scheepswrak, Landhuis Brakkeput Ariba, Landhuis Bloemhof, Landhuis Bloemfontein, Landhuis Cas Chikitu, Landhuis Gaito, Landhuis Groot Santa Martha, Landhuis Jan Thiel, Landhuis Jeremi, Landhuis Veeris, Landhuis Vianen,Landhuis Knip, Landhuis Mount Pleasant, Landhuis Pannekoek, Landhuis Rooi Catootje, Landhuis Rust en Vrede, Landhuis Santa Cruz, Landhuis San Juan, Landhuis Sorsaka, Landhuis Waterloo, Landhuis Wechi, Landhuis Zuikertuintie, Lighthouse Klein Curacao, Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, Plantage Planterust, Plantation House Brievengat, Plantation House Koraal Tabak, Plantation House Sta. Catharina, Queen Emma Bridge, Ser'i Otrobanda, Slave Wall and Vlakte di San Pedro.
• Museums: Curacao Maritime Museum, Curacao Museum, Jewish Cultural Historic Museum, Kura Hulanda Museum, Landhuis Jan Kok " Nena Sanchez Gallery", Manor Savonet Museum, Maritime Museum Curacao, Museum Kas di Pal'I Maishi, Museo di Tambú Shon Cola, Octagon Museum and Rif Fort Museum. 
• Popular Attractions: Boca Grandi, Christoffel National Park, Carnaval Casino, Church of Sint Willibrordus, Curacao Liqueur Distillery, Curacao Sea Aquarium, Den Paradera, Fort Waakzaamheid, Floating Market, Fort Amsterdam, Fort Sint Michiel, Gallery Alma Blou, Hato Caves, Kontiki Beach, Kura Hulanda, Landhuis Chobolobo, Landhuis Kan Kok, Landhuis Ronde Klip, Mambo Beach, Manor Knip, Mega Pier, Mount Christoffel, Mushroom Forest, Old Market, Otrobanda, Punda, Parke Leyba, Queen Juliana Bridge, Shete Boka Park, Substation Curacao and Willemstad.

Photo Credit: Michelle Raponi/Pixabay 

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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.