An Island Vacation In The Caribbean

Ever since colonial periods, American visitors have loved to visit the Caribbean. These islands have been the favorite destination for most dream vacations. Over the past 50 years, tourism to the area has increased greatly,  and today millions of U.S. citizens visit the islands every year to enjoy all that the islands have to offer – beaches, thrilling water adventure, fun in the sun,  and communing with nature.

But just what exactly is it that makes the Caribbean so dramatically different from all other vacation destinations out there? And how could you increase your enjoyment during your Caribbean dream vacation?

In the Old ‘West Indies’

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The Europeans were the first sets of explorers who came to the shores of the Caribbean.  At the time,  they were searching a sea route to India and when they found this tiny group of islands in the middle of the vast sea, they referred to it simply as the “West Indies.” They thought that they had landed in the Indies (then meaning all of east and south Asia) when in fact they had reached the Americas.  It was changed to the Caribbean later on, after the Caribs who were one of the dominant Amerindian groups in the area at the time of European contact. Read more . . .

Travel In Luxury To The Caribbean

Are you looking for some eco-luxury?  Tiamo, an environmentally-friendly resort composed of a row of wooden cottages that are simple and chic and simple at the same time, provides the ultimate in Caribbean luxury travel.   Scattered along a quiet strand of white powder on Andros island in the Bahamas, this Caribbean luxury travel resort is surrounded by giant lizards and orchids and offers nothing but relaxed comfort and ecological awareness.

This Caribbean luxury travel resort offers the ideal solution to the Caribbean’s more familiarly hedonistic piña colada and party resorts.

White boat on blue waters

flickr.com/jose_kevo

At Tiamo,  the Caribbean is summed up as barefoot luxury — refined and polished yet set in an environment that can only be described as natural.

Out of all the Bahamian islands in the Caribbean region, Andros is one of the less popular. Thanks to its relative obscurity, its subdued allure is what makes it even more attractive as a Caribbean luxury travel destination. With an area of 2,300 square miles and home to a mere 8,000 people, it is one of the least explored locations in the Western Hemisphere.

Don’t assume, however, that Andros is just one of those dime-a-dozen island destinations which the Caribbean is full of.   In fact, Andros is the largest island in the country so you have plenty of room to have fun and enjoy the warm Caribbean sun.   And because the island is still undeveloped, there are few bus lines, few phones, and other facilities that could detract you from your relaxing vacation.

In reality, the island is not just one island but a collection of islands tightly meshed into one archipelago.   With a web of streams and  its rocky shores,  this Caribbean luxury travel destination has never offered the kind of obvious harbor found on other Bahamian islands so, apart from the odd fishing lodge and Caribbean luxury travel retreats, development has largely overlooked it.   What has made the island unsuitable for urban evolution, however, makes it ideal for eco-tourism.

The Caribbean luxury travel resort of Tiamo is isolated,  in fact, even by Andros’ standards. Set three road less miles from the nearest village and surrounded by palm trees, orchids, herons, banana plants,  tiny tree frogs,  and some nasty mosquitoes,  Tiamo is only accessible to guests via boat.   Relying on its solar power system and solar-heated rainwater showers,   the resort stays true to its ecological philosophy but at the same time offers you with a tranquil retreat is incomparable anywhere else.

Learn how you can save a boatload of money on every cruise you take

Tiamo’s wooden cottages are equipped with massive beds, hand-painted “do not disturb” signs,   brightly tiled mirrors and showers lean towards safari-chic,  especially when taken in with their  corrugated, painted-iron walls.   And in a witty twist on recycling,  even the wood left over from constructing the cottages were used to create this Caribbean luxury travel resort’s funky outdoor furniture.

But while the interiors are exceptional,  the main highlights of all the cottages are their open porches.   They have fans instead of air conditioning,  but you don’t need to be bothered about the heat.   The open sides of the cottages are designed to assist in keeping temperatures low.  Climate control aside,   the true beauty of these porches is that they offer you panoramic views of the forest and the beach.

Villa Vacations In The Caribbean

There is no better way to begin a vacation and far fewer better places to stay than a Caribbean travel villa.  Dream vacations,  world travels, holiday getaways,  weekend trips,  — no matter what you decide, you need a place to stay when you go.

Here is a list of the top choices for Caribbean travel villas:

VillaConnection.com

It’s correctly named. VillaConnection.com offers you with the response to the question “why stay in a hotel?” when you can relax in a place of your own (for a few weeks, at least).

Learn how you can save a boatload of money on every cruise you take

The site offers Caribbean travel villas in the most popular Caribbean destinations, including Little Thatch, St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Tortola,   Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. Not only they provide you with high-quality Caribbean travel villas, but they can also help you with all your vacation planning needs from getting supplies, air, car rentals, getting supplies and more.

CaribbeanDays.com

Cavanas lined up on the shore

flickr.com/orangetaki

In business since 1979, CaribbeanDays.com provides you a place where you can stay for the duration of your vacation. Whether you’re looking for Caribbean travel villa rentals or intimate hotel getaways, they can find it for you, even providing evening phone appointments for those who are too busy to schedule during the day.

The CaribbeanDays.com speaks for more than 1,000 luxury Caribbean travel villa rentals on 20 islands throughout the Caribbean. Simply pick your type of Caribbean travel villa from the following list:

* Ultra-luxury
* Beachfront
* Romantic
* Corporate retreats
* Large groups
* Weddings
* Families
* Luxury resorts and hotels
* Active travelers

VillasCaribe.com

An industry leader, VillasCaribe.com manages more 1,100 luxury Caribbean villas throughout more than 25 destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico. The site provides a current online calendar to show the availability of their Caribbean travel villa rentals, allowing you to search for your villa on your preferred travel dates. What makes VillasCaribe.com unique are its special virtual Caribbean travel villa tours and on-site personal inspections.

In addition to Caribbean travel villas, VillasCaribe.com lists property and villas for sale all throughout the Caribbean as well. Whether you are looking for the greatest in Caribbean villa rental luxury or the ultimate in tropical private home rentals, you will see it here at VillasCaribe.com.

Goin2Travel.com

If awe-inspiring Caribbean travel  condos and villas are what you want, then Goin2Travel.com might just have the property you’re looking for. The site features charming and picturesque  beachside properties, from villas to rental homes and cottages.

The properties listed are all privately owned and can suit groups and families much better than any resort would. To begin exploring the wonderful selections Goin2Travel.com offers, just click on any of the Caribbean islands listed on the site.

WhereToStay.com

A hotel and villa guide, WhereToStay.com offers not simply villa rentals and hotels in the Caribbean but in other destinations as well. Their villa section provides extravagant Caribbean travel villas and vacation homes throughout the islands.  Additionally, you can reserve a room on any of these properties through the site. To be sure, WhereToStay.com has come up with a far more convenient way of finding places to stay in the Caribbean.

Travel Agencies Specializing In Caribbean Travel

With  crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, spectacular landscapes, and a sunny year-round climate, the red hot Caribbean has countless exciting destinations for every lifestyle. Below are a few Caribbean travel agencies you can look into for some assistance on your Caribbean trip.

Travel Impressions

Since 1974, Travel Impressions has assisted travelers in the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico,  United States, Central America, and South America. This travel agency has garnered  the ‘Best Tour Operator, Sales and Service’ for the 2005 Travel Weekly’s Reader’s Choice Awards. What they provide are reliable, high-quality,  and value-oriented vacation packages. Read more . . .

The Caribbean: Dreams vs. Reality

Many people arrive in Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Antilles, Antigua,  or St.-Martin with wildly romantic expectations about its people, only to feel completely disappointed that everyone is dressed in Western clothing, and if there are indeed individuals dressed ethnically, it’s only because they’re selling you something.

This sort of disillusionment is most prevalent in the more populous parts of the Caribbean, such as Barbuda, Puerto Rico, Antilles,  Jamaica, and Guadeloupe, although that’s not to say that these islands really have nothing to offer of Caribbean culture you’ve come to expect.

One good tip needed is to let go of all your preconceived ideas of what the Caribbean culture should be and let personal experience be your guide.

Traveling alone will give you a better opportunity of interacting with ordinary citizens. You can guess that independent travel does have its benefits when it comes to experiencing an exotic destination such as the Caribbean. Read more . . .