Spring Break is Over // Summer Planning

Spring Break is over for most of us. The crazy crowds and the traffic driving down to the beach should subside. 

Summer is right around the corner, so let the planning begin. Traveling to somewhere warm is on the top of my list after this dreadful winter we experienced. 

The Caribbean would be a beautiful place to visit this summer. Specifically, the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has glowing white sand and gorgeous blue water that is to die for. The beaches rank among the best in the world and I can certainly see why. Catch a tan, grab a margarita and a great book. Relax. I love water sports and snorkeling and the Dominican Republic is full of great places to jet ski, scuba dive, sunbathe and bar hop! And the food is AMAZING!

A place that I have dreamed of visiting is Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Full of nature, sun, waves and wonderful food. Soak in the sun on the sugar sand beaches or view the Mayan ruins. Perfect for EVERYONE! I have heard the Papaya Playa is a great place to stay. You have the choice to sleep in a hut perched above the ocean. Enjoy fresh coconut!

France is one of the many places I obsess over. The beaches there are beyond amazing. Beware, many of them are nude, so you have been warned. The beaches in Nice in the French Riviera in Provence, France is a popular and breathtaking beach. Some of the beaches are privately owned, but the public ones are just as great. And guess what? The beaches are pebble beaches, which will make for an even more unique experience!

If you can afford it, travel to Bali this summer. I have never been but like most people, after watching Eat Pray Love, the desire to travel to Bali increased. Bali is a surfing paradise with a huge variety of beaches. The beached range from white and crowded to black sand and deserted. 

I have talked about Santorini, Greece in so many of my blogs. This is because I am pretty obsessed. My  aunt and uncle went last year and I drooled over their gorgeous beach pictures. This is a must on my bucket list. A great place for a summer getaway. The water is clear, the wine flows abundantly and the food is delicious!

These are my top places to visit this summer, but if you are looking for more, visit TripAdvisor or call your local Travel Consultant! 

The Caribbean's Best Kept Secret

When I think of the Caribbean the first places that come to mind are Saint Thomas, Antigua and the Grand Cayman just to name a few. Most people can name most of the islands, but it seems as though the twin island country of Trinidad and Tobago remain the best kept secret of the Caribbean. 

Located on the northern edge of South America, the islands are in fact among the wealthiest and most developed nations in the Caribbean. The key to keeping Trinidad and Tobago such a secret is the fact that tourism is not a major industry, leaving the islands abundant with unspoiled beauty not found in many of the Caribbean islands. 

With the average temperature being 70 degrees, both islands are a dream location. Trinidad is divided by three distinct mountain ranges with an abundance of rivers and streams. Thus making the landscapes gorgeous to view while enjoying a hike or laying on the beach. Tobago is mountainous but dominated by just one main mountain ridge. The ocean views are gorgeous surrounding the islands. Both Trinidad and Tobago are popular locations among yacht owners. Cruise ships also dock at the bays. 

Arriving to the island can be achieved by a direct air service from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Orlando, New York, and Newark. For outside the US, London and Georgetown offer direct air services as well. The flights from the US are usually 4-5 hours depending where you are traveling from. 

Popular beaches in Trinidad are Maracas, Tyrico, Las Cuevas, Toco, Mayaro, Chagville, Los Iros and Quinam. Most of the beaches on the North coast are beautiful, with powdery sand and clear blue water. 

Popular beaches in Tobago include Pigeon Point, Store Bay, MT Irvine, Bucco, Grange, Englishman's Bay, Canoe Bay. Tobago's beaches are extremely beautiful.

When I travel to Trinidad and Tobago in the hopeful feature, I have a feeling I would never leave the beach. The water is absolutely gorgeous. There is also a natural coral reef, the Buccoo Reef, so snorkeling is a must when in Tobago!

If you are anything like me, seeing the local wildlife is a must. Both Trinidad and Tobago are full of rare birds, leatherback turtles and home to a wonderful zoo near the Port of Spain.

When I go out of the country, I sometimes worry about language barriers. I usually try to learn the language enough to get by, but sometimes that can be very difficult depending where you travel. Luckily for those who have trouble with learning new languages, Trinidad and Tobago's official language is English. However Hindi, French, Spanish and Chinese are often heard there too, so if you enjoy learning you might enjoy grabbing some Rosetta Stone!

One of my favorite things to do is eat when I travel. Trinidad and Tobago have excellent and varied food options. A popular cuisine is Indian. The food tends to be spicy and full a flavor! Another big thing is deep fried shark. Very controversial, but they still serve it because it is so widely popular. Not my cup of tea, but the locals love it.

If you are into something more light and healthy, they are known for their wonderful kale soup. Now that is something I would be on board for. 

Enjoy a great local alcoholic drink if that is your thing. They are sugar cane colonies, so rum runs freely at the bars on the islands. Moonshine is also popular on the islands!

Remember, always call your local travel agent for more information. They are knowledgeable and can tell you facts that you may not be able to find online. Travel Planners, Inc. in Mountain Brook knows all the details on remote locations and can answer any questions you may have!