Bermuda!

Why go...the country that inspired the short!  often considered caribbean, it's actually in the atlantic at the latitude of north carolina!  it has awesome weather spring summer and fall and a mild winter.  neat history of being first discoverd in 1609, failure to reach virginia by the brits.  then became a source of produce agriculture for the american colonies!  was an important port during prohibition as well as the civil war and a british port once they lost america.  also important for transatlantic cable. comfy weather all year made it into a north american vacay spot during the victorian era.



http://www.gotobermuda.com/default/

conde nast gold list

st george - the oldest continually inhabitted british setlemtn in the new world.  town is unesco site.

british naval yard!  includes pub and barrel making factory!  i love to drink and learn!

aquarium

victoria park

http://nmb.bm/

http://www.bamz.org/

http://www.caves.bm/

http://www.buei.bm/

http://www.bnt.bm/

http://www.fairmont.com/hamilton-bermuda/

http://www.grottobay.com/

caves, ponds, beaches,

lighthouse
museum
underwater exploration institute
pink sand
snorkel
forts!

Haiti!

Why go...Haiti is a beautiful, tropical island with a super-exciting history and cultural mix!  Originally inhabited by Native Americans, next to mix in were the Spanish!  After the Spaniards came the French!  After a big revolt, Haiti was established as the first Black republic in 1804!

Royal Caribbean Cruises stops at Labadee, Haiti!  Visiting a country on a cruise only gives you a day, but Haiti doesn't yet have an abundance of the kitschy tourist stuff I love, so a cruise is a super-convenient way for people to visit and learn without having to do a ton of research!  The cruise looks awesome; beautiful beaches, snorkeling, shop local products and crafts, and cultural tours! 

Barbados!

Why go...Tropical beaches, rum, fish frys, and cricket!


 Sandy Lane Resort!  Extremely beautiful!  Sandy Lane Beach is one of the calmest on the island!  


Rum Shops!  These are the local equivalent to coffee shops; people sit, chat, hear the news, and play dominoes all while having a rum punch!


Fish Frys!  Every Friday there are fish markets with dancing and music.  It is a very festive weekly event that is like a mix between Carnival and a farmers market.  One of the most famous is Oistins Fish Fry.  


Cricket and Rugby!  Popular sports on the island since the time of  British colonialism.

Walk the plank on the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship!  

See what's going on under the sea from the coziness of a submarine!  

Home and garden tours!  Annual tours of all kinds of homes and gardens of  the locals!  Ooh La La!

Arts and crafts tours!  The ceramics below are from Earth Works Pottery.  Pretty!  

Cliff Restaurant.  Dreamy and romantic!   

Beautiful beaches, scuba diving, swimming with sea turtles, and marine parks!  

Mount Gay Rum Tours! used to be a major industry.  Barbados rum since 1703!  Rum has been a huge industry for the island; because sailing was a major part of rum distribution, they still take part in the Mount Gay Rum Regatta!

Nature and history tours of the island!  Barbados Museum showing the Portugesse, English, African, and Indigenous mixture of the island!  Flower Forest Arboretum!

Cayman Islands!

Why go...warm, clear, shallow waters.  Plus all kinds of  touristy things that are perfect for scaredy cats like me!  Fun, busy, dreamy, and mellow!

WHAT TO DO

Cayman Turtle Farm!  Snorkel with the sea turtles in a safe but beautiful environment!

Sting Ray City! A very touristy (aka very safe!) way to be in the water with the sea life!

 Submarine tours! A chance to see the beautiful ocean life, in a safe environment!

 Jolly Roger Pirate Ship!  For kids and adults; includes snorkeling, pirates, alcohol, and dinner! Yey!

Also:  horseback riding, scuba diving and snorkeling, beautiful beaches, historic houses, Cayman Craft Market, sailing, George Town, hiking and gardens, and fishing!

WHERE TO STAY

Ritz Carlton. Super-neat activity programs for kids and adults; moonlit snorkeling, sunset mangrove kayaking, nature hikes, and historical tours!

Southern Cross Club, on Little Cayman.  Surrounded by warm, clear, shallow water!

LOGISTICS

Hurricanes from June-November; April and May are in the 80s!