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If you're a beach enthusiast looking to combine your love of sun, sand, and sea with the convenience and luxury of a cruise, you're in for a treat. The Caribbean, Mediterranean, and other tropical regions offer some of the world's most stunning beaches, each with its unique charm and attractions.
Imagine the Caribbean. What comes to mind? For many, it’s a postcard of sprawling, all-inclusive resorts, bustling ports teeming with mega-ships, and beaches so crowded you can barely see the sand. It’s a beautiful image, but it’s often just the surface. What if I told you there’s another Caribbean? A more intimate, authentic, and profoundly luxurious version, hidden in plain sight, waiting to be discovered.
Imagine the Caribbean. What comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the image of a sprawling, sun-drenched beach, a colorful cocktail in hand, the distant thrum of a resort’s steel drum band. It’s a beautiful picture, but it’s only one frame in a much larger, more magnificent film. Now, imagine a different scene. You’re standing on the warm, teak deck of a majestic tall ship, the sun setting in a blaze of orange and violet. Above you, 30 sails billow against a twilight sky, a symphony of creaking lines and snapping canvas propelled by the same trade winds that guided explorers centuries ago. This isn’t just a vacation; it’s a voyage. This is the singular magic of a Sea Cloud cruise through the Eastern Caribbean.
The Caribbean. The name itself conjures images of impossibly turquoise waters lapping against powdery white sand, a frosty cocktail in hand. It’s a beautiful, enduring image, but for the discerning traveler, it’s only the first verse of a much richer song. What if you could experience a Caribbean that exists beyond the sun lounger and the souvenir shop? A Caribbean of mist-shrouded volcanic peaks, hidden waterfalls, centuries-old colonial history, and culinary secrets whispered from one generation to the next?
Close your eyes and picture the Caribbean. What do you see? Sun-drenched beaches of impossible white, water the color of liquid turquoise, and the gentle sway of a palm tree. It’s a beautiful image, a classic for a reason. But what if I told you that this picture, as lovely as it is, is merely the cover of a much richer, more thrilling story? What if the true soul of the Eastern Caribbean lies just beyond the beach—in its emerald volcanic peaks, its vibrant Creole culture, its hidden underwater worlds, and its centuries of layered history?
Imagine the Caribbean. What comes to mind? Is it the postcard-perfect image of impossibly white sand dissolving into a sea of turquoise, a gentle breeze rustling through palm fronds, a rum punch sweating in your hand? That vision is beautiful, and it is certainly part of the story. But it is not the whole story.
Imagine the Caribbean. What comes to mind? Is it the endless expanse of a turquoise sea, the whisper of palm fronds on a gentle breeze, the feel of powder-soft sand between your toes? For many, this is the quintessential island dream—a vision shaped by postcards and glossy brochures. But what if I told you that this picture, as beautiful as it is, only scratches the surface? What if there’s a Caribbean that lies beyond the all-inclusive resorts and crowded ports, a wilder, more authentic archipelago waiting to be discovered?
Imagine the Caribbean. What comes to mind? Is it the postcard-perfect image of a solitary palm tree leaning over an impossibly turquoise sea? The gentle lapping of waves against powdery white sand? While those blissful moments are certainly part of the allure, the true soul of the Eastern Caribbean lies just beyond the shoreline. It’s in the vibrant rhythm of a steel drum band echoing through colonial streets, the savory aroma of mofongo wafting from a family-run café, and the shared stories of a history as deep and colorful as the coral reefs below. This is the Caribbean we invite you to discover—a world of culture, history, and authentic connection.
Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine the scent of wild orchids mingling with the salty Caribbean air. Hear the distant, rhythmic pulse of merengue music drifting from a sun-drenched colonial plaza. Feel the cool mist of a hidden waterfall on your skin after a trek through a lush, emerald jungle. This is the Dominican Republic you haven’t met yet—a vibrant, soulful island that exists far beyond the postcard-perfect beaches it’s famous for. And there is no better way to unlock its secrets than from the deck of a magnificent Royal Caribbean ship.
Close your eyes and imagine the Dominican Republic. What comes to mind? For many, it’s the postcard image of swaying palms, impossibly white sands, and the gentle lapping of a turquoise sea. And while that paradise certainly exists, it’s merely the opening chapter of a story rich with history, pulsating with rhythm, and flavored with a culture as vibrant as the colonial buildings that line its oldest streets.
Imagine the Dominican Republic. What comes to mind? For many, it’s a postcard of sprawling all-inclusive resorts, turquoise water lapping against powdery white sand, and the gentle rhythm of merengue in the air. While that picture is undeniably alluring, it’s merely the cover of a rich, complex, and breathtakingly beautiful book. The real story of this Caribbean jewel lies beyond the resort walls—in the cobblestone alleys of the New World’s first city, within the misty depths of mangrove forests teeming with ancient secrets, and on secluded shores so pristine they feel like a private discovery.
Close your eyes and picture the Dominican Republic. What comes to mind? For many, it’s the postcard image of swaying palms, impossibly turquoise water, and the gentle clink of ice in a rum-filled glass. And while that slice of paradise is undeniably real and utterly blissful, it’s only the first chapter of an island story rich with history, vibrant with culture, and teeming with adventures that lie just beyond the shoreline.
Imagine the scent of freshly roasted cacao mingling with the salty Caribbean breeze. Picture cobblestone streets echoing with the vibrant rhythms of merengue, lined with colonial-era buildings painted in hues of canary yellow and sky blue. This is the Dominican Republic that lies just beyond the pristine, palm-fringed beaches—a land of profound history, rich culture, and soul-stirring natural beauty. While many see only sand and sea, a more authentic, deeply rewarding journey awaits the discerning traveler.
Close your eyes and picture the Dominican Republic. What do you see? Perhaps it’s an endless stretch of powder-soft sand, kissed by water so impossibly turquoise it seems to glow from within. A lone palm tree leans gracefully towards the sea, a testament to a thousand perfect sunsets. It’s a beautiful image, a postcard from paradise. But it’s only one page in a story that is far richer, deeper, and more vibrant than you can possibly imagine.
Imagine the sound. Not the roar of a mega-ship's engine, but the satisfying snap of canvas catching the wind. The scent isn't of chlorine and recycled air, but of salt spray mingling with the sweet, earthy perfume of a nearby rainforest. This isn't just a vacation; it's an awakening. This is the promise of Costa Rica, experienced not from a distance, but from the polished teak deck of a majestic tall ship with Star Clippers.
Imagine the sound. Not the gentle lapping of waves against a hull, though that’s there too, a soothing rhythm to your journey. I’m talking about the sound of the Costa Rican rainforest waking up. A low, guttural call from a howler monkey echoes through the canopy, a toucan adds its vibrant, yelping song to the chorus, and a million unseen insects create a symphony of clicks and buzzes. This isn’t a soundtrack; it’s the living, breathing soul of a country that is 25% protected national park. This is the Pura Vida—the pure life—and it’s an experience that transcends the typical postcard image of sandy beaches and turquoise water.
Imagine the sound. Not the gentle lapping of waves against a resort beach, but a primal symphony that begins before dawn. It’s the guttural, echoing roar of a howler monkey, a sound that vibrates through the very air you breathe. It’s the electric chatter of a thousand unseen insects, the rustle of leaves announcing a troop of capuchins, the sudden, brilliant flash of a scarlet macaw’s wing against a canvas of infinite green. This is the authentic Costa Rica—a world away from the sun loungers and swim-up bars, a living, breathing Eden teeming with life. For years, accessing this raw, untamed beauty meant sacrificing comfort, navigating challenging terrain, and spending more time on bumpy roads than in the heart of the rainforest. But what if you could journey into this world of profound biodiversity while enveloped in an atmosphere of understated luxury? What if you could wake each morning in a new, pristine wilderness, your floating boutique hotel having delivered you there overnight? This is the promise of a PONANT expedition. This is how you experience the true meaning of Pura Vida.
Imagine the air, thick and sweet with the scent of night-blooming jasmine and rich, volcanic earth. The distant, throaty call of a howler monkey echoes through a canopy of emerald green, a sound as ancient as the rainforest itself. This is the Costa Rica that exists beyond the postcard—a land of profound biodiversity, thrilling adventure, and a soul-stirring philosophy known simply as ‘Pura Vida’, the pure life. While many dream of its sun-drenched beaches, I’m here to tell you, as a travel journalist who has explored the world’s most captivating corners, that the true magic of this Central American jewel lies in its vibrant, untamed heart. And there is no better way to unlock it than from the comfort and freedom of a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel.
Imagine waking not to an alarm, but to the guttural, echoing call of a howler monkey reverberating through a misty rainforest canopy. Picture yourself gliding in a kayak through a serene, mangrove-lined waterway as a brilliant scarlet macaw soars overhead, a flash of crimson against an emerald backdrop. This is Costa Rica, but not the one you’ll find at a sprawling all-inclusive resort. This is the wild, untamed heart of the country, a place where ‘Pura Vida’ is more than a catchy slogan—it’s a profound connection to one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
Imagine the sound. Not the low, city-sized hum of a mega-ship, but the whisper of wind catching in acres of canvas. The gentle creak of rigging, the rhythmic slap of waves against a sleek, teak-decked hull. You’re standing on the deck of a true tall ship, a cool drink in hand, as the sun dips below the Caribbean horizon, painting the sky in fiery strokes of orange and magenta. Ahead lies not another crowded tourist port, but the vibrant, soulful coast of Colombia—a land of magical realism, colonial treasures, and untamed natural beauty.
Imagine a place where the Caribbean sun warms ancient stone, where the air hums with the rhythm of cumbia, and where balconies overflow with cascades of fuchsia bougainvillea. This is not a postcard from a forgotten era; it is the vibrant, beating heart of Colombia, a nation reborn, ready to share its profound beauty and rich cultural tapestry with the world. For too long, travelers have associated the Caribbean with little more than crystalline waters and powder-soft sand. But a new kind of journey awaits—one that goes beyond the beaches to touch the very soul of a destination.
Close your eyes for a moment and picture the Caribbean. What do you see? Is it the impossible turquoise of the water, so clear you can count the grains of sand on the ocean floor? Is it the gentle rustle of palm fronds in a warm, salt-kissed breeze? Or perhaps it’s the vibrant, sun-drenched colors of a colonial port town, alive with the rhythm of steel drums. For decades, this has been the postcard image of paradise, a dream of sun, sand, and sea. But what if I told you that the beach is just the beginning?
Imagine the Caribbean. What comes to mind? Sun-drenched beaches of impossible white, water the color of turquoise, and the gentle rhythm of a steel drum floating on the breeze. It’s a beautiful picture, but for the discerning traveler, it’s an incomplete one. Beyond the postcard-perfect shores lies a vibrant tapestry of history, a symphony of volcanic peaks and lush rainforests, and a culture rich with stories waiting to be discovered. This is the Caribbean that calls to the soul, the one that lingers in your memory long after the tan has faded.
Close your eyes and picture the Caribbean. What do you see? An endless ribbon of white sand, the impossible turquoise of the sea, a solitary palm tree leaning into a gentle breeze. It’s a beautiful image, a postcard brought to life. But for the discerning traveler, for the soul who seeks not just to see but to feel a destination, this is merely the opening chapter.
Imagine the Caribbean. What comes to mind? For many, it’s a postcard of turquoise water lapping against brilliant white sand, a piña colada in hand. It’s the thrum of a mega-ship docking in a bustling port, disgorging thousands of passengers into a sea of duty-free shops and pre-packaged excursions. While that version of the Caribbean certainly has its place, there is another, more intimate, and profoundly more authentic side to these islands—a soul that whispers on the trade winds, a story told in the quiet cobblestone alleys and secluded coves that the larger ships can never reach.
Forget everything you think you know about cruising. Erase the images of crowded buffets, forced formalities, and itineraries that barely scratch the surface. Now, picture this: you’re lounging in a hand-woven hammock on your private sea terrace, the Pacific sun warming your skin, a glass of perfectly chilled champagne appearing with a simple shake of your phone. Later, you’ll dine on Michelin-star-worthy Korean BBQ before catching an immersive, boundary-pushing theatre show. This isn’t a dream; it’s just another day on a Virgin Voyages sailing to Cabo San Lucas.
Imagine the coast of Baja California, a rugged finger of desert landscape pointing defiantly into the deep blue of the Pacific. For many, the name Cabo San Lucas conjures images of sun-drenched beaches, pulsating nightlife, and the iconic arch, El Arco, standing sentinel at Land's End. It's a postcard, vibrant and beautiful, but it's only one page in a much richer story. What if I told you there's another Cabo? A Cabo of quiet, colonial streets, of farm-to-table culinary artistry, of serene desert canyons and a profound connection to the sea. This is the Cabo you discover with Viking.
The image of Cabo San Lucas is often a postcard cliché: a raucous Spring Break, tequila shots under a neon glow, and crowded beaches where the music never stops. But for the discerning traveler, for the soul who seeks connection over commotion, there is another Cabo. It’s a Cabo of quiet coves where sea lions bask on sun-drenched rocks, of vibrant art districts tucked away in colonial towns, and of culinary secrets whispered from one generation to the next. This is the Cabo that reveals its soul, and the key to unlocking it is not found on a mega-ship, but on an intimate, all-inclusive voyage with Silversea.
The name “Cabo San Lucas” conjures immediate, vivid images: sun-drenched beaches teeming with revelers, the iconic silhouette of El Arco against a turquoise sea, the distant spout of a migrating whale. For many, it’s a destination defined by its vibrant energy and luxurious beachfront resorts. But as a travel journalist who has spent two decades seeking the soul of a place, I can tell you that the Cabo you think you know is merely the dazzling overture. The real symphony lies just beyond the shore, in the quiet colonial streets, the fragrant desert farms, and the hidden coves that whisper tales of pirates and pearl divers.
The name ‘Cabo San Lucas’ often conjures images of sun-drenched beaches, pulsating nightlife, and margaritas by the pitcher. And while this sun-kissed tip of the Baja Peninsula certainly delivers on that promise, to see it only as a beach party is to miss its soul. Imagine a place where the stark, beautiful desert tumbles into an ocean of impossible blue, where migrating whales breach against the backdrop of ancient rock formations, and where culinary artistry is as celebrated as the perfect sunset. This is the Cabo that awaits you—a destination of profound beauty and thrilling adventure. And there is no more elegant way to arrive at this legendary Land’s End than aboard a Princess Cruise.
Mention Cabo San Lucas, and the mind conjures a vivid mosaic: sun-drenched beaches teeming with revelers, the iconic silhouette of El Arco against a fiery sunset, the distant breach of a humpback whale. It’s a destination synonymous with vibrant energy and postcard-perfect beauty. But what if I told you that this popular image is merely the cover of a much deeper, more profound story? What if there was a way to experience the wild, untamed soul of the Baja California Peninsula, far from the bustling crowds, in a manner that combines rugged discovery with unparalleled refinement?
The first glimpse of Cabo San Lucas from the sea is a moment suspended in time. The raw, sculptural power of El Arco, the iconic arch carved by millennia of wind and water, rises from the turquoise surf. The sun, a brilliant Baja gold, bathes the desert landscape, promising a day of warmth and discovery. For many, this image is synonymous with vibrant nightlife and bustling beaches. But for the discerning traveler, for the one who seeks connection over crowds, this is merely the overture. The real Cabo, a place of profound artistry, culinary genius, and quiet wonder, lies just beyond the shore—and there is no finer way to arrive than on an Oceania Cruise.
The Caribbean sun warms your skin, a gentle trade wind whispers through the palms, and in your hand, a perfectly chilled glass of champagne. This isn't just any island getaway. This is the British Virgin Islands, experienced through the timeless, elegant lens of a Cunard voyage. For the discerning traveler, the one who seeks more than just a stretch of sand, a Cunard cruise to the BVI is not a vacation—it's an elevation of the very idea of travel.
Imagine the gentle hum of a perfectly tuned ship slicing through waters the color of liquid turquoise. The sun, a warm blanket on your skin, is rivaled only by the warmth of the fresh towel presented to you by a smiling steward who already knows your name. This isn't just a vacation; it's an arrival. This is the promise of the British Virgin Islands, experienced through the unparalleled lens of Crystal—a name synonymous with the zenith of luxury cruising.
Imagine the gentle hum of a luxury vessel gliding through waters so impossibly turquoise they seem to glow from within. The sun, a warm blanket on your skin, is punctuated by the cool mist of a sea breeze carrying the scent of salt and hibiscus. This isn't just a vacation; it's an awakening. This is the British Virgin Islands, and there is no more refined way to experience its soul-stirring beauty than aboard a Celebrity Cruise.
There’s a rhythm to Brazil. It’s not just the hypnotic pulse of a samba drum echoing through cobblestone streets, or the gentle lapping of turquoise waves on a sun-drenched shore. It’s a rhythm of life—a vibrant, passionate, and utterly captivating energy that seeps into your soul. For years, I’d dreamt of immersing myself in it, of seeing beyond the postcard images of Carnival and Christ the Redeemer. But Brazil’s sheer scale, its vast and dramatic coastline, always felt daunting. How could one possibly capture its essence in a single trip? The answer, I discovered, lay not on land, but at sea.
Close your eyes and picture Bermuda. What comes to mind? Is it the impossible blush of pink sand sinking into a turquoise sea? Perhaps it’s the iconic image of businessmen in crisp Bermuda shorts, a charming nod to the island's British heritage. For decades, these postcard-perfect scenes have defined this mid-Atlantic jewel. But I’m here to tell you, as someone who has sailed the world’s most beautiful coastlines for over twenty years, that the true soul of Bermuda lies just beyond the frame of that postcard. It’s found in the quiet cobblestone lanes of a UNESCO World Heritage town, in the subterranean sparkle of a crystal cave, and in the genuine warmth of a local welcome—discoveries best made from the deck of a ship that values intimacy over immensity.
Imagine the scent of salt on the air, not mixed with the clamor of crowded buffets, but with the subtle, sophisticated hum of a boutique hotel. Picture an island escape where the brilliant turquoise of the sea is matched only by the vibrant energy of your vessel. This isn't your grandmother's cruise. This is a voyage, a rebellious and luxurious journey to the heart of the Atlantic's most enigmatic jewel: Bermuda. And it’s all orchestrated by the one cruise line audacious enough to reinvent the entire experience: Virgin Voyages.
Imagine the color. Not just any blue, but a shimmering, impossible turquoise that kisses the softest blush-pink sand. This is the image of Bermuda that lives in our collective imagination—a postcard-perfect paradise. For over two decades, I’ve sailed the world’s oceans, and I can tell you with certainty that this vision is breathtakingly real. But it’s only the beginning of the story.
Close your eyes and picture Bermuda. What comes to mind? Is it the blush of pink sand caressed by an impossibly turquoise sea? Perhaps it’s the iconic image of pastel-hued colonial homes dotting a lush, green landscape. While these postcard-perfect scenes are undeniably part of its allure, the true soul of Bermuda lies just beyond the familiar, in its hidden lanes, subterranean wonders, and the rich tapestry of its culture. To truly uncover this island jewel, you need more than a fleeting visit; you need an immersive experience steeped in comfort and elegance. This is where the unparalleled luxury of a Regent Seven Seas Cruise transforms a simple vacation into a voyage of profound discovery.
Imagine an island where the sands blush a soft rose at sunset, where tidy pastel cottages are framed by explosions of hibiscus, and where a deeply ingrained British charm mingles with a relaxed, subtropical rhythm. This is Bermuda, a sophisticated jewel adrift in the turquoise expanse of the Atlantic. While its legendary beaches are undeniably a primary draw, the true soul of Bermuda lies just beyond the shoreline, in its winding cobblestone lanes, subterranean crystal caves, and a rich history that whispers from every limestone wall.
Imagine the Bahamas. What comes to mind? For many, it’s a vibrant kaleidoscope of bustling straw markets, colossal cruise ships docked side-by-side, and beaches humming with the energy of a thousand vacationers. It’s a beautiful picture, to be sure. But it’s not the whole story. There is another Bahamas—a quieter, more intimate archipelago of secluded coves, gin-clear water, and sleepy, pastel-hued villages where the loudest sound is the gentle lapping of the tide. This is the Bahamas whispered about by seasoned yachters and discerning travelers. And this is the Bahamas that Windstar Cruises reveals, not from the deck of a floating city, but from the teak-lined rail of what feels like your own private sailing yacht.
Close your eyes and picture the Bahamas. What do you see? Chances are, it’s a postcard-perfect scene: impossibly white sand dissolving into a sea of crystalline turquoise, a gentle breeze rustling through palm fronds, and a colorful cocktail sweating in your hand. It’s a beautiful image, a classic for a reason. But what if I told you that this picture, as alluring as it is, only scratches the surface?
Close your eyes and picture the Bahamas. What do you see? Perhaps it’s the vibrant, bustling port of Nassau, a kaleidoscope of pastel buildings and lively markets. Maybe it’s a sprawling, all-inclusive resort, its beaches dotted with a thousand umbrellas. For many, this is the Bahamas they know. But what if I told you there is another Bahamas? A quieter, more soulful archipelago of secluded coves, gin-clear waters, and whispers of history carried on the salty breeze. This is the authentic Bahamas, a destination not just to be seen, but to be felt. And there is no better way to experience it than with Explora Journeys.
Close your eyes for a moment and picture the Bahamas. What do you see? Chances are, it’s a postcard of powder-soft sand, impossibly turquoise water, and a lone palm tree swaying in a gentle breeze. It’s a beautiful image, and for many, it’s the beginning and end of the Bahamian dream. But for the discerning traveler, for the one who seeks not just to see but to feel a destination, this is merely the cover of a much richer, more vibrant story.
Close your eyes for a moment and picture the Bahamas. What do you see? Chances are, it’s a postcard-perfect image of impossibly white sand melting into a sea of crystalline turquoise. You can almost feel the warmth of the sun, the gentle trade winds whispering through palm fronds. It’s a beautiful image, and it’s absolutely true. But it’s not the whole story.
There’s a certain magic that whispers on the trade winds of the Bahamas. It’s a melody of turquoise waves lapping against powdery white sand, the distant rhythm of a calypso beat, and the joyful laughter that seems to hang in the salt-tinged air. For decades, I’ve traversed the globe, seeking destinations that don’t just offer a vacation, but a genuine escape from the everyday. And time and again, I find myself recommending one of the most accessible, vibrant, and purely joyful getaways available: a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas.
The word “cruise” often conjures images of sprawling mega-ships, glittering casinos, and fleeting, crowded visits to postcard-perfect ports. But what if a voyage could be something more? What if it could be a key that unlocks the very soul of a destination, taking you far beyond the well-trodden tourist path and into the heart of ancient cultures, untamed wilderness, and profound human connection? This is the promise of an expedition to Asia and the Far East with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions—a journey not just of travel, but of true discovery.
Africa. The name itself conjures a symphony of the senses: the distant roar of a lion across the savannah, the vibrant kaleidoscope of a bustling Moroccan market, the earthy scent of red soil after a sudden rain. It is a continent of profound history, breathtaking landscapes, and a spirit that is at once ancient and vibrantly, fiercely alive. For many discerning travelers, the question isn't if they should experience Africa, but how to embrace its immense scale and diversity without sacrificing comfort and elegance.
Africa. The name itself conjures a symphony of the senses: the deep, resonant call of a lion across the savanna, the vibrant chaos of a Marrakesh souk, the scent of earth after a sudden rain. For the discerning traveler, it’s a continent that promises not just a vacation, but a transformation. It’s a call to witness the cradle of humanity, to connect with ancient cultures, and to stand in awe of nature’s most magnificent spectacles. But how does one embrace this vast, complex continent without sacrificing comfort, elegance, and peace of mind?
Commonly known for NASCAR and spring break, Daytona Beach is now much more than that. Though it is the home of the NASCAR headquarters and is a very popular spring break destination for college students, during the rest of the year, Daytona Beach is the perfect location for a relaxing getaway for young families, retirees and everyone in between.
The beach itself is 23 miles of white sand and is open to visitors 24/7, free of charge. The hard-packed sand on the beach makes it easy for vehicles to drive on it, something Daytona Beach is famous for. The beach is noted as being highly accessible for travelers with disabilities, and there are businesses in Daytona Beach that specialize in renting wheelchairs and push chairs made for sand. There are more than 10 beachfront parks with picnic areas, pavilions, splash parks and fishing boardwalks. Lighthouse Point Park and Smyrna Dunes Park are especially popular with families. From November to March, visitors to Blue Spring State Park can see hundreds of manatees congregating in the warm water. It’s an amazing sight and one that should not be missed.
Daytona Beach hosts many festivals through the year with fall being the busiest season for festivals. A blues festival, motorcycle festival, art festival and the Turkey Run, a classic car show, are just some of the fun events the city has each year.
The Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier is an entertainment area right on the beach. There are restaurants, indoor and outdoor rides, a classic arcade, street performers and fireworks every Saturday during the summer. It’s a great destination for family fun.
Golf is a big attraction in Daytona Beach. Travelers can choose from several area courses, two of which were given four-star ratings from Golf Digest. Other popular outdoor activities (besides going to the beach) include tennis, birding, hiking and biking.
The hot and wet season lasts from May to October with temperatures ranging from 80-90° F and the warm and dry season lasts from November to April with temperatures ranging from 65-80° F
Located on the Southern Carolina coast, the ever-popular coastal city of Myrtle Beach is a bustling tourist destination known for its great golfing, warm beaches and overall charming appeal. The term "Grand Strand" often refers to the 60-mile stretch of coastline from Georgetown to the North Carolina border, but more commonly, the term refers to the area from Murrells Inlet north to Little River. The centerpiece of this vacation wonderland is Myrtle Beach, named for the once-ubiquitous trees long since replaced by palm-flanked beachfront resorts.
The local white-sand beaches are gorgeous. Barefoot Landing, Broadway at the Beach and Market Commons do provide memorable shopping experiences, and the combination of the Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre and House of Blues do help justify promoters' claims that Myrtle Beach has become the Nashville — or at least the Branson — of the Deep South. And for golfers, Myrtle Beach is nothing short of Valhalla.
A long summer season with an average temperature of 87° F. Mild, short winters with temperatures ranging from 60-70° or getting as low as the 40s.
Atlantic Beach is part of the Crystal Coast along North Carolina's southern Outer Banks. Atlantic Beach is home of Fort Macon State Park, a fort from the 1800s captured by the Confederate Army in the Civil War, and Hammocks Beach State Park (near Swansboro), which has high sand dunes along a lovely beach.
Travelers who enjoy traditional beach activities such as swimming, fishing, boating and surfing will enjoy Atlantic Beach. It is a family-friendly beach.
For more information, visit https://www.crystalcoastnc.org.
Along the Sea-to-Sky Highway and 35 mi/56 km north of Vancouver, lies the quiet hamlet of Britannia Beach, British Columbia. In the early 1900s, the isolated place attracted miners and quickly became known as the company town of the Britannia Mining and Smelting Company.
It's named after the nearby swath of white-capped mountains known as the Britannia Range, and today visitors embark on historic tours of the nearby museum and participate in an array of outdoor activities. A popular activity is hiking north of Britannia Beach at the head of Howe Sound in Squamish.
South of Britannia Beach lies the seaside village of Lions Bay, a thriving village of artists, writers and musicians.
Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a gorgeous beach located about 75 mi/120 km from Portland. It is best known for Haystack Rock, which juts up from the ocean and provides a magnificent view and photo opportunity
Visitors to Cannon Beach will often be rewarded with whale sightings. In addition to the beach itself, other activities to enjoy in the area include golf, hiking, bird-watching, picnicking, shopping, theater and music, and plenty of festivals.
For more information on the area, visit https://www.cannonbeach.org.
If sand and surf—and sunbathers—appeal to your senses, then visit Daytona Beach, Florida. The self-proclaimed "World's Most Famous Beach" is an epicenter of activity for Florida-bound college students, NASCAR fans and motorcycle enthusiasts from mid-February through March.
The rest of the year, Daytona Beach is a balmy haven appealing to all age groups, from little children assembling sand castles to seniors basking in the ocean breeze. Although lying on the Daytona Beach sand is a time-honored activity, so is driving on the beach—the silica is so hard-packed that vehicles are permitted as long as they don't exceed 10 mph/16 kph. When you tire of the surf and sand, there are plenty of local Daytona Beach haunts where you can eat, party, relax and shop for souvenirs.
Visitors will find that Daytona Beach is in the midst of a major redevelopment campaign, spurred by hurricane damage and the city's reputation as a spring-break destination. When completed, the Atlantic Avenue Enhancement Project will revamp the 1.3-mi/2-km stretch of Atlantic Avenue from Davis Street to Riverview Boulevard into a tropical boulevard, complete with palm trees, gardens and more.
Modern Daytona Beach hotels line the oceanfront, and many other improvements complement the Atlantic Avenue project. Daytona's character as an entertaining mix of high culture and fun-in the-sun remains intact—the elegant Hilton Hotel shares the boardwalk with Joyland Arcade. Unique shops, restaurants, and recreational and entertainment venues welcome everyone from families with young children to retirees to the uber-sophisticated.
Sights—Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse; the Daytona International Speedway; Bulow Plantation Ruins State Park.
Museums—The portrait of Argentina's Eva Peron at the Museum of Arts and Sciences; vintage traces of John D. Rockefeller's life at The Casements; the Marine Science Center at Lighthouse Point Park; artifacts dating back to 5,000 BC at the Halifax Historical Museum.
Memorable Meals—Chicken Tuscan at Angell & Phelps Cafe; creme brulee at Le Crepe En Haut; breakfast at the 1950s Americana-themed Daytona Diner.
Late Night—Razzles for high-energy dance; Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club for the view and live reggae; Martinis Chophouse for delicious desserts; a ghost tour with Ghost Walk of Daytona.
Walks—Daytona Beach Boardwalk; anywhere along the 23-mi/37-km beach; downtown Daytona Beach.
Especially for Kids—Daytona Lagoon; Joyland Arcade at the Daytona Beach Boardwalk; Daytona USA.
Daytona Beach is located on the Atlantic coast in east-central Florida. The Halifax River cuts through the middle of the city, running north to south and separating the beaches from the downtown area.
On the north end you'll find Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea, quaint beach communities offering a quieter experience. Ormond Beach extends across the Halifax River, so there are inland and beachside parts of town. This is the first town you'll approach if you're driving south on Interstate 95 toward Daytona Beach.
The central area is the heart of Daytona Beach. It includes the Ladies Professional Golfing Association International golf courses, the Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona Beach International Airport. The beach area extends all the way to the Halifax Harbor Marina and includes such attractions as the Daytona Beach Pier, Ocean Walk Village and the Oceanfront Boardwalk.
The south end extends from Daytona Beach Shores, along 5.5 mi/9 km of sandy beaches, to the quintessential fishing village of Ponce Inlet, home of the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and the Marine Science Center.
Originally settled by the Timucuan Indians, the Daytona Beach area began attracting the attention of wealthy northern investors in the late 1800s. The first hotel, the Palmetto House, was built in 1874, and more development quickly followed. Entrepreneurs soon began promoting the area's attributes to northerners looking for a winter retreat. John D. Rockefeller was among the first to discover the area's golf courses and built a winter home, The Casements, in nearby Ormond Beach. When Daytona Beach was incorporated on 26 July 1876, it was named after its founder, Mathis Day.
In the early 1900s, automobile racing became a popular pastime along the hard-packed beaches. The National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) was founded at the Streamline Hotel in December 1947, earning the city the nickname "Birthplace of Speed." Successful banker William "Big Bill" Henry Getty France moved to Daytona Beach in the mid-1930s to establish a new career in race car promotion. During the 1940s, France established 4.1 mi/6.6 km on the beach and along Highway A1A as a race track. Motorsports gained new ground in 1959 with the opening of the Daytona International Speedway. Since then, the area has attracted millions of racing fans as well as beachgoers looking for a vacation in the sun.
Bike Week became a tradition in 1937, although it was discontinued during World War II. The festival was revived in 1947, and the annual 10-day event continues to flourish.
In recent years, Daytona Beach has attempted to change the blue-collar image it earned from its influx of bikers and spring-breakers. The city has built the Ocean Walk Village vacation and entertainment district, located next to the famed Daytona Beach Pier. In addition to upscale hotels, the village has stores, restaurants and a 10-screen movie theater.
According to local legend, Al Capone, the famed outlaw of the 1920s Prohibition years, played cards in Daytona Beach and owned a home in the area.
In 1897, author Stephen Crane was rescued from a shipwreck off the area's coast and taken to the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. His experience inspired him to write the classic short story "The Open Boat."
According to one legend, John D. Rockefeller built his home in Ormond Beach after learning that he was being charged US$5 more than other guests at the Hotel Ormond.
Daytona Beach's one-of-a-kind Broadway Bridge features mosaics of dolphins and other marine life on its supporting pillars.
Parishioners can wear bathing suits and even take their dogs to the Daytona Beach Drive-In Christian Church, a one-time drive-in movie theater. The church, across the street from the beach, holds services every Sunday morning at 8:30 and 10.
At 175 ft/55 m, the historic Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is Florida's tallest, with 203 interior steps.
Built in 1914, Jackie Robinson Ballpark is the third oldest ballpark in the nation—only Wrigley Field in Chicago and Fenway Park in Boston are older.
A quintessential beach town, Huntington Beach, California, is a surfer's paradise located in Orange County, less than 10 mi/16 km up the coast from Newport Beach and about 35 mi/56 km south of Los Angeles. The self-named Surf City, USA, is no longer the sleepy beach town it used to be, as boutiques and cafes line the streets and upscale hotels are flourishing. But you can still usually find a beach volleyball game under way and stop to admire the view. http://www.surfcityusa.com.
Surfing hopefuls can find a place to take lessons or admire the experts while walking on the pier that stretches 1,800 ft/558 m out into the ocean. When you need a break from the great outdoors, the International Surfing Museum is open seven days a week. http://www.surfingmuseum.org.
If surfing is not on your agenda, you can explore the 2,500-acre/1,012-hectare Huntington Beach State Park with nature trails, an education center with aquariums and sea turtle nesting habitat, and a playground. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=643.
Laguna Beach, California, is a picturesque seaside resort town 55 mi/90 km south of Los Angeles on the southwestern edge of Orange County with easy access to the beach. The streets are lined with art galleries, shops, bars and restaurants. You can spend the whole day in your swimsuit strolling around this casual community.
Twice a year (in summer and winter), the town center hosts the Sawdust Art and Craft Festival, where local artists display and sell their work. If visiting in the summer, don't miss the Pageant of the Masters, in which volunteers pose in elaborate costumes and scenes to recreate live depictions of some of the world's best known works of art. http://www.foapom.com.
Laguna Beach Visitor & Conference Bureau provides maps and visitor guides. 381 Forest Ave. (at Beach Street), Laguna Beach. Phone 949-497-9229. Toll-free 800-877-1115. http://www.visitlagunabeach.com.
Long Beach, California, is located at the north end of Orange County, just a short drive south from Los Angeles. This hospitable beach town is home to the Queen Mary, the former cruise liner that now serves as a permanently berthed museum and hotel. http://www.queenmary.com.
Watch the trendy, hip people dining at the many outdoor cafes and coffee shops and walking their well-appointed dogs. Stroll through Naples, Long Beach's Italian area, or relax on a gondola (advance reservations required) drifting by the big, beautiful homes along the Naples Canals. During the Christmas season, residents put on a holiday boat parade with decorated small boats and costumes.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the center of the Grand Strand—a 60-mi/97-km strip of clean, sandy shoreline that stretches from Calabash, North Carolina, to Georgetown, South Carolina.
But if you're looking for quiet ambience, be forewarned—Myrtle Beach has more in common with Orlando than Hilton Head, with its Broadway-style theaters, shopping outlets and challenging golf courses.
Myrtle Beach has been described as noisy, tacky and a tourist mecca, but never as boring. The main thoroughfare through Myrtle Beach and neighboring North Myrtle Beach, Highway 17, is called the "strip"—and for good reason. Especially during peak seasons, it is a traffic nightmare.
Some parts of Myrtle Beach—such as the boardwalk and Pavilion Nostalgia Park—hearken back to the classic vacation days of yesteryear, but the city has since gone through a growth spurt. Once strictly a summer destination, Myrtle Beach has added prime deals on accommodations and new attractions to reinvent itself as a year-round vacation hot spot.
Shoppers enjoy the outlet stores, specialty shops, flea markets and shopping malls; golfers love a great selection of more than 100 golf courses; and children thrill at the abundance of almost nonstop activity.
It has also become a popular destination because many area resorts offer package deals and golf vacations. If family fun is your desire, Myrtle Beach gives new definition to the thrill and enjoyment of a family vacation.
Sights—The great stretch of beaches; Broadway at the Beach; Barefoot Landing; the Myrtle Beach Skywheel.
Museums—The beautiful mermaid and unusual displays at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum.
Memorable Meals—A romantic meal at Thoroughbreds Chophouse & Seafood Grille; hot dogs at the counter of Peaches Corner; fresh local seafood at Catfish Johnny's.
Late Night—Comedy Cabana with its lineup of well-known and emerging comedians; listening to live bands along Murrells Inlet's Marsh Walk.
Walks—Sunrise or sunset strolls along the beach; the boardwalk.
Especially for Kids—The hands-on displays at The Children's Museum of South Carolina; getting up-close and personal with the sharks at Ripley's Aquarium; getting dizzy at the Backstage Mirror Maze and Escape Games; the rides at Family Kingdom Amusement Park.
Myrtle Beach is a flat coastal area. It is separated from the South Carolina mainland by the Intracoastal Waterway. On the city's southern border lie Myrtle Beach State Park and South Park Village, site of a former U.S. Air Force base. The separation between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach is almost nonexistent—a sign is about the only way you can tell where one ends and the other begins.
Highway 17 snakes through Myrtle Beach, intersecting with Highway 501 about midway through the city. Highway 501 forks off toward Conway, and Highway 17 continues down the coast toward Charleston. Other Grand Strand cities, such as Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, are also located off Highway 17.
Myrtle Beach may look like a maze, but it's really simple to navigate. As Highway 17 enters North Myrtle Beach, you'll travel through Restaurant Row—a strip of the roadway lined with every imaginable eatery. Highway 17 eventually splits into a business thoroughfare and a bypass. The business side parallels the ocean (it is also referred to as Kings Highway), and the bypass follows the Intracoastal Waterway. The roads merge into one highway again on the opposite side of Myrtle Beach, in the town of Murrells Inlet. Ocean Boulevard, one of the main (and busiest) thoroughfares in Myrtle Beach, contains most of the oceanfront hotels and beach-access points.
The Waccamaw and Winyah tribes occupied the area of Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand before Europeans arrived in the mid-1700s. Landowners in the Grand Strand became wealthy from crops of indigo, cotton and lumber. Before the Civil War, plantation owners from South Carolina's Low Country would vacation in the Grand Strand to escape the deadly diseases that thrived in the swampier areas.
Landowners farmed and leased timber rights until developers in the early 1900s became interested in the Grand Strand. A railroad to the beach was constructed, and Myrtle Beach saw its first hotel, the Seaside Inn, in 1901. Originally referred to as New Town, residents renamed the city Myrtle Beach after the wax myrtle shrub found throughout Horry County. By the 1920s, businesspeople began building resorts there for affluent society members. Golf courses and health clubs soon followed. By 1936, the Intracoastal Waterway was open for pleasure boats and shipping.
Myrtle Beach was incorporated in 1938. Myrtle Beach Air Force Base opened in the 1940s and was active in World War II. The first Sun Fun Festival was established by the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce in 1951, and it is still a popular and fun event.
Hurricane Hazel descended upon Myrtle Beach in 1954, destroying large sections of the city and the rest of the strand. The city rebuilt, and more golf courses opened in the area. Despite Hurricane Hugo's destruction to the beaches in 1989 and further brushes with tropical storms, construction continued through the 1980s and '90s, shaping Myrtle Beach into the year-round mecca for shoppers, vacationers and golfers that it is today.
In addition to its love of new attractions, Myrtle Beach has a respect for its past. After the Air Force Base closed in 1993, Myrtle Beach developed the site for residential use. The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park, the historic 11-acre/4-hectare attraction that played an integral role in Myrtle Beach's development and helped make it a popular area for family vacations, closed permanently in 2006. But the memories of the Pavilion are preserved at Nostalgia Park at Broadway at the Beach.
In 1953, 67 Time-Life employees gathered at the clubhouse of Pine Lakes International Country Club. There they planned the mission of a new sports-oriented magazine that eventually became Sports Illustrated. The magazine and the National Parks Association has bestowed the title of "Sportstown USA" to Myrtle Beach for its abundance of golf courses and parks.
Myrtle Beach is where the country band Alabama got its start, performing at the Bowery Bar.
The water along the Grand Strand is about 20 degrees F/7 degrees C warmer than the water along the New England coast.
Before she cheered on contestants on Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White cheered on the Chiefs at North Myrtle Beach High School.
Located 4 mi/6 km from the village of Thandwe (Sandoway) in Rakhine state, Myanmar's most famous beach has become a tourist hot spot as the palm-thatched bungalows make way for high-end resorts. Lined by palm trees and deep blue waters, the 1.8-mi/3-km white-sand Ngapali Beach is said to be named for Naples, Italy, by a homesick Italian. Snorkeling, fishing and golf outings can be arranged at most hotels; the fresh catch there reportedly ranks among the country's top cuisine.
The nearby airport at Thandwe serves all domestic carriers. (There are rumors this may be upgraded to an international terminal, bankrolled in large part by Tay Za, Myanmar's richest tycoon.) Ngapali Beach is 175 mi/281 km northwest of Yangon.
Palm Beach, Florida, unlike many Florida beaches, is not a party beach; Palm Beach is a place for strolling and luxuriating.
The island of Palm Beach has long been a playground for the wealthy, dominated by estates such as the Bath and Tennis Club (known locally as the B 'n' T), the Woolworth Donahue home, John Lennon's former estate (which actually is the southern half of the former Vanderbilt mansion), the posh Breakers Hotel and the former Kennedy compound.
Along with the opulent digs, Florida's "Gold Coast" features shopping along Worth Avenue, with some of the ritziest boutiques in the world—and even a sidewalk-level drinking fountain for pampered pups.
Palm Beach's South County Road, housing additional shops, runs perpendicular to Worth Avenue. The thrift shops on Sunset Avenue to the north are full of bargain-priced clothes, accessories and other discarded luxury items.
Sights—Stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.
Museums—Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.
Memorable Meals—Wiener schnitzel at Cafe L'Europe.
Late Night—Live music at the Leopard Lounge.
Walks—Walking in and out of upscale shops along Worth Avenue.
Especially for Kids—The playground at Phipps Ocean Park; the railroad car at the Flagler Museum.
Mansions abound in Palm Beach, but one property of special note is the 118-room, Mediterranean-style Mar-a-Lago estate, once a getaway for cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and now owned by President Donald Trump, who was married there in a celebrity-studded extravaganza.
In 1878, a Spanish ship sailing from Trinidad ran aground on the island and emptied its cargo of coconuts on the shore. The few residents planted the coconuts, which grew to create the palm tree-lined beach.
Ta-boo restaurant on Worth Avenue is heavy on celebrity legends—including being the supposed birthplace of the Bloody Mary as a hangover cure for heiress Barbara Hutton (although at least two establishments in Paris would beg to differ on the drink's origin).
Mary Lily Kenan, Henry Flagler's third wife, is listed in Guiness World Records for not wearing the same dress twice in a 12-year period. Her dresses are on display at Whitehall, the mansion that was her home and is now the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum.
Oddly enough, the cargo-centered port does not accommodate cruise liners longer than 700 ft/217 m, even though it is accessed through the 300-ft-/93-m-wide Palm Beach Inlet and boasts a terminal with VIP lounge and federal inspection facilities. Rather, it ranks as one of the busiest container ports in the continental U.S. For information about the Port of Palm Beach, visit http://www.portofpalmbeach.com.
Port Everglades, about 50 mi/80 km south of Palm Beach in Greater Fort Lauderdale, offers cruises aboard luxury liners from most of the major cruise lines. For information about Port Everglades, call 954-523-3404 or visit http://www.porteverglades.org.
Poipu is a burgeoning visitor getaway on Kauai's South Shore. The area has much to offer visitors. Poipu is sunny much of the time, earning it the nickname of Sunny Poipu. Beaches are ideal for swimming, surfing and sunning.
Snorkelers are attracted to Poipu because of its variety of fish, including angelfish, striped damsels, Moorish idols, black tangs and yellow butterfly fish. Other recreational options in Poipu include shopping, hiking, boat and helicopter tours, and golf.
Accommodations are varied and include luxury hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, condominium resorts, villas, vacation rentals and time-share options. Most are on the ocean or within a short walk.
A year-round beach community 78 mi/125 km south of Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, was originally a site for Methodist camp meetings. The name Rehoboth is biblical in origin and means "room enough."
Today, there's probably still room enough, but things get a bit crowded during summer, when large numbers of vacationers descend on the town. Many of them are politicians and government workers from Washington, D.C., so Rehoboth is often referred to as "the nation's summer capital." The town attracts a fair number of gay vacationers as well.
Rehoboth is well-maintained, with many old houses, tree-lined streets, a wide beach and a mile-/kilometer-long boardwalk lined with games and amusements. The largest of Delaware's beach towns, Rehoboth has several great restaurants, plenty of shopping and an active nightlife.
Sporting activities available on or near the beach include fishing, boating, bicycling, kayaking and surfing. Annual events include Spring Sidewalk Sale in May, Rehoboth Sandcastle Contest in August and the Sea Witch Festival in October.
For more information about activities in the area, visit the town's website at https://www.cityofrehoboth.com.
Treasure Beach, 70 mi/115 km west of Kingston and encompassing a string of sleepy fishing villages, offers a relaxing, no-frills, offbeat experience in a place where tourism hasn't flourished. The community remains friendly and rooted in a life attached to the sea.
It is interesting to note that there is no place that is actually named "Treasure Beach." The name originated in the 1930s when a Canadian opened a hotel on Frenchman's Bay and named it The Treasure Beach Hotel. The name caught on and was given to four bays in the surrounding area—Frenchman's Bay, Calabash Bay, Billy's Bay and Great Pedro Bay. The sleepy "town center" of Treasure Beach is around Frenchman's Bay, and the other three bays are mainly composed of private residences, villas and guest houses.
The Santa Cruz Mountains that rise up from the sea to the east protect the region from rain clouds and provide a majestic backdrop and cool escape when the heat of this arid region becomes overwhelming. Treasure Beach has one of the driest climates in Jamaica, and cacti and acacia trees abound.
There are no large resorts in the area, and amenities and nightlife are limited—you can hop a 25-minute canoe ride from Frenchman's Beach out to Floyd's Pelican Bar, a rustic saloon perched on stilts in the water off Parrotee Bay. (Call to arrange a transfer by boat to the bar. Phone 876-250-3073.)
The area's top activities are swimming, fishing or hanging out on the beach and watching the world go by. With a little luck, you might see marine turtles crawling ashore to lay their eggs.
Fidel Castro stated that tourism would save socialism, and his vision is best represented by Varadero Beach, Cuba. This magnificent stretch of sand is 12 mi/19 km long and just 75 mi/120 km east of Havana. It spreads out on a peninsula on the northeastern coast and is both the best-known and most developed of Cuba's resort areas: About two-thirds of all hotel rooms in the country are here.
It offers dozens of hotels (many of them mediocre), plus nightclubs, cabarets, a golf course and a wide choice of restaurants (although few, if any, are remarkable). Some of the places are a few years beyond their glory days, but they're kept up well for the most part. Newer, all-inclusive resort hotels are continually being built, and they get better every year—the latest additions are truly deluxe, although service remains an issue. Most are east of the spread-out community of Varadero (which evolved in the mid-20th-century as a resort for the then rich and famous).
Most of the all-inclusive resorts are filled with fun-loving Canadians and Europeans. In general, the name-brand hotels don't quite live up to their sibling properties on other islands. Live entertainment is presented nightly.
The snorkeling and diving (including to sunken vessels and aircraft) are both reasonable near Varadero (the best reef is a mile/kilometer offshore), although there is much better diving elsewhere on the island. Those who don't want to get their feet wet can visit a dolphin aquarium or take boat tours that visit the reef.
We found the atmosphere at Varadero somewhat artificial: Its beach is spectacular but it feels sterile compared with much of Cuba, despite the fact that many Cubans (who were previously barred from Varadero) now vacation here. The same is true even if you stay in one of the modestly priced downtown hotels. Visitors seeking a more authentic experience can stay at casas particulares (private room rentals).
For a view into the real Cuba, the sleepy little town of Cardenas is only a few miles/kilometers away. You'll see horse-drawn carts and decrepit buildings and sometimes get a whiff of the foul smell of the local oil refineries. Nonetheless, Cardenas has one of the finest regional museums in Cuba, as well as a museum dedicated to Elian Gonzalez (the little boy plucked from the sea in 2000 and the source of a political and legal tussle between the U.S. and Cuba): Most tourists on organized day excursions gladly return to the resorts after a few hours.
This major East Coast resort attracts college students and other travelers with a bustling boardwalk crowded with ice-cream shops, fast-food outlets, nightclubs and places to rent watersports equipment. There are good beaches north of town and thousands of hotel and motel rooms to suit every budget.
Visit the landing site where the first Jamestown colonists touched shore (called First Landing Cross). A 300,000-gallon/1,135,560-liter shark and stingray aquarium, a nature trail and hundreds of interactive exhibits at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center let you experience various marine habitats. In winter, the museum organizes trips to see the humpback whales that congregate off the coast. Nearby, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and First Landing State Park are excellent places to ride bicycles, look at the migrating waterfowl and explore coastal dunes.
For something different, check out Edgar Cayce's Association of Research and Enlightenment, devoted to the promotion of spiritualism. The center offers free lectures, tours, movies and ESP training.
Virginia Beach stages seaside events year-round. One of the best known is the annual Neptune Festival with a variety of competitions and entertainment in September.
West Palm Beach, Florida, was supposed to be the final stop on tycoon Henry Flagler's railroad through the state in 1893 and the commercial center for Palm Beach. West Palm has turned into its own city, however, where historic homes mingle with ultramodern high-rises, and the downtown area segues into suburbia.
Palm Beach, West Palm's sister island, is just across the Intracoastal Waterway, so visitors have seemingly endless options when it comes to fine dining, upscale hotels, sandy beaches and shopping.
In and around the area are theaters, restaurants, hotels, museums, historic sites, zoos, golf courses, tennis courts, parks and preserves, and watersports activities.
Clematis Street, the historical heart of downtown, is a popular area for concerts, films and street parties. There are activities there year-round.
Sights—Clematis Street downtown.
Museums—Norton Museum of Art.
Memorable Meals—Chateaubriand at Okeechobee Steakhouse.
Late Night—Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen.
Walks—Strolling along the waterfront on Flagler Drive.
Especially for Kids—Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee; Palm Beach Zoo; Rapids Water Park; South Florida Science Center and Aquarium; Yesteryear Village.
Streets in West Palm Beach run north to south and east to west, and are named in alphabetical order for native plants. The exceptions are Highway 1, which runs from Maine to Key West, Florida, and Flagler Drive, which parallels the Intracoastal Waterway.
Palm Beach is just across the Intracoastal Waterway, and it is known for its upscale shopping and dining, beaches, luxury accommodations (such as the famed Breakers Hotel) and posh estates, including the family home of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago and Henry Flagler's Whitehall. The island is accessed by the Flagler Memorial, Royal Park or Southern Boulevard drawbridges.
West Palm Beach is also within an hour's drive of several destinations in Palm Beach County—Boca Raton and Delray Beach are both at the county's southern boundary, and Jupiter and Tequesta are municipalities to the north. To the west is the polo capital of Wellington, as well as the more rural communities of Loxahatchee and the Acreage.
The Palm Beach wilderness was transformed into a posh resort destination after industrialist Henry Morrison Flagler visited the island in 1892. Although Europeans had settled in Palm Beach in the 1870s, cultivating fruits and vegetables, tourists spurred growth there after finding their way to Flagler's elaborate Breakers Hotel by way of his Florida East Coast Railway.
Flagler launched a construction boom in the area. By 1910, Palm Beach County had been created, with West Palm Beach as its county seat. The next decade saw high-rises and homes, from modest to grand, sprout on the landscape. However, real estate scams and hurricanes in 1926 and 1928 stifled further development.
Then in the 1950s and '60s, city residents began abandoning West Palm Beach for the suburbs. It was not until the 1990s that the city experienced a rebirth, with the revitalization of historic buildings, the development of Rosemary Square and major renovations along Clematis Street.
At one time construction workers outnumbered the general population in West Palm Beach. The workers who built Henry Flagler's two magnificent hotels in Lake Worth (The Royal Poinciana) and Palm Beach (The Breakers) were housed in West Palm.
West Palm Beach is the largest of 37 municipalities in Palm Beach County, both in population and area.
Because of the Palm Beach County "butterfly ballot" and the infamous "hanging chad," the county and West Palm became the center of the controversy over whether Al Gore or George Bush had won the 2000 presidential election.
Society architect Addison Mizner is credited with creating the old-world style of Florida's Gold Coast. He used untrained workmen to lay the roof tiles crooked on The Everglades Club and was known to spray condensed milk onto walkways to create grime.
The all-new Coco Beach Club debuts the first-ever floating cabanas in The Bahamas.
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Debt free and in business since 2013. Vincent Vacations has agents in Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Shreveport, Little Rock, Roswell, Oklahoma City and more locations.
Travel agents can help save time and stress by doing the research and handling all your bookings for you. An experience travel agent is best at finding great deals and packages, as well as providing you with helpful information and tips. They can also help you plan special activities and experiences that you may not have thought of on your own. All in all, using a travel agent can be a great way to make sure you get the most out of your trip.
In travel since 2002, and in business since 2013, our travel team serves clients all over the US! Planning a vacation away from home takes a great team. We have taken the time to build a team of dedicated, smart, hard-working personnel who are each committed to excellence and service. We work side-by-side, creating and ensuring INCREDIBLE vacation experiences for you and your group. Our store front in-office team, and our travel consultant independent contractors, work all around the US - we even have a travel agent who lives in Mexico!
In business since 2013, we are your #1 source for travel!
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