New Orleans
New Orleans is the country's most quixotic city. A stroll through New Orleans will usher you through time, with remnants of the city's French Colonial past still standing today, almost two hundred years after the Louisiana Purchase. At the same time, the city doesn't dwell on the past, as the Central Business District is where you'll find modern buildings, upscale hotels and posh restaurants.
St. Charles Avenue is the bloodline of the city, linking the French Quarter, the Garden District and Uptown. The country's oldest running streetcar runs along St. Charles, sparking thoughts of Tennessee Williams classic play, ?A Streetcar Named Desire, which was set in New Orleans.
Of course, at no time does the city loom larger in the world's collective conscience than during Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Beads become more valuable than diamonds, and the city throws itself into full hedonist mode to celebrate the last day before Lent.
The French Quarter sums up New Orleans better than anywhere else. While Bourbon Street is replete with bars, clubs, and a general anything goes atmosphere, you'll also find the solemn and beautiful St. Louis Cathedral. New Orleans laissez-faire attitude amongst quaint streets and colonial homes makes for the perfect combination of old and new, strict and indulgent. New Orleans is at once approachable and mysterious.
Belize City
Belize is marvelously diverse and unique; a traveling adventure like no other. It is perhaps the most ecologically protected and environmentally varied country in the entire world. Featuring the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, the beaches and keys are fascinating sites to explore. The history of Belize reaches back 4,000 years, when the Mayan empire ruled the land. Around 900 A.D., the Mayan empire began to decline, and during the 16th century, Europeans took over. The cultural mosaic that comprises the mood of Belize comes from influences brought on by the Spanish, Scottish, Garifuna, and British. The citizens, while culturally diverse, remain committed to the land and unified when it comes to preservation of natural resources. Conservation laws protect about 36% of the land in Belize, proving that Belizeans are leading the fight to save Mother Nature. By attending a program sponsored by the Tropical Education Center, you can learn all about the steps being taken to protect the human and natural resources of Belize. The land's heritage is well known and respected, and the Belizean culture is like no other.
The life in Belize is truly un-Belize-able. Jaguars, mountain cows, and howler monkeys reside in the rain forests. When expeditions are held, dozens of new bird species can be found every day. Over 70% of the animal life in Belize is nocturnal, and, as a result, by venturing on a tour early in the morning, you can discover an incredible array of creatures. The tropical rain forests remain unspoiled, and it is home to over 700 kinds of trees and over 500 species of birds. Wild orchids and many other rare flora are being found all the time, and this is why it is so important that the land remain protected. These forests also house herbs and medicines to cure all kinds of ailments, with other resources no doubt remaining untapped.
The population of Belize City is just over 200,000, made up of people from Creole, Garifuna, Mayan, Mestizo, and European descent. All of them live in a state of harmony, and tourists are treated like neighbors. Locals are almost always eager to assist you on your travels, and greet you with a kind smile. Belize is also the only English speaking country in all of Central America, and this is always a plus with tourists from the United States.
Hamilton
What comes to your mind when you hear the word Bermuda? You
probably think of the Bermuda Triangle, or maybe even Bermuda shorts. While both
have their place, Bermuda really stands for picturesque towns, lovely weather
year round, and the ultimate tourist destination of the very well to do.
Most people also think that Bermuda is a beautiful island
paradise in the Caribbean, but this is, in fact, a common misconception. Bermuda
is actually in the western Atlantic Ocean, about 650 miles off the coast of
North Carolina, and under 800 miles away from New York City!
Bermuda was uninhabited until 1609. Juan de Bermudez was the
first explorer to discover the island chain and, as a result, it bears his name.
Most early Spanish explorers avoided the islands, calling them the "Islands
of the Devils." But an English ship ran aground here and discovered that
Bermuda was heaven, not hell. Today, Bermuda consists of nine parishes, with
Hamilton, fairly centrally located, amongst the nine.
Visitors to Bermuda often feel that Bermuda has a quaint
English feel to it. And for good reason, since the island is a British
dependent, although it does have self-government. Officially, Queen Elizabeth II
is the head of state here.
Hamilton is the capital city of Bermuda. It was named after
Henry Hamilton, the governor of Bermuda from 1788 to 1794. Hamilton was actually
Scottish, and could trace his ancestry back to Mary, Queen of Scots.
Hamilton is on the eastern end of Great Bermuda Island. It is
home to some of Bermuda's wealthiest residents, and the wealthy really know
how to play! Gorgeous golf courses, exquisite dining, and breathtaking vistas
are down every nicely manicured road, around every corner.
Of course, all of this beauty comes with a price. The cost of
living in Bermuda is fantastically high, so be prepared to spend a little more
than usual.
Hamilton is very tourist friendly, with festivals and events
year round. There is a good chance that whenever you plan your vacation, you
will run into some kind of celebration.
Boston
Boston is the gateway to New England. It is filled with all of the beauty and ambience that makes New England a tourist mecca and a vacationer's haven. In the fall, it embodies the seasonal color change that is about as breathtaking as nature can get, with foliage dressed in deep reds, bright yellows, and vivid oranges. During the winter, the area evolves into a wonderland of snow and magic. Springtime finds the city teeming with wildflowers and gardens. And summer is an outdoor celebration seven days a week. Boston's cultural diversity, artistic richness, historical atmosphere and charisma make it one of the best places to see in North America. Buzzing with energy, this is home to some of the world's best colleges and universities, and it offers a vacation experience that is as rich as its academic heritage.
You will find that there are endless possibilities for fun and relaxation from one end of the city to the other. This city is highly populated, but somehow remains unstuffy. It is sophisticated and poised, but hardly fussy. It is active and eclectic, but not disorderly. The people here are as diverse as the U.S. can be, as are their interests, foods, talents and activities that they happily display in the form of restaurants, museums, concert parks and sporting areas.
Boston is a place of brilliant juxtaposition. The city seamlessly merges all the characteristics of an urban setting with a countrified appeal that is unlike any other city. Old World charm stands strong in the face of modern-day invention in this fully historic yet state-of-the-art city. Lush green parks are revered here, but so is the subway. And whether your pace is frenzied or leisurely, you have a choice in Boston. From non-stop shopping and sightseeing, to a tranquil day by the waters of the Charles River, you can truly create a unique experience here, and can do so at your own speed. So unwind, or hurry up, and experience the jewel of New England!
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