Ft. Lauderdale
The Seminole Indians were the original inhabitants of the
area now known as Fort Lauderdale. The city itself was named for Major William
Lauderdale, who led a group known as the Tennessee Volunteers into the area
during the Seminole War.
Fort Lauderdale began as an agricultural community, full of
citrus groves. By the 1960?s, the city took on a new identity as the place for
college students to come for spring break. Hedonism and public drunkenness
became the norm for much of the next twenty years, but the residents of the once
sleepy town decided to take it back from the rowdy youngsters. The police began
to make their presence known a little more, and soon Fort Lauderdale was off the
list of top Spring Break destinations.
Today, Fort Lauderdale is a little closer to its roots, with
a gentle breezy demeanor to it. You can still have a good time here, exploring
the 300 miles of waterways that led to the labeling of Fort Lauderdale as
"the Venice of America." There are places to rent boats, and plenty of
opportunities to take a boat tour around the city. Or, get really acquainted
with the water by snorkeling or diving in the Atlantic.
There is still plenty to do in and around Fort Lauderdale.
Take a water taxi to some of the area's best restaurants and bars. Stroll
along busy Las Olas and visit the eclectic shops and art galleries.
The sports enthusiast will get his fill here. Tennis courts
and golf courses are everywhere in Fort Lauderdale. It's just a matter of
deciding which one to play on. Choose from baseball, football, or jai alai. You
can even place a bet at the greyhound racetrack.
The nature lover can check out over 500,000 acres of Florida
Everglades, which are part of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area. The Everglades,
which were formed by the constant overflow of nearby Lake Okeechobee, are home
to flamingos and alligators, among others.
Of course, if you're visiting Florida, chances are that you
will want to hit the beach, and there is ample space for everybody along Ft.
Lauderdale's beautiful coastline. There are over 3,000 hours of sunshine here
every year, so enjoy!
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.
Dublin
Ireland is a fascinating and mysterious island nation, one of turbulence and beauty, extravagance and controversy. The shifts in power have led to some political upheaval, but when visiting splendid Dublin, none of this should come into play. After decades of violence, the Irish government finally declared a cease-fire in 1994, and since that time, as peace has increased, tourism throughout Ireland has escalated. This is a fantastic thing because Ireland is a wonderful place to visit when all is well. Dublin is an extraordinary city that is best experienced on foot. Many of the best sites are in a compact section of the town, and while others might require a vehicle to reach, there is no other experience like walking the streets of Dublin. The charming suburbs are glorious, and the small cafes and coffeehouses are enchanting. There are a number of elegant museums in Dublin, and a couple of outstanding galleries and concert theaters. You will never get bored in Dublin, and this is why many visitors to the area stay here longer than planned.
Along the outskirts of Dublin you will find the most relaxed and subdued portion of the community. The days are to be enjoyed, is their philosophy, and you should not miss the clean air and lively sporting events. Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, and nearly one-third of the population of the country resides here. Speaking in relative terms to the rest of the world, Ireland is a very young country when it comes to the average age of its citizens. This is no exception in Dublin, and in fact, Dublin is just about the youngest city in Ireland. Largely comprised of college students, Dublin is a town whose number one priority is revelry. There are plenty of pubs and clubs to go around, but there is so much more to this city that makes it a spectacular place to visit. The last few years have been a remarkable transformation period for Dublin, with new homes, buildings, and offices being built with no end in sight. The city is booming and has been called the most beloved capital in all of Europe. As tourism increases and Dublin expands, purists hope that it will retain at least some of its grace and small town feel. My suspicion is that it will, but for now the balance of quaint elegance and lively entertainment is absolutely perfect.
Cork
Cork is a wonderful little city located along the coast of the St. George's Channel off the shores of Ireland. It is a small town with a big heart, and one thing for sure, the scenery is beautiful. The picturesque landscape of Cork is absolutely amazing, and the few structures that do exist are tremendous. Cork is nestled in between two separate branches of the River Lee, and it is a quaint spot that is perfect for vacationing and relaxing. It is in the perfect location if you are interested in taking sightseeing trips in and around the city, and the town itself is quite compact, making everything easily accessible. Cork is the second largest city in Ireland, and the major trade center of the south. In total, there are 175,000 people who reside in Cork, and every one that I have come in contact with seems like a jolly bloke ready to tell a story and have a drink.
In 1185, Cork was officially established, but the city remained very small and insignificant for centuries. In the 17th century, rapid expansion began to occur, primarily because of the butter industry. The butter trade ensured prosperity for Cork in the 17th and 18th centuries, and these were good times for the small town that was on its way to becoming the premier city in southern Ireland. The River Lee divides Cork into two parts, and as a result, an astounding array of bridges and quays are laced throughout the city. Every view seems like a postcard photo, and even with a modest amount of activities, Cork remains incredibly exciting. The air is clean and crisp, and the mood is always right. The atmosphere throughout the city is a lively and energetic one, and simply walking around looking at the sights is enough to keep you from ever getting bored. A few of the restaurants in Cork are absolute gems, and the area in and around Paul Street features outdoor merchants selling all kinds of interesting items. The Shandon Steeple is a joy to climb, as you are welcome to ring the bells at the top, and this is only one of the highlights of this great city.
|