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!
St. Thomas
St. Thomas was discovered by vacationers shortly after World
War Two, and tourists have been flocking to this island paradise ever since. It
is one of the most popular spots in the Caribbean, and its capital, Charlotte
Amalie, is the busiest shopping center in the islands. St. Thomas is a wonderful
mixture of the beauty of nature and the efficiency of a powerful trade center.
There is always so much going on in Charlotte Amalie that you can't help but
let the excitement get to you. The fun and enjoyment of this bustling young city
is incredibly contagious, and it will add a certain zest to your already
phenomenal trip to St. Thomas.
More than ten cruise ships a day steer into the port at St.
Thomas, and because of successful tourism, the standard of living in St. Thomas
has been raised considerably. The island is only twelve miles long and a mere
three miles wide, but you will think it is gigantic when you start investigating
all that there is to see and do. Thanks to U.S. government programs, this island
is the most developed out of all of the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is an
additional reason to visit and adore St. Thomas. The locals are eager to assist
you on your travels, and they are incredibly friendly and responsive. The
national language is English, and the currency is the U.S. dollar, and both of
these factors contribute in making St. Thomas an even more ideal vacation spot.
In addition to the busy shopping and cultural center located
in and around Charlotte Amalie, over half of the island is the environmentally
protected Virgin Islands National Park. It is quite refreshing to see a
collection of individuals who care so deeply about nature and their
surroundings. This area is simply gorgeous, as is the rest of the island.
Numerous engaging activities await you on St. Thomas, and the shopping is
marvelous. The island is safe , and you will be made to feel right at home in
this comfortable and warm tropical hideaway
St. Barts
Whether you call it St. Barts, St. Barths, or St. Barthelemy, there is no
disputing that this tiny island in the French Antilles is one of the most ritzy
and luxurious cruise destinations in all the world. You will not find a land rich
in architecture, bargain shopping, and enormous hotels and resorts. Instead, you
will find an island that is tremendously popular with the world's rich and
famous, due to the fact that you will enjoy beautiful, tranquil beaches,
world-class dining, and unrivaled relaxation and comfort.
St. Barthelemy was discovered in 1493 by the explorer
Christopher Columbus. Its descendents are a mix of French and Swedish. The
island hosts a very small local population; numbering just over 3,000, they
inhabit a land that is merely 8 square miles in area.
St. Barthelemy gained its popularity as an elite tourist
destination partly in response to the modern nobles of the 20th
century who made this land their winter getaway. You can visit the home of David
Rockefeller, who inhabited the northwest corner of the island. Edmond de
Rothschild and other members of his famed family used to come here frequently as
well. Today, stars such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and the late John F. Kennedy
Jr. have come here to unwind from the "rigors" of their everyday
lives.
St. Barts only town is the tiny capital of Gustavia. Here,
you will feel as if you are strolling through a miniature fantasyland, with tiny
European homes and businesses dotting the capital's landscape. Here in
Gustavia, you will find many fabulous restaurants serving a variety of world
cuisines, as well as ritzy shopping venues to satisfy your desire for exotic
clothes, jewelry, and much more.
Yet above all, , the main draw of St. Barts is still its
glorious beaches. Enjoy your day on this island by relaxing on one of 14 public
beaches (all the beaches in St. Barts are public). Clothing is optional, and the
scenery is spectacular.
St. Kitts
St. Kitts, the first English settlement in all of the Leeward
Islands, was in British possession until 1983, when this island, along with
Nevis, declared their independence and formed a tiny, two-island nation. The
pioneering and energetic spirit of a move such as this lives on, and is quite
recognizable in the demeanor of the islanders. Friendly and helpful, but not
likely to take guff, the citizens of St. Kitts are extremely proud of their
heritage and ancestry, as well they should be. However, British traditions, such
as the sport of cricket for instance, remain a strong influence on the
inhabitants.
For years St. Kitts suffered because they were basically a
one-resource nation, with all of their monetary revenue coming from sugarcane.
This made the health and wealth of the island extremely fragile, especially
considering its vulnerability to hurricane damage. Hurricane Hugo in 1990 caused
what was then thought to be permanent devastation. But through perseverance and
a rapidly growing tourist economy, St. Kitts rebounded stronger than anyone
could have thought. Travelers have just recently begun to discover the wonders
of St. Kitts, and as a result, tourism is expanding every year, and the economy
is at an all time high.
An interesting situation is brewing in St. Kitts, and it has
to do with its partner island Nevis. Nevis is attempting to break off their
partnership from St. Kitts, and as a result trying to steal a lot of the new
thunder that St. Kitts has acquired. As a result of the verbal war that is being
waged, prospective tourists can find great deals on St. Kitts as they compete to
control the tourism cycle in the Leeward Islands.
The natural beauty of the island remains unspoiled, so
hopefully you will have a chance to get there soon. Unlike many of the
neighboring islands in the Caribbean, St. Kitts is still relatively uncrowded,
and the white-sand beaches stretch for miles. The 18th century
architecture of St. Kitts is magnificent, and the extravagant man-made buildings
are complemented fantastically by the lush rain forests that encapsulate the
majority of the island. This is exactly what makes St. Kitts so incredibly
exciting. The diversity all around the island is amazing, as locals can be seen
shirtless wearing sandals, while others prefer to suit up in thousand dollar
linens, while sipping martinis in one of the posh dining facilities.
St. Martin
St. Maarten & St. Martin are two fascinating Caribbean
countries that share a single island of only 40 square miles in size. In the
year 1649, this Caribbean nation split in two; with the Dutch inhabiting the
southern portion of the island, and the French inhabiting the north. Today, a
peaceful coexistence between the two governments make both nations a charming
getaway that welcomes all visitors to bask in their ample beaches, fabulous
duty-free shopping, terrific nightlife, exciting casinos, and world-class
dining.
If you are looking for a destination to enjoy the quiet and
tranquility of the Caribbean, then you might be tempted to look elsewhere, for
in recent years, especially after the massive and impressive rebuilding projects
on the island following Hurricane Luis in 1995, St. Maarten/St. Martin has
become a tourist mecca. But locals are stilly friendly, attractions are
plentiful and affordable, and if you are drawn to a variety of water-sports and
sport fishing opportunities, then the island is perfect for you.
There are two capital cities on the island, one for the Dutch
side, and one for the French. Phillipsburg, St. Maarten is by far the largest
city on the island, and the number one destination for cruise-ship passengers.
Founded in 1763 by John Phillips, the city has evolved into a major port of
call. Stroll through the town and visit Front Street, where you can shop for
everything under the sun and enjoy some of the very best bargains anywhere in
the Caribbean. The city is a hustling and bustling capital that is the epitome
of the progress this island has made in recent years. As you head north to the
French side of the island you will come across Marigot, St. Martin. Here you
will be treated to a far more serene town that will remind you of a small French
seaside village.
If time permits, then a small drive to Grand-Case is well
worthwhile. Here you will find a quaint fishing village that has escaped the
over-development of other parts of the island. Instead, you can soak in the
beauty of the Caribbean surroundings in relative tranquility and dine on some of
the best local cuisine available.
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