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!
San Juan
Puerto Rico has managed to combine its long storied history
with the status of a top-flight resort island, and has done so in a masterful
way. With approximately 300 miles of coastline, the island attracts beach lovers
from around the globe. And with over 500 years of history, there is so much to
see and do here besides soak in the tropical sun's rays.
The Taino Indians, who called the land Boriken, which means,
"the great land of the valiant and noble Lord", originally inhabited
Puerto Rico. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493, he was greeted by the
natives, who showed him all of the gold nuggets in the land and told Columbus he
was free to take as many as he wanted. Originally, the Spaniards named the
island San Juan after St. John the Baptist, and the city Puerto Rico, or
"rich port." The two names were eventually switched. In March 2, 1917,
President Woodrow Wilson signed a law stating that Puerto Rico was now a US
territory, organized but unincorporated, and all Puerto Ricans were thereby
American citizens.
San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital city, stands as a microcosm
of the islands rich duality. Old San Juan has buildings still standing from the
days of the early Spanish explorers. At the same time, gigantic hotel and casino
complexes, appealing to the high-rolling jet set, dot other parts of San Juan.
San Juan is easily broken up into several smaller sections,
each with its own character. Geographically, San Juan Island, which contains Old
San Juan and Santurce, bound Condado. South of Condado is Miramar, which is
located right on the lagoon. East of Old San Juan is Puerto de Tierra, and
finally there is Isla Verde, a little detached from the rest.
Remember that Puerto Rico is part of the United States, so
American citizens do not need passports to enter and exit the island. Another
advantage American travelers have is duty-free shopping, so feel free to hunt
for all the good values found in San Juan's many shops.
Casinos are almost as plentiful as beaches here. It could
take weeks to experience everything there is to do here. The beautiful beaches,
the exciting water sports, the fine dining, and the great shopping blend
effortlessly with the island's rich history to make Puerto Rico the shining
star of the Caribbean.
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. 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.
St. John
Found on the eastern end of the Pillsbury Sound, St. John
sits quietly and relatively uninterrupted. Of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St.
John is the smallest and least populated. When you arrive, you will feel as if
the island is yours to explore and cherish, free from rampant tourism and
overcrowding. The quiet nature of St. John gives it an unparalleled tranquility,
and a trip to this island is a true "vacation." Relax on the glorious
beaches or take part in one of the enjoyable water sports in the gorgeous
turquoise channel Pillsbury Sound. For such a simple little island, there is
certainly not a lack of activities. The locals are pleasantly friendly, and
everywhere you go you will feel safe and content.
The coastline of St. John is mostly comprised of white-sand
beaches and crescent shaped bays. The perimeter of the island is a downright
masterpiece of nature; a marvel that is an absolute must to behold. A lot of the
coast is rocky and looks imposing from afar, but as you get closer the friendly
confines of St. John apply to these areas as well. The coast is a fabulous
region to explore, hike, and participate in a plethora of water sports. There is
a great deal of wildlife on St. John that is unique to the island, and spotting
some of the exotic animals is incredibly interesting. Miles of fabulous hiking
trails exist as well, and the ruins of the early 18th-century Danish
plantations are a marvelous visual study. Along many of the hiking trails you
will encounter mysterious petroglyphs in geometric shapes, and no one knows
of their age or origin. They can be found inscribed into boulders and cliffs
throughout the island.
Half of the island is known as the Virgin Islands National
Park. Much care is put into keeping up this tropical paradise, and the Cinnamon
Bay campsite is the most famous camping ground in all of the Caribbean. St. John
is definitely a sleepy island, so don't expect a plethora of nightlife
activities. However, when the sun goes down you can still enjoy a wonderful
dinner on the patio of one of the fine restaurants, but as far as rocking clubs
and loud bars, that just isn't St. John's style.
St. John
Saint John's history is intertwined with the American Revolution. Although the area had already been discovered in 1604 by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, Saint John was just a river and barren land until 4,000 British loyalists fled from the colonies and landed here in 1783. They formed two small communities, Parrtown and Carleton, before deciding to merge in 1785, thus incorporating the oldest city in Canada, Saint John. The city celebrates its Loyalist past with monuments and museums strewn all over downtown. Besides being Canada's oldest city, Saint John is also home to the country's oldest museum. The New Brunswick Museum has been around since 1842.
During the War of 1812, Saint John feared an American attack. So they built the Carleton Martello Tower, a remote outpost that surveyed the entire area and warned of coming attacks. Today, the tower makes for a great place to view the sunset.
Of course, there is more to Saint John than the past. Today, Saint John's population has grown to over 72,000, covering about one hundred and fifty square miles. One of nature's most peculiar irregularities, the Reversing Falls, is found here. Every day at high and low tide, the falls reverse flow, making for an interesting sight! There is also an excellent nature park, as well as a huge outdoor complex just outside of town, replete with a golf course, hiking trails, and a small zoo.
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