Galveston
Galveston is a tremendous city with a ton of sights, restaurants, and locations to keep you busy for days. This is a closely packed cultural center with numerous attractions. Everyone who goes to Galveston has a fantastic time; the only thing you have to watch out for is the heat in the summertime. Other than that, this is a truly remarkable part of the country, and should be visited by all who get the opportunity. The museums here are fabulous, and the Ocean Star and County Historical Museum, in particular, are real standouts. Some of the architecture is from the early 1900?s and complements the newer facilities perfectly. The combination gives you a perfect blend of nostalgia and excitement, and the result is marvelous. The Moody Gardens is literally one of the most exhilarating and enjoyable man-made environments anywhere. The number of extraordinary features inside this one facility are more than they have in some entire countries!
Not surprisingly, Galveston has great shopping and nightlife, as well. There are couple of bars that are quite fun, and if you like dancing, you don't need to look any further, because there are plenty of clubs and dance spots. Many of the stores in Galveston are of the peculiar variety, but this is all the more enjoyable for us tourists, who simply hate to see the same old thing when traveling around the country. If you like to eat (and who doesn't?), then Galveston certainly is for you. There are so many wonderful dining venues that it becomes nearly impossible to choose where to eat for any given meal. Luckily, you have us to guide you, and rest assured that there are some real winners in Galveston. A couple of the seafood and barbeque spots are so good they'll make you holler for joy! Galveston, Texas is a rip-roaring ride of sights and splendor; the kind of place that you wish you could visit all the time. This region is especially good when traveled to by cruise ship, because you land right in the heart of the Texas excitement.
Cozumel
If you're looking for a beautiful Caribbean style vacation
within Mexico, then look no further than Cozumel, Mexico. This lovely hideaway
is Mexico's largest island, yet remains somewhat undiscovered by Mexico's 20
million annual visitors. Cozumel is located 12 miles offshore of the city of Playa del Carmen. Yet
only 3 percent of its land has been developed, making it an ideal place to
explore the region in its pristine and nearly unaltered state.
Cozumel's history is centered on its importance to the
Mayan culture as one of three ceremonial centers in the region, and this link to
the past can be further explored by paying a visit to one of 40 archeological
sites still present on the island. When the Spanish took over the island in
1519, Cozumel became a pivotal trading center in salt and honey. The collapse of
the Spanish Empire in the late 16th century ushered in nearly 300
years of obscurity to this Caribbean land, yet it has recently flourished as a
popular cruise and travel destination; luring people from across the globe to
bask in its wonderful weather, amazing diving locations, and friendly people.
Cozumel, although not nearly as developed as its northern
neighbor Cancun, still contains all the resources necessary for the ultimate
cruise destination. Shopping is prevalent, and duty-free stores, selling
everything under the tropical sun, invite the seasoned bargain hunter. Cozumel
has been consistently rated the best spot in the world for scuba diving
and snorkeling. Restaurants on the island are world-class as well as affordable.
Finally, its proximity to the popular excursions of Xel-Ha Lagoons, the Mayan
ruins at Tulum, and Playa del Carmen solidify its position as one of the top
cruise destinations in the Caribbean.
Montego Bay
The word Jamaica conjures up strong images in everyone's
mind. Whether it's visions of impeccable Caribbean beaches or the thought of
smoke wafting away from Bob Marley's lips, this small island has made a large
impression on the world's stage.
Jamaica's history is similar to that of other Caribbean
islands. In 1494, Columbus sailed into Montego Bay and named it Fair Weather
Bay. Soon after, the Spaniards came here to hunt wild hogs and export lard. The
bay became known as Manteca Bay, (Manteca is Spanish for lard) and eventually,
Montego Bay.
Jamaica lies 90 miles south of Cuba, and trails only its
neighbors Cuba and the Dominican Republic/Haiti in size, weighing in at 4,400
square miles. Inland, Jamaica is lush and green, with a mountain range that
contrasts sharply with the coastline.
Montego Bay is the second largest city in Jamaica, trailing
only Kingston, but it may be the king of tourist destinations. Situated on the
northwest side of the island, Montego Bay is the usual entryway for airline and
cruise passengers from the United States to enter Jamaica. Those who come here
find immaculate beaches, world class resorts, top-notch golf courses and tennis
courts, and five-star restaurants.
Mo Bay, as it is affectionately known, got its start as a
tourist destination in the early 20th Century. As early as 1908, the
city advertised itself as a haven for weather-weary Americans, but it didn't
catch on until the 1940?s, when the mineral springs of Doctor's Cove Beach
started to attract the affluent traveling class.
In recent years, Jamaica's image has taken a bit of a
beating, as some tourists have bristled at overly aggressive vendors and a
rising crime rate. Some of the more affluent private resorts have taken to
forbidding their guests from leaving the resort without a guide. Of course, this
means that some people aren't getting the true feel of this island nation.
Travelers to Jamaica need not feel unsafe. As long as you
take the same precautions that you would take in any major American city, you
will have little to worry about. On the whole, Jamaica's people remain
friendly and hospitable, and they are proud to welcome you to their island
paradise.
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