Port Canaveral
The Space Coast, as the area around Port Canaveral has come to be known, has become one of the top tourist destinations in Florida. The magnificent Kennedy Space Center is the embodiment of the promise that President John F. Kennedy made to the nation in the early 1960?s. Even after hundreds of space explorations, shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral are still a special event.
Although it's easy to spend an entire day at the Kennedy Space Center, there is plenty more to see and do around Port Canaveral. For one, the government purchased too much land around Cape Canaveral. Instead of just selling it back, the land has been designated as wildlife refuges and nature preserves. Nature lovers will not want to miss the beautiful hikes through Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, or the gorgeous sights that surround the Canaveral National Seashore. Just south of Cape Canaveral is Cocoa Beach, which has become a surfer's nirvana. Temperate weather and bodacious waves have transformed this beach into a year-round party.
Port Canaveral is a man-made port, with lots of cruise ships using it as an entryway to ports of call throughout the Caribbean. The area around the port has been beautifully developed, with shops and restaurants dotting the waterfront. Fishing boats and gambling cruises have added to the carnival that surrounds Port Canaveral.
The best way to enjoy the Space Coast is by balancing your day. Spend the morning marveling at the technological wonders of space exploration. Then, take a picnic lunch to the nature reserves, enjoying the serenity afforded you here. Finally, top off the day by admiring the sunset from a waterfront restaurant on Cocoa Beach. Spacing out your time will allow you to fully enjoy everything that the Space Coast has to offer.
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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