A resident of Isla Mujeres told me that one of the things he loves about the island is that everyone is happy. And it’s a good point — with the warm sun and the beautiful blue Caribbean views in every direction, it’s hard not to be in a good mood. On top of the sunshine and scenery, the island also has an unquestionably relaxed vibe, full of visitors lounging by the beach and riding around in golf carts. . . .
The Ultimate 10-Day Riviera Maya Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Last winter, I took a 10-day trip to the Riviera Maya, Mexico with my husband, John. It was our first time visiting the Riviera Maya, and also our first-ever trip to Mexico! We were really excited to experience everything this region has to offer — from the beaches and cenotes to the Mayan ruins and Yucatan culture. . . .
Where I Traveled in 2017
2017 has been a fun and full year for me, but with everything going on, I’ve gotten away from keeping up with my blog. I’m excited to say that in 2018, I intend to devote more time to blogging again! This past year brought some really exciting trips for me, and I can’t wait to write about them. For now, I’ll just give a quick overview of each, but more detailed posts are to come. . . .
Discovering My Favorite Beach: Lindquist Beach in St. Thomas
The last full day of our Southern Caribbean cruise was spent on the island of St. Thomas, with the ship docking in the city of Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas is one of the three U.S. Virgin Islands (along with St. John and St. Croix) and is a very popular tourist destination. Multiple cruise ships are typically in port on any given day. With the multitude of tourists present in St. Thomas, it can be hard to find a quiet slice of paradise to enjoy. However, we spent our morning at the gorgeous Lindquist Beach (also known as Smith Bay Park), and I was both surprised and happy to find only about 15 other people there with us. It was not crowded at all, and I instantly fell in love with the spectacular beauty of Lindquist. From the expanse of white sand to the many shades of calm, turquoise water, this was the quintessential Caribbean beach I had been waiting for! . . .
One Day in St. Kitts
St. Kitts was my favorite destination on our Southern Caribbean cruise! The island is simply beautiful and has plenty of fun things to do. Our day in St. Kitts was relaxed, yet still full of activities. We visited a batik fabric shop with lovely gardens, admired amazing ocean views from atop an old British fort, and sipped piña coladas by the beach. This is an island I would love to visit again one day! . . .
One Day in Dominica
The island country of Dominica is known for its abundance of unspoiled natural beauty. From waterfalls and rain forests to sulfur springs and bubbly snorkeling spots, there really is something to interest everyone. . . .
One Day on the Island of Martinique
Martinique's capital city, Fort-de-France, was the second port of call on our Southern Caribbean cruise. This French Caribbean island is full of bright tropical flowers, lush rainforests, winding mountain roads, and historical ruins. . . .
One Day in the British Virgin Islands
On a hazy Sunday morning in February, we arrived in Road Town, Tortola — the first port of call on our Southern Caribbean cruise. Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands. The islands offer a wealth of activities to choose from — beautiful beaches, sailing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and more. Many nearby islands can be reached from Tortola by boat, including Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Peter Island, just to name a few. Clearly, one day in the British Virgin Islands simply isn't enough, but we made the best with the time we had! . . .
Two Days in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Prior to our one-week Caribbean cruise last February, we spent two days in San Juan, Puerto Rico (well technically an evening, then a full day, then a morning) and had a fantastic visit there! Our entire time in San Juan was spent in the historic section, referred to as "Old San Juan". This area was incredibly charming, with narrow cobblestone streets, brightly painted buildings, and breathtaking views of the sea. Old San Juan is very walkable — we had no problem walking from place to place or finding our way around. It is a place where old meets new. The colonial architecture and historic forts contrast the cruise ships and views of the modern, high-rise skyline. . . .
My First Cruise Experience: One Week in the Southern Caribbean
This past February, I spent a glorious week in the sunny Caribbean, far from the snow and frigid winter weather back home. This was my first trip to the Caribbean and also my first time going on a cruise! . . .