A Twin Break Havana and Cayo Coco
Posted September 30, 2009 , comments closed
Think of Cuba and, apart from cigars, one of the first things that comes to mind is her fabulous beaches and wonderful Caribbean sunshine. But increasingly Cuba is becoming renowned as a unique destination, able to offer not only the luxury of a resort style beach holiday in places such as Cayo Coco, but also the culture and open-faced charm of her capital city, Havana. Many visitors are combining their Cayo Coco holidays with a two or three night stay in a Havana hotel and experiencing the best of both worlds in Cuba. Hotels will ensure that you can get to the airport quickly and easily, and with a flight of only 30 or 40 minutes separating the two destinations, it is possible to leave your Havana hotel after breakfast and be lying on the beach in Cayo Coco before lunch! Havana One of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world, Havana is simply intoxicating. It is no wonder that literary luminaries such as Ernest Hemmingway were as captivated by her charms as her visitors of today. Her architecture is a fusion of Colonial, Baroque, Art Deco Neo-Classical and Art Nouveau and is a delightful mish-mash of styles. Heavily influenced by Spanish, Romans, Italians and Greeks, Havana is a world unto herself – but she knows exactly who she is. From your Havana hotel you can explore the many famous landmarks of the city, and your excursions could include the Hemmingway museum, the Baroque Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana and the Museo de la Revolución. You’ll see authentic Cuban locals looking like caricatures of a bygone era; leaning on silver topped walking sticks and smoking oversized cigars, you can see the faded influence of the movie stars and writers of the 1950’s. Havana has hugely rich and diverse culture that culminates in a melting pot of mayhem - but always with the underlying current of fun. Drink a Mojito at sunset with the ghost of Hemmingway, or perhaps spend an evening at the famous Tropicana club, and dance the night away to a heady mix of Cuban drums and Latin American cabaret. After a fun night out you can head back to your Havana hotel to begin dreaming of your Cayo Coco holidays the next day! Cayo Coco The perfect destination for a beach getaway – a holiday to Cayo Coco will fulfil all your ideals of an island paradise. Fine white sand, palm fringed coves and expansive stretches of beach that go on forever; this is the portrait of sunny Cuba. Hotels are wonderfully situated right on the beach so you can roll out of bed in the morning (or afternoon), and head straight for the ocean. If you’re feeling adventurous, Cayo Coco is home to the world’s second biggest coral reef, and many diving enthusiasts come specifically for the stunning underwater paradise that lies off Cayo Coco. Holidays in Cuba aren’t all about the beach though, and you can spend a few days exploring the many mountain trails that snake through the backdrop of the hinterland. Cayo Coco is the ideal place to relax and unwind after the buzz of your exciting adventure in the city, and by the time you head back to your Havana hotel to prepare for your journey home, you’ll feel like you’ve been on holiday for a month!
Half Term Holiday hunters look to Last Minute holidays for a deal.
Posted , comments closed) Holidaymakers are still determined to find last minute holidays before Winter officially kicks in, says holiday website www.holidayholiday.co.uk.
According to their stats, 46% of visiting holiday consumers in the last week have searched Holiday Holiday for a holiday in October, picking popular hot destinations such as Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt. A large percentage of those are looking for a cheap deal for October half term holidays, due to start in approx. 4 weeks time.
Marketing Director Emma Healey commented “With British Summer time ‘officially’ over on the 25th October, which falls at the start of the half term holidays week, lots of people are shopping around trying to find a last minute holiday. As we move into the Winter holidays season in the next couple of months, we expect the trend for last minute holidays for package holidays to continue.”
The Winter season in the travel industry is traditionally the start of November to the end of March, when destinations such as the Caribbean, Egypt and the Canary Islands become popular. Ski and Cruise bookings are also popular during this time, as ski resorts start to open and Cruisers look to the next year to book ahead for new cruise ship itineraries as well as that last minute bargain cruise deal.
For Half Term Holiday hunters, the Government backed “Every Lesson Counts” initiative, a joint initiative with ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and the FTO (Federation of Tour Operators) to aim to reduce the levels of school absence, has encouraged tour operators and travel agents alike to try even harder to find value added holidays within the school holidays.
In relation to this “those looking for half term holidays will benefit from a site like holiday holiday” says Emma as “we have hundreds of knowledgeable travel agents advertising, all in one place, updating their holiday offers on a daily basis. If you are looking for a deal in the half term week then searching the website and speaking to one of the many ABTA bonded travel agents on the site will enable you to challenge them to put their expertise to the test to find you a really good holiday deal”.
New US administration must translate words into action, Cuba tells UN
Posted , comments closed- Caribbean cannot base tourism on US embargo against Cuba
- An end to Cuba travel ban?
- Cuba says it's ready to receive US tourists
- Port controller says Cuba need not be a threat to Bahamas tourism
- Cuba cruise visitors plunge 90 percent after Castro's comments, US buyout
- Cuban-Chinese hotel project targets US market
- Cuba: Eco-tourism is the future
- US revokes diplomatic, tourist visas of Honduran officials
By
eTN Staff Writer |
Sep 30, 2009
Cuba’s Foreign Minister told the General Assembly yesterday that it is still waiting for the global optimism generated by the new United States administration to be translated into action, calling for an end to the decades-long embargo against the Caribbean nation.
With the election of President Barack Obama in the US, “It seemed that a period of extreme aggressiveness, unilateralism, and arrogance in the foreign policy in that country had come to an end, and the infamous legacy of the George W. Bush regime had been sunk in repudiation,” Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla said at the Assembly’s annual high-level debate.
In spite of Mr. Obama’s calls for change and dialogue, “Time goes by and the speech does not seem to be supported by concrete facts,” the Cuban official said. “His speech does not coincide with reality.”
The current US authorities have displayed “uncertainty” in overcoming the “political and ideological trends” propagated by the previous administration, he noted.
“The detention and torture center in the Guantanamo Naval Base – which usurps part of the Cuban territory – has not been shut down,” Mr. Rodríguez Parrilla said. “The occupation troops in Iraq have not withdrawn. The war in Afghanistan is expanding and is threatening other states.”
In April, the US announced it was going to “abolish some of the most brutal actions taken by the George W. Bush administration” preventing contact between Cubans living in the US and their relatives in Cuba. “These measures are a positive step, but they are extremely limited and insufficient,” the foreign minister stressed.
Most importantly, the economic, commercial, and financial blockade against Cuba is still in place, he pointed out.
“Should there be a true desire to move towards change, the US government could authorize the export of Cuban goods and services to the United States and vice versa.
“Further, Mr. Obama could allow US citizens to travel to Cuba, the only country in the world they cannot visit,” Mr. Rodríguez Parrillo emphasized.
“The US blockade against Cuba is an act of unilateral aggression that should be unilaterally terminated,” he said, expressing his country’s willingness to normalize relations with the US.
7 Places to Experience French Culture Outside of France
Posted September 24, 2009 , comments closed7 Places to Experience French Culture Outside of France
Done Paris? Bored with Marseille? Feel like Avignon is so last year? Fear not, Francophiles. There are countless places on this big planet where you can immerse yourself in the best of all things French – the cuisine, the culture, or the language – without stepping foot on the motherland.
During the height of its empire, France controlled close to 5 million square miles of land, nearly 8% of the earth’s surface. While most of France’s former lands have gone on to establish their own identity, many still bare the indelible marks of French influence (some more than others of course). For a dose of French culture or to immerse yourself in the language without the trip to France, visit one of these French-influenced destinations.
Morocco
For several decades in the early 1900’s, Morocco was a protectorate of France. While the country has been independent for over 50 years, the influence of France is still apparent, especially in the language. The official language of the country is Arabic, but France is so widely spoken that it is the second most-popular foreign language and is generally the one spoken by government officials and in business transactions.
The country still has strong commercial ties to France, newspapers are written in French, the language adorns street signs and shop windows, and French films play alongside Arabic ones in the country’s theatres.
French influence in other aspects of the culture is more subtle. Moroccan cuisine, for example, follows North African traditions but is often a bit more sophisticated, using French cooking techniques or richer sauces created in the French style. Other North and West African countries where French is still widely spoken include Tunisia, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal and Algeria.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Americans don’t have to travel very far to feel as though they’ve been transported to a French town. While the modern culture of New Orleans reflects many different influences (African, Cajun, Spanish, Creole, and French), there’s no denying the impact the French had on the development of the city when it was part of France’s “New France” colony in North America during the 17th and 18th centuries.
That influence is particularly apparent in the aptly named French Quarter, where trellised buildings built by early French settlers call to mind the streets of Paris. Many of the street signs are in French – 7% of the population speaks French – and French cafes line the streets. Creole and Cajun food both have their roots in French (and Spanish) cooking, and of course, the most famous of New Orleans’ pastries, the beignet, was created by the French.
And though it has mostly devolved into a raucous drunken party, Mardi Gras (which translates to Fat Tuesday in the French language) has its roots in French Roman Catholic traditions. New Orleans isn’t the only pocket of French culture in Louisiana. Other towns around the state bear French names (Baton Rouge and Dulac are two) and still retain a bit of their former French identity.
Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion and the Seychelles
In the late 1600’s, France began exploring the area off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. The country established posts on the islands now known as Mauritius and Réunion, briefly controlled the Seychelles, and then, in the late 19th century, invaded Madagascar, made the island nation a French protectorate, and controlled it until 1960, when it became independent. Mauritius and the Seychelles are also independent nations now – Réunion remains an overseas department of France – though the language is still widely spoken on all of the islands (it’s the official language on Réunion).
On each of the islands, despite the prevalence of the French language, the cuisine reflects a whole host of different influences. There are some French traditions used in cooking, but you’ll also find Indian, Chinese & African characteristics too, especially in the popularity of fish and rice, and in the local herbs and spices used to flavor each dish.
Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Laos
At first glance, Laos looks like it couldn’t be more different from France, and in many respects that is true. A quick look around the towns of Luang Prabang and Vientiane will reveal lush green fields of rice, Asians zipping around on scooters and motorbikes, and monks in brightly-colored robes heading solemnly to gilded Buddhist temples. But a long history with France has left its mark on the oft-forgotten country.
You may not hear much French spoken here, and the culture is decidedly Lao, but it’s interesting to see the small ways that France is still present in the lives of the people, most notably in the cuisine, in the baguettes sold on every corner, in the occasional glimpse of European-style architecture, and in the faces of the many French ex-pats who still reside in the country.
And Laos isn’t the only country in Southeast Asia to retain some effects from France’s rule. Both Vietnam and Cambodia were once colonies of the empire.
Saint Martin, Caribbean
The Island of Saint Martin (called Sint Maarten on the Dutch side) is the smallest land mass controlled by two countries. One side is part of the Netherlands Antilles and the other belongs to France as an overseas department of the country. The island was settled by the French in the late 1600’s, changed hands several times between the Dutch, Spanish, and English and then half was returned to France, with the other half given to the Dutch, in the early 1800’s.
If it weren’t for the French flags flying everywhere you look, you’d have no reason to think – at first glance anyways – that Saint Martin was so heavily influenced by the French. The beaches are soft and white and the buildings low slung and painted in the pale colors found on other Caribbean islands.
But when you look a little closer you’ll see that streets signs and shop names are all printed in French – it’s still the official language of the area – and you’ll find no shortage of restaurants serving an eclectic mix of Caribbean and French cuisine.
It’s not exactly the French Riviera (the French side of the island is relatively undeveloped compared to the Dutch side) but it is one French-inspired beach vacation that doesn’t require an 8-hour flight from the US. Other Caribbean islands with former ties to France include St. Lucia, Haiti, and Martinique.
French Polynesia
Made up of several group of islands (over 130 islands in all) in the Pacific Ocean east of Australia, French Polynesia became a French protectorate at the end of the 19th century. It’s now an overseas collectivity and French is the official language, though Polynesian languages are also widely spoken. Despite its governmental and economic ties to France, culture in French Polynesia is much more Polynesian than French – other than the language, there aren’t too many traces of French influence to be found and there’s still a strong island identity which the people celebrate in dress, traditions, dance and song.
You’ll see the most reflections of French culture in the food, which often puts a French spin on local ingredients with dishes like “poisson cru” a French take on ceviche. Locally grown vanilla also gets the French treatment as it’s used to create rich sauces in the French style. And of course, French wine is readily available.
Quebec, Canada
The Canadian province of Quebec, home to the large cities of Montreal and Quebec City, is known as one of the most “European” places in North America. Though the land has long since transferred from French control to become part of Canada, French is still the official language of the province, and you don’t have to look far to see the culture reflected in the architecture, streets signs, and layout of the cities in it.
Montreal is the more modern of the two main cities, with a downtown full of towering skyscrapers. But what the commercial center may lack in “old-world” style, the section known as Vieux Montréal (Old Montreal) more than makes up for with its cobbled streets and centuries-old buildings.
Quebec City features even more French touches. It’s one of the few cities in North America to retain its original fortified walls and the center is dotted with postcard-perfect squares where tourists and residents gather to people-watch, sip a latte, and munch on crusty baguettes. Dining on a meal of hearty poutine while the sounds of the French language swirl around you, you’ll almost forget for a second that you are on the opposite side of the Atlantic.
There are still close to 30 countries in the world where French is one of the official languages. Some of these countries offer more French experience than others, but in many you’ll find that French influence is still alive and well in the food, traditions, music and architecture, which means that for dedicated Francophiles, there’s a whole world of French culture to explore.
Photo credits:
Morocco by like, totally on Flickr, New Orleans by theSuperStar on Flickr, Seychelles by Steve & Jemma Copley, Laos by nakwoodford on Flickr, St. Martin by hduh on Flickr, Tahiti by imaxandco on Flickr, Quebec City by palestrina55 on Flickr
Caribbean Travel Tips
Posted September 18, 2009 , comments closedAre you planning a trip to the Caribbean for the first time? If so, continue reading on for a few helpful and moneysaving tips.Making Your Travel Arrangements
It is easy to book a Caribbean vacation with family because one family member is paying for the trip (your children are just along for the ride). Planning a Caribbean vacation with friends, on the other hand, can be harder. You need to make your travel plans together if you want to share rooms. If you opt for an all-inclusive resort, more than just a room is included, but each person gets access to the same inclusions; therefore, just spilt the costs evenly.
Keep times that are convenient for you in mind when booking your trip. We are often so focused on getting the best deals that we rarely take the time to coincide our flight times with our hotel or resort check in and out times. For example, what would you do for hours if your flight arrived at 11am, but you couldn’t check-in until 3pm? The same with departure times; if you need to be out of your room at noon, but your flight doesn’t leave until 7pm, what are you going to do for those seven hours? If you have no idea, try to coincide your flight times with your all-inclusive resort or hotel.
Packing for Your Trip
Many American travelers flying to the Caribbean are in for a long flight and possibly some layovers. For that reason, bring lots of small items to keep you occupied. Magazines, books, mp3 players, or portable DVD players work great and they are easy to carry around.
Only pack what you need. You can get a good idea of the clothes needed by checking the weather forecast. Pack an extra sweater if you want, but not two. Save extra room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Plus, remember airlines charge extra for luggage, so try and limit what you bring. All resorts should have onsite laundry facilities, meaning you really don’t need two or three outfits for just one day.
Pack all necessary travel documents in your carryon bag, wallet, or purse. You need to show your driver’s license and passport at the airport. Prevent delays by making sure these items are easily accessible.
Arriving at Your Resort
If you opted for an all-inclusive Caribbean resort, most of your trip is preplanned and prepaid for. Your stay should include your room, snacks, drinks, food, tips, and some forms on onsite entertainment. Get a list or chart from the main office detailing what is or isn’t included. This is a great way to save money. Why pay extra for an activity, like snorkeling, offsite when your resort enables you to enjoy that activity without extra costs?
Start your day early if you want to get the best spot by the beach, the best lounger by the pool, and so forth. These are all popular activities at all-inclusive resorts and hotels. Of course, there is plenty of room to go around, but ensure you aren’t settling for second best.
Venturing Off Hotel or Resort Grounds
One of the reasons why all-inclusive Caribbean resorts are recommended is because you never need to leave to have a good time. All-inclusive resorts are home to multiple restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, spas, and more. These are just the facilities you gain access too; wait until you see all available activities. Either way, you may wish to venture off the hotel or resort property. This is okay, but spend your money wisely.
If you didn’t take the time to research offsite activities and attractions before departing, ask your hotel or resort staff for suggestions. Hotel lobbies are also home to travel brochures that may outline nearby popular restaurants or attractions. Look at these brochures for moneysaving coupons too.
As you know, the Caribbean is a safe place to visit. With that said, you always need to display some caution when leaving home (whether it be walking down the street or leaving the country). Never bring large amounts of cash with you or carry valuables. Leave anything you would be devastated to lose in your resort or hotel safe; better yet leave valuables at home.
By keeping the above mentioned Caribbean travel tips in mind, you are sure to have a great trip. Most important tip of all? Remember to have fun! Enjoy yourself!