Mexico’s proximity to the US means that the country’s mainland and west coast are heaving with los Americanos on high days and holidays, particularly 4th July and Christmas. If you don’t like crowds there are still beaches to find in Mexico, but they will naturally be busier. Otherwise great times to go for weather are generally between November to May, when you can expect ambient temperatures and clear seas. I would also suggest that between August and November the Pacific (west) coast can get stormy and rough, even beyond acceptable keen surf standards. At the same time Baja California is clear and warm, so why not try diving there?

The country of Mexico enjoys the attentions of both the Pacific and the Caribbean. Generally speaking the Caribbean (east coast) has warmer water, has shallower runs to the beach and has white sand. The Pacific meanwhile is bluer and has more waves – perfect for surfing, and it certainly does attract a lot of surfers.

Throughout Mexico there are some very touristy beach destinations – Acapulco, so beloved of train robbers in the 1960’s is just like Cancun on the Caribbean side. If you are into nightlife, a busy “scene”, and all the holidaymaker attractions these beaches could suit you. Cozumel is a great beach, although busy, but you could try Xcaret Island?

If you would like to do more than lie on a beach try Playa del Carmen near Tulum on Mexico’s Yucatan. It is a beautiful beach, long with gently rolling waves plus you could always take in an historical ruin in the afternoon!

For family beaches good for children, try Sayulita or on Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte is good with facilities without being too built up.

On the Pacific side Manzanillo is a stunning beach with lots of space and green hills flowing down to the beachside. There are plenty of places around to buy Mexican snacks and sundowners so it seems ideal. Puerto Vallarta is a popular beach but if it doesn’t take your fancy try taking a short boat ride to Yelapa beach.

As if there weren’t enough beaches to choose from for daytime activities, a favourite for an evening stroll is Old Town beach with its’ esplanade. If you are here for the day, go south of here to swim.

Since the first lethal ‘rumbillion’ concoctions were brewed up by Caribbean fishermen and pirates in the early 1600s, rum has grown to become the popular global export it is today, while remaining a mainstay of the region.

The first round
When African slaves were very first brought to Cuba to work the sugar plantations, they brought the knowledge with them of brewing a rough drink from yucca and maize known as ‘garapo’. A blend of time, experimentation and the inclusion of cane juice resulted in the first clear, and very strong, drink ‘aguardiente’ or fire water.

Thankfully, the intervention of master distillers has created a much smoother drink from its ancestors. Most modern rums are distilled from molasses, the dark sticky residue created as a by-product from crystallizing sugar from cane juice. Although rum is distilled right across the Caribbean, and indeed the world, Caribbean rum distilleries such as Havana Club and Bacardi are still largely the best known. The Havana Club brand began life in 1878, and quickly became popular. Sugar cane thrives on Cuba largely due to the outstanding climate and soil conditions.

Why is the rum always gone?
The historical political conditions in Cuba made business less profitable and in the 19th and 20th centuries, political change in the country sometimes made exporting problematic. The nationalisation of large businesses in 1959 meant Bacardi emigrated and took the brand with it. It is now owned by Hamilton in Bermuda and sold more than 19 million cases in 2010.

The Havana Club Museum of Rum (El Museo del Ron Havana Club) on Avenida del Puerto, in Old Havana (Habana Vieja) is a great place to delve deeper into the history of this culturally legendary drink.  It takes guests through the stages of the creation process from sugar cane plant right through to finished bottle.

The museum is housed in a renovated 18th-century solar (a colonial townhouse). You can spot it by the ground floor shady patio, with broad stone columns and ferns, yuccas and potted palms. A bell signals the start of the museum tour, and you follow the guide up a flight of stone steps. The first landing presents a view of the cooper shop, demonstrating the craftsmanship required to build and prepare the oak casks inside which the fine rums will age.

Cuba was one of the first Latin American countries to use steam locomotives to transport the cane from the fields to the distillery and the museum includes detailed. An upstairs gallery features an authentic mule-driven cane mill used in the earliest refineries. The next door leads to a much larger model of the whole process before moving on to the fermentation and distilling rooms with the copper tanks and oak barrels sitting snugly in the languid warmth of the ageing cellars. The final visit is the museum’s tasting room, a huge 1930’s-styled bar and then of course the obligatory gift shop.

The Havana Club bar, which adjoins the museum is a great way to round off the trip and lets you soak up some of the rum with a menu of international and Creole dishes. Solista Antia Marquetti and her band regularly bring the house down with their repertoire of traditional Cuban son, trova and bolero.

Diving draws many visitors to Tobago and Speyside is the island’s diving mecca. Premier sites like Angel Reef, Black Jack Hole, Kelleston Drain, Coral Gardens and Japanese Gardens lie just offshore.You can dive in a shallow reef or deep water, witnessing small and large sea creatures in their natural habitat. Home to the world’s largest brain coral, sharks, sea turtles and exotic tropical fish, although the biggest attraction is the magnificent manta ray, with an average 2–4m (8–12ft) wingspan. Tobago’s underwater paradise is a must-see for diving enthusiasts.  Scuba diving in Tobago is growing in popularity, attracting increasing numbers of adventurers from Europe and North America each year.

Caroline from Charlotteville Shark Shacks lists some of the very best dives sites around Tobago:

London Bridge
An awesome eroded arch which can be swum through when conditions are good only. It’s not for the faint-hearted since it’s only 8 metres deep and 4 metres wide with huge surf, but well worth the effort since there are turtles, green morays and huge parrotfish living in the zone. The wall around the island is totally pristine with amazing colours & a vibrant fish life. Everything from large schools of tuna to nudibranchs.

Shark Banks
A coral bommie just breaking the waterline with a depth of 40(plus) metres and a phenomenal wall drop-off. All Aquatic species congregate here to hunt. It’s an awesome spot with couloirs, narrow gullies, swim-throughs and an abundance of larger Pelagics.

Sisters’ Rocks
Known locally for the large schools of scalloped and great hammerhead sharks, these 5 rocks are more than worthy of 2 dives – the outer edges being darker, more wild and more dramatic with sheer walls and larger marine critters whilst the inner sites are prettier with less current, more colours and usually smaller species. Leatherback turtles have been spotted here too amongst the largest crab I have ever seen and humongous lobsters! Sister’s Rocks offers great drift dives for the adventurous divers.

It’s so hard to recommend just a a few. You ideally need a week diving just to touch the surface since we are truly blessed at this end of Tobago with average visibility at 25 metres and the choice of the 2 oceans. Night dives are also a specialty of mine – with the annual coral spawning being a real high point. Dolphins usually accompany our dedicated dive boat – “True Blue” – to the sites & giant manta are seen virtually daily from March to September. Leatherback & hawksbill turtles lay and hatch right on our beaches. We really are spoiled rotten. Come see for yourself!

Be sure to choose a reputable diving tour operator to help organise your lessons and trip such as Tropical Sky Scuba Diving. Alternatively, a local company belonging to Tobago’s Association of Dive Operators will outfit your adventure and teach you the ropes to make your experience unforgettable.

I shall once again try to master the skill of water skiing, much to the hilarity of all the people in the boat; it’s a coming of age shocker, I used to be quite good and now I apparently look like the inspiration for a new fangled water-Zimmer frame. At least I will be able to take refuge in the evenings in the beautiful restaurants, fine dining, fine wines and a fine time. After a couple of days spent running around I will no doubt sign up to every type of massage available, in the hope of correcting all the pulled muscles and strains I will have received whilst taking myself away from the comfort zone of my writing desk. Bring it on! I will of course report back to let you know whether my expectations have been met.

1. Handkerchief – wet it on the plane and cover your nose with it and sleep. Your sinus is kept nice and damp and if you suffer, as I do, you’ll wonder why you never did it before.
2. Pashmina-style scarf. Perfect for covering shoulders in religious places, comfy head support whilst travelling by plane or bus or car (not if you’re the driver obviously). Keeps you warm, draught or light excluder…it is indispensable!
3. Food for the plane – not rubbish but proper food, sandwiches,salad,fruit. It stops your stomach getting that blown up empty feeling.
4. Headache tablets.
5. Diarolyte sachets – great for de-hydration
6. Rubber flip flops – multi-functional, waterproof, disposable, shoe.
7. Trainers. Even if you think you’re going to be on a beach the whole time there is always some reason to be well-shod.
8. Nit comb for young children, especially in hot climates.
9. Pens. I love giving them away to children (from poorer communities) and it’s better than money or sweets, even though they are likely to sell them anyway.
10 Driving Licence. Further proof of ID, such as photocopies of your passport – kept separately of course.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the numerous gambling options whether it’s the slot machines, the table games, the card games or the sports betting games. Make it a point to set a budget for play; for example, having a $100 limit on slot machines or $300 on card games and stick to it. You won’t be disappointed if you’ve stuck to your budget, enjoyed the experience and had fun trying to break the house.

As the old saying goes, “the only way to bring home a small fortune from Las Vegas, is to bring a large fortune with you”. Be aware that everything is set up to separate you from your money. So for example, you will never see a clock anywhere in a casino, you won’t be able to tell the time of day – it’s always the evening. Cashiers are really hard to find; the idea being that while you are wondering around looking for one something else will draw your attention.

Know the rules of engagement when you go to Las Vegas to gamble and you’ll have a much better time.

Renewing your vows in such a dreamscape is the perfect way to re-establish your intentions. There are such fabulous hotels at good rates in Bali and you are sure to find something which suits your tastes and budget. You can be certain that whichever package you choose, when you have left for Bali and arrived in your resort, you will be in safe hands which genuinely want you to have a wonderful, memorable wedding or renewal of your vows.

Our villa became an oasis in a tide of Disney and outlet shopping. Don’t let me mislead you, it’s me that does the shopping and insists on being on the first Black Mountain ride and the last, but it was enjoyable to draw breath. The villas are located very conveniently for all the attractions, so that was never an issue. Also the standard of the villas is very high and they are spacious, providing great value for money as a family. We had a small pool with ours which we all appreciated and it added a different and perhaps calmer slot into our Orlando holiday. I think the key thing for our family was the space we had in a villa compared to a family hotel room and price-wise it made sense.

Each evening the fishing boat would arrive at the jetty and off-load wonderful shiny fresh fish including tuna. They would gut the catch at the waters edge, chucking in the unwanted bits to the fish below. As the sun went down and over a cool gin and tonic the Rays would begin to glide into shore, lapping up the thrown out bits. Beautiful rays of all types and sizes would tip their wings first one way and then the other, looking a bit like a shark’s fin as they circled around each other (I suggest reading Zach’s blog about his experience snorkelling in the Maldives). Totally stunning and memorable…and then I’d go off and eat the delicious sashimi and have the perfect Maldivian evening!

As the Tropical Sky colleagues I was with put on their snorkelling gear and waded into the water, I cautiously followed suit. The water felt every bit as beautiful as it looked and within minutes I had my snorkel attached correctly and was effortlessly floating my way towards the coral, whilst being mesmerised by the underwater world of the ocean. Breathing underwater did not come naturally, but after ten minutes or so of stopping and re-adjusting my mask, I seemed to get the hang of it. Every moment of not looking down and watching this new world felt like a waste- I very quickly caught the snorkelling bug and was completely captivated.

We gently floated around the stunning untouched coral where the water was only around 5 foot deep, watching a huge amount of varied fish going about their normal business. There were clown fish, fish with tiger stripes, big yellow and black fish feasting on those smaller than them, small (vegetarian I was assured) sharks, sting rays (that I swam quickly away from), electric blue fish that literally glowed and a huge array of other fishes and underwater life of all shapes and sizes.

About an hour into my first snorkel I floated over the shelf, where the coral ridden ocean floor suddenly dropped steeply down to what seemed like an abyss. If I were alone, I don’t think I could have mustered up the courage to go out so far, but surrounded by my three experienced friends, I knew I was in safe hands and so allowed myself to just float, face down, just passed the vast drop beneath me. I was studying the coral on the drop when an angelic creature from deep in the abyss started floating up the side of the wall towards me. It was a huge manta ray and one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. After just a few short hours it was time to get out of the water and I must say I was already planning my next snorkel. I cannot recommend snorkelling strongly enough, particularly in a place as beautiful as the Maldives in the gloriously warm Indian Ocean. You will see some of the most memorable sights that lay just below the surface.

We were told be ready at our hotel entrance by 8.30 am and be prepared to get wet and muddy. They weren’t joking! The company picked us up from the hotel and the journey only took about 20 minutes. On arrival we were ushered into the office to sign the mandatory disclaimers and a few minutes later we were given the safety briefing and fitted with helmets. As there were some of us who hadn’t done it before, we were given a trial run in the field. There are 2 types of quad bikes available so you can either ride a single quad or there are double ones whereby you have a passenger on the back. Soon enough we were on our way.

We were led out of the field single file with a driver and guide in front, with the 8 of us following with another staff member at the rear. We slowly made our way up the hill towards our first stop which was on the edge of a mangrove swamp and the guides showed us how to catch crabs in the locally made wooden boxes. This is where it started to get muddy (up over the ankles).  I recommend if you do this excursion, to wear an old pair of trousers and your oldest trainers. Flip flops are not acceptable nor are they safe. We were also shown how bamboo is harvested, split and channelled out and used in the building industry.

Further on and out of the mangroves, we carried on quite a bit further before reaching the top of a hill where a local showed us how charcoal is made. It was great to stop and take off the crash helmet as it was, by this time, getting quite hot.  A little further on and heading back down the hill, we headed for the beach and managed to open the machines up a bit before heading back inland, through more muddy water, and up a stony hill to reach a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. Another photo stop and we were off again downhill to a deserted beach where we stopped for a welcome break, drinks and a snack before heading back to base. By this time we were all quite confident with our quad bikes until I got too over-confident and nearly ended up in a ditch. Luckily I swerved at the last moment but one of our guides leapt over to me immediately to try and avert a disaster.

The whole experience lasted half a day and although we originally felt it quite expensive we were glad we did it.  It’s a great chance to see a natural part of St Lucia and the Atlantic coastline.  The staff were great and informative and took pride in explaining to us all about their beautiful island.

Antigua is a tropical island, lying at the northern end of the Leeward Islands, north of Guadeloupe and Montserrat, east of St Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico. It is the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda; Barbuda being a smaller less populated island to the north.

Antigua is just 17 degrees north of the equator and as such doesn’t really have distinct seasons. The temperature averages in the mid twenties centigrade all year round and rarely falls below 20 degrees. Average temperature at this time of year is around 25 degrees and with humidity lower than in much of the Caribbean the temperatures are easy to bear. Average rainfall is also lower, especially once the hurricane season ends in November. The trade winds also add a welcome breeze to sun worshippers!

Antigua is lush, green and mountainous edged with 365 beaches, one for each day of the year and with the Caribbean Sea to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the variety and beauty is stunning. Palm fringed, fine sand beaches with turquoise blue still water lapping on the west and rocky coves with Atlantic breakers on the east.

Staying at the exclusive St James Club on its own peninsula on the south eastern corner of the island you get the best of both these worlds as the peninsula protects its own Mamora Bay from the Atlantic breakers which wash into Coco Beach on the other side of the resort.  You can stay in the All Inclusive resort hotel rooms with two great swimming pools, or rent an exclusive villa above Mamora Bay, with a further split level pool at the centre of the villa area.

The club is in a fantastic location just 5 minutes away from some of the best tourist must-sees of the island.

Shirley Heights is home to one of the best views and best parties on the island. Within the national park overlooking English and Falmouth harbours, the bar at this old military look-out post is a favourite place to enjoy the sunsets. The high vantage point which the military used for defence gives a view of Guadeloupe and Montserrat in clear conditions and is home to Sunday night parties of great repute. With reggae and steel bands to entertain, barbeque food to eat and enough rum to drown a sailor the party nights are legendary and must not be missed.

The nearby English Harbour with Nelson’s Dockyard is a fascinating place to visit to get some of the history of the island and its long association with the UK and our most famous naval officer.

Most of all, relax in the beautiful weather, enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and get to know some of the friendly and accommodating islanders for a winter holiday to rival all others.

Linda is a freelance journalist who, following 19 years in IT for a large airline, loves to write about the places she has visited. She also adores her other role as a bookseller in a local bookstore.

The hotel is the only one on the island. I stayed in a Palm View Room which is very spacious with a limited sea view. You can walk all round the island if you wish to or do as we did and get someone to drive you around in a golf buggy.  For the more active, you can also get a bike and get around. Some of the views are breathtaking and the Atlantic side is very beautiful. On the Caribbean side, the snorkelling is very good, I chose to just have a snooze in one of the many hammocks dotted around.  We ate mostly in the Royal Palm restaurant which offered a wide choice and every day they offered one typical Caribbean meal one the menu (one day I had the Conch). This is a very peaceful island with the emphasis on just getting away from it all.

Negril
I stayed at the Breezes Grande Resort & Spa, Negril, a friendly All Inclusive hotel, which I would say is more suited to couples. If you are interested in diving then this resort is great for you as it is included in the All Inclusive cost.

We then went on the ‘Wild Thing’ catamaran cruise, which is good fun. Drinks are on board and snorkelling is included.

Montego Bay
I stayed at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort, which is great for families and couples.  The rooms are fantastic and there is a great swimming pool and small water park.

If you like fright nights then you should try the Rose Hall Great House at night. These night tours have only been going for a couple of months. See the ‘White Witch’ Annie Palmer’s sugar plantation and hear the true stories of how she killed her 3 husbands. You will go into the woods and see Annie’s grave but be careful, there are still ghosts and spirits lurking around the plantation.

Ocho Rios
I stayed at the Sunset Jamaica Grande; this is a good value for money, All Inclusive hotel. Suitable for families as there is a water park at this resort. The rooms are simple but comfortable. This resort has a lot more going on and a great atmosphere.

Climb Dunn’s River Falls, a fun and fulfilling excursion. I would recommend bringing your own water shoes for comfort otherwise you can rent some water shoes for $7 each. You will have a guide to take you up the waterfalls and a camera man to film your experience.

Other excursions nearby is Mystic Mountain where you can go on a bobsled and zip wire through the trees.

Below are my top 5 reasons why, if you are putting off a long haul trip until the kids are older, you should think again:

1. You get lots of help so your journey may actually be more fuss free than if you were traveling alone
Imagine our joy to reach passport control and the mother of all queues only be ushered to the front just because we were travelling with a child under five!  We also experienced priority boarding and fast track security.  Airport staff and cabin crew were super helpful and accommodating and on the contrary to popular belief most fellow passengers didn’t mind having kids around.

2. Your child will help break down language or cultural barriers
On arrival in a new destination it can take a while to get your bearings.  Things can be tricky if despite your best intentions you don’t speak the language or are unsure of the local customs.  All hail the international language of baby talk!  My son, unconcerned about such trivial matters, got stuck in with making friends and before long we were following his example.

3. You can show your child new things
One of the simple pleasures of our trip was searching for sea creatures in the rock pools.  After reading 101 library books about the ocean my little boy was delighted to find real life star fish, sea slugs and anemones.

4. Your child will show you new things
The holiday wasn’t all about me showing him new things.  On the flight he showed me flying was amazing, exciting and fun,  During takeoff he only took his nose off the window to utter to me  “Really fast…’mazing…whoosh…up in the clouds.”  Until that point I had only ever seen flying as a chore to be endured.

5.  You have to be more organised and this can make the holiday more comfortable for everyone
On many a holiday I have had a minor accident only to realise I had forgotten the first aid kit or discovered a secluded beach with no facilities and been unable to enjoy it properly due to a rumbling stomach.  Never again!  Now I’m a mother I have a handbag that would make Mary Poppins green with envy! This means I am far more prepared to deal with the highs and lows of travel than I ever was on my own.

The thing that struck me most about Oman was its people. Omani’s live gracious and gentle lives but they’re also very warm and friendly. Everywhere we went we were greeted with great smiles and welcomes and all hotels, mostly 4* or 5* take pride in giving you the best experience possible.

Oman has only opened up to tourism within the last 10 years but the current Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is very keen to lead the country forward in the 21st Century.  The international airports and seaports are flourishing with a new airport currently being constructed in Muscat and an extension to the port in Salalah due to start soon.  The road network is growing daily and the hotels are growing rapidly with the big names such as Marriott, Millennium, Hilton etc due to expand in the next few years.

I’m sure most people would view Oman as being in a desert – not completely true!  We flew the 1 hour 40 minutes from Muscat to Salalah in the South and here we found lush green mountains of Dhofar overlooking the city and this is due to the Khareef season which brings mist and rain to the area during the monsoon season between June and October. In Salalah you’ll find that the fertile plains produce coconut groves and banana plantations, drive along the roads and you’ll see stall after stall of local vendors. Beyond the mountains there is desert with Bedouin camps, and after a 3 hour drive you will arrive at the sand dunes of the Empty Quarter which borders Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen. Ask a local and they will say the best time to visit the Dhofar region is November to April and even the locals in Muscat fly to Salalah to escape the high summer temperatures of Muscat in June, July and August.

Frankincense is big business in the Dhofar region and it comes from a resin scraped from the Boswellia Tree which has been in the area for thousands of years and was known as white gold to the Romans. If you visit any of the bustling souks (a traditional market) in Oman you can purchase the Frankincense along with charcoal and the decorative containers in which to burn it. It’s an aromatic experience that will, undoubtedly, have you reaching for your wallet for use at home. Local handicrafts also include leather work, textiles, basketry, pottery, gold, silver and copper-ware.

Oman is shrouded in history with many watchtowers, forts and castles which act as memories of a bygone age and local tribes.  The oldest fort is in Nizwa and was built in the 17th Century.  It was one of the first cities to embrace Islam and became a recognised entre for Islamic and scientific scholarship, agriculture and trade.

Coming back to the 21st Century, Muscat is due to open its very own Opera House in November 2011 and the complex will also feature a souq, museum, shops, cafes and a village square.

Golf has also come to Oman with the Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club which opened in 2010 and only 10 minutes from the International Airport.  It was designed by Paul Thomas of La Manga Fame and also features private villas and a 150 room boutique hotel.

I love Oman and would love to go back in a couple of years time to see the new Marina project in Salalah up and running and the expansion of the hotels in Muscat especially the Millennium Musanah which has recently opened.  It’s part of a major development plan sited 1 hour north of Muscat. At the time we were there the 4 swimming pools were being constructed – including a ladies only pool with an aqua park and golf course are due for completion by the end of 2012.  It’s going to be a great family resort.

Another interesting fact is that Muscat is only a 3 hour drive from Dubai and the roads are straight and smooth making driving very easy, not like here in the UK.

Oistins is a major fishing community in Barbados with a modern fishing market and is only a short drive away from Dover Beach.

Each Friday and Saturday evening, hundreds of locals and visitors alike visit Oistins for the Fish fry to sample fried and grilled fish, fish cakes, macaroni pie, coleslaw and more.

There are numerous stalls to choose from, with basic seating for customers, we found ourselves sharing a table with Canadians and Americans and enjoyed their company. There are also craft stalls to wander round and there are two stages around which people congregate to watch locals and visitors alike – dance until late into the night. This is very entertaining as there is a huge mix of abilities, with some really talented dancers.

The area is mainly outdoors and we did experience a short shower of rain that had people hurrying for shelter – except for a group of local men, who were playing a game of dominoes – that nothing was going to interrupt!

So, if you are looking for an evening out of the hotel complex, Oistins is a great place to mingle with the locals, enjoy a Banks beer or rum punch and sit back and watch the locals at play.

This September I was privileged to visit Smuggler’s Cove Resort & Spa in St Lucia. If I could sum up my stay in one sentence, I would say I spent seven days in blissful serenity, existing in an idyllic pocket of paradise.

For the hippy scenic lover in us all, the cove is exactly that, with two sides of gently sloping terrain reaching out almost equidistant to each other. Smothered in natural tropical foliage, and the waves flirting at the coast line, it makes for a real feeling of seclusion from the outside world; intimate and beautiful. The beach itself is a good size, clean and raked daily. The water was cool and refreshing, though close to the shore, I’d occasionally find myself fighting to swim through the seaweed. However, this was most likely due to the hurricanes that were making their way through the West Indies at the time of our stay.

The resort complex itself was fairly compact. We found our way around easily and there were plenty of sun loungers around the pools and on the beach, fantastic for sun worshippers. If you prefer the shade, you’ll have to be a little more tactical where you choose to stake your spot. There are large parasols and palm trees for shade, but these could do with being increased in numbers. The adult pools and swim-up bar were closely located, which we found a real treat when it came to refreshing ourselves with a welcome iced Pina Colada. Try it with pureed strawberry, it’s like angel water!

In the evenings the atmosphere is magical. The outdoor tables around the pool areas are lit with oil lanterns, up-lighting in the palm trees and a soft glow from the restaurants. This gives a romantic ambiance whilst you relax and make eyes at your loved one while listening to local Caribbean music or the live reggae cabaret.

I can’t mention the restaurants without singing praise to the food and the selection on offer. We have all heard the All Inclusive horror stories when it comes to food, but at every meal there was ample to choose from, and everything was fresh, well presented, and most importantly, absolutely delicious. We only ate at two of the three speciality restaurants, La Trattoria and Cafe Asia. La Trattoria is the Italian restaurant, and served the best spaghetti bolognaise I’ve ever had. Café Asia however was a little disappointing. Considered the most formal and renowned of the restaurants, we found the food to be a little bland, the portion sizes on the small side and the menu options restrictive.  Fellow holiday makers raved about Café Asia, so perhaps it just did not meet our own personal tastes.

The resort was previously owned by Almond Resorts, and was bought over within the last year. With that in mind, the owners and managers have been working very hard to bring Smugglers Cove up to a four star rating.

I really enjoyed my week in paradise, and would have no hesitation in returning for another holiday in St Lucia.

Guests staying in the house at the time were Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, her boyfriend and family, and Branson’s 90 year old mother Eve and daughter Holly. Sir Richard was staying in a nearby property with his wife and son Sam. The guests managed to escape unharmed after lightning from a tropical storm set fire to Sir Richard Branson’s Caribbean holiday home, destroying the building.

“Around 20 people were in the house and they all managed to get out and they are all fine,” said Branson, who was at another property nearby with his wife and son. “We had a really bad tropical storm with winds up to 90mph. A big lightning storm came around 4am and hit the house,” he added.

Sir Richard Branson has owned Necker since the 1980′s – purchasing the island from Lord Cobham for just £180,000. As well as serving as Branson’s family holiday base, The Great House on the island can be rented out for £30,000 a night.

For the adventure traveler, there are hills to trek, tribes to visit, rivers to raft, elephants to ride, and waterfalls  to leap off.  This is no real secret though, is it?  Thailand is a world renowned tourist hotspot.  It is no longer off the beaten track.  But there is still adventure to be had for all.

From my experience, it is often the Thai people who supply that extra bit of spice.  After all, there numerous other places to hike, kayak, scuba dive or just lounge around.  But the Thai people, in their easy going and affable manner keep the customers coming back for more.  With the exception of those irritating Tuk Tuk drivers “You want tuk tuk!” – Thailand will charm you.

On my last visit, I spent most of my time at the beaches near Phuket and on Phi Phi Island. After days of beaching and kayaking I decided to do a bit of scuba diving.  On Phi Phi Island (Ko Phi Phi) I found my place. On the island, I walked past several scuba shops with nice new equipment; they looked clean, presentable, and crowded.  I kept walking. I chose the place that most resembled a tool shed as the shop for me. If there is one thing I know about starting a worthwhile escapade, it is choosing the tour shop the looks the most dangerous.

I walked up to the shop and was at once greeted with the biggest smile I have ever seen.  The owner of the smile was a short but well built Thai gentlemen.  He had a few silver teeth which only added to the charm.  “Hello, my friend!” he said instantly. “You want to scuba, good price for you, best price on Ko Phi Phi.” He continued to lay it on, “Oh, You look like a Bruce Willis, ha ha. Yes, you do. You are baby Bruce, ha ha…Cheap price for you my friend.”

The price sounded reasonable. Thailand makes it’s money off of over charging tourist, but this price was low enough that I started to worry for my safety. So, I signed in and agreed to meet back up with the man at 5 am the next morning.

“Oh hey, did you need to see my open-water license? I think I left it back at the hotel”

“ No, no, it’s no problem.  You look strong, it’s OK, it’s OK.”

The next morning came and we did the dive.  It was very pleasant.  We saw turtles, eels, sharks, star fish, clown-fish, coral and other fish with more colours than a crayola box.  Nice, but uneventful.

The ascent was when the real adventure started. A few meters from the surface my BC vest popped. This is the piece of equipment that allows you to float to the top or sink to the bottom, depending on the amount of air in the vest. Mine had none, which meant I was no longer raising to the top. I kept pumping in air, until I used up all the oxygen.

Now you may be an experienced diver and this type of situation might seem completely manageable to you, but to me it was a moment for concern.  I would not call it panic, but a definite feeling of “Holy cr*p! What do I do now!?” set in. I began kicking as hard as I could to the surface. When I reached it, I was breathing heavily. I yelled to the guide “No huh… huh…air!”

“Ha Ha  Yes.  Yes, no hair, you baby Bruce!” I could hear him, but my goggles were so fogged that I could only see that giant grin of his. Then I went under again. I  kicked back to the surface in time to hear the guide say “You fine, no problem my friend.”

“Grab me. I can’t keep this up.” I tried to yell as intelligibly as one can yell with a mouth full of sea water. “Oh my Buddha, don’t worry man!” he said as he slowly made his way over to me.

When he finally got me, I felt like I had been running full tilt on a treadmill for the past several minutes. I was so worn-out that I couldn’t even manage to conjure any angry. We got back on board, got out of the gear and I sat down—exhausted.

“What the heck man, what took you so long, I thought I was going to drowned to death out there!”

“Ah, you fine, I had to get the [tow] rope.”

Then he hit me with that huge grin, and said in a way that could cause no insult, “Ha, oh mama, you westerners are all the same.  You look like strong handsome man, but you scare like little girl, ha ha.”  Then he popped the top off beer bottle, slapped me on the back, handed me the beer and said, “You come back tomorrow, very good price for you my friend.  I haven’t had another diver in a week.”

Yeah, sure. Why not,” I said. After all, anyone who can charm you, guide you, almost kill you, save you and then charm you again has earned a return visit. That is Thailand. A destination that will once again be on my 2011 travel plans.

Nate Harper writes about Overseas Adventure Travel for Gear Up and Play.

Allowing both US and overseas couples to legally exchange vows in one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world was a smart move by the politicians. In a world where every dollar is hard fought, opening up a new revenue stream for local industry boosts both domestic and overseas tourism to the city and ensures that all the ancillary benefits from an increase in wedding celebrations remain in the city. Hotels, event venues, caterers and many more industries are as reliant on the wedding industry as the actual wedding planners are – this change in the law benefits them all equally, and they have not been slow in realising this. The first gay weddings in New York took place on 24 July 2011 – all 823 of them.

Portugal is another country which realised that changing the law would benefit their economy. Before 2010 heterosexual couples had to be resident for 30 days before they could marry, that has now been changed so EU residents have no residency period. Portugal also made gay weddings legal in 2010, with the first gay wedding taking place in June 2010. Both these changes can only benefit the country, at a time when their economy is struggling and business needs all the help it can get.

We can only wonder if Spain and France, two very popular countries for destination weddings, both of which have residency restrictions, will ever change their laws to allow non residents to marry more easily there. Both gay and straight couples would benefit.

* US states which allow gay marriage: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and one US district: Washington DC. US states which allow gay civil unions: Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Delaware (from 2012).

Our guest blogger Stephanie Bishop is company director for www.marryabroad.co.uk.

Year-round sunny weather, stunning sandy beaches, lush tropical scenery, friendly locals and irresistible food and music make Caribbean holidays truly special.  Each island has its own unique atmosphere, cuisine and history.  Jamaica is one of the classic Caribbean destinations.  The home of reggae with a laid-back, friendly population and a great sense of fun make Jamaica ideal for exciting holidays. Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, has also become increasingly popular with Irish travellers.  The American government has already eased travel restrictions for Cuban-Americans and may very well lift them entirely.  Many fear that will change Cuba’s distinctive character for good.

Life has a random edge in Cuba, so sip a rum cocktail and be enchanted by the beautiful colonial buildings and romantically faded grandeur of Havana with some of the best Spanish colonial architecture in the Americas pretty well untouched since they were built!   If it’s just a really laid back Caribbean experience you’re after, try the island’s famed beach destination of Varadero, renowned for its unspoiled white sands and crystal-clear waters.  So if you’re planning a honeymoon between December and May, the Caribbean is an excellent choice.

Dubai certainly has an exuberant air, once described by the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart as “what happens when Las Vegas and Saudi Arabia have babies”. That’s a bit unfair really!  It may share the same neon aspirations as Vegas, but the architecture in Dubai is definitely more cutting edge and has its own aesthetic of modernity that Nevada lacks.    It depends on your taste of course, but Dubai holidays offer stunning natural and man-made scenery with extravagant entertainment.  Dubai is probably most famous for its artificial islands. The “Palm Dubai” and “The Palms”, shaped like palm trees, and “The World”, consisting of an  archipelago of 300 islands constructed in the shape of the Earth’s continents, are the largest man-made islands ever built  and have been described as  ‘the Eighth Wonder of the World’.

Dubai also provides the ultimate in luxury holidays.  The “Seven Star” Burj al-Arab is the epitome of opulence, standing on its own island.  Nothing prepares you for the interior of the Burj. Every colour and every material known to man seems to have been used in the décor but somehow sheer scale seems to make them fit together!   During the day, the hotel is pristine white, but after dark computer controlled lights means the whole building changes colour.

Dubai holidays would not be complete without a trip to the covered Gold Souk in Deira, Dubai’s most famous gold market and although you shouldn’t expect cheap bargains you will certainly get a piece for far less than the equivalent price back home.  Although the UAE is an Islamic Federal Constitutional Monarchy, it’s always had a very tolerant and relaxed attitude, so entertainment and night life in Dubai includes cinemas, concerts, discotheques as well as live entertainment.  There is also a wide selection of bars and pubs to be found in the major hotels, many of which are so huge that it’s not necessary to venture outside their limits to experience everything the UAE has to offer.

We decided to try gourmet Creole cooking in the Chez Lamar restaurant in the Banyan Tree. This is one of three restaurants – Au Jardin D’Epices is the fine dining a la carte venue and Saffron is a tasty Thai restaurant.   We sat down to enjoy a “Seychelles Tasting” menu, although their idea of “Tasting” and mine are two different things.  The portions were huge!  We began with octopus in batter, aubergine compote and a whole soft crab that you eat in its entirety.

Second course was a huge piece of lamb, gigantic prawns, some vegetable chutneys, rice and fruit bat curry. Now curried fruit bat is a first for me!  It’s incredibly bony but very tasty although I could not take the” pfaffing around” of getting it off the bone. Definitely a taste experience though, and that’s an accolade  coming from the man who has eaten Pangolin in Guilin, Spiced Sparrow in Beijing, and Sea Slug and Duck’s Bill in Hong Kong.  There is a season for fruit bat, so they are not endangered by the culinary habits of the Seychellois. Nevertheless I think prefer them in the air than in my curry.  The manager returned at the end of the meal to tell us that he had a box full of tiny turtles that had hatched that evening. Slightly concerned, I told him we really were quite full, but there was no need to worry!  These 80 tiny turtle hatchlings weren’t intended as desert but were to be released into the Ocean.  We were taken by buggy to the beach and then escorted them to the water and let them escape.

The airport looked much the same as it did all those years ago – still an old Air Seychelles Boeing 767 on the tarmac, roads still in the same state (single carriageway with a big drop on the side) but they were busier and there seemed to be more houses.

Two decades ago Mahé, the main island, had a gaggle of hotels that were all 2 to 4 star with pretty average service and uninspired food.  Now there’s a good a range of 5 star properties that have sprung up on the island. The Banyan Tree (where I stayed) and St Anne Resort and Hotel show how the development of these excellent five star boutique hotels has coincided with the arrival of major supermarkets in Victoria.

When I was last on La Digue there were no cars at all – you travelled by ox cart and sturdy single speed bicycle.  Now there are cars (just a few), the mountain bikes all have 18 gears and there’s a new department store called Gregoires.  The idyllic beach of Anse, where they shot some of the old Bounty TV commercials, was all ours 18 years ago. Today, although we had to share it with 50 other tourists, it’s still one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!

Prices in the Seychelles were always high and that’s still the case.  There has been a devaluation of the local currency, but prices remain steep, with beers around €6 each in the 5 star hotels and wine requiring a mortgage application.  Very few hotels offer all inclusive, but it’s probably best to get half board anyway.

A lot of the outer islands like Denis, North Island, St Annes, Fregate and Silhouette have developed with designer hideaway hotels at the top of the 5 star range, but Bird Island is one of the last outer island experiences that definitely has not changed. The old buildings have been upgraded with new accommodation, bars and dining rooms, but the feel of the place is the same. There’s still no TV, no radio, no Internet, no air conditioning, no sun loungers. You come here to see nature (fantastic birdlife) and that’s exactly what you get!

The one thing that hasn’t changed (and will never will) about this tropical Indian Ocean paradise is its enticing appeal.  The beaches, the colour of the water, the fish in the Ocean and on your plate, the sound of crashing Indian Ocean waves, the charm and the sheer beauty of the Seychelles haven’t tarnished with age or development.  They are all exactly the same as before!

The ancient Maya port and fortress of Tulum stands on a bluff facing the rising sun looking out on views of the Caribbean that are nothing less than spectacular.   Some maintain that Tulum means “Wall” (it’s certainly one of the very few walled cities the Maya ever built) while others suggest is means “Dawn”.  Either is spectacularly appropriate given the location.

Tulum was a major link in the Maya’s extensive trade network.   Artefacts found at the site come from Central Mexico and as far afield as Central America with finds including ceramics from the Yucatán and jade and obsidian from Guatemala.  Tulum, like so many Maya cities before it, was abandoned when the Spaniards conquered the Yucatan.  The archaeological site is relatively compact compared with many other sites in the vicinity and is one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites.  Its architecture is similar to nearby Chichen Itza, but on a much smaller scale.

A convenient base just five minutes away from the ruins of Tulum and not too far from the larger Mayan site of Chichen Itza is the Dreams Tulum Hotel, located on one of the most beautiful beaches on the Riviera Maya.   This excellent five star all inclusive hotel is ideal for singles, couples or families and as well a being just a bike ride from the ruins at Tulum, it boasts a range of gourmet restaurants, luxurious facilities and amenities and wonderful night time entertainment.

Running from the 1st to the 10th of May, the main event is hosted at Pigeon Island National Park.  Apart from hosting the annual St Lucia jazz festival, Pigeon Island itself boasts a number of historical sites and two secluded beaches.   Guest artistes headlining this year include Amy Winehouse, the Original Wailers, Chicago, Patti La belle and George Duke.   However, it’s the free daytime entertainment that has grown in popularity and this “Free Fringe” now rivals the main event.

“Jazz on the Square” at The Derek Walcott Square is a series of lunch time concerts in the heart of Castries City in the picturesque square named after  Derek Walcott, the island’s Nobel Laureate in Literature.  “Jazz on the Pier” is held at Pointe Seraphine, St Lucia’s biggest duty free shopping complex, and “Tea Time Jazz” at La Place Carenage is the ideal follow-up to Lunch Time Jazz on the Square.

“Fond D’Or Jazz” at Fond D’Or Heritage Park offers a breathtaking view, the cool breeze of the Caribbean Sea and the soothing sounds of local jazz music.   “Jazz in the South” at Rudy John Beach started out as a small community event that quickly became one of the main attractions in the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival.  “Jazz on the Beach” at Reduit Beach is the most recent event in festival, overlooking Rodney Bay within earshot of Pigeon Island.  “Soufriere Jazz” hosts a variety of shows at various locations around the town including Sulphur Springs Jazz at the world’s only drive-in-Volcano!

The Banyan Tree on the south coast of Mahé in the Seychelles has a majestic view of the Indian Ocean and boasts luxuriously furnished villas.  Lounging around by the pool in this fantastic luxury sounds great, but Steve Garley, on occasion, is one of those exercise freaks.

So it was up at 7.00 am and off to find a mountain bike. Reception duly found one and he rode through the resort and up the hill. And what a hill it was!  It was a real Tour de France mountain stage, but our intrepid hero made it to the top!  Then it was down the other side to the next beach and an even steeper climb home.

Back in the resort, all glowing and sweaty, a swim in the sea to cool off was very welcome.  Breakfast of fruit, eggs and wonderful coffee (Steve insists on a “coffee test” in all the hotels he visits and this one definitely passed) was then followed by a morning in the private villa complete with private pool that’s absolutely discreet and not overlooked by anyone.  Then you can head off for a spa treatment in the Banyan Tree Spa located next to the very nice gym at the top of the resort.

It is very relaxing reading, swimming, having a beer from the Minibar and doing absolutely nothing and the Banyan Tree is the perfect location to do just that – or be more active if you really want to!

Some of the islands in Ha Long bay are quite large and there are small coves with sandy beaches where swimming is possible, but the best way to experience this wonderland is on baord a junk as part of a tour. Ha Long literally means Descending Dragon and according to local myth, the unique features of the bay were made when the gods from heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend the land.

This family of dragons began spitting out their teeth to create a barrier against the invader and when they hit the sea, these teeth turned into the various islands, outcrops and islets you can see today.   Mother dragon lies on what is now Ha Long and her children lie in Bai Tu Long. The dragon’s tails formed the area called Bach Long Vi known for the miles of white sandy beaches.

When you arrive in Ha Long city, you’ll most likely be driving along Bai Chay (Scorched Beach) and the sand on this stretch of beach is indeed very dark. Legend says that in 1287 the Mongols attacked Vietnam and were driven back.  Many Mongolian ships were set afire and drifted towards the shore of Bai Chay, setting the forest that then surrounded the beach ablaze. From that day onwards, it’s been known as the Scorched Beach.

From Bai Chay, you can hire a boat or take a luxury cruise and go out to Ha Long Bay and absorb the mystical qualities and the surrealistic scenery that defines this place. The limestone formations are awesome and over thousands of years the bases of many have corroded to the point where they seem to be balancing on thin air. Seen from afar or above, it really is possible to believe that these incredible formations are the teeth of dragons!

Whatever your view of Vietnam, it’s bound to be influenced by history that simply no longer holds true.  The fact is this South East Asian country is one of the most stunning and beautiful places on the planet.

The major centres of population include Ho Chi Minh City, still the largest city in Vietnam.  Under the name Saigon it was the capital of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975 and either “fell” from an American perspective, or was “liberated” from a Vietnamese viewpoint the following year.   It was officially renamed Ho Chí Minh City, although the name Saigon is still commonly used.

A thousand miles north from Ho Chi Minh City lies Hanoi, the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam.  For almost 800 years, Hanoi was the political centre of an independent Vietnam, although that role was briefly taken by Hue during the Nguyen Dynasty.   Hanoi again served as the capital of French Indochina from 1887 to 1954 and then until 1976, when it was the capital of North Vietnam.

In between are magnificent coastal towns and villages including Hue, the beach resort that is now  Nha Trang and Hoi An.  Of these, Hoi An has proved immensely popular and the old town was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.  Many visit for the numerous art and craft shops – lanterns abound in Hoi An – and tailors who produce made-to-measure clothes for a fraction of the western price in what seems a matter of minutes.

Further north, above Hanoi is the magnificent Ha Long Bay.  This UNESCO World Heritage site features thousands of limestone karsts and islets in various sizes and shapes scattered around the seascape.   More on Ha Long Bay in our next blog!