Volunteer Vacations – Feel Great For Less!

Vacations can be quite expensive with the two major cost drivers being the flight and hotel stay. Well, if you are willing to donate some of your time and skills, you can reduce your vacations costs. There are dozens of organizations which can help you create a wonderful vacation while also making a difference in the world. The organizations cover any type of volunteer work you can think of and are world wide. So think about it and check out some of these websites for more information. You will find that a vacation is even more memorable when you spend part of it giving back. Here’s another bonus….Your vacation expenses may be tax deductible. Consult your accountant about your options.

For short term vacations/volunteer opportunities, check out the following:

• Give Kids the World Village (800-995-KIDS; http://www.gktw.org). Background checks are required on all volunteers, so apply a minimum of two weeks before your scheduled visit.
• Sea turtle protection programs (http://www.seaturtle.org). This is the clearinghouse for opportunities around the globe.
• Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary (808-246-2860; http://www.hawaiianhumpbackwhale.noaa.gov). Participate in the yearly whale count and other volunteer opportunities.
• Help London stay “green.” The London Wildlife Trust (020-7261-0447; http://www.wildlondon.org.uk) and Thames 21 (020-7248-7171) do good work in London, such as building burrows for the local hedgehog population and keeping the banks of the Thames clean. Very few vacationers help out, so you’ll be paired with actual Londoners, a treat.
• Amigos De Los Animales (http://www.islaanimals.org). Help abandoned pets on Isla Mujeres in Mexico (Mayan Riviera). The staff here speaks English and is willing to take as many or as few hours as you can volunteer.

Also, for additional short and long-term volunteer opportunities, try the Web site RezHub.com (http://www.rezhub.com).

Many volunteer holidays can be done for free or very little cost. Among organizations that promote these types of vacations, check out the following sites:

• WWOOF (http://www.wwoof.org). “Willing Workers on Organic Farms.” Volunteers pay their way in sweat working on sustainable farms all over the world.
• American Hiking Society (http://www.americanhiking.org). Maintaining the networks of trails across the U.S. is their raison d’etre, and they send volunteers to some of the most beautiful spots in all 50 states to do just that. The price tag is usually $245 per trip (to cover camping fees, food and materials).
• British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (http://www.btcv.org.uk). This organization offers conservation holidays at historic sites as well as areas of natural beauty in the British Isles and across Europe. Prices are equivalent to what you’d pay with the American Hiking Society.
• Volunteers for Peace (http://www.vfp.org). This group places travelers in more than 1,000 international work camps across the globe. Projects vary greatly; some current offerings include building a community center in Kenya, teaching conversational English at a school for children with disabilities in Indonesia, and helping with skill training for destitute women in Ethiopia. The minimum you’ll pay is $300 for a two-week vacation (not including airfare).

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Atlantis In The Bahamas

The new tropical resort in The Bahamas, called Atlantis, is simply amazing. It has so many adventures for every age and interest that you won’t even have to leave the resort your entire stay!

Hotel and Food Accommodations: There are 6 different resort accommodations to choose from which range in price, size and tailored to suit each individual need. Atlantis offers rooms that are more hotel style to studios and suites and then ultra luxury rooms. Regardless of where you choose to stay, you will enjoy full access to the experiences waiting for you at Atlantis. As for dining, Atlantis has 21 restaurants as well as 19 bars and lounges. These restaurants offer everything from a quick and simple bite to fine dining at its best. There are buffets, family style meals, places to order pool side or check out Mesa Grill, which is Chef Bobby Flay’s award winning restaurant.

Now for the fun part. There is so much to do at Atlantis – I tried to pack in as much of the attractions as possible. Want to swim with bottlenose dolphins? Well then check out Dolphin Cay, which is a 14 acre marine habitat. You can choose to either stay in shallow, waist deep, waters while interacting with the friendly dolphins or take part in a deep water swim where you can snorkel along side the dolphins. You can also become a trainer for the day where you spend the day with a Marine Mammal Specialist feeding, training, caring and playing with dolphins and sea lions. You can also play with sea lions, take a behind the scenes sea lion tour, become a aquarist for the day – where you snorkel through the exquisite Ruins Lagoon amid giant mantas and exotic marine life and hand-feed cownose rays. You can also forgo the aquarist tour and just snorkel the ruins of Atlantis yourself at the Ruins Lagoon. *All of this is just at Dolphin Cay! There are many other marine habitats at Atlantis which house sharks, aligators, turtles, stingrays, many species of fish, etc. Some of the lagoons to check out include The Dig (exotic sea life), Ruins Lagoon (20,000 deep reef and pelagic fish), Predator Lagoon (Sharks, barracudas, rays, sawfish and giant grouper), Mayan Temple Shark Lagoon (Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks), Cenote (alligator), Estuary Lagoon (newborn sea life), Reef Lagoon (nurse sharks), Hibiscus Lagoon (green sea and hawksbill turtles ), Seagrapes Lagoon (French angelfish, parrotfish, butterfly fish, squirrelfish), stingray Lagoon, Royal Ray Lagoon, Waters Edge Lagoon.

Want to spend the day at an amazing water park? Well, you don’t have to leave the grounds of Atlantis to do so. They have a 141 acre water park that is complimentary for all guests staying at Atlantis. There are 18 water slides that range from literally vertical drops to kiddie slides. If you are an adventure seeker, try the Leap of Faith, which is a 60 foot almost-vertical drop from the top of the Mayan Temple, through a clear tunnel submerged in a shark-filled lagoon. There is a mile-long river ride with rolling rapids and waves, a spectacular kids water-play fort and 11 unique and refreshing pools. You can even test your climbing skills at the rock climbing wall that has 12 climbing surfaces for every skill level, ages 6 and up.

You can also go on a catamaran for a 2.5 hour snorkel excursion, go on a half-day scuba dive trip (must be a certified diver) to explore walls, reefs and wrecks. If you are not certified to scuba dive, no worries. You can Snuba, which is snorkeling with long tubes so you can experience the wonders of marine life. Back at the resort, you can also experience sharks up close at the shark adventure. Using state-of-the-art clear-glass helmets, participants can walk on the bottom of the Shark Exhibit at Atlantis.

Once you’re done having fun in the water, try some land activities like playing a round of golf at the Ocean Club Golf Course. This course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course, designed by Tom Weiskopf. Play some tennis at one of the three har-tru courts and three hard courts. Take a break and get a spa treatment at the Mandara Spa where they offer ancient Balinese healing touches and traditional European therapies. There is world class shopping right at the resort as well as an awesome fitness center. You can even create your own pottery at the Earth & Fire Pottery Studio. For kids, there is the rock climbing wall, the Gamers Reef – where you can play video games, take in a movie at the Atlantis Theatre, design, build and race your very own remote control race car or monster truck at the Atlantis Speedway, Create your very own stuffed animal from scratch at Atlantis Pals, go to the library or check out their own Marina where you can experience a yacht or fishing charter.

Nightlife/Adult activities are also right there on the grounds of Atlantis. Cain at the Cove is a pool for those 18 and over where they have 20 private cabanas for the guests. Aura Night Club is a 9,000 square foot club with a glass dance floor. There are 2 bars, two VIP sections and a private VIP Parlour. Check out live entertainment at Atlantis Live, take in some comedy relief at Joker’s Wild Comedy Club or just relax at the 40 restaurants, bars and lounges available.

Last but certainly not least, check out the Casino where you can bet at the tables, play the slots, check out tournaments and events, bet on races and sports, etc. Cain at The Cove offers poolside gaming including Blackjack, Craps and Mini Baccarat. Seaglass at The Cove offers an intimate gaming experience with Roulette and Blackjack tables. Pegasus Race and Sports Book offers betting on all major sporting events and horse racing from major US tracks.

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Destination: Bora Bora

Bora Bora is part of the Tahitian islands in the South Pacific ocean, about an 8 hour flight from Los Angeles. It is the most amazing island that is almost completely surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. There are some smaller islands (called Motu) which surround the lagoon. It also has an extinct volcano that has two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. Looking at the island is a most spectacular site as the almost neon-turquoise lagoon offsets the deep blue ocean. Staying here is like staying in paradise. Here are some things you won’t want to miss if you are visiting Bora Bora.

Exploring the Lagoon – There is so much to do just at the lagoon, you may want to give yourself a day or two devoted just to this part of the island. You can actually stay right over the lagoon in an over-the-water bungalow. You can walk from your bed to the lagoon without having to leave your bungalow! You can also go snorkeling right from your bungalow as well! Of course, you can snorkel right off the beaches just about anywhere on the island. There is an abundance of large marine life, including glorious manta rays and reef sharks. You can also check out the wonders of the lagoon through a glass bottom boat or even rent a motorboat or jet ski and explore the lagoon and beaches go at your own pace. You can also rent a Hobie Cat or take a half-day or sunset cruise around the lagoon on a giant catamaran.

Breakfast by Canoe – Seemingly unique to Bora Bora, you can have breakfast brought right to your private balcony, villa or over-the-water bungalow by Polynesian staff in a canoe. The canoe is covered in flowers and the staff serves fresh fruit, pastries, juice, etc. What better way to start your day? If you are staying at one of the resorts on the island, you can also enjoy this neat tradition but it is recommended that you call ahead to reserve this opportunity.

Feed Sharks or Hang with Sting Rays – This is one of the most popular attractions in the South Pacific. You can actually hang out in the shallow lagoon waters behind a secure rope and watch your guide hand feed sharks just a few feet from you! Later on you will stand in shallow waters and watch as beautiful and graceful stingrays swim around you.

Exploring the island – The island is small but there is so much beauty to explore. Rent a 4×4 and drive through the forest roads up to the top of the island and take in the breathtaking views. Learn about the island’s role during World War II and check out the naval cannons left behind at the end of the war. Or you can take guided hikes to Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu.

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Fiji Me!

Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean about 2000 km north of New Zealand’s North Island. The country consists of 333 islands and more than 500 islets. However, only 110 islands are inhabited and two of those islands (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) account for 87% of the entire population. The climate is tropical with an average temperature of 88 degrees with a light breeze typically blowing through the islands.

Fiji is an amazing tropical paradise where everyone can find something they enjoy, whether you are looking for adventure or looking to be pampered. Here are some great ideas if you are considering a visit to Fiji.

Scuba diving is absolutely fantastic and a must if you are visiting these islands. There are dives for everyone’s skill level – from beginner to expert. Furthermore, there are shallow dives, deep dives, reef dives dives with deep drop offs, drift diving, night diving, ship wreck sites and cave sites to explore. The type of dive depends on your comfort level as well as what you want to see. Some of the popular dives include exploring the coral reefs. Fiji is actually world renowned as “The Soft Coral Capital of the World.” Fiji islands are amassed with coral reefs which can be explored in both the shallow and deeper waters. The coral reef is home to about 1,000 species of fish, hundreds of different coral and sponges as well as endless amounts of anemones (remember Finding Nemo when he tried to pronounce this word!), molluscs, crustaceans and other invertebrates. However, there is more than just coral reefs and its inhabitants. Looking for a bit of adventure while diving? Well, you can venture into reef passages and into the lairs of the Grey Reef sharks, Silvertips, Hammerheads and White Tips. You can even dive with the sharks and observe experienced divers feed the sharks. Too much? Well, how about swimming with the giant Mantas? These creatures are amazingly large but poetically brilliant in their movements and something to definitely witness. Also a must for the ocean lovers is witnessing the Spinner Dolphins who (like their name) fly upward out of the ocean and spin in the air multiple times (up to seven) before submerging into the ocean and then doing it all over again. I also want to mention that whale watching is also popular in Figi. Humpback whales are the dominant whale but the Minke and Sperm whales pass through intermittently as well.

Of course there are water adventures that keep you floating above the water instead of submerged. Fiji has every water sport imaginable – from jet boating to white water rafting, kayaking, sailing, surfing (mainly in places where you have to take a boat just to get there – awesome!), big game fishing, parasailing and many more water adventures. Hey, wanna cruise? Well, you can! Fiji has cruises that travel around their mainland and outer islands. My favorite “cruise” is traveling on one of the bamboo rafts (known as bilibili) which is commandeered by a local “captain” so the only thing you have to do is enjoy the breathtaking view and absorb the serenity.

When your done having fun in the water, check out some of the land activities. Fiji has glorious rain forests that you can hike through or even try mountain biking! If the rain forest seems a bit intimidating, how about backpacking through some of the outer islands? Some of the mountain trails end with a swim under a waterfall – which is the way it should be after a long hike! The villages are quite welcoming and hospitable to their tourist friends. If you want to get to know the history of Fiji and learn their culture then you should visit the caves in and around the island and listen to traditional stories of historical chiefs and tribal wars.

After all that play time, how about relaxing at one of the 5-star resorts where you can get the works in pampering which of course will get your ready for your night out at one of the world class restaurants for some fine dining or maybe to a club for some nightlife fun. Indulge in a massage in a private villa on the beach, get spa treatments or sip cocktails on the beach or poolside. So go ahead and indulge on your Fiji vacation. Bula!

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Nashville, Tennessee – More Than Meets the Eye

Nashville is best known as country music capital of the world. While that may be true, there is more to do in Nashville than hit up music row. Here are some notable places to visit when staying in Nashville, TN.

OK, I will start with a Country Music Landmark because we are still talking about Nashville. I wholly recommend taking a tour of the Ryman Auditorium (former site of the Grand Ole Opry). The Ryman is open to tours from 9 – 4 and you can do a guided tour or head out on your own. I also recommend getting tickets to one of the shows. It is truly something to witness as you feel like you are becoming a part of history just being there.

The Grand Ole Opry Muesum: The museum is right next to Opry Plaza area near the Grand Ole Opry House.At the museum you can view tributes to those well known country legends like Patsy Cline, Tex Ritter, Roy Acuff, Marty Robbins, Minnie Pearl, George Jones, Jim Reeves Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks. Displays feature special audio and video electronic effects and interactive devices so you can hear the music as you relive the history of country music.

Opryland Hotel Indoor Garden and Collections: This place is simply amazing and I go there every time I visit Nashville. There are three nationally acclaimed indoor gardens: The Conservatory, The Cascades, and The Delta. The Conservatory covers two acres and is devoted solely to tropical plants. The Cascades also covers two acres and features waterfalls cascading into a 12,500 square-foot indoor lake. The Delta covers 4.5 acres and features restaurants, shops and a fountain that sends out jets of water 85 feet into the air. A breathtaking river runs through it with passenger-carrying boats. Best part is you could literally spend the day here and the admission is free!

NashTrash Tours: The Jugg Sisters will have you laughing and singing all afternoon. As you visit all the major attractions in the city, you will hear the satirical and very risque commentary of the sisters while riding in comfort on their tacky pink bus. NashTrash Tours is not a very sophisticated ride, as alcohol is allowed to be consumed on the bus, so you might be best to leave the kids at home. If you don’t mind the overall “hillbilly” theme, you’re sure to have a grand time.

Adventure Science Center: The thrill of scientific discovery awaits you! Explore over 150 interactive exhibits and programs for children and adults. View the heavens from the 40-foot Sudekum Planetarium. Climb seven interactive levels to the top of the Adventure Tower, and experience BodyQuest, an exciting tour through the human body.

Wave Country: It features a number of water slides and a wave machine that creates surf up to four-feet high. There is a park withs picnic areas and space for kids to play outdoors. Admission: $8 for 13 and older, $7 for 12 and younger, 4 and under is free. Free parking. Rental Floats $4.

General Jackson Showboat: This 100-yard paddle-wheeler cruises the Cumberland River each day. Once aboard, the atmosphere and hospitality will usher you back to the 19th century. Daytime cruise includes a lunch buffet and service by a singing staff. The three-hour dinner cruise includes a three-course meal and entertainment provided by a swing band and dancing in the ballroom. Daytime cruise: $34 per person; evening cruise: $62. Note: price does not include appetizers or wine.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere: This 200-acre ‘walk-through’ zoological park is home to the rare and beautiful. You’ll encounter cougars, black bears, Bengal tigers, zebras, cheetahs and playful river otters. Kids can even go a bit wild on ‘The Jungle Gym’ playground. The Croft Center, named for the sisters who left the estate to Grassmere, houses the ‘Unseen New World’ exhibit and a variety of reptiles. There is also a working farm exhibit and petting zoo.

Belle Meade Plantation: This 1853 Greek revival mansion was once the centerpiece of a 5,400-acre, 19th century thoroughbred farm and nursery. Still referred to as the “Queen of Tennessee plantations,” the present thirty-acre site includes many of the original outbuildings and an antique carriage collection. Allow one hour to tour the mansion and grounds. Multi-lingual grounds cards are available in Japanese, French, German, and Spanish.

Bicentennial Mall State Park: This 19-acre park was built in 1996 to commemorate Tennessee’s 200 years of statehood. It provides wonderful views of the city and features a 200-foot granite map of Tennessee, which is bordered by thirty-one fountains that represent all of the state’s rivers. There is also a 1,400-foot granite time line documenting Tennessee’s history, 2,000-seat amphitheater, botanical garden, and visitor center. Allow at least an hour to tour the entire park. Restrooms, a gift shop and restaurants are adjacent to the park. Admission: Free, but special events may have an entrance fee.

Nightlife in Nashville is wild and anywhere you go you can experience live music, line dancing, karaoke and countless other ways to let loose on vacation….I highly recommend heading down to Second Ave as you can literally walk from bar to bar to restaurant to bar! Some of the bars on Second Ave are Graham Central Station, Wildhorse Saloon, Joe’s Crabshack, Bar of Nashville, Beer Cellar, BB King’s own Burboun Street Blues and Boogie. Some other recommended bars include Legends Corner and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge – still within walking distance from Second Ave!

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San Francisco Attractions

San Francisco is a city full of life and there is quite a bit to experience when you visit. Here are a couple of key places you should add to your roster when visiting this golden city.

Pier 39 is a festival market place that is jam packed with things to do for the whole family. There are over 100 specialty shops and 12 restaurants where you can choose anything from fresh seafood to Cali inspired cuisine to everything in between. There is a sea lion show located at K-Dock, live entertainment to include musicians, jugglers, magicians and comedians whose shows occur throughout the day. Take in a show at Theater 39, Cruise around the bay, take the kids to the arcade or carousel. All this in one place right on the bay! Best part is that it is close to other must see SF attractions, like Fisherman’s Wharf.

Fisherman’s Wharf: This is a working wharf where you can walk down “Fish Alley” to see fisherman at work and buy fresh fish or shellfish from the vendors. The Wharf is full of shops, museums and entertainment. There is the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum, the Red & White Fleet, the Wax Museum and the SF Maritime museum. Also, the USS Pampanito is docked at Pier 45.

Golden Gate Bridge: You can walk, bike or drive over this 2 mile suspension bridge. Or, check it out from below from the tide pools at Bakers Beach. If possible, check it out at night as it is breathtaking!

Golden Gate Park: This 1,000 acre park is jam packed with things to see and do. There are botanical gardens which hold over 6,000 plant species, including California redwoods. Check out the Japanese Tea Garden, Children playground, Asian Art Museum, the aquarium, planetarium, laserium at the California Academy of Sciences. There are also tennis courts, baseball diamonds polo grounds, croquet and lawn bowling greens, archery field, golf course and fly fishing pool.

Alcatraz Island: A short boat ride will get you on the 22 acre island which held famous prisoners like Al Capone and Robert Stroud. But did you know that it also held the first lighthouse on the west coast? Feel free to wander about on the island but there is also an audio tour through the prison. It is recommended that you buy your tickets well in advance and show up early for the ferry ride as this is a very popular tourist attraction.

Take a ride in one of the Cable Cars: There are several lines that you can take, depending on where you want to end up. There is the Powell-Hyde line that will take you from Powell and Market Streets to Victorian Park (near Maritime Museum and Aquatic Park). There is also the Powell-Mason Line that will end at Bay and Taylor (near Fisherman’s Wharf). Also, the California Street line runs from California and Market Streets to Van Ness Avenue.

Baker Beach: Best known for it’s nude beach goers but this beach also has fantastic tide pools, steep bluffs, climbable rocks and close shore breaks. Due to the rough breaks, it’s not great for swimming but the view of the Golden Gate bridge makes up for it.

The Presidio: Once occupied by the military forces and turned into a forest, it is now a place where you can lay on the beach, hike or bike through the forest, check out the plant nursery, or even go bowling! This is a great day trip and there is a lot to do and see.

Coit Tower: 180 feet tall and gives a 360 degree view of the city. You can see Embarcadero, Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Sutro and the Financial District. It is an amazing view!

Union Square: If you like shopping, this is the place for you! Some of the shops include Macy’s, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nike and Levi. A block or so away and you will find the Virgin Megastore, FAO Schwartz, and boutiques for Coach, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Emporio Armani, Prada, Gucci, Hermes and so much more! Of course there are fine restaurants and cafes to keep you fueled up and ready to shop.

There are cultural districts that are worth visiting as well….
Castro District: Predominantly home to the gay and lesbian community. There are fantastic bakeries, cafe’s, restaurants, bars and boutiques. While there, check out the infamous Castro Theater, which shows independent films from around the world.

Chinatown has restaurants, shops, street vendors and temples. It is busy and fast paced.

Mission District: A predominantly Latino neighborhood which has authentic restaurants, bakeries, markets and shops. Check out the oldest structure in San Francisco while in the Mission District at Mission Dolores.

North Beach: Also known as Little Italy for it’s Italian inspired ambiance. Check out the restaurants, outdoor cafe’s and boutiques.

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Spectacular New Zealand

New Zealand is located in the south western Pacific Ocean and consists of two main islands, North Island and South Island, and multiple smaller islands. It is about the size of Great Britain or Japan but only has a population of about 4 million people, making it one of the world’s most least crowded countries. Whether you are seeking adventure or seeking a peaceful place to rejuvenate, New Zealand has something to offer. The climate is temperate and does not vary much throughout the year, making it a great place to visit year round.

The Islands: Beside the North and South Islands, there are many smaller islands to explore while in New Zealand. If your into hiking, bird or wildlife watching, consider Stewart Island, Kapiti Island or Tiritiri Island. Looking for adventure? Check out Great Barrier Island. Want to check out some vineyards or just kick back on the beach? Check out Waiheke Island.

Nature at its best: New Zealand has a vast array of natural landscape. In one vacation, you can see glaciers, rugged mountains, subtropical forests, volcanoes, beautiful lakes cut by glaciers, miles and miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches to rolling hillsides and planes as far as the eye can see. I will outline a few of these below.

Awesome Lakes: New Zealand has the most beautiful lakes, clean and easily accessible for fishing, canoeing or any other activities you can dream of. Here are a few lakes to consider”
Lake Manapouri – located in Fiordland Region. This lake was formed by glacial activity during the last ice age. It is a bit secluded but absolutely gorgeious.
Lake Taupo – located in Lake Taupo Region. This lake is surrounded by forrests, geothermal activity and volcanic landscapes. The view is breathtaking.
Crater Lakes – located Rotorua Region. There are 11 lakes surrounded by the geothermal town of Rotorua. Great for fishing, hiking, biking or kayaking.

Driving the coast: This is a beautiful and amazing adventure in and of itself! There is 15,000 kilometers of coastline in New Zealand. On the east coast is the Pacific Ocean which brings beaches with it white sand and calm waters which allow you to participate in all sorts of water activities. On the west coast is the Tasman Sea which brings with it black sand and a very rugged cliffs which make for wild breaks – not so great for water sports but wonderful for your viewing pleasure. There are several highways which take you along the coast. The Twin Coast Discovery Highway in Northland takes you from east to west coast. The Catlins Coast in the far south is breathtakingly beautiful.

Natural Phenomenons: Want to check out a glacier? Well, New Zealand has them. On the West coast is the Fox Glacier. Want to see explore a cratered valley that is full of steam from the heat of the earth that actually make the mud boil? Well you can at the Craters of the Moon in the Lake Taupo Region. Why not explore some caves while you’re at it? The Waitomo Caves are subterranean caves carved out of the limestone by underground streams. You can walk through the caves. Or if you are feeling adventurous, there are places where you can swim or float through the caves (known as “black water rafting”). In Auckland Region, you can climb up and peer into deep craters or climb to see from one side of New Zealand to the other side.

Parks and Reserves: 1/3 of New Zealand is contained within a park or a reserve. Some are wild and adventurous and some are not. Want to get close to the flora and fauna of New Zealand? Check out Maungatautari Ecological Reserve in the Waikato Region. Kaitoke Regional Park offers pristine rain forests and clear rivers and was a location used for filming of the Lord of the Rings movie. Kaimanawa Forest Park offers overnight hikes.

There are also wondrous marine reserves to take in during your visit. There are more than 25 marine reserves to visit. One of the best is the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. It has huge caves and has been named a top ten dive site in the world as the subtropical currents support a huge range of sea life.

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Grand Cayman Island

Grand Cayman Island is in the Western Caribbean, just under 500 miles from Miami, and is the largest and most developed of the three Cayman Islands. It is 76 square miles long and packed with an endless array of land and water activities, making it the perfect destination for all age groups and interest levels. I will try to hit on as many of the island attractions as possible to give you a sense of what you will experience on this gorgeous island.

There are at least ten different beaches on Grand Cayman but Seven Mile Beach is rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Caribbean. It has all the water activities you would expect the beach to have plus you can para-sail over the Caribbean. Hotels and restaurants line the beach as well so you don’t have to travel far. Spotts Beach is quite secluded as it is surrounded by ironshore cliffs with white beaches and a barrier reef that keeps waters calm year round. Smith Cove is close to the cruise port (for those cruising to Grand Cayman) and has snorkling and fantastic photo ops. Rum Point is great for families as the water is shallow and there are changing/restrooms, showers, huts, hammocks and an array of water sports. Cayman Kai has a New Orleans flavor with its food and it hosts an annual Mardi Gras festival.

©2006 CourtneyPlatt.com

Grand Cayman hosts a variety of water activities including ocean kayaks, windsurfing boards, hobie cats, wave runners, aqua trikes, view boards, sun searcher floats, banana boat rides, paddle cats, paddle boats, para-sailing, water-skiing or small sailboats. Also, wind and water conditions makes Grand Cayman very popular for wind surfing. Avid windsurfers rate the four miles of reef-protected shallows off East End as the best location. Not in the mood to get wet, try viewing the beautiful ocean via submarine. There are several submarines that take you just below the water to view the spectacular ocean life. There are different submarines that offer some privacy or air conditioning, etc. Scuba diving at Grand Cayman is a spectacular site. There are more than 159 dive sites and many host steep, deep walls with a stunning array of colors. There are also shallow reefs filled with an array of sea life. There are ship wrecks to explore as well. The best known is Stingray City, which is the worlds best 12 foot dive and world renouned. If you are a little unsure of going into deep waters, there are sites you can swim out to as well.

Wanna stay on land? Well, Grand Cayman hosts a variety of nature adventures. Backpacking and hiking nature trails are in abundance on the island. The Mastic Trail is a two mile hike where you can catch glimpses of animals and plants unique to the Cayman Islands. If you are not feeling adventurous to do it alone, Grand Cayman has guided tours of it’s beautiful island which gives you the added bonus of learning all about the island’s nature and wildlife without having to read up on it first. Another great spot is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. It has a .8 mile trail through the park’s Woodland Preserve, a 2 acre lake that hosts an abundance of vegetation that has has become an important site for native aquatic birds, including the rare West Indian Whistling Duck. It also has a magnificent Floral Color Garden, which is a series of gardens based on color. Beginning with pink, the visitor then walks through gardens of red, orange, yellow, white, blue, purple and lavender.

Golf enthusiast? There are a host of golf courses that are stunning. The Hyatt Regency and Britannia on Grand Cayman has a golf course created by Jack Nicklaus himself. “The Britannia course features grassy mounds, rolling dunes, lakes and over sized bunkers. On the fifth shot hole, the tee shot must carry over the Caribbean Sea while on the breathtaking 562-yard Hole 9, three different shots are over water.”

Don’t forget the horseback riding on the beach which you can do at glorious sunrise or sun set. There are guided tours available.

Of course there are a host of world class spas and wellness centers, many located in the hotels for ease and convenience. Shopping enthusiast? Well, Grand Cayman has a beautiful selection of unique local items including shell jewelry, thatch work, wood carvings, crochet items, Caymanite (semi-precious stone) jewelry and sculpture, antiques. There is a great place called the Cayman Craft Market in George Town that sits in a park like setting where you can find these items and also sample traditional Caymanian food.

©2006 CourtneyPlatt.com

Night life is simply amazing on Grand Cayman. There are a host of bars and clubs to choose from where you can listen to a variety of music including jazz, folk, rock & roll, reggae and calypso music. There are wine and martini bars, live concerns, open air restaurants and romantic sunset cruises to choose from. I recommend go to the site, Cayman Good Taste, to search for Grand Cayman restaurants, bars and coffee shops as it provides a comprehensive guide for the Cayman Islands and provides contact details, photos, menus with prices, special offers, reviews, reservations and maps.

With all the activities, you will run out of time before you run out of things to do. But the best part is that you can do nothing at all and still be enchanted with this breath taking island!

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