Things to Do and Virtual Tours: Aruba

 

By Katy DeHaven

The last port we are going to look at for now in the Caribbean is Aruba, this virtual vacation is by inspired by some of our Trips with Angie clients who are currently celebrating the holidays there!

Located north of Venezuela, Aruba is known for its stunning beaches, desert landscapes, and some of the best wreck diving in the Caribbean. Aruba is part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, so the official language of the islands is Dutch, but English is widely spoken. The capital is Oranjestad, and also the main port on the island. Located south of the hurricane belt, direct hurricane hits to the island are rare, making it a great island getaway any time of year!

Things to Do and Virtual Tours: San Juan, Puerto Rico

By Katy DeHaven

 For this week’s Caribbean port of call we are going to check out San Juan. Not only is it a popular port of call found on Caribbean itineraries it is also an embarkation port for many Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries. About 500 cruise ships call on San Juan each year, the port itself is the largest and busiest in the Caribbean with two separate terminals hosting more than 2 million cruise visitors each year.

Founded in 1521, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico is the oldest city under U.S. jurisdiction. It has one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean. The metropolitan area has 3 distinct districts, Old San Juan, the Beach & Resort area, and the outlying communities. Now let’s check out some highlights of this port of call!

Things to Do and Virtual Tours: St Thomas

 

By Katy DeHaven

For this week’s virtual port of call visit we are going to check out the island of St. Thomas. I will always remember St. Thomas as the first port of call I ever visited on the very first cruise I ever took when I was 12.

St. Thomas lies about 40 miles east of Puerto Rico. The chief island of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the port, Charlotte Amalie is the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Founded in 1666, the island’s deepwater harbor was a haven for pirates. The island was originally owned by Denmark, and visitors will find that the houses and narrow streets have distinct Danish architecture and Danish names. The island is largely mountainous, so many roads around the island offer terrific panoramic views of the island and ocean. Popular excursions on the island include snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kiteboarding, sailing, fishing kayaking and parasailing. Let’s see what else this island paradise has to offer!

Honeymoon Ideas: Best Unique All Inclusive Resorts

 

Are you looking for some new honeymoon ideas? Do you want the convenience of an all inclusive resort, but don't want the same cookie cutter experience of every other couple?

In this video, I highlight resort tours from three unique, small all inclusive resorts in Australia, Antigua, and Jamaica. 

In Australia, Saffire Freycinet All Inclusive Resort offer private pavilions or basically, the best honeymoon suite ever. Saffire Freycinet overlooks an Australian National Park. Cocos Hotel - an Antigua All Inclusive Resort sits on a cliffside. Coco Hotel All Inclusive resort offers private cottages. Some of the Cocos Hotel cottages have private plunge pools. Sunset at the Palms - a Negril, Jamaica all inclusive resort has suites located in duplex treehouses. Sunset at the Palms Jamaica all inclusive resort has a natural vibe with locally sourced meals.

What do you think? Which resort do you like best?

I'd love to help navigate all the choices for the best honeymoon. 

Send what you are thinking to Angie@TripswithAngie.com to get started. 

Secrets Aura Cozumel Trip Review | COVID Travel

 Frank and his wife headed to Cozumel to celebrate their five year anniversary in early December 2020. Here's their review: 

Writing this on our last day here hoping I don't forget anything. First I want to thank Trips with Angie. She made the booking and the set up experience flawless and personal.
The hotel itself is amazing. The grounds are quite big so expect some walking. While walking, the tropical flowers will make the time go by quick. The sister resort, Sunscape is right next door, not adults only,seemlessly intertwined in on the Northside and that's where you get the spa treatment. Highly recommend.

The beach is a bit rocky, bring water shoes. You can snorkel right there and see plenty of fish and rays. While we were here it rained a few days an the wind was high so the waters weren't as clear as they could be. That didn't deter us regardless.

We rented a scooter from the hotel and drove the loop of the island. WELL worth the $40. The natural beaches not by the resorts are SPECTACULAR. Conk shells everywhere. That was the best.

COVID really put a damper on some of some of the activities I was looking forward to like Coconuts bar. It was dead, only 4 other people there. That's not the locals fault and we enjoyed our time best we could.

All in all, I would come back in a heartbeat. All the staff are amazing and keep everything clean and welcoming.

Thanks Secrets and Angie!!

Last thought, no buffets. Hopefully next time they will be back.

Things to Do: Jamaica

 

By: Katy DeHaven

For our next port of call we are going to look at Jamaica and the ports of Ocho Rios, Falmouth and Montego Bay, you can actually do a lot of the same excursions from these ports of call. Ocho Rios is only about an hour and half drive from Montego Bay with Falmouth in between the two.

Jamaica is known for being the birthplace of Bob Marley and reggae. It is also known for Blue Mountain coffee, Red Stripe beer, Jamaican rum, beautiful beaches, majestic water falls and luxurious all-inclusive resorts. 

Things to Do: Grand Cayman

 

Last week we visited The Bahamas and the port of call of Nassau, this week I thought we would hop over to Cayman Islands and the port of call of Georgetown on Grand Cayman Island.

 

The Cayman Islands are a group of three islands surrounded by tropical coral reefs. Grand Cayman Island is the largest with a population of over 52,000 residents. This port is known for scuba diving and snorkeling due to the coral reefs, under water sea walls and a number of shipwrecks just off shore.  Let’s check out some of what else this port has to offer.