Patagonia is a huge land of extremes — with ocean, glaciers, mountains, forests, volcanoes and valleys — which takes up one third of southern Argentina (and spans the Chilean border). One of the most famous areas is Tierra del Fuego, also known as the “Uttermost End of the World,” which is where the intrepid traveler can find the mountains that meet the sea at the gateway to Antarctica.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: Spanish
Flight time: To Buenos Aires, 15 hours from NYC, 22 hours from LA; plus 8 hours from Buenos Aires to Patagonia
Getting around: Car, boat, bus, horseback
When To Go: Patagonia at its best
Best weather: The seasons are the opposite of ours so head to Patagonia during its summer: November to March. Temperatures depend on what region you visit but you can expect the summer to go from 70s to 50s (and the days are long: the sun sometimes doesn’t set till 10 p.m.!)
What To Do
See amazing landscapes: Los Glaciares National Park covers 2,300 square miles, much of which is covered by ice fields that connect 13 major glaciers. The Perito Moreno Glacier is a nearly 200-foot-tall wall of ice framed by snow-capped mountain peaks — and it’s still growing every day. The Walichu Caves have authentic Paleolithic cave drawings that give you insights into life in Patagonia nearly 4,000 years ago. The remote Torres del Paine National Park has a huge range of environments to explore, from scrublands to tundra to forests — all home to diverse animals and birds.
Walk the ends of the Earth: Remember studying the explorer Magellan? Well, now you can walk where he did: He discovered the area know as Tierra del Fuego in 1520 (that’s why it’s called the Strait of Magellan). If you never considered glaciers to be exotic, the icy landscape will change you mind. Waddle along with penguins, watch condors soars and hike across this “Land of Fire.” — Alonna Friedman
This 720-square-mile Indian Ocean outpost located east of Madagascar and the coast of southern Africa exudes mystery and romance. The sway of sweet-smelling sugarcane fields is punctuated by dramatic mountains and hemmed by soft beaches, colorful wooden boats, and swaying Casuarina trees. Located below the equator, Mauritius enjoys seasons opposite those of the United States. If you’re planning a two-week trip, consider connecting via one of many European gateways — Paris and London offer the most flights. Spend the first week in a cultural capital and the second on a beach in Mauritius. Another option:.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: Passport, return ticket
Languages: English, French, Creole
Currency: Mauritius Rupee (Rs)
Flight time: 4 hours from Johannesburg; 12 hours from London and Paris; 21 hours from NYC; 27 hours from LA
When To Go: Mauritius at its best
Best weather: June to October. December to March is best for diving; June to August is best for surfing; and October to March is best for big-game fishing
What To Do
Get cultured: Drive around this peaceful island and you’re likely to see a Christian church, Muslim mosque, and Hindu or Buddhist temple — all on the same street. Approximately 70% of the population is Indian and the remaining 30% includes those of Chinese, Creole, and European descent. Volcanic in origin and history, this island once served as a place of exile (lucky folks!) and has been occupied by the Dutch, French and, most recently, British. The melting pot of people creates an array of festivals, cuisines, languages, and traditions.
Hit the beach: You’ll love the sandy strands of Grand Bay, Pereybere, and Cap Malheureux on the northern coast; and Belle Mare on the east coast and Blue Bay on the south coast. Boating, water sports, and diving spots are abundant. Non-divers can take a ride in the Blue Safari Submarine or semi-submersible Le Nessee, both located near Grand Bay.
Take a hike: Many nature and animal parks dot the island, including Domaine les Pailles near the capital city of Port Louis, where you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride and visit a number of attractions and restaurants. Hike to Alexandra Falls or Black River Peak — one of the island’s highest vantages — at Black River Gorges National Park, or discover the huge water lilies and palm tree species at Pamplemousses Garden; the blue, green, red, and yellow tiers of earth at a site called Chamarel (the colors are believed to have been caused by natural weathering); and the 140 bird species, including the rare Pink Pigeon, at Casela Bird Park.
Taste the local flavor: Taste buds, start your engines: This is seafood and spice country. Mauritian food blends fresh fish with Indian, Chinese, and European spices and techniques for intensely flavorful food. Counter too much curry with a yogurt drink or Phoenix pilsner. Finish your meal with a cup of spicy, milky Indian Chai or the island’s homegrown vanilla tea.
Dance the Sega: Resembling a combination of swirling island dervishes and Hawaiian hula dancers, the soulful dance of Sega was invented by slaves. Sega pivots on hip swiveling and is accentuated by brightly colored skirts and the beat of a drum. The sexy Sega is best watched and danced on the beach — under the moonlight, as it was originally performed — or visitors can catch an indoor show at their hotels.
Enjoy the view: Nestled in lush, terraced hills on the eastern coast, Le Domaine du Chasseur is a park and estate that grows exotic fruits. Hike one of several circuits to a symphony of bird song. Hungry? Make a beeline to Le Panoramour (“View of Love”) for lunch, where you’ll find a great restaurant with a sweeping view of the verdant valley and ocean beyond.
Crystalline waters, perennially sunny skies, resorts of rustic-luxe huts perched above the ocean — at first glimpse the Seychelles appear similar to island paradises you may have visited before. But then you hear the song of the rare Seychelles Warbler or glimpse the indigenous coco de mer palm and realize you’re in an exotic land about as far as you can get from home. This archipelago nation off the east coast of Africa is made up of over 100 islands, some made of granite, others of coral. You can use one of the main islands of Mahe, Praslin or La Digue as base from which to explore the more remote ones. Because of the country’s proximity to Africa, many couples first go on safari before heading to the Seychelles to relax on the beach.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: English, French
Flight time: You’ll probably have to take three, or even four, flights to get there — one to a European city like London or Amsterdam, then onto a Middle Eastern hub like Qatar or Dubai where you’ll connect to a flight to the main island of Mahe. From Europe it’s a total flight time of about 12 hours to Mahe.
Currency: Seychelles Rupee
When To Go: Seychelles at its best
Best weather: There’s no truly “off” season in the Seychelles, but June, July and August are reliably cool and dry. June might be preferable because it’s a little less tourist-filled than the later summer months. The period from November to April is warmer and rainy. Temperatures average between 75 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit all year long.
Best prices: May and October fall just outside the high tourist season, so you might find some deals.
What To Do
Ogle exotic flora and fauna: Stroll through Mahe’s more-than-a-century-old botanic gardens, which are filled with an array of plants, trees, and flowers like (literally) nothing you’ve never seen. Or head to the Aldabra atoll, a ring of four coral islands which are home to over 100,000 giant tortoises.
Play in the water: In the Seychelles you’ll have a long menu of water-based recreation to choose from — sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and diving are all excellent. It’s worth it to take a boat trip out to a coral snorkeling site offshore, since you’ll find much more intriguing marine life there than you would closer to shore.
Island hop: Though it’s tempting to be lazy and not leave the little idyll of your chosen resort, it would be a crime to not explore at least a few other islands. A variety of boat, helicopter and airplane charters are available to take you around.
Forget the “Vacations ‘R’ Us” feel of some resorts and visit the secluded, luxurious, romantic Maldives islands in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives and its surrounding turquoise waters are known for world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, and many resorts feature ultra-private villas tucked away on their own stretch of beach or hovering directly above an aqua lagoon.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: Dhivehi is the national language, but English is widely spoken, especially by staff at the resorts and spas.
Flight time: Check for connecting flights from major European cities or South East Asian locales. From London, it’s approximately 11 hours.
Getting around: Taxi, boat, plane
When To Go: Maldives at its best
Best weather: It’s sunny, warm and humid year round. April is often the hottest, December the coolest. Monsoon season is from May to September.
Best prices: High season is dry season: December through April, so look for deals between May and November.
What To Do
Nothing! The Maldives are perfect for seclusion, spas, scuba, snorkeling or just sitting still. Whether you choose to stay over the ocean in a bungalow or take a lazy swim in the ocean with colorful fish, you can do it all, or have just as much fun doing nothing at all. Located southwest of Sri Lanka, on the equator, the Maldives is made up of 1,190 coral islands (only 200 are inhabited) with 87 serving as resorts. This place is made for guests who relish having alone time.
Go under the sea: Take a ride 120 feet below water in a state-of-the-art passenger submarine — 99% of the Maldives is covered by water so to see it all you’ll have to take the plunge. Descend beneath the surface where you will encounter corals and the reef fish that call them home — it’s common to be greeted by schools of snappers, lionfish, boxfish, turtles, sharks and huge groupers. Some dives tour historical shipwrecks and shark-feeding sites while night adventures search out manta rays. Check out SubmarinesMaldives.com.mv for more info.
Hang with whales and dolphins: Clear waters and an abundance of sea life make the Maldives an amazing place to see whales and dolphins in their natural environment. There are more than 20 different species in the area, from the Blue Whale (the largest animal alive) to the acrobatic Spinner Dolphin. Safari boats take guests into the open waters to spot species not often seen outside the Maldives, like the Dwarf Sperm Whale, Melon-headed Whale and Tropical Bottlenose Whale. Beautiful black and white Orcas have also been known to make an appearance.
The scene is instantly familiar — a sparkling white beach with an unmistakable crater at the far end. Palm trees lolling lazily in the breeze. It’s the epitome of tropical paradise, the quintessential beach vacation. It’s Honolulu’s world-famous Waikiki Beach on the island of O’ahu. Honolulu proper, which includes Waikiki, is a city of over 800,000 people. But it takes up only about one eighth of O’ahu, the second-most northerly isle in the Hawaiian chain.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: English, pidgin (a blend of English, Hawaiian, Japanese, and Portuguese)
Flight time: 10 hours to Honolulu from NYC, 5 hours from LA
Getting around: Car, bike, taxi
When To Go: O’ahu at its best
Best weather: Trade winds keep things comfy all year round. The average temperature is between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer is drier and has higher temps (April to November) while winter (December to March) is a little cooler.
Best prices: Mid-April to June and September to mid-December
What To Do
Bountiful beaches: Sandy shores rim the island: There’s literally a beach or state beach park every five minutes as you drive around the island. Some to check out when you’re taking a leisurely coastal drive: Sandy Beach, with its mongo waves for super body surfing; Makapu’u, thick with seaweed and kind of rough, but its black-cliff backdrop is famous for its cameo in From Here to Eternity; Kailua Beach, in a pretty, sheltered residential area as you follow the coast north; and Chinaman’s Hat, an islet off of Kualoa Beach near the village of Kaawa. You can reach it swimming during low tide, or by kayak; there’s a tiny beach on its backside.
Swimming and snorkeling: Widely known for some of the very best snorkeling and diving on the island, Hanauma Bay is home to all kinds of fish and coral, and the clear turquoise, shallow cove, reached after a walk (or ride) down a steep trail, is beautiful. Be sure to make a quick stop at the Halona Blowhole, just another few minutes by car past Hanauma Bay, where foamy waves flow through a lava tube and spew 60 feet into the air.
Get a history lesson: No visit to O’ahu is complete without the experience of a visit to the U.S.S. Arizona Pearl Harbor. You’ll take a boat out to the monument, located in the middle of harbor directly over the wreckage of the warship, which commemorates the Japanese attack that began World War II. Go back even further in history, to the time before Hawaii was a U.S. state, and visit Iolani Palace, home of the Hawaiian monarchy until 1893, and the only royal palace ever to stand on U.S. soil.
The island of Anguilla combines mellow Caribbean life with exotic Mediterranean style. Everywhere you look, you see blue and white: Turquoise sea tickling white-sand beaches or blue sky framing stark white resorts. There are no casinos, cruise ships, or high-rises — the focus here is on lingering meals, silky sand, and star-lit strolls. You may pay a higher price to visit Anguilla than other tourist-trampled islands, but you’ll be rewarded with great food, over-the-top luxury and star-studded beaches.
Before You Go: Need-to-Know Info
Language: English
Flight time: 7 hours from NYC, 13.5 hours from LA, 7 hours from Chicago, 7.5 hours from Dallas
Getting around: Car (keep to the left!), taxis, ferry to St. Martin
Entry requirements: Passport (or photo ID with a birth certificate), return ticket
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC), US dollar
When to Go: Anguilla at Its Best
Best weather: Anguilla receives relatively little rainfall (hence its arid topography) and has a monthly mean temperature of 80 degrees all year long
Best prices: May to December
Festivals: Anguilla International Arts Festival and Competition occurs biannually during the third week in January; Moonsplash Annual Music Festival begins on the night of the full moon in March; Summer Festival rocks the first week of August with parades, pageants, boat racing, and calypso competitions
Anguillian holidays: May 1, May 16, May 27, June 14, Aug 4-5, Dec 19
Why to Go
The Celebrities are Doing It: If you’re looking for a glimpse of famous faces, or if you’d like to make like a superstar yourself, this is the place to be. Beyoncé, Uma Thurman, J. Lo, Queen Latifah and Jay-Z have all been sighted along the powder-white shores of Anguilla. (Don’t forget your movie-star shades!)
Luxury Spas: Anguilla is the place to indulge. (It is your vacation, after all.) The island is loaded with extravagant spas offering massages, polishes, wraps, masques, scrubs — even bathing rituals. Try a yoga session under the palm trees. Or, for real luxury, have a couples’ rub-down in a private “spa suite” overlooking sand and sea.
Once a British naval hot spot, Antigua offers a genteel take on the leisurely life. Located in the middle of the Caribbean Islands, Antigua is loved for its chalky white beaches, boating (featuring the Caribbean’s largest regatta), and ideal weather year-round. Barbuda, just 25 miles north of Antigua, features 17 miles of beaches, a bird sanctuary, and colorful offshore wrecks and reefs ripe for exploration.
Before You Go: Need-to-Know Info
Language: English
Flight time: 4 hours from NYC, 10 hours from LA, 8 hours from Chicago, 7.5 hours from Dallas
Getting around: Car (drive on the left!), taxis
Entry requirements: Passport, return ticket
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC), US dollar
When to Go: Antigua & Barbuda at Their Best
Best weather: Anytime. The Antiguan climate is one of the most idyllic in the Caribbean, thanks to constant sea breezes and trade winds. Temperatures hover around 81 degrees but can rise to 93 degrees during the hot season from May to November.
Best prices: Mid-April to mid-December; exact dates vary by hotel. Hurricane season swirls from June to November (September is trickiest).
Festival highlights: Cheer more than 300 racing yachts during Antigua Sailing Week in late April and early May, or take in one of the Caribbean’s most intoxicating Carnivals, which runs from late July to early August.
What to Do
Abundant Beaches: Rimmed by 366 public beaches — one for each day of the year, plus one for luck — there’s a sandy paradise for every beach personality. Some of the best include Half Moon Bay for windsurfing, Dickinson Bay for restaurant hopping and people watching, and Five Islands Peninsula for a clothing-optional experience.
Seafaring Lore: History lovers and yachters shouldn’t miss Nelson’s Dockyard National Park at English Harbour in Antigua. Built in 1784, this former naval headquarters now hosts charming old restaurants, craft shops, and historic buildings.
Shipyard Views: For a stunning panoramic view — of English Harbour, Eric Clapton’s house, and the island of Montserrat — plus steel-pan music, barbecue, and a superb sunset, spend your Sunday afternoon at Shirley Heights Lookout, a restaurant perched on a bluff at the south side of the island.
Flat, arid, and outside the hurricane belt, this Dutch island off the coast of Venezuela is the “A” island of the so-called ABC Islands (Bonaire and Curacao complete the trio). A true paradise, Aruba enjoys low humidity and breezy blue vistas year-round. The island’s not much for tropical foliage — instead, you’ll find rocky deserts, silky sand, and the trademark divi-divi tree (bent at a 45-degree angle by strong trade winds). It’s tough to miss the ka-ching of casinos on the wind, and you’ll be rocking to the infectious steel band beat of beach barbecues and fish fries. This is, as car license-plates proclaim, “one happy island.”
Before You Go: Need-to-Know Info
Language: Dutch, English, Spanish, Papiamento
Flight time: 4.5 hours from NYC, 11 hours from LA, 9 hours from Chicago, 8 hours from Dallas
Getting around: Taxi, bus, rental car (follow the southwestern-pointing divi-divi trees if you get lost)
Entry requirements: Passport, return ticket
Currency: Aruban florin (AFl), US dollars
When to Go: Aruba at Its Best
Best weather: Aruba enjoys a mean temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, a fairly constant 10 mph to 20 mph breeze, and blissfully low humidity year-round. July and August are less windy, and short showers occur more often from mid-October through December.
Best prices: Mid-April to mid-December; exact dates vary by hotel
Festivals: Colorful Carnival events whirl through the streets each winter (during the two months preceding Ash Wednesday)
What to Do
Underwater Sightseeing: Sunken ships include the eye-popping, bombed-in-half German freighter Antilla — its shallow wreckage is easily and eerily visible in the clear ocean waters — and the Jane Sea, a freighter lying in an almost vertical position. Baby Beach is best for shore diving, while Mangel Halto Reef offers fascinating night dives.
Hit the Jackpot: Feeling lucky? Aruba has the games for you: blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat, slot machines, and an island original, Caribbean Stud Poker, invented in 1988. This high-stakes game is like blackjack, but tempts players with a progressive jackpot that can skyrocket!
The Dominican Republic offers a little bit of everything on this Columbus-discovered island in the sea. From world-class golf resort to minor and major league baseball (the country’s favorite pastime), active couples will have plenty to do and see. If a slower pace is more your speed, then take your pick from 800 miles of super-fine sandy beaches. The DR (as it’s casually called) is also the largest producer of cigars in the world, so even if you prefer not to smoke, be sure and check out the Museo del Tabaco in the city of Santiago for a slice of history.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Languages: Spanish, English
Travel time: 4 hours from NYC, 9 hours from LA
Getting around: Taxis (agree on a rate before diving in!)
When To Go: The Dominican Republic at its best
Best weather: The nice thing about the DR is that it averages 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making it a warm-weather honeymoon destination anytime.
Best prices: May through October
What To Do
Go whale-watching: On the eastern side of the island, the Bay of Samana is teeming with humpback whales from December through March. You can cozy up on a chartered boat and watch these wondrous creatures as they migrate to their breeding and feeding grounds.
Relax on sugary beaches: The DR’s most popular destination is also home to some of the best beaches in the world. In addition to its all-inclusive resorts, Punta Cana’s 21-mile coast is lined with coconut palms and boarder by warm cerulean waters. For something a little less populated, check out the beaches of the north and northeast coasts.
Support ecotourism: Because it is home to the highest and lowest peaks in the Caribbean, the DR has taken advantage of its eco-friendly status with plenty of green itineraries. Couples can bird-watch among 300 species, camp in the national parks, explore caves, hike trail to Pico Duarte (the highest point at 10,206 feet above sea level), or go windsurfing and white-water rafting, just to name a few.
Looking for sparkling high-rises and glitzy casinos? They’re here. How about stunning nature reserves and charming seaside villages? You’ll find those, too. History? No problema. Best of all: This commonwealth territory of the United States is located close to home (between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic), offers great airfare and hotel deals (due to its high tourist volume), and is a cinch to navigate: English is widely spoken, the U.S. dollar is the national currency, and no passports are required!
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: Spanish, English
Flight time: 3.5 hours from NYC, 7.5 hours from LA, 4.5 hours from Chicago, 6 hours from Dallas
Getting around: Rental car, taxi, bus, ferry, “publicos” (public cars that operate between towns, stopping in each town’s main plaza)
When To Go: Puerto Rico at its best
Best weather: January to April (January has the lowest during this period). The average temperature is 83 degrees in winter and 85 degrees in summer.
Best prices: Mid-April to mid-December.
Why To Go
Mother Nature: Puerto Rico has 20 forest reserves, including the 28,000-acre El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System (bring a slicker!); Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve (which includes seven unique ecological systems and an “El Faro,” a 19th-century lighthouse with great views); and the Guajataca Forest Reserve, with 25 miles of trails.
Piña Coladas and Secret Tunnels: Go on a stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. This romantic walled city is one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial cities in the world and is full of candy-colored 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century buildings in which people go about their 20th-century life. Window shop the boutiques of Fortaleza Street (Puerto Rico has no sales tax on most items); grab a piña colada at Barrachina Restaurant (where they were invented!); and be sure to wander the maze of secret access tunnels at t
Can’t decide between a romantic European sojourn or a palm tree bedecked respite? On Martinique, you can have both. This French island in the Lesser Antilles has all the romance of Paris, yet is surrounded by azure waters and soft sandy beaches. Lending to its lovely allure, Martinique is also the birthplace of Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de la Pagerie, Napoleon’s empress, and features some of the most stunning architecture and finest cuisine in the Caribbean.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: Creole, French, English
Flight time: 11 hours from NYC, 13 hours from LA
Getting around: Taxi
When To Go: Martinique at its best
Best weather: The average temperature is 79 degrees Fahrenheit, while the trade winds afford a five-degree difference between summer and winter.
Best prices: July to November
Why To Go
Get a history lesson: Skip the beaches for a day in favor of a leisure walk around Fort-de-France. The centerpiece of the island’s capital is the Biblitheque Schoeler, a dramatic display of Romanesque-Byzantine architecture built for the Paris Exhibition in 1889. Once you’re done, you can hop a ferry to the Musee de la Pagerie, which stands on the lush grounds where Empress Josephine’s home once stood, and houses many artifacts and mementos from her life here.
Eat and Drink: With its French influence and Caribbean location, Martinique chefs have become expert in the fusion of French-Creole cuisine. Fresh fish such as red snapper, kingfish and langouste blend with Creole spices for a heady dish. The chefs also like to play with tropical fruits and vegetables like guava and plantains to add exotic flair and flavor. If it’s your thirst you’re looking to quench, stop by the St. James Distillery, where you can sample some of the best rum in the world.
Hit the beach: Though the charm of Martinique can be found in its villages, parks, and gardens, the coastline is just as pleasant — this is, after all, and island in the Caribbean. And along with its pristine beaches, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to do the requisite windsurfing, scuba diving, swimming, or, if none of that appeals to your senses, simply spend the day working on your tan.
St. John has it all, from picturesque hiking trails to calm, dazzlingly clear water in a spectrum of blue hues. The sleepy hamlet of Cruz Bay is home to most of St. John’s 3,500 residents, not counting the 350 or so feral donkeys that stake their own claim. When you max out on serenity and need to shop, visit Mongoose Junction, a lovely collection of boutiques and galleries in Cruz Bay, or catch a quick ferry ride west to the duty-free frenzy of St. Thomas, also a U.S. territory. Likewise, the mellow British Virgin Island of Tortola is just a 15-minute ferry ride away.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: Passport, or photo I.D. and original birth certificate
Currency: U.S. dollars
Language: English
Flight time: 4 hours from NYC; 11 hours from Los Angeles; 8 hours from Chicago; 7 hours from Dallas (plus a 20-minute boat ride)
When to Go: St. John at its best
Best weather: February to August. Year-round temperatures range from 69 (winter evenings) to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainy season runs from September to January.
What To Do
Hike vistas: Of the island’s 22 trails, Reef Bay Trail is one of the best, with a relatively easy three-mile descent through forest and cactus woodlands. Along the way, you’ll see haunting sugar mill ruins and pre-Columbian carvings. Bring your bathing suits: The trek peters out at Reef Bay, perfect for a refreshing dip. The Virgin Island National Park Service offers guided hikes and boat rides.
Underwater schools: Beautiful Trunk Bay, on the north shore, offers a snorkel “trail” and “SNUBA” diving. Both are hybrids: The underwater “hike” displays 15 plaques that point out coral and identify fish, while SNUBA combines snorkeling and diving (you draw air via a hose from the boat instead of from a tank strapped to your back). Tip: Inquire about cruise ship schedules and go in between dockings to avoid crowds.
Just east of Puerto Rico — and south of sister islands St. Thomas and St. John — rises the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands: The 82 pastoral square miles of St. Croix. If you feel St. Thomas is too busy and St. John too quiet, St. Croix may be just what you’re looking for: A great balance of culture, beaches, history, and exciting outdoor — and underwater — activities.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: English
Flight time: 5 hours from NYC, 10 hours from Los Angeles, 7 hours from Chicago, 6 hours from Dallas
Getting around: Taxi, bus, rental car (keep left!), ferry Entry requirements: Passport, or photo I.D. and original birth certificate
When to Go: St. Croix at its best
Best weather: February to August. Year-round temperatures range from 69 (winter evenings) to 84 degrees. Rainy season runs from September to January.
Best prices: Mid-April to mid-December
Why To Go
Adrenalin: Outdoors is where it’s at on St. Croix. Canter through a rain forest on horseback, pedal the island’s western coast with a rented bike, or kayak the Salt River. While you’re at it, you can learn about the island’s history and fascinating fauna (including the Pain Killer, Monkey-No-Climb, and Stinking Toe trees).
Sea Creatures: Dive with seahorses at Frederiksted Pier (also a popular night-dive spot); explore one of four wrecks at Butler Bay; or visit the colorful five-mile-long Cane Bay Wall, site of a sponge big enough to stand in (although doing so would kill it). Not a diver? Snorkelers will love Buck Island Reef National Monument, where you can swim with parrotfish and blue tangs among dramatic reef structures. There are many chartered boats that will take you out to sea in day, night, or — our favorite — sunset.
Architecture: In both the coastal towns of Christiansted and Victorian-inspired Frederiksted, tin-roof buildings draped in brilliant bougainvillea are painted in Easter egg colors including pale yellow, pink, sage, and ochre. Arcaded sidewalks lead you past little shops, galleries, and restaurants. Stop and skim the historical plaques you’ll see to get a glimpse into the island’s past.
St. Thomas, located about 50 miles east of Puerto Rico, is the second-largest U.S. Virgin Island. When cruise ships slip into dock (up to 11 at a time!), the narrow streets look as though pillaging pirates have truly found where X marks the spot. (Don’t worry: When frenzied spending starts to weigh heavy on your conscience, you can cleanse yourself in the quiet and regal natural beauty of nearby St. John, just a short ferry ride away.) Also ready for exploring are a variety of excellent restaurants, champagne-hued beaches, and colorful sightseeing beneath the sea.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry requirements: Passport, or photo I.D. and original birth certificate
Language: English
Currency: U.S. dollars
Flight time: 3 1/2 hours from NYC; 11 hours from Los Angeles; 8 hours from Chicago; 7 hours from Dallas
Getting around: Taxi, bus, rental car (keep left!), ferry
When To Go: St. Thomas at its best
Best weather: February to August. Year-round temperatures range from 69 (winter evenings) to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainy season runs from September to January.
Best prices: Mid-April to mid-December; exact dates vary by hotel. Hurricane season swirls from June to November (September is trickiest).
What To Do
Stroll on sugary beaches: Magens Bay, once named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches by National Geographic, is the island’s most famous stretch of sand. (Be sure to stop in at nearby Udder Delight, where you can buy a Cruzan rum-splashed milk shake.) Coki Beach, Sapphire Beach, and Morning Star Beach are also alluring escapes.
Golf: The recently renovated, George and Tom Fazio-designed, 18-hole Mahogany Run Golf Course boasts a distracting view of the islands and a tricky 3-hole “Devil’s Triangle” in which you must clear a slice of Caribbean Sea that lies between the green and your tee. Call (800) 253-7103 to make reservations.
Explore underwater: Divers and non-divers alike will love the aquatic sights off St. Thomas. Those who prefer to stay dry can sightsee in the Undersea Observatory or at one of many aquariums and pools — where you can also pet stingrays and sharks. Certified divers will revel in the island’s many wrecks — including the Cartanser Sr., a World War II cargo ship, and the Major General Rogers, an intentionally sunk Coast Guard ship with a resident barracuda — and reef-encrusted tunnels at Thatch, Grass, and Congo Cays.
Spread across the lower Atlantic between Florida and Cuba, the 700 islands of the Bahamas — most are inhabited — offer a merry mix of buzzing playgrounds, tranquil escapes, and ample underwater delights.
Before You Go: Need-to-know
Language: English
Flight time (to Nassau): 5.5 hours from NYC, 8 hours from LA, 5.5 hours from Chicago and Dallas
Getting around: Taxi, bus, golf cart
Entry requirements: Passport, return ticket
Currency: U.S. dollar, Bahamian dollar
When To Go: The Bahamas at its best
Best weather: December to April
Best prices: June to December; exact dates vary by hotel
Where To Go
Nassau/Paradise Island: A tropical blend of vibrant energy and romantic atmosphere keeps the tourists flocking to the sandy shores of Nassau. The lively city, located on the northeast shore of the island of New Providence, is the capital of the Bahamas and one of the world’s busiest cruise ports. Paradise Island is just an eyebrow-arched bridge away. Compact and colorful, Nassau and Paradise Island offer easy access to water sports, shopping, casinos and nightlife.
Grand Bahama Island: This fourth-largest island in the chain is only a 50-minute flight from Miami and exudes an airy, spread-out feel compared to Nassau. Its allure is a mellow mix of entertainment, back-to-nature treats, and beautiful beaches. Meet the West Indian Flamingo, the islands’ national bird, at Rand Nature Centre or explore huge caves at Lucayan National Park; take diving lessons; browse the duty-free bounty at International Bazaar in Freeport; and, when the sun sets, dance beneath the stars — or just sit back and sip a Kalik beer as you watch steel pan drum players, limbo, and fire dancers at the Yellow Bird Show Club.
Out Islands: The Out Islands have a bit of shopping and nightlife — but their real appeal lies in and under the sea. Succumb to the stunning pink sands and charming gingerbread houses of Harbour Island; dramatic views and soft white beaches of Long Island; sailing and bird watching around the Abaco Islands; the land and sea parks of the Exumas and Pelican Cays; and sport fishing off the Bimini and Berry Islands.
What To Do
Swim and snorkel: Snorkelers and divers alike will swoon over the prismatic pleasures that await them in the coral reefs, blue holes (caves), wall dives, and shipwrecks off the Bahamas — in fact, the water is so beautifully clear that divers experience visibility of up to 200 feet! The biggest eyefuls are off Andros (home to the third largest Barrier Reef in the world, with 140 miles of coral and cathedral-like caves with stalactite and stalagmite parishioners), Bimini (rumored remnants of the lost City of Atlantis lie offshore), Eleuthera/Harbour Island (Devil’s Backbone is several miles of pristine reef — and the graveyard for dozens of vessels, including a train!), and the Exuma Islands, site of the famous Thunderball Grotto.
Experience local flavor: If you like to eat, you’ll love the Bahamian cuisine. Begin by combining homegrown resources such as guava, mangos, papaya, pineapple, and plantains with the daily catch of conch (believed to be an aphrodisiac), kingfish, wahoo, and grouper. Add a dash of Caribbean spice — curry, ginger, thyme, and saffron — and wash it all down with pineapple wine from Eleuthera. Don’t miss a chance to try island classics such as johnnycakes (a pan-fried bread), chicken souse (a spicy chicken soup), or guava duff (a sweet, pudding-like dessert).
Discover the traditions of the Ribatejo region where the flavors and stories of the past are still present.
Explore the wonders of Santarém, the Portuguese capital of the Gothic architecture, taste the famous Sopa da Pedra (stone soup) in Almeirim and know its legend. After lunch, we make a stop at the Royal Falconry of Salvaterra de Magos to learn the origins of the relationship between hawks and Men and to attend a flight demonstration. At the Companhia das Lezírias stud farm, meet the horses that are so associated with this region and, by the end of the afternoon, nothing better than a wine tasting at Herdade do Catapereiro. Do not miss all this!
Important informations Departure time: 09:00 am Frequency: Thursday, except December 25th and January 1st Duration: around 10h Free Pick up from central and selected Lisbon Hotels
Inclusions Transport & Guided visit Typical Sweet, Lunch & Wine tasting Visit to the Companhia das Lezírias Stud Farm
Ribatejo Tour Full Day With Lunch 130 € per Adult 75 € Per Child (2 up to `2 years)
Private transfers in and out (Airport – Hotel – Airport)
Daily Breakfast
Wine Bottle at the Hotel
Sunset Catamaran Sailing Tour
All taxes
Sales taxes in Costa Rica are 13% and they are included on your quote, but these taxes are subject to change without previous notice by the government of Costa Rica
Day 1 (Arrival to Costa Rica)
Welcome to Costa Rica!
Welcome to Costa Rica, inside the airport you will be assisted by one of our representatives; at the exit door of the airport, a guide of Destination Costa Rica with a passenger sign name will meet and guide you to our motorcoach that will provide the private transfer to the hotel in Tamarindo area.
Includes Wine bottle at the room
OVERNIGHT AT, TAMARINDO DIRIA HOTEL or similar
for 3 nights – accommodation on Tropicana Room.
Day 2 (Tamarindo)
Breakfast at the hotel. Leisure day to enjoy the hotel facilities.
Contact us for the optional excursions that we can offer you for this day.
OVERNIGHT AT, TAMARINDO DIRIA HOTEL or similar
Day 3 (Catamaran Sunset Sailing Tour)
Breakfast at the hotel. Silently glide along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast while passing some of Guanacaste’s exotic bays, white sand beaches and tropical jungles. Gaze off the bow with a cold tropical drink prepared and served by our crew as you scan the seas for dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish or even a breaching whale. Stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor and frolic in the blue Pacific. Snorkel in the bay or run down the deserted white sand beach while the ever helpful crew prepares a feast of chicken or pasta salad, fruit, chips, pico de gallo, guacamole and homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Day 4 (Good bye Costa Rica! I will be back with my Baby!)
Breakfast at your hotel. At the prearranged time, we will transfer you to the International Airport in Liberia with enough time to board your return flight home.
Price per person in U$ Dollars
High Season USD 690.00
Jan 1st – Nov 30th 2020
Low Season
Aug 1st – Nov 30th 2019 USD 550.00 May 1st – Apr 30th 2020 USD 670.00
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Please note that it’s a quotation and there are not blocked rooms.
Closed out dates from Nov 30th to Jan 5th and Easter week according to the dates of each year.
Must be quoted each enquire from Dec 1st to Jan 5th.
All prices are per person, subject to change without previous notice.
Given price does not include air portion.
All rooms at different properties have two double beds; participants on triple room may have to share the bed with roommate.
Hotels do not guarantee King or Queen Beds and this is subject to availability.
If number of passengers change, prices may change as well.
Arrival Transfer are based on passengers arriving on the same flight or with few minutes of difference between one from the other, if we have more than 15 minutes different between flights, we need to hire additional transfers with an additional charge.
Currently sales taxes in Costa Rica are 13% and they are included on your quote. However, in 2020 the will apply to many different services that were not by law forced to pay. The percentage will apply in July 01st. As soon as the new percentage of taxes will be defined by the government all tour operators should have to include them on all the quoted programs and the program cost will change without previous notice.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – PAYMENTS
60 days prior to the passenger’s arrival the final payment will be requested.All deposits are not refundable at this time.
Prices Subject to change due to government taxes.
RESPONSIBILITY
These tour programs are operated by Destination Costa Rica, in common with “Departures and Arrivals” Destination Costa Rica acts as an agent for Tour Members in arranging room accommodations, transportation, sightseeing. DCR reserves the right in its sole discretion to make changes in the itinerary and is not responsible for expenses, loss of time, money or other happening resulting from a change of tour scheduling made for Tour Members. DCR reserves the right to accept, decline or retain any person as a member of the tour, and is not responsible for any losses or damages of personal property, or for injuries, expenses or damages incurred by any Tour Member.
REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY
If any passenger must return home early. DCR will try to avoid last minute cancellations fees, however the decision is subject to the different policies of the different providers involve on this itinerary.
• No refund on unused portions of the program.
EXCLUSIONS
Destination Costa Rica reserves the right to alter its Refund and Cancellation Policy when a substantial amount of cancellation or postponement of travel is attributable to: natural or man-made disaster, fire, government action, civil disorder, war, hostilities between nations, or unavailability of transportation through no fault of DCR.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE TOUR?
The land price of your tour does not include airfare to the tour departure point; any inter-country air; items of a personal nature; meals not included on the itinerary; sightseeing attractions listed as “optional excursions”.
PASSPORT
Each passenger must have a valid passport.
Expiry date of passports should be at least six months after the return date of tour.
PROGRAM ITINERARY – Honeymoon Perfect Match Deluxe Package
Day 1 (Arrival to Costa Rica)
Welcome to Costa Rica!
Welcome to Costa Rica, inside the airport you will be assisted by one of our representatives; at the exit door of the airport, a guide of “Destination Costa Rica” with a passenger sign name will meet and guide you to our motorcoach that will provide the private transfer to the hotel in San Jose area.
OVERNIGHT AT REAL INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, SAN JOSE or similar for 1 night – accommodation on STD Room.
Day 2 (Arenal: The magic of the rainforest)
Breakfast at your hotel. This morning check out and we will continue to Arenal area, enjoy of the points view, with an approximated time of 3 hrs by land transfer.
Arenal Volcano is a dormant andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica around 90 km northwest of San José, in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna
This day you will enjoy an exquisite romantic dinner.
OVERNIGHT AT TABACON RESORT & SPA, ARENAL or similar for 2 nights – accommodation on STD Room.
Day 3 (Arenal)
Breakfast at the hotel. Leisure day to enjoy the hotel facilities.
Contact us for the optional excursions that we can offer you for this day.
OVERNIGHT AT TABACON RESORT & SPA, ARENAL or similar
Day 4 (Arenal – Tambor)
Breakfast at your hotel. Departure to the Central Pacific in a private transfer, during the trip you can observe the many typical communities of the region, located at Peninsula de Nicoya.
At the afternoon on your own to enjoy the amenities of the hotel.
OVERNIGHT AT, TANGO MAR HOTEL or similar for 3 nights – accommodation on Tiki Beach Front Suite Room.
Day 5 (Tambor)
Breakfast at the hotel. Leisure day to enjoy the hotel facilities.
Contact us for the optional excursions that we can offer you for this day.
OVERNIGHT AT, TANGO MAR HOTEL or similar
Day 6 (Tambor)
Montezuma Waterfall Tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
We will lead you on an adventurous hike that includes aerial bridges, to make your way deep into the forest, until arriving at a majestic waterfall that you can enjoy to the fullest.
There is a group of 3 waterfalls that are 5, 12, and 25 meters tall, respectively. These natural beauties have formed natural pools at their bases, where you can swim, relax, and enjoy nature and your experience.
OVERNIGHT AT, TANGO MAR HOTEL or similar
Day 7 (Tambor – San Jose)
Breakfast at your hotel. Morning free to enjoy the hotel facilities and amenities. At the prearranged time we will start the transfer back to the capital city.
OVERNIGHT AT REAL INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, SAN JOSE or similar for 1 night – accommodation on STD Room.
Day 8 (Good bye Costa Rica! I will be back with my Baby!) – San Jose – Julian Santamaria Airport
Breakfast at your hotel. At the prearranged time, we will transfer you to the International Airport in Liberia with enough time to board your return flight home.
Day includes: Breakfast, and private transfer to the airport
Price per person in U$ Dollars
Aug 1st – Nov 30th 2019 Jan 1st – Apr 30th 2020
1.810.00 USD per passenger
May 1st – Nov 30th 2020
1.730.00 USD per passenger
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Please note that it’s a quotation and there are not blocked rooms.
Closed out dates from Nov 30th to Jan 5th and Easter week according to the dates of each year.
Must be quoted each enquire from Dec 1st to Jan 5th.
All prices are per person, subject to change without previous notice.
Given price does not include air portion.
All rooms at different properties have two double beds; participants on triple room may have to share the bed with roommate.
Hotels do not guarantee King or Queen Beds and this is subject to availability.
If number of passengers change, prices may change as well.
Arrival Transfer are based on passengers arriving on the same flight or with few minutes of difference between one from the other, if we have more than 15 minutes different between flights, we need to hire additional transfers with an additional charge.
Currently sales taxes in Costa Rica are 13% and they are included on your quote. However, in 2020 the will apply to many different services that were not by law forced to pay. The percentage will apply in July 01st. As soon as the new percentage of taxes will be defined by the government all tour operators should have to include them on all the quoted programs and the program cost will change without previous notice.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – PAYMENTS
60 days prior to the passenger’s arrival the final payment will be requested.All deposits are not refundable at this time.
Prices Subject to change due to government taxes.
RESPONSIBILITY
These tour programs are operated by Destination Costa Rica, in common with “Departures and Arrivals” Destination Costa Rica acts as an agent for Tour Members in arranging room accommodations, transportation, sightseeing. DCR reserves the right in its sole discretion to make changes in the itinerary and is not responsible for expenses, loss of time, money or other happening resulting from a change of tour scheduling made for Tour Members. DCR reserves the right to accept, decline or retain any person as a member of the tour, and is not responsible for any losses or damages of personal property, or for injuries, expenses or damages incurred by any Tour Member.
REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY
If any passenger must return home early. DCR will try to avoid last minute cancellations fees, however the decision is subject to the different policies of the different providers involve on this itinerary.
• No refund on unused portions of the program.
EXCLUSIONS
Destination Costa Rica reserves the right to alter its Refund and Cancellation Policy when a substantial amount of cancellation or postponement of travel is attributable to: natural or man-made disaster, fire, government action, civil disorder, war, hostilities between nations, or unavailability of transportation through no fault of DCR.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE TOUR?
The land price of your tour does not include airfare to the tour departure point; any inter-country air; items of a personal nature; meals not included on the itinerary; sightseeing attractions listed as “optional excursions”.
PASSPORT
Each passenger must have a valid passport.
Expiry date of passports should be at least six months after the return date of tour.
