Jamaica’s Rockfort Mineral Baths
Rockfort Mineral Baths is located in East Kingston, at the foot of the Long Mountain. It includes an historic military fort which gave the area its name. The complex operates as a subsidiary of the Caribbean Cement Factory. [caption id="attachment_10041" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Entrance to Rockfort Mineral Baths[/caption] The fort was constructed around 1694 to defend the island. Though it has been around since the 17th century, the mineral spring was discovered only in 1907 following the earthquake which caused extensive damage…
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5+ Reasons to Visit Kingston Jamaica
The municipality of Kingston & St. Andrew is the second smallest parish in Jamaica and its political, cultural and business capital. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island, Kingston is surrounded by the Blue Mountain, Red Hills and Long Mountain. It faces Kingston Harbour, the seventh largest natural harbour in the world. While most visitors to Jamaica head to the beaches of the north coast, there are several attractions in the capital that make it well worth a visit. Here…
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Romantic Rhodes Holiday Spots: Honeymoons in Lindos
Your honeymoon should be up there as one of the most extraordinary and memorable vacations you ever take. While deals on cheap Tenerife holidays in the peaceful resort of Los Gigantes are ideal for newlyweds on a tight budget, if you have a little extra cash to splash, consider a Rhodes holiday in Lindos. Whether you opt for a big day in April or a white wedding on the final bank holiday in August, the British skies always seem to…
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New York City Before Hurricane Sandy
Last week, I waited anxiously for Hurricane Sandy to arrive here. Though western and central Jamaica were spared miraculously, when Sandy changed course, the eastern side bore the brunt of the damage and large parts of it are now disaster areas. This week, I've been glued to the television, once again feeling powerless, switching from one channel to the next, looking in absolute disbelief at the images from my other home, New York City. Thankfully, so far, everyone I've been…
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The Best of Umbria
Umbria is a landlocked region of central Italy that is known for rolling hills dotted with castles and fortresses interrupted by lush valleys, and medieval towns that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. The mighty Tiber River flows through Umbria, and Lake Trasimeno, one of Italy’s largest can be found there. Rich agricultural lands yield black truffles, tobacco and olives, and its vineyards produce fine wines. These make Umbria an ideal destination for anyone interested in eco-tourism. [caption id="attachment_9928" align="alignright"…
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Why Verona?
Romantic, and beautifully preserved, Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage City and one of the most sought-after destinations in Italy. It was once a Roman colony, was conquered by the Goths, and was the site of several battles. The French, under Napoleon, occupied the city, as did the Austrians. [caption id="attachment_9919" align="aligncenter" width="717"] Arena[/caption] Verano has also been featured in literature. It was the setting for three of Shakespeare’s plays – Romeo & Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Taming of…
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Goodbye, Sandy. So Glad You’re Gone!
It occurred to me a few days ago that we might finish the hurricane season without getting hit. Then one of my neighbors asked if I'd heard that a storm was approaching. I hadn’t. It was so early in its formation, it didn’t even have a name. By Monday, it did: Sandy. I know a few people who share the name and had a little laugh at their expense. But there would be no joking about this Sandy. She was…
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Wag Water River Jamaica
The Wag Water River in the eastern parish of St. Mary is, to me, one of Jamaica's more interesting rivers. It rises in the mountains of St. Andrew, flows for just over 36 kilometers through St. Mary and empties into the sea west of Annotto Bay, in the parish. The Wag Water, which used to be called Agua Alta, is one of two rivers that supply water to Kingston, the capital. (more…)
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Caribbean Travel News: Cuba to Ease Travel Restrictions
Cuba Lifts Travel Ban Come January 14, 2013, the Cuban government will no longer require exit visas and invitation letters from foreign nationals for Cubans to leave the country. What that means is that for the first time in 52 years, Cubans can leave their country. This is good news that I know my friends in Cuba, and especially those abroad, will welcome. [caption id="attachment_5360" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Havana Vieja[/caption] (more…)
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Highly Acclaimed Musical of the Year – Les Misérables
The Queen's Theatre production of Les Misérables is a thrilling musical experience that has been shared by thousands of theatre-goers over the course of many years. Indeed, the show has seen over 10,000 performances in London, over 3000 of them at the Queen's Theatre. Based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo, the musical stage production of Les Misérables has been delighting audiences all over the world for over 25 years. Written by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil, Jean-Marc Natel and…
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