Bike riding tours are a wonderful way to explore Jamaica. Traveling by automobile just can’t provide the same experience. You miss so much, like the scents carried by the wind – the smell of the ocean, the tropical forests, the mountains, and the abundant flowers and other plants. The slower pace allows you to really see what you’re looking, to talk to local people, and to really savor the experience of Jamaica.

Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours, Ltd., located at 121 Main Street, in Ocho Rios, is one of the most well known providers of these sorts of adventures. Their specialty is a day long bike tour that begins 5,600 feet up in the Blue Mountains, which are the highest mountains in the Caribbean. Blue Mountain Bicycle Tours, Ltd., makes these tours available out of both Ocho Rios and Kingston, Jamaica, providing charter bus service from these points to the mountain for groups as large as 150, with the average group being made up of about 40 people. All necessary biking equipment is also provided, as are meals, and rates are reasonable — $93US for adults and $65US for children under 12 years of age.

The bicycle tour is all down hill, which makes it appropriate for almost all age groups – age 7 is the youngest recommended for participation — and means that you’ll be able to devote your most or your energy to enjoying the magnificent scenery. And, magnificent it is! Bikers pass through stunning mountain vistas that include the remarkable coffee plantations that produce the Blue Mountain coffee beans that are becoming well known to coffee connoisseurs for their superior taste and quality, and enjoy wild life sights that are found nowhere else in the world outside of Jamaica. They’ll see waterfalls and have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool, clear mountain water. You’ll want to remember to bring a swimsuit, towel and camera.

Manfred’s Jamaican Mountain Bike Tours, located in Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, offers a wonderful one-week get away tour. Participants enjoy quality lodging and excellent local cuisine on a 500 acre farming estate in Apple Valley. Each day features a bicycle tour to a different part of Jamaica, revealing parts of the country far beyond the usual tourist destinations. This experience of the real Jamaica – beyond the glitter and glitz of the tourism industries – is simply unparalleled.  

In Negril, Rusty’s Xcellent Adventures offers a variety guided bicycle tours at different skill levels. Biking equipment and, if necessary, biking instructors, are available. For those who prefer independent exploration, there are numerous places throughout Jamaica that offer bicycle rentals, as well as rentals of scooters and the like.

Bicycle tours are an excellent way to explore Jamaica. In addition to enjoying the natural Jamaica, its ‘real’ people and culture, you’ll be doing so in away that has less of a negative environmental impact. Bicycle tours allow you to slow down and to savor your surroundings, collecting memories – and perhaps even a newfound cultural awareness and understanding — that will last a lifetime.

The groups of islands that make up the Bahamas are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in this part of the world. Many of these retain the natural beauty that first attracted Europeans centuries ago. With the numerous small islands, each with their own little shoreline beaches, it is, despite the immense popularity of the Bahamas as a vacation destination, possible to find relatively secluded and quite places to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the sand and ocean.

New Providence Island has many beautiful beaches. Cabbage Beach is one of the most notable of the public beaches, attracting locals and tourists alike to its stunningly white sands. It spans a three-mile long area of the coast between Snorkeler’s Cove and the Atlantis Lagoon. Palm trees, sea grapes and casuarinas are among the vegetation to grace its borders. 

The Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island is one of the most peaceful beaches to be found in all of the Bahamas. A coral reef just beyond the three-mile long beach offers an excellent scuba diving exploration opportunity, as well as absorbs the force of the ocean waves, making the water a safe and enjoyable place to swim. Due to its position on the island, sunbathers will prefer the mornings, because the afternoon brings shadows.

The beaches on Cat Island are secluded, and glitter with fine, white sand. The graceful, curving lines of the shore meet very clear, clean ocean waters. Plant life along the beach includes coconut palms, palmettos, and casuarina trees.

Tahiti Beach is another of the beaches in the Bahamas that is known for being a quiet, peaceful place that attracts few tourists. Located in Hope Town on the Acabos, this beach is not accessible by car, but rather, must be reached by bicycle, foot or boat. 

Those who enjoy more social and active beach scenes will probably feel more comfortable at Cable Beach on New Providence Island. Located near the restaurants – which feature a wide variety of foods, ranging from international cuisines to local favorites of the Bahamas — casinos, bars, and several facilities that offer a broad array of water sports equipment and tours, this beach can be crowded at times.

However, the mix of international tourists and locals is usually interesting and fun for those seeking company and conversation in the sun. There are numerous beach vendors selling a variety of products and services, ranging from hair braiding to unique jewelry. There’s more of a party atmosphere here than at other beaches, with music and dancing here and there on the beach. It is the most popular place on the island.

The beaches of the islands that make up the Bahamas are known the world over for their beauty. The fine white sand that is a common feature of these beaches sets the standard for beaches everywhere. The many little islands offer a broad range of beach experiences, with many options for those who treasure the natural sights and sounds of the non-commercialized beach and relish the opportunities to enjoy these attributes with peace, quiet and privacy. Those who enjoy the classic joys of the active beach life will not be disappointed by the options they find in the Bahamas. International crowds complemented by interesting local people make for a lively social scene, enhanced by the beauty of the ocean and sky. There’s a Bahamas beach for everyone.

A journey to Andros is a lovely respite from the world. There are many qualities that make Andros stand out from the other islands that make up the Bahamas. It’s a small, intimate sort of place, rich in natural beauty and wildlife.

Andros is an eco-tourist’s paradise. The fifth largest landmass in the Caribbean, it is an ancient island, gradually emerging from the sea with each layer of coral limestone. There are as many fascinating sights to be seen below sea level as there are to be seen above. Underwater explorers will see a wide variety of marine life, so varied and diverse that Andros attracts researchers from all over the world. On the top side of the island, there is an abundance of flora and fauna, including species and varieties found nowhere else on earth.

Small Hope Bay Lodge Eco-Tours is a wonderful way to explore these many natural wonders. Environmentally concerned and conscious, Small Hope Bay Lodge has been offering a variety of eco-tours for more than 40 years – long before the word or concept of eco-tour came into vogue. Their caring and knowledgeable staff make wonderful guides to accompany visitors through this largely unexplored island. In fact, Andros remains one of the largest tracts of unexplored land in its hemisphere.

Among the nature activities available through Small Hope Bay Lodge is the Snorkel Safari on Fresh Creek, in which participants travel along Fresh Creek in a dive boat. Occasionally, visitors are able to snorkel with dolphins, however this is not a guaranteed activity, because these are wild creatures, not the tamed and trained dolphins usually featured at dolphin swims. It is a different experience all together. As the boat glides along, visitors will view a wide variety of plant and animal life. The fee is $45 for adults and children 12 and older. The rate for children under 12 is $25.

Small Hope Bay Lodge also does a Shark Observation Dive. This allows close observation of sharks and their behaviors. This activity takes place a few times a week and costs $85 per diver and $45 per snorkeler. 

They offer a variety of dive programs, of varying skill levels. Some explore the many underwater blue holes found on Andros. Others explore the barrier reefs that are plentiful around the island.

One of the more intriguing of the sights to be seen on Andros is Red Village. Just over 25 years ago, a fascinating indigenous tribe ruled by a chief, organized in the traditional native style and still adhering firmly to the ways of their ancestors, was found to be living in the area of the village. Tourists do visit the area, and of course, that has changed some things for this indigenous group, but the ways of their ancestors still reign supreme.

Andros definitely offers a unique travel experience. It is one of the great wilds of the region, a haven for birds and animal, as well as a place in which breathtakingly beautiful wildflowers are free to blossom at will. This is a Bahamas vacation spot that will offer experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

One of the outer islands of the Bahamas, Cat Island is a quiet vacation destination for those who are really looking to relax. Among its varied pleasures and activities, a little exploration will turn up a historical oddity or two that add to the individual character of the place. Beautiful beaches in natural settings welcome the nature lover and peace seeker alike.

The Hermitage is a bit of an historical oddity, fascinating and strange. The hike up to see this religious site will take visitors through small villages along beautiful trails, full of island flora and fauna.  It is located at the top of Mt. Alvernia, which is 206 feet above the sea and the highest point in the Bahamas. The Hermitage itself is made from the limestone of the cliffs, with each piece painstakingly extracted, shaped and set by hand by the Canadian mule-skinner turned Anglican turned Roman Catholic priest known as Father Jerome. The Father built the structure to scale, designed it to fit his rather diminutive form. Beloved by the island people, the priest passed away in 1956 after reaching the ripe age of 80.

Other historical sites include an Arawak cave, found at Columbus point, and plantation ruins, left over from the islands efforts at joining the worlds cotton growers. Deveaux mansion was once the residence of Andrew Deveaux of the US Navy, who participated in the 1873 battles to get Nassau back from Spain. Another well known ruins is the remains of the Ambrister plantation, near Port Howe.

For those interested in water sports, the Cat Island Dive Center is the place to contact. They operate out of the Greenwood Beach Resort and have a variety of diving and snorkeling packages available, and there are many fine areas to explore, offering a wealth of marine life and fascinating geological formations. They also have water sport equipment to rent.

Cat Island is the sixth largest island in the Bahamas, and boasts extraordinary beaches. There are literally miles and miles of virtually undisturbed beaches, where swimming and relaxing can be done in near complete privacy.

Fine meals can be had at several locations on Cat Island. Hawk’s Nest Resort and Marina serves a variety of dishes, but among the best are the fresh, grilled fish and the roasted rack of lamb. Fernandez Bay Village is the place to go for creative and delicious native dishes, served either in the dining room or a patio table by the beach. Greenwood Beach Resort’s Bahaman cuisine is complemented by their marvelous breads, which are baked every day.

Cat Island is an excellent choice for vacationers who are seeking a natural beach experience, and enjoy a peaceful and very laid-back atmosphere. The island can be explored at a leisurely pace, which is a much better way to enjoy the local flora and fauna, as well as to enjoy the local culture. Because it is so much smaller in population than many of the other islands, it’s easier to get a real feel for the people and their way of life. Cat Island is an interesting place that will make a lasting impression on its guests.

Although most high quality hotels are relatively safe, it is never advisable to leave valuable unattended in your room.  If you are traveling with large amounts of cash or expensive equipment or jewelry you should make every available effort to ensure the safety of your valuables.  The best way to do this is to keep the items in your possession at all times but this is not always possible.  For this reason it is sometimes necessary to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of your valuables.

Many extravagant hotels offer in room safes for their guests to use.  If your room has a safe, it is advisable to use it but this alone may not be enough to guarantee the security to your money or valuable possessions.  If the safe has a touch pad where you enter a personal code to lock and unlock the device you should consider wiping the keypad down with a damp cloth after each use to remove any fingerprints.  This is because it is possible for some unscrupulous people to determine the numbers that you used in setting your code by identifying each key that was touched. 

If you are traveling with valuable jewelry, it is advisable to safeguard these items whenever you are not wearing them.  Leaving jewelry out in the open can result in the items being stolen or even simply lost.  The housekeeping staff may access your room while you are out to clean the room.  If your jewelry is left out it is certainly possible that your jewelry can become lost or stolen while you are away.  To avoid this scenario, exercise extreme caution to always lock up your jewelry when it is not being worn. 

If you are uncomfortable with the security in your hotel of if safes are not available for your use, you might consider contacting a local bank to see if you can rent a safe deposit box for a short duration.  This option is likely to be much more secure than any options offered by your hotel but it may be expensive.  Not all banks will be willing to offer you storage space for the duration of your trip and those that do, will likely charge a substantial amount for this service.

Although it may sound overly simple the best way to secure your valuables while you travel is to leave them at home.  Traveling can be a very busy and stressful time that is filled with opportunities for your valuables to be lost or stolen.  Packing and unpacking alone are excellent opportunities for valuables to be lost or left behind.  For this reason you should consider not traveling with any item that you would be devastated, either financially or emotionally, if you lost this item.

Your valuable are relatively safe in most cases when you travel but there is always the possibility that they will be lost or stolen during your vacation.  Keeping valuables in your possession, using the in room safe at your hotel and securing a storage box at a local bank are all precautions that you can take to ensure the safety of your valuable while you travel. 

Traveling by bus is an affordable and convenient method of transportation.  Despite this many travelers do not consider bus travel when they are making their travel arrangements and do not fully understand the benefits of traveling by bus.  Before you begin making travel arrangements for your next vacation take some time to investigate whether or not bus travel is a feasible option for your trip.

One unique aspect of bus travel is that your transportation is essentially part of your vacation.  While bus travel is not known for being extremely posh, it does have some advantages.  Considering that depending on your destination, your bus trip may take several days, it is wise to make the most of the travel and consider it a part of the vacation.  Getting to know your fellow passengers can help to make bus travel more enjoyable especially if you are traveling alone.  This gives you the opportunity to make some acquaintances and to have somewhat to chat with to keep the trip from becoming too boring.  Passengers may come and go with each stop so if you are on a particularly long trip, you may have the opportunity to meet many new and interesting people during the course of your trip.

Choosing a seat is very important when you are traveling by bus.  Most bus companies do not have assigned seat so you will have some freedom in choosing your own seat.  It is important to note that the last row of seats on the bus usually do not recline so if you like to put your chair back to be a little more comfortable this is not the best option.  Also the very first row of seats usually does not have an overhead light.  This may make it difficult if you like to read while you travel.  A seat somewhere in one of the middle rows is a good option if you want to be in the center of the action as most travelers choose this area.  Deciding on a window or aisle seat is also important.  If you like to look at the window then you should probably choose a window seat.  If you like to get up frequently to stretch your legs it’s a good idea to choose an aisle seat so you won’t disturb your neighbor each time you get up.

Bringing along a few drinks and snacks can make your bus trip much more comfortable and enjoyable.  Although there will be periodic stops to refuel and perform maintenance on the bus, it is a good idea to have snacks and drinks on hand in case you get hungry or thirsty between stops.  It is also a good idea if there is a particular drink or snack that you like to have and that may not be readily available during your trip.

Many travelers have preconceived notions about bus travel that make them leery of choosing this mode of transportation.  With a little investigation you may find that bus travel is not only very affordable but can also be comfortable as well.  Additionally bus travel provides a unique opportunity to bond with other travels during your trip to your destination. 

Disney World is a very popular vacation destination especially for families with children.  While this is a destination that is a great deal of fun for the entire family it can also be financially straining and stressful at the same time.  The high cost of many items combined with the overwhelming magnitude of the park can cause stress among even the most seasoned travelers.  There are, however, a few tips that can make your trip to Disney World much more enjoyable and much less financially cumbersome.

There are three hotels that are located along the monorail line and that offer direct access to the amusement park.  Choosing one of these hotels is an excellent idea for families with young children as well as families with teenagers.  These locations are very convenient for families with young children who still take naps.  One parent can hop on the monorail to take the child back to the room for a nap while the other parent can stay and enjoy the park with the rest of the children.  The easy access is wonderful for children who nap but it’s also great for anyone who wants a quick break from the sun, sounds or excitement of the amusement park.  Families with teenagers who are responsible enough to stay at the park on their own while the rest of the family heads back to the hotel also benefit from staying at a hotel along the monorail system.  Having their own transportation makes it feasible for them to travel back to the hotel on their own so that the whole family doesn’t have to wait for them to be finished enjoying the park or one parent doesn’t have to drive back to the park to pick them up.

Souvenirs can be very expensive inside the park.  You will likely be able to find discounted Disney t-shirts in your own town before you even go on your vacation.  Consider purchasing shirts for your children beforehand and without their knowledge and surprising them with the t-shirts as they prepare for their first day at the park.  They will be excited to wear their new souvenir to the park and will be much less likely to ask for souvenirs while you are in the park.

Planning your day inside the park can be a strategic effort.  The attractions closest to the entrance are usually very crowded early in the day as most visitors stop at the first attraction that they encounter.  It is advisable to skip the attractions close to the entrance and begin your day at attractions further to the entrance.  It is also recommended that you visit very popular attractions early on as they become more and more crowded as the day progresses.  Parades attract a great deal of attention and you may find that ride lines are much shorter during parades.  You might consider timing your trips to the more popular rides to coincide with parades. 

Traditional lunch and dinner times can be very crowded with long lines and limited seating.  Opting to eat a little earlier or later than usual, however, can make your dining experience more enjoyable.  For example having lunch at 2:00 may be a good idea if you are looking to avoid the crowds. 

Without some advanced planning and pre-determined strategies Disney World can seem overwhelming and can cause a great deal of stress and fatigue.  Some tips for making your experience more enjoyable include choosing a hotel with easy access to the park, purchasing souvenirs ahead of time and strategically planning your day to minimize the amount of time that you spend waiting in lines.

Many people spend quite a bit of money while on their vacations so understanding how to manage your money when you travel is very important.  Most people know that carrying large quantities of cash and making it obvious that you are carrying an abundance of cash is not a good idea but they do not know what alternatives are advisable when you are traveling.  This article will touch on some of the aspects of managing your money when you are traveling such as using credit cards, ATM machines and traveler’s checks.

Credit cards are very useful when you are traveling.  Most items and services can be purchased with a credit card and using them as your primary financial source gives you the luxury of not having to carry around a great deal of cash.  If you plan to use credit cards during your trip you should bring along major credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa and American Express.  There is usually no reason to bring along store credit cards so it is advisable that you leave these at home to prevent them from being lost or stolen.  Using your credit cards when you travel is as simple as using them while you are home but there are a few steps that you should take when you travel.  If your travel is international it is recommended that you contact the credit card company to make them aware of your travels.  Doing this will prevent any delays that occur from the credit card company flagging your purchases as possibly being fraudulent.  While many credit card companies have features that detect unusual spending habits and question these purchases to ensure that a fraud is not occurring, these features can cause delays when you are traveling.  It is also advisable to bring along contact information for each credit card that you will be using.  This will allow you to contact them immediately if your credit cards are lost or stolen instead of having to track down the contact numbers before you can call them.

If you plan to use cash during your travels, you might want to consider only bringing a small amount of cash and using your ATM card to withdraw additional funds as needed.  This will ensure that you are not carrying large quantities of money if your wallet is lost or stolen.  ATM machines in a foreign country will issue funds in the local currency and may charge high usage fees.  You should research your options before choosing an ATM machine to ensure that you are paying the lowest possible fees.

Traveler’s checks are another financial option for when you are traveling.  You should do your research beforehand to determine whether or not traveler’s checks will be accepted widely at your destination or not.  Traveler’s checks are usually accepted at many popular tourist destinations but you may find some places that will not accept them so you should have a backup plan.  If you plan to use traveler’s checks you should keep records of information such as their serial numbers, denominations and a phone number to call if they are lost or stolen.  This will help you if you need to have them replaced while you are traveling.

Protecting your money while you are traveling isn’t as complicated as it sounds.  Whether you choose to use credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks while you travel is largely a matter of personal choice.

If your travel adventures include a lengthy flight to your destination you may appreciate some advice on how to make the flight more comfortable.  Many would be vacations shy away from certain destinations because they do not relish the idea of enduring a long flight to their destination.  For many the idea of cross country or inter-continental travel is tantamount to enduring torture or undergoing dental work without Novocain.  For those who cannot afford to travel first class, the confined space of typical airline seats combined with the lack of food and drink options available as well as the omission of entertainment options makes airline travel very uncomfortable.  There are some tips, however, that can make airline travel much more bearable and that may convince some travelers to take the plunge and take that inter-continental trip that they have always dreamed of taking.

Airline seats are notoriously small with limited leg room and this is one of the prime sources of discomfort when you travel.  The more seats an airline offers the more earning potential that they have and this is one of the main reasons for the size of the seats.  While there is little that you can do about the size of your seat, there are some tips for making the trip more comfortable.  Temperature control aboard and airplane is usually not a significant issue.  For these reason, it is advisable that you check your oversized coat with your luggage or store it in the overhead compartment so that you will be more comfortable in your seat.  Oversized clothing can make your seat seem even smaller than it really is.

Some airlines offer beverages or meals on their flights but you can’t always count on this.  Additionally it is usually pretty dry aboard an airplane and you could have an increased thirst while traveling.  To avoid dehydration or hunger, it is recommended that you travel with a couple of bottles of water and a few healthy snacks in your carryon luggage so that you will be prepared when hunger or thirst strike. 

Sitting still for an extended period of time can cause muscular discomfort.  While there is not much opportunity to exercise on a plane, you could make a point of getting up every hour or so to walk to the restroom.  This will give you the opportunity to stretch your legs and allow your blood to circulate.  There are also simple stretching exercises that you can perform in your seat to maintain a certain comfort level.

Not all airlines offer in flight entertainment so it is recommended that you bring your own.  If you have a portable DVD player or an MP3 player these can be an excellent source of entertainment while you are traveling.  Books and magazines can also help to keep you entertained while you are traveling.

Airline travel isn’t always comfortable and many people dread traveling by airplane.  There are some ways to make your trip more comfortable such as dressing appropriately, bringing along snacks and water, stretching your legs a few times during the flight and bringing along a source of entertainment. 

Denver is known as the mile high city but it is not just its elevation that makes this city so appealing to travelers.  The unique appeal of Denver is that although it is a thriving metropolis, it also offers relative proximity to the mountains that makes this city one that offers so many different options to travelers to this city.  Whether you want to take in a sporting event, visit zoos or museums or venture outside of the city to experience all that the mountains have to offer, Denver has options to make your travel adventure a worthwhile experience. 

Whatever time of year, you travel to Denver you are likely to find the city in the midst of a current athletic season.  Those who enjoy baseball can check out the Rockies during the season while football fans will delight at the opportunity to see the Broncos in action.  In addition to their baseball and football teams the mile high city is also home to a professional basketball and a professional soccer team.  The Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Rapids are both up to the challenging of entertaining both locals and tourists with their athletic prowess. 

Much like any other major city, Denver has its share of museums and zoos for your enjoyment when you travel to this city.  The Denver Zoo offers a wide variety of animals of all shapes and sizes and from many different countries.  The zoo is expansive and you should allocate approximately three to four hours to adequately view the entire park.  Denver also has the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for travelers who are looking for an intellectually stimulating attraction.  The museum boasts and extensive collection of wildlife exhibits in realistic looking habitats.  There are also space exhibits and geological exhibits.  In addition the museum usually has a series of hands on exhibits that change periodically throughout the year.

If Denver has a lot to offer as a city, the appeal of the neighboring mountains is simply phenomenal.  Denver is a fully industrial city but literally less than an hour away you can be climbing mountains that reach upwards of 14,000 feet.  Whether you visit the mountains to simply admire their majesty, shop in the quaint villages at the bases of the mountains or to participate in the many activities that they are famous for, you will be sure to have a memorable trip to the mountains.  Those who want to enjoy the activities that the mountain offers can participate in skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, white water rafting, hiking, climbing, camping and mountain biking.  While the activities that are available vary depending on the season there is always something for everyone in the mountains.

Denver is truly a unique city that offers the appeal of a modern city with the beauty of nature and the mountains nearby.  Whether you are looking for a sophisticated vacation filled with chic restaurants and nightclubs, an earthy vacation filled with outdoor adventure or a combination of the two, you are sure to find everything you are looking for in and around the city of Denver.