What is the first thing that comes into your mind when someone says ‘Caribbean Islands’? Most people would say something like ‘beautiful beaches, amazing waters, relax, calm, sun, etc.’ While all of these associations are understandable (we’re talking about the Caribbeans after all), many people tend to forget that the Caribbean Islands are so much more than that.

There are plenty of outdoor activities that can occupy your time there – climbing, exploring the waters with a boat, jet skiing (we recommend checking out some jet ski tips beforehand so that you can have an idea about what to expect and how to prepare yourself for this experience), and more. We believe that everyone should get to know the Caribbeans from their adventurous side, which is why we created this short list.

The islands that we listed below offer you not only an amazing dose of adventure, with several hiking treks, volcanos, and water activities but also luxury. It’s hard to find an island that doesn’t have a luxurious resort, which means that you can spend the day climbing mountains, and in the evening, you can go for a full SPA treatment. This is actually a great combination, as all the moving you’ve done during the day will really make you feel that you deserved the evening relax.

So, if you want to find out more about the Caribbean Islands that will offer you both luxury and adventure, all you have to do is keep reading. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Top 5 Caribbean Caribbean Islands

1. Saint Lucia

The first position on our list is St Lucia – a sovereign island country located on the ‘border’ of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

The island is dominated by volcanic peaks, with volcanic beaches and reefs filling out the coast. There are a lot of trees, waterfalls, and trails, making it the perfect holiday spot for hikers who love both nature and luxury. Saint Lucia is home to the Pitons’ twin peaks, which are recognized by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites. There are two main treks on the island – the Gros Piton and the Tet Paul Nature Trail.

If you are an animal lover, then you’d be glad to hear that you can also find something for yourself – the island is home to the Edmund Forest Reserve, where you can observe more than 180 species of birds.

2. Jamaica

Probably the first thing that comes into your mind when thinking about ‘Jamaica’ is fun, reggae, Bob Marley, and ganja. However, apart from this, Jamaica is a great place for adventurous people, as it is full of mountains, forests, and hiking treks.

Jamaica’s most popular trek is called the Blue Mountain Peak Trail. It’s a great way to explore the beautiful island. You will also have a chance to try the Blue Mountain Coffee at the source – one of the world-renowned coffees.

3. The British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands consist of four main islands – Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke – and over fifty smaller islands and cays. Only 16 of them are inhabited, though. It’s worth mentioning that many celebrities and millionaires have beach houses there.

When it comes to what to do when on vacation there, there are plenty of options. All islands are home to beautiful white-sand beaches, sparkling waters, and bays. You can rent a boat and admire the blue waters. If you love meeting new people, you should consider chartering a boat – who knows, maybe your cabinmate will become your lifetime friend? If you prefer to go on an adventure alone, you can always rent a private charter.

One of the things you should not miss out on when visiting the British Virgin Islands is seeing Anegada. Anegada is an island sitting on a coral reef. Among its attractions, you can find beaches, flamingos, an iguana sanctuary (the entrance is free for your information), and a population of wild cows that is almost higher than the number of people.

4. Saint Kitts

St Kitts and Nevis is an island country, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

When it comes to St Kitts, almost a quarter of it is a designated national park, the majority of it being rainforest. The rainforest serves as home to amazing wildlife, so this is definitely your best bet if you love animals. You will be able to see green vervet monkeys, hummingbirds, rare lizards, and so much more. For those who are more into hiking or climbing, there are many treks, including one that leads to the summit of Mount Liamuiga – while completing it, you will be able to see the Devil’s Tooth – a crater rim half a mile wide.

5. Nevis

Nevis, the other half of St Kitts and Nevis, is an island dominated by a volcano, known as Nevis Peak. As easy climbing it might seem, it’s actually a complete opposite. In some of its sections, you will need to use pre-rigged ropes, which is why it’s recommended, when hiking this trek, to use a decent gear and a guide – especially since the trail is muddy, slippery, and steep. However, all the hard work that needs to be put into hiking is repaid once you reach to the top, as the views are spectacular.

The Bottom Line

When you think about ‘Caribbean Islands’, you probably imagine white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and sun all year round. While this is an understandable association, the Caribbean Islands are actually paradise for people who love adventure and outdoor activities – on the majority of them, you can find at least one trek, and let’s not forget about the rare wildlife that you can easily encounter.

However, the islands are also home to many luxurious resorts, which means that you can find the perfect balance between luxury and adventure – you can spend the day away climbing the mountains, and then come back to your 5-star accommodation. It’s a perfect combo, don’t you think?

The post These Caribbean Islands Offer Both Luxury and Adventure appeared first on Travel Experta – Family Travel Blog.

By: Marina Villatoro
Title: These Caribbean Islands Offer Both Luxury and Adventure
Sourced From: feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheTravelExperta/~3/xxXfwncegVE/these-caribbean-islands-offer-both-luxury-and-adventure.html
Published Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:14:53 +0000

Did you miss our previous article…
https://vistagaze.com/resorts/3-tips-that-will-help-you-when-it-comes-to-survival-tactics-2/

With all the conveniences of modern life, our lives have become very comfortable. Most of us rarely have to worry about how to get food, water, or find a place to stay. Everything is so convenient that even a temporary power cut can cause big anxiety. But did you ever think about what you would do if you found yourself in a survival situation? Do you have all the necessary items and skills that you would need to stay alive and safe?

This article is a guide to the key tips you need for survival.

Top 3 Survival Tactics Tips

1. Prepare a Fire Immediately

Most people in the developed world have all of the systems and gadgets in their homes which means they can set whatever temperature they want. From air conditioners to underfloor heating, staying warm is as easy as pressing a few buttons. In a real survival situation, however, fire is a huge consideration and is something you need to prepare at the earliest possible moment. A fire has many important uses when faced with life or death. First of all, fire keeps you warm, which is extremely important as exposure and hypothermia are both killers. Secondly, you can use fire to purify your water and cook your food, which is both obviously necessary for survival. Finally, fire can be used to scare away animals who may want to eat your supplies or you.

2. Have Your Tools and Equipment Ready

The key to survival is preparation and so you should always have a bag packed with all the necessary gear you may need, particularly if you live in a place that is prone to earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes. There are many useful gadgets that seem like something a covert operative might use in a spy film, but which can all be lifesavers. From weapons to protect your family to GPS navigation systems, there are so many advanced pieces of technology that can dramatically increase your chances of survival. When it comes to choosing your equipment, find the right balance between function and weight because if your gear is too heavy, it is going to slow you down. Speed is often the main decider between life and death when you are trying to survive so make sure your equipment is light and portable.

3. Stay Mindful of Injuries

With that in mind, nothing slows you down more than an injury. Many armies using guerilla warfare will set traps, not to kill their enemies, but to injure a few of them, so that the whole unit has to carry their immobile friends. The Viet Cong forces used tiger pits with sharpened bamboo to pierce the legs and feet of American soldiers which would then put a whole squad out of commission. Make sure that you have a well-stocked first-aid kit with some generic antibiotics because an infection out in the wild can be deadly.

Preparation is absolutely key when it comes to survival so always be ready. We live such comfortable lives now that far too many people have become complacent with regard to the real dangers which are out there. Keep these tips in mind and make sure that you have everything you need in the event of a worst-case scenario.so you must have a well-planned list of survival items to pack in unexpected cases. Remember, there are many ways to stay safe and survive in difficult situations. Keep calm and always be prepared.

The post 3 Tips That Will Help You When It Comes To Survival Tactics appeared first on Travel Experta – Family Travel Blog.

By: Marina Villatoro
Title: 3 Tips That Will Help You When It Comes To Survival Tactics
Sourced From: feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheTravelExperta/~3/PrUOsqu4EQs/3-tips-that-will-help-you-when-it-comes-to-survival-tactics.html
Published Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 16:28:48 +0000

There’s always so much to do.

So much to do and too little time to do it all. I find myself frequently overwhelmed, wondering how can I get ahead? Is this something you find yourself wondering too? It’s like a never ending enigma: if I can just get ahead of this project, then I’ll have the extra time to go do what I want.

Yes! How exciting, doing what I want. The dream, right? To live free, doing whatever I please. Yeah, great. Except… what is that?

What on earth do I want? It seems so simple, so easy. And yet, it’s the hardest question. Even if I do get ahead, getting all that work done early, I find myself just sitting here. Sure, put on some Netflix. Relax – take a break, “I really earned it.” But, that’s not what I really wanted. I’m just sitting on the couch with the tv because it’s convenient. And I’m tired. And then when I’m fifty I’ll look back at the exhilarating rush of a life I lived on the couch binging on all the cool adventures I’m not a part of.

Yeah, no that’s not going to fly. I’m going to do something. How can I find out what I want to do?

That was then. Now, I know the answer. I found it. And, believe it or not, my inspiration came from the strangest of places.

It all started when I looked into things to do in Gatlinburg

It was seemingly counterintuitive at first but I really found it. Really, what I needed was to get away. I needed a vacation. Okay, yeah, sure, who doesn’t? But seriously, I needed to stop. I really needed to put it all down. Those projects – they’re never ending. Literally. There’s always a new one every week. Everyone needs something, and the whole world is screaming “what can you do for me?”

No wonder I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do.

How can you hear the little voice inside that’s guiding you to your vision? Your dreams come true? All that corny stuff – when real life is blaring it all away on blast. You have to get away. You just have to stop.

So I did. I decided to take a moment away from the madness. I turned to the mountains. You know, the Smoky mountains really are something special. They’re beautiful in the summer – and when fall comes around – don’t get me started. Their stunning canopies gave me the change of scenery I needed. My eyes felt like they were healing – my vision returning from being dulled away by my MacBook’s constant screen light.

“Yeah.” I remember thinking to myself. “Those websites can wait. That new page will get done.” And I took off on my very own mountain adventure. It was just like those shows. Well, minus the action packed explosions and romantic tragedies I guess. But the scenery was everything I could imagine – and more. And the best part: It was quiet. Peaceful. Stress free. No pressure, no deadlines. Nobody to impress. No standards to meet. No debug updates due by lunch.

It’s a funny feeling too. It will really change your life. Your worldview. You don’t realize how much of what you’re doing isn’t actually what you wanted – until you stop to see what it is you actually wanted to do. And of course you won’t believe it at first. I didn’t. I wouldn’t blame anyone for saying they’re fine where they’re at – they’re comfortable. I get it. But you have to see it, you have to experience it. Once you do, you’ll never go back. You won’t understand how you lived any other way. I’m serious.

It’s not easy, no. You have to be brave. Just like the protagonist. You have to take risks. And let’s be serious – risks don’t sell. They’re scary, and why do anything different from what you know works out? But… you know what’s worse?

A mid life crisis filled with compensation when you realize you slept your whole life away helping somebody else accomplish their dreams.

Yeouch.

Seriously. Take the risk now. Start your dream business. Take that free time you have and use it to do what you actually want. How? Take some time and get away. Get far away – like the Smoky Mountains – perfect. Put your phone away. Your boss won’t die. Your life, your way, is worth more than their immediate concern. They’ll live. Afterall, they’re living their dream. And if they’re not, they’re probably miserable then and need to find their true desires too! Put that bitterness away. Seriously, all that “I can’t have that” or “there’s no such thing as love” or “It’s too much.” What would happen if Luke Skywalker said that? Frodo? Walter White? I mean, shoot, Breaking Bad would have ended episode one with that kind of logic. Same goes for those  Disney classics – AladdinLion KingFrozen, you name it. Yeah, you know, I too love a good story about somebody doing what they’re told and never going after what they want.

See? That doesn’t feel good. So take that step. Get away for a bit. Find yourself. It’s not cheesy – it’s reality. You’re always living yourself, so get to know what that is. What do you actually feel like doing? Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with taking a day to binge some It’s Always Sunny and – I’m never not gonna binge The Office at least once a year. Please, what a classic. But the point is – you also want something more. And deep down you know it. So find a nice vacation spot – like those Smoky Mountains. Get started. Live for yourself. Your boss isn’t going anywhere. There’s always another job. Really. Don’t fall for their scare tactics, you’ll be fine. I promise. Do what you want for once. Find out what that is. I bet it’s awesome. I know my dreams are. No doubt yours have to be too.

Go get ‘em

The post Top Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee appeared first on Travel Experta – Family Travel Blog.

By: Marina Villatoro
Title: Top Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Sourced From: feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheTravelExperta/~3/fazAQxD71hI/things-to-do-in-gatlinburg.html
Published Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:05:59 +0000

Did you miss our previous article…
https://vistagaze.com/resorts/find-what-to-do-2/