Cayman dining is surely a vital part of your trip to Cayman Islands. The British colony with three islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are gradually becoming the hot favorites among the tourists. This island paradise, famous for its beaches, diving and other water sport activities, is only a 70 minutes flight away from Miami. The pleasant weather, welcoming people with fine hospitality arrangement, are helping Cayman Islands to make a room in the heart of the travel enthusiasts.

Accordingly with the hospitality industry of the Cayman Islands, the Cayman dining facility has flourished to a great extent. All the three islands now serve the tourists with huge variety of good quality foods. The Cayman dining ranges from elegant dining arrangements of big hotels like The Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman to the fast food eateries. With these, you actually have a wide choice of Cayman Island's exquisite dining solutions at your disposal.

Traditional Cayman cuisine is hugely influenced by Jamaican jerk, curry and other vibrant seasonings. These local varieties of Cayman's dining feature conch, lobster and local seafood and complemented by coconut, plantain, breadfruit, yams, cassava, rice and peas and with other West Indian side dishes. Along with Caribbean and Central American dishes, your Cayman dining experience at Grand Cayman can include European, Italian, Mexican, German, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese and "American Tex-Mex" variety. The Cayman dining industry also boasts of fast food chains featuring hamburgers, tacos, chicken, pizza, subs and salads.

So to speak, dining at the Cayman Brac can be extravagant and expensive if you choose the two hotels Brac Reef Beach Resort and Divi Tiara Beach Resort. Both these hotels offer their service to non-borders but we will recommend prior booking in this case. There are five restaurants at Cayman Brac and they serve American as well as Cayman dishes in good casual atmosphere. They are Aunt Sha's, Captain's Table, Edd's Place, G & M Diner, La Esperanza and Sonia's Restaurant.

In addition, there are relatively fewer Cayman dining options at the Little Cayman. You can enjoy the food at the Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Pirates Point and Sam McCoy's Lodge restaurants with advance reservations. Else you can enjoy your meal at the Hungry Iguana restaurant at the small airstrip opened in December 1994. So, whatever your taste buds do desire, you have it all along with your Cayman fine dining experience.

While planning your tropical vacation, it's easy to get swept away in the excitement and thrills that come with your upcoming trip. But before you embark on your dream vacation, take a few minutes to consider the possibility of medical emergency situations that could arise during your trip to the Caribbean.

No one wants to think negatively when planning a trip to the beautiful Caribbean, but the truth is, anything can happen at any time. Consider what you would do in case a health emergency occurs while you're on vacation. You could save yourself a lot of heartache and frustration in the long run.

Although you cannot predict medical emergencies, there are things you can do to be prepared just in case. Before departing for your Caribbean destination, be sure to carry with you emergency contact information, medication, and health insurance information. Then, make sure to locate medical facilities on the island.

Emergency Contacts

If you or someone you're traveling with does have a medical emergency during your vacation, you will have to find help on the island. Whether you're in need of a police officer, ambulance, or physician, you must be able to provide necessary information in order to communicate effectively with the proper officials. Many people panic during emergencies, which can make it difficult to think clearly enough to find the right phone number. This can lead to frustration, which can prolong your search for emergency information.

You don't have to wait until an emergency happens to look for the phone numbers of emergency services. Before your trip, take a few minutes to find the information and phone numbers for ambulances, police stations, hospitals, fire departments, and the local U.S. consulate or embassy located on the specific island where you'll be staying. Write these emergency numbers down on a piece of paper or a flash card that will be easy for you to read. Put your emergency numbers in a place you can quickly remember like a wallet, purse, or suitcase pocket, so if needed, you can quickly access these vital numbers. This simple step can save you the trouble of fumbling through a phone book or other listings that may even be printed in a foreign language.

Medication

Travelers who are currently taking prescription medications, or who are following a regiment of over-the-counter drugs, may want to keep in mind some general advice. First of all, remember to pack enough medication for your entire trip. Keep your medications stored in their original packaging, with clearly marked labels. Also, bring a letter from your doctor describing all of your medical conditions, the names of the medicines you've been prescribed, as well as their generic names. If you need to carry syringes in order to take your medications, be sure to carry a letter from your physician describing their necessity.

Keep your medicines in your hand luggage so you can access them quickly should you need to. And keep an extra supply of your medication in your checked baggage, just in case something happens to your other doses. Travelers who are prone to major allergic reactions or who have serious chronic medical conditions may want to consider wearing a medical alert bracelet should a trip to the hospital become necessary.

Travelers should also find out before hand if immunizations are required to visit a particular country. Keep in mind that you are going to be in a foreign country, which may have different health risks than your own country. Vacationers should be up-to-date on all routine immunizations, such as tetanus, measles, and mumps. This medical precaution can help you avoid contracting preventable infections and illnesses and can decrease the risk of some medical emergencies.

Insurance

Many travelers are unsure whether their health insurance will cover claims or office visits while on vacation. Before leaving for your trip, contact your medical insurance provider and ask whether you will be covered while visiting the Caribbean. Many travelers are not aware that some health insurance companies will not reimburse for medical treatment overseas.

If you do have a medical emergency while vacationing in the Caribbean, the cost of your treatment can be considerably high, especially without health insurance, and you could be faced with medical bills reaching thousands of dollars. So if your insurance company won't compensate your medical expenses while you're outside of your home country, you may want to consider purchasing supplemental, temporary insurance, designed for travelers going abroad. This kind of insurance is perfect in case of a medical emergency while on vacation, and can cover the costs of emergency procedures and medical evacuation.

You can't always prevent a medical emergency from happening while on vacation, but there are a few things you can do in advance to make sure you're prepared in case a situation does come up. If you want to find out more about health and medical topics in the Caribbean, many helpful resources on traveler safety in the Caribbean are available, such as the comprehensive online guide found at http://Caribbean-guide.info.

St Lucia would be just at home in the South Pacific, but it resides in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, and is part of the Windward Islands.

Just north of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago lies a tropical paradise equal to the Pacific islands of Tahiti and Fiji. The calm waters of the Caribbean Sea which is usually compared to the color turquoise, appears to be royal blue around the island of St Lucia. No doubt this is due to the fact this is a volcanic island unlike the coral islands of the Caribbean basin.

Old ship records speak of how captains and sailors alike were awed by the sighting of St Lucia. Perhaps this is why the island was fought over and changed hands 14 times in its history. Two countries, England and France fought 14 battles back and forth to gain control of the island. The English eventually won the war, but France won the battle since the island is definitely French in culture.

The most photographed scene in the Caribbean and landmark of St Lucia are Petit Piton and Gros Piton. These two enormous volcanic mountains are covered with lush green vegetation and rise over 2,600 feet above the sea, and 1,000 feet below. Soufriere, located at the base, is where the jungle meets the royal blue sea. The majestic twin Pitons greet you at every turn while on the island – such an awesome sight!

As a comparison among its Caribbean neighbors, the only two that come close to St Lucia's beauty is Dominica (the nature island), and the interior of the island of Jamaica. St Lucia boasts a variety of exotic black sand beaches, tropical birds, plants and flowers. Everywhere you turn, and on each island adventure there is just more beauty to be seen. I attempted to capture the island on picture, but the color intensity and depth was lacking more than often. While family and friends remarked at how beautiful our vacation pictures were, I knew the true essence of the island needs to be seen in person.

This is an island to be explored with nature walks, mountain hikes, visits to the natural reserves, boat trips to nearby island sanctuaries, drive through the world‘s only "drive through volcano, and a trip to the interior rainforest is a must! About the drive through volcano – you literally drive through the crater to over 15 pools of thick black bubbling lava. The smell is a bit overwhelming. In this region you will also find green and yellow sulfur steam coming up out of the ground, and pools of hissing steam – You can definitely feel the heat from the ground, and guides lead you around the hot stones.

Another interesting site outside of Soufriere is Diamond Waterfall and the Mineral Baths. Louis XVI sent a sample of the mineral water to France back in the late 1700's to be tested, and it was deemed beneficial. We had a lovely time at the Mineral Baths, and admit I felt quite invigorated afterwards. Diamond Waterfall is near the baths, and this rivals many of the waterfalls on the island of Jamaica – simply beautiful!

The lush mountainous region is home to the rain forest which offers lush and colorful foliage. As you venture into the northern part of the island, mountains turn into lush hills, and orchards of banana, coconut, mango, citrus and papaya trees.

Aside from land tours, a half day or one-day sail around the island is recommended. From a small peninsula that extends from the southern tip of the island you can view where the rough Atlantic Ocean meets the calm Caribbean Sea. On a clear day you can even spot the tiny island of St Vincent. Another location advantage is you easily island hop to the islands of Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe.

The Eastern or Windward side of the island is on the Atlantic coast, and has big waves and surf, and swimming is not recommended, but the ocean views will be remembered far after your vacation is over.

The Western, or Leeward island side, is located on the Caribbean Sea, and the waves and waters are quite calm, and most of the beachfront resorts on located on this side of the island.

No matter which side of the island you choose, you will find the constant cooling trade wind breezes coming off the coast of Africa.

Getting to St Lucia can be challenging time wise depending on where you are starting from. Expect a minimum 5-6 hour trip from North America. One important aspect in booking your vacation is the proximity of the hotel to the airport. St Lucia has two airports, and the major airport (Hewanorra) on the southern tip of the island is where most of the air traffic from North America is directed. The smaller airport (George Charles) to the north of the island serves most of the smaller Caribbean air carriers. Of course the majority of the best known hotels are located on the north of the island.

Flying into Hewanorra airport on the southern end, and booking a hotel or resort on the northern end can result in a long 2 hour trip. Rather than look at the travel time to the hotel with dread, consider it a prime opportunity for an enjoyable island tour. The mountain route offers a more scenic view of the magnificent Pitons. The eastern route is faster, and you wind through hundreds of banana groves, and beautiful scenery. Take your pick, but I recommend the longer western route.

St Lucia is home to some of the most unique resorts, charming inns, guesthouses and romantic hideaways in the Caribbean. Two of the most unique are Ladera and Anse Chastanet.

Ladera offers an open wall concept with your own private pool. The western side of each unit is open to the view of the Pitons. It's like staying in a luxury tree house, and as they said "the only thing separating you from nature is the netting on your bed".

Anse Chastanet is a luxury mountaintop retreat where every room offers something different – no two are alike. Most rooms are scattered in the lush hillside, and a few more expensive rooms are located on the beach. Be forewarned there are nearly 100 steps to the beach from the hillside.

Jalousie Plantation is located beneath the Pitons, and offers a very romantic, private location that is hard to match anywhere in the Caribbean. Another choice is the Windjammer Landing with your own secluded villa in a Mediterranean styled village setting.

The smaller hotels of Rodney Bay which are Caribbean Jewell, Coco Kreole, and Coco Palm offer a location that is within walking distance to shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Reduit beach is one of the prime attractions of Rodney Bay, which is also home to the European yachting community. Each of these smaller hotels has a unique charm, excellent service and moderate prices.

There are approximately eight all inclusive on this small island. Many Caribbean islands offer all inclusive properties where visitors are isolated and spend most of their time. St Lucia all inclusive celebrate the islands beauty and attractions, and make every effort to promote the islands beauty and culture. The most popular all inclusive are Sandals – which offers three different resorts, the Body Holiday Spa Resort, and Rendezvous – a popular, romantic couples only resort.

The beaches of St Lucia offer as much variety as the lush vegetation. There are black sand beaches where the sand is courser, soft white sand beaches, beaches of beige-grey and brown. One thing to remember – black sand heats up much faster than white sand, and your feet can get burned and blistered.

While the island is French in culture, English is widely spoken in the business and tourist areas. Elsewhere you will hear Creole, along with a French patois. The Creole spoken on the island is derived from the original slaves mixing their African language, along with French words. There is even a national holiday where every St Lucian is encouraged to speak Creole, and prepare Creole food dishes.

If you're used to the typical steel drums and calypso of the Caribbean, you will find the French Caribbean has a taste for Zouk, African drumming, and also Soca. The French Caribbean is not as reserved as the islands with a British influence, and the English lyrics are quite explicit about current social norms – in other words you may be a little shocked at what you hear.

Zouk is a Creole word for "party", and is upbeat tempo with layered percussions and loud brass. You'll hear Zouk mostly in the French Caribbean islands of St Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe. The beat is infectious, and you can't help but dance or at least tap your feet.

Soca is a combination of calypso with a more up-tempo beat, and interestingly enough has its origins in a combination of calypso mixed with Indian rhythms from Trinidad and Tobago.

Not your typical Caribbean island! If I had to sum up what's special about St Lucia, I would conclude the following – An exotic island paradise with unique resorts and romantic hideaways, great beaches, hiking, sailing and deep sea fishing. Also the island's steep coastlines and excellent reef system offers world class snorkeling and scuba diving.

Montserrat is known as the ‘Emerald Isle' of the Caribbean. It has Irish roots and is covered in lush, green rainforest. A unique island, it is reknowned for the friendliness of the islanders and offers an excellent opportunity for nature lovers and sunseekers alike.

In 1995, the Soufriere Hills Volcano erupted, destroying the former capital of Plymouth and meaning that many inhabitants moved overseas or to the North of the island. Today, Montserrat is rising from the ashes and with the opening of a new airport at Geralds last year, tourists are starting to consider the island as a serious tourist destination again.

Once the home of George Martin's Air Studios, it has seen many famous including Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Sting and others. In fact, it used to be known as the jetset island of the Caribbean. The legacy continues and George Martin is currently involved in the development of a new cultural centre on the island.

Whilst the golf course and marina were destroyed by the volcano, yachts are increasingly mooring at the Little Bay Harbour and people are arriving to see this very special place. The volcano remains active, one of the most studied in the world, and is a draw also for scientists, tourists and independent travelers alike. Stunning views which have been likened to ‘Dante's Inferno' can be seen from St George's Hill which overlooks both the volcano and what remains of Plymouth. Tours to view the volcano can easily be arranged, and trips to Plymouth with a police escort. There is also a chance to learn more about volcanic activity on the island by attending a tour at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (www. MVO.ms).

Current volcanic activity means that on a clear night, visitors can view the glowing dome and rock falls from Jack Boy Hill on the East of the island from a safe distance. The majority of the population live in the ‘Safe Zone' which means that in the event of an eruption, there is likely to be no problems other than ash fall. Monitoring at the MVO means that residents would be notified in advance of a likely eruption but at the present time, this is unlikely.

The beaches on Montserrat are serene and uncrowded. You are unlikely to find more than a handful of people on most of the beaches at any time. Because of the volcano, most of the beaches have silver grey sand, some of which are surrounded by rainforest which makes them both picturesque and unique. The only white sand beach is at Rendezvous Bay and can be reached by hiking over the Silver Hills or by water taxi from Little Bay. After walking over the hills, you are rewarded by a pristine white sand beach, covered in coral and pink shells with crystal clear blue water. It is an amazing place for a day's outing.

During the turtle egg laying season, you may see baby turtles hatch. This is generally August and September, but you are quite likely to see turtles in the sea here at any time and recent visitors spotted baby turtles at Woodlands Beach in December. There are also magnificent reefs surrounding the island, some easily accessible from the beach as at Woodlands Beach, others further out at sea. Multi-coloured corals and fish make Montserrat a scuba diver's paradise and snorkeling is equally rewarding. Snorkelling and scuba diving trips can be arranged through The Green Monkey Dive Shop (www.divemontserrat.com) or the Seawolf Diving School (www.seawolfdivingschool.com) , both of which can offer PADI training if desired. Fishing and boat trips can also be arranged.

This year, the Montserrat Riding Stables should be opening which will give opportunities for horseriding on the beach or camping/horseriding trips. Please contact Turtle Bay Apartments for further details.

Festivals include a colourful month long Christmas festival, including calypso competitions, parades, bands and festivities around St Patrick's Day featuring celebrations at Festival City, food stalls and a boat trip round the island. See the Tourist Board website for more information.

Arts and crafts are thriving on the island. Montserrat is home to many artists and musicians, both local and international and craft outlets include Inge Kreb's craft shop where she has everything from pottery to lace that she makes herself, gift shops at the National Trust and Vue Pointe Hotel selling local crafts to beautiful handcrafted jewellery at several stores. There is a photography and painting gallery at the Turtle Bay Coffeeshop with a variety of work on show from both the resident photographer and local artists. A workshop with Caribbean Travel Photographer of the Year, Igor Kravtchenko, is planned for next winter. There is also a range of fantastic volcano shots taken by Kevin West for sale at his shop, The Last Coconut in Paradise.

There are plenty of restaurants and bars in Montserrat. Eating out is cheap and you can have anything from international cuisine to local specialities such as goat water (rich spicy gravy with goat) to Mountain Chicken (Montserratian frogs!). One of the most popular restaurants is Danny and Margaret's ‘Jumping Jack' Beach Bar where you can sample Danny's freshly caught fish with delicious side-dishes and puddings. Matched only by the fantastic views of Old Road Bay Beach and the volcano.

There are numerous other places to eat, ranging from BBQ night at the Vue Pointe Hotel, with musical entertainment and a large variety of dishes, to lobster at Tina's Restaurant. Local dishes such as spare ribs or fried chicken can be bought at a large amount of roadside stalls. Rum and coke is the national drink!

There is quite a range of accommodation available, ranging from 2 hotels to various guesthouses where you will receive a friendly welcome. Turtle Bay Apartments is located in the quiet residential area of Woodlands and is situated in the rainforest, surrounded by mountains, overlooking the Ocean. We have an acre of tropical gardens, including banana, coconut, mango, guava and orange trees and beautiful hibiscus and frangipani flowers, frequented by hummingbirds. There is also a pool and coffeeshop/ gallery at the villa. It's ideal for a quiet break or for those looking for some privacy. The rainforest is 5 minutes walk away and the beach a short walk (in the summer, we plan to start turtle conservation holidays) -we are in an ideal location for eco-tourists, hikers and divers alike. Bars, restaurants and a supermarket are a 5 minute drive away and the apartments are comfortable, with all amenities. Prices start fromUS$60 pernight. Further details are available at www.turtlebayapartments.com or telephone Montserrat 4914985 or 4931520.

International flights are to Antigua and there is a Winair connection on to Montserrat from Antigua.

The United States has Mardi Gras, Brazil has Carnivale, the Germans have Oktoberfest and Barbados has Holders Season. Each spring marks a nearly month-long celebration of culture, culinary delight, and fellowship in Barbados. Holders Season is indeed one of the premier cultural events in Barbados and the Caribbean. If ever there were a time to visit this island paradise, the visit would have to coincide with this celebration.

Holders Season is a celebration of opera, music, and theatre, and takes place in the beautiful gardens of Holders House, a 17th Century plantation home owned by John and Wendy Kidd and their family.

The venue is truly a beautiful outdoor setting under the trees with a history of fabulous events performed by musicians, actors, dancers, singers, writers and comedians from around the world. Visitors to Barbados in this time might enjoy the wide range of performing arts. Opera companies may perform a classic story set to Mozart, and playhouse companies may offer up their own interpretations of a Shakespeare tragedy. From classical music to the rhythmic beat of Caribbean and Latin American styles, the beat can be felt all over the island, and there is always occasion to dance and make new friends in Barbados during the Holder Season.

Although you can buy food and drinks before the performances and during intermission of most performances, most prefer to take personal picnic baskets with wine and champagne in order to enjoy an uninterrupted, sophisticated night under the stars. Holders Season is a celebration for couples and families alike, and anyone with an interest in island culture and island interpretations of other cultures.

At BarbadosBarbados.com, you can learn more about Holders Season and current schedules of performances. Don't forget, too, to plan ahead for this wonderful time.