As you look out the window at snow filtering down from lead gray skies, do you daydream about basking on a Caribbean beach or sipping pina coladas by the pool of a lush tropical resort?
You are not alone.
Winter vacations and tourism are booming as many families opt for escaping the long dreary winter season in the north rather than vacationing during the precious few weeks of summer. Don't worry about taking the kids out of school - there's plenty of breaks, Christmas to New Years, Spring Break, Easter Break, and if you can't work these out, sometimes you can prevail upon the teachers to extend a long weekend for a “educational family trip.”
Fifteen million travelers head for the Caribbean each year. Tourism is fast becoming the world's leading item of foreign trade and a $575 billion annual business that accounts for up to 70 percent of the income for some of the islands that form the Caribbean chain. Vacationers far exceed the population of most islands. This year promises to be the best ever as the cruise ships and resorts report record sales.
The only problem putting the damper on travel is the high crime rate that exists on some of the islands such as Jamaica. For this reason the legion of resorts that are opening and under construction are designed as walled communities so that vacationers need not leave the premises during their stay.
The fastest growing phenomenon is the family oriented, all inclusive resort. One price (based on room rates rather than per-person which favor families) includes all food, drink, entertainment and even tips. This means that you can put your wallet away when you arrive.
Puerto Rico is one of the best islands to visit. Being under U.S. Customs jurisdiction, traveling to Puerto Rico is almost as easy as traveling to another state. Your credit cards work, your money works #- even your cell phones work #- and there is no customs hassle. This tropical island, about three times the size of Rhode Island, has ecological uniqueness and biological diversity as no other in the Caribbean.
Although it is not squeaky clean from a crime standpoint, it is safe to travel anywhere and the people are very friendly and helpful.
The island of Puerto Rico is gently washed by 1,500 miles of trade winds and this means that the climate is ideal and there are virtually no insects.
Daily temperatures usually range from 80-85 degrees, year around.
Our family spent the Christmas holidays at Paradisus - an all inclusive, family oriented resort at Cocoa Beach in Puerto Rico. This entrancing complex is 45 minutes from San Juan and lies at the foot of Liquello (the rain forest). It is, for all intents and purposes, a Caribbean version of Disney World - minus the rides and attractions but with plenty of activity for all ages. Paradisus consists of about 500 villas on the beach with lagoons. Each villa is spacious with room for four to five people to sleep and a balcony that overlooks a tropical paradise.
The central complex - mostly open without even screens - has seven world-class restaurants to choose from (the cost of your room includes all food, beverages, facilities and services) and is centered around one of the largest pools in the world - about the size of a football field - and the beach beyond beckons with all kinds of watercraft waiting for your use.
The only extraneous activity we engaged in during our stay was an adult venture through Liquello on rented ATVs. The rain forest almost always has its head in the clouds and, consequently, sees rainfall almost every day. The iguana rules the forest and the vegetation, exotic birds and scenery are biologically unique. The trip was, as the advertisements say, “a memorable experience.”
The family oriented resort is indeed becoming so popular that Sol Melia, the Spanish company who owns and operates Paradisus, plans to build 350 similar enclaves around the world including an expansion now under construction in Puerto Rico.
The bonus of a vacation such as we experienced is to be found after your return - as you rewind memories while looking out the window at snow filtering down from lead gray skies.
Harold Miller is a businessman and Auburn native. He may be reached at hmillermod@aol.com
Winter vacations and tourism are booming as many families opt for escaping the long dreary winter season in the north rather than vacationing during the precious few weeks of summer. Don't worry about taking the kids out of school - there's plenty of breaks, Christmas to New Years, Spring Break, Easter Break, and if you can't work these out, sometimes you can prevail upon the teachers to extend a long weekend for a “educational family trip.”
Fifteen million travelers head for the Caribbean each year. Tourism is fast becoming the world's leading item of foreign trade and a $575 billion annual business that accounts for up to 70 percent of the income for some of the islands that form the Caribbean chain. Vacationers far exceed the population of most islands. This year promises to be the best ever as the cruise ships and resorts report record sales.
The only problem putting the damper on travel is the high crime rate that exists on some of the islands such as Jamaica. For this reason the legion of resorts that are opening and under construction are designed as walled communities so that vacationers need not leave the premises during their stay.
The fastest growing phenomenon is the family oriented, all inclusive resort. One price (based on room rates rather than per-person which favor families) includes all food, drink, entertainment and even tips. This means that you can put your wallet away when you arrive.
Puerto Rico is one of the best islands to visit. Being under U.S. Customs jurisdiction, traveling to Puerto Rico is almost as easy as traveling to another state. Your credit cards work, your money works #- even your cell phones work #- and there is no customs hassle. This tropical island, about three times the size of Rhode Island, has ecological uniqueness and biological diversity as no other in the Caribbean.
Although it is not squeaky clean from a crime standpoint, it is safe to travel anywhere and the people are very friendly and helpful.
The island of Puerto Rico is gently washed by 1,500 miles of trade winds and this means that the climate is ideal and there are virtually no insects.
Daily temperatures usually range from 80-85 degrees, year around.
Our family spent the Christmas holidays at Paradisus - an all inclusive, family oriented resort at Cocoa Beach in Puerto Rico. This entrancing complex is 45 minutes from San Juan and lies at the foot of Liquello (the rain forest). It is, for all intents and purposes, a Caribbean version of Disney World - minus the rides and attractions but with plenty of activity for all ages. Paradisus consists of about 500 villas on the beach with lagoons. Each villa is spacious with room for four to five people to sleep and a balcony that overlooks a tropical paradise.
The central complex - mostly open without even screens - has seven world-class restaurants to choose from (the cost of your room includes all food, beverages, facilities and services) and is centered around one of the largest pools in the world - about the size of a football field - and the beach beyond beckons with all kinds of watercraft waiting for your use.
The only extraneous activity we engaged in during our stay was an adult venture through Liquello on rented ATVs. The rain forest almost always has its head in the clouds and, consequently, sees rainfall almost every day. The iguana rules the forest and the vegetation, exotic birds and scenery are biologically unique. The trip was, as the advertisements say, “a memorable experience.”
The family oriented resort is indeed becoming so popular that Sol Melia, the Spanish company who owns and operates Paradisus, plans to build 350 similar enclaves around the world including an expansion now under construction in Puerto Rico.
The bonus of a vacation such as we experienced is to be found after your return - as you rewind memories while looking out the window at snow filtering down from lead gray skies.
Harold Miller is a businessman and Auburn native. He may be reached at hmillermod@aol.com
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Liquello wrote on Feb 5, 2007 11:57 AM: