| One of the most popular destinations to cruise in the | | | | territories; those whose history of European |
| world is the Caribbean. While you are having fun and | | | | occupation is longest. A good example would be the |
| adventure of a life time on board, lets look at what | | | | Dominican Republic, where you can see where |
| the Caribbean is. | | | | Columbus first landed on his maiden voyage to the |
| The word Caribbean conjures up visions of many | | | | New World in 1492. |
| beautiful sandy beaches, vacation paradise and a | | | | If you can make it to Cuba, you will not be |
| lifestyle most people can only dream of. There are | | | | disappointed by the Spanish architecture in Old |
| more than 200 island territories in the Caribbean; it is | | | | Havana. With the Cubans' understandable economic |
| home to millions of people too. | | | | priorities and pressures, if the ravages of time allow |
| It would be extremely advantageous to understand | | | | the buildings to survive, this will be a treat for |
| the geography, history, diversity, economy of the | | | | generations of visitors to come. |
| region and what it can offer to the average tourist. | | | | To be sure, each of the islands and territories has its |
| This can only add to your experience as a visitor. | | | | own place in the history of the region, but simply |
| The Caribbean is defined as the Bahamas and the | | | | with a greater or lesser story to tell. The really small |
| Antilles. The Antilles are further divided into the | | | | islands offer great scenery, mostly great weather in |
| Greater Antilles, consisting of Cuba, Jamaica, | | | | the dry season, and a sheer brilliance in tropical color |
| Hispaniola and Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles. | | | | that is a welcome shock to the senses. And yes, |
| Many of the Caribbean islands' original inhabitants | | | | great beaches for you to enjoy. This stuff is so |
| were members of one or other of the two | | | | commonplace in the region that local inhabitants take |
| indigenous tribes, the Caribs and the Arawaks. | | | | it for granted. |
| The Spaniards were the first to colonize the area, | | | | As for nightlife; any resort will necessarily have its fill. |
| following the discovery of the West Indies by | | | | However, if you enjoy things 'closer to the edge', the |
| Christopher Columbus in 1492. The other Europeans | | | | Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is hard to beat. This |
| namely the Portuguese, English, French, and Dutch | | | | occurs officially on the Monday and Tuesday just |
| follow suit. Power and control of the region changed | | | | prior to Ash Wednesday. |
| hands in the various islands over the years, depending | | | | But if you truly want to experience the Caribbean |
| on the desirability of the particular location, and a | | | | and all it has to offer, the absolute best advice is to |
| given nation's ability to defend it. | | | | befriend one or more local families. That is when you |
| As a visitor, if you're interested in the history of the | | | | will experience true Caribbean hospitality. And a |
| region, your best bet would be the larger islands or | | | | better 'tour guide' you will never find. |