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