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Perfect Caribbean Holidays For Disabled Visitors

October 12th, 2009 No comments
by Edward Watkinson

Caribbean holidays hold charm for all sorts of tourists: adults, kids and the disabled. The place is so immensely beautiful and lively that everybody can find something interesting to do here. The Caribbean is not only famous for its water sports and the thrill and adventure associated with it. Over 7000 Caribbean islands are sandwiched between the mighty Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Its white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, the beautiful landscape and the swaying pine trees welcome the disabled visitors warmly.

If you are looking for a holiday with one of the best water sports facilities, then Caribbean is just the right place to go. Disabled visitors might find it hard to take part in the extremely thrilling yet risky water sports, but they still have the advantage of watching live sports like jet skiing or parasailing, right there before their eyes. If they are not handicapped that much, then they can even enjoy simpler activities like canoeing or banana boating. The helpful guides and instructors while doing it will assist them.

Those who are visually impaired or have hearing problems can still enjoy lighter sports like banana boat and canoeing. They can have a ball of a time in the safer parts of the sea with the help of the guides and the instructors, who are helpful.

Going on a cruise is definitely the most adventurous activity for the disabled visitors. Many cruises are designed to cater to the special needs of the disabled visitors with wheel chairs. The passageways and the frames of the doors are wide enough to let the wheelchairs pass easily. Apart from this, the thresholds are kept flat and ramps built near the staircases facilitate the disabled visitors. They are also provided other facilities like in shower wheel chairs, lifts, and convenient access to the activity area.

The cruise is perhaps the most exciting thing for the disabled visitors. There are many cruises, which are designed in a special way to accommodate wheel chairs on board. The doorways and alleys have been made wider to allow the wheelchairs to pass. Furthermore, ramps have been built near the stairs or steps. The thresh holds are flat and the disabled visitors are provided with in-shower wheel chairs as well. Other facilities include elevators and easy access to the activities on cruise for the disabled. However, the disabled visitors themselves, before planning for any vacation, should take safety measures. Their travel agents should give them complete information about their destination. It is natural for the disabled visitors to experience lesser thrill and excitement as compared with others, but they will still be able to enjoy it largely.

There are lots of other attractions for disabled visitors in the Caribbean like sightseeing enjoy waterfalls, caves, volcanoes and rain forests, or they can go for bird watching or a safari or an amusement park. Those who can manage to go on cycling trips should not miss the opportunity.

Those with hearing impairment only can go on cycling trips, visit art galleries and aquariums, go for horse riding and even play golf. All Caribbean resorts offer great spa facilities, which the disabled visitors will find unmatched. The disabled visitors should also check for the vibrant carnivals and festivals that take place in various Caribbean islands. Food is one part of the Caribbean holiday experience that ca not be missed. The place offers exotic cuisine that makes ones holidays unforgettable. Disabled visitors can make the best of their Caribbean holidays, if they choose the right island, one that is handicap accessible. Puerto Rico, Aruba and St John are famous for their disabled-friendly facilities. It is hoped that other islands will also follow suit.

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Friendly Belize

September 18th, 2009 No comments

Belize City. Most people picture run down buildings, crime and remnants of hurricane damage. Very few take anytime to actually explore the town instead choosing to hop on a water taxi and head out to Ambergris Caye.

Whatever your vision of Central America is, check it at the door before entering this beautiful and welcoming country. Many travel guides will tell you to “get out of Belize City and head for the islands.” It is too bad really, because they are causing people to miss out on meeting the very proud and helpful citizens of this vibrant town.

Cruise ships stop here regularly and whisk tourists off to Tikal in Guatemala, or to Amgergris Caye off of the coast. The port is well developed and you can spend time walking around the shops in the comfortable terminal. However, walking around the city is where you get the true Caribbean flare.

Settled by the English in the late 16th century, Belize City is a mix Colonial buildings and Creole Culture. Eat international cuisine, or enjoy the local fare at Jembel’s Jerk Pit or Big Daddy’s Diner. Music pumps from inside shops as smiling people great you speaking perfect English, only to turn to their companion and talk in rhythmic Creole. The official language of Belize is English, but you will often hear a mix of Spanish, Creole, Mayan and German throughout the land.

Now that you have actually explored Belize City and realized that it isn’t the big bad city that you thought it was, you can catch a water taxi with peace of mind. You aren’t running away from anything, you are simply moving on to see the rest of beautiful Belize. From downtown, you can catch a water taxi for $10 to take you out to the Cayes on the Caribbean Sea.

The laid-back vibe of the island has an air of Jamaica, and reggae booms from bars and restaurants. Walk along the dirt roads to look for a beach front hotel and you can spend as little as $20 for a room. Only golf carts drive on the island, so you won’t have to worry about exhaust pollution or noise. The resident’s work hard to preserve their culture and large-scale development is not in its future.

While there, you have to take in the sites and the number one excursion is to hire a guide and boat to take you out to Shark Ray Alley. Located 1 mile from shore is the Belize Barrier Reef. A protected marine preserve for since 1996, it has a healthy stock of marine life and coral. The highlight of the trip however is having the chance to swim with a group of nurse sharks and manta rays that inhabit the reef.

Many divers in the world travel to Belize for one reason only, and that is to dive the famous Blue Hole. Jaques Cousteau introduced it to the world and it is an awesome site. A collapsed cave in the middle of the sea attracts divers that want to go deep. Drop down to 150 feet and dive under overhangs as hammerhead and reef sharks swim in the chummed waters above. This dive is not for new divers.

If getting into the water with natural predators isn’t your cup of tea, take a sailing trip to visit other Islands. Belize has several islands and you can take a trip to have a picnic lunch on the beach or enjoy an island drink at an upscale resort on Ambergris Caye. You can find a company to go with by simply walking down the main sandy street where operations line the path.

Caye Caulker may not be overly developed, but you can still enjoy great food ranging from Seafood, to pasta and barbecue. The nightlife isn’t wild, but you can find a nice bar to enjoy a drink or two, look out over the water while swinging on a hammock or listen to some live music well into the evening.

There is so much more to do in beautiful Belize that you need at least two weeks to see it all. Jungles and caves, wildlife and sanctuary’s Belize has something for everyone. Even Mayan ruins can be found in the country and beaches aren’t only out on the islands, Placencia actually has the most beautiful beach in the country and it is located on the mainland.

It isn’t Mexico, The Dominican or Jamaica yet, but it won’t be long until everyone starts thinking of Belize as their vacation destination. So what are you waiting for, book your trip today and discover Belize.

Deb Corbeil and Dave Bouskill are an adventure travel couple from Canada. Together they have trekked, hiked, biked and climbed to over 30 countries all over the planet. Check out their website theplanetd.com for more tips, advice and information on travel and adventure locations. To view their photo gallery from their world travels go to picturetheplanet.com