In 1636, Dutch expansion in the New World was in full swing. Over the past decade or so, colonies had been set up in New Amsterdam (now New York), as well as Caribbean islands like Sint Maarten and Curacao. But fueled by the desire to monopolize trans-Atlantic trade routes (in contrast to the goals of…
Editor’s note: Sam’s last (for now) installment from India takes us to the Hindu holy city of Varanasi on the Ganges. It definitely makes me excited to visit in November! For more of Sam’s work, click here to visit his index page. “This is real India,” my guide proclaimed. “The country is big and diverse,…
When I was younger, I went on a lot of cruises. I mean, A LOT of cruises. (Here’s my take on cruises.) At this point in my life, and at this point in my travels, I’d be less likely to take one based on a number of factors. But there are a couple of large…
For those who want to island hop in the northern portion of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles, there are few options. One can take a ferry. Or one can fly. And while ferries can be ok for especially short trips, most island hopping necessitates a flight, either because distances are too far for day trip realistic…
This isn’t an article about food. I mean, yes, it is an article about food. But it’s so much more than that. The concept for this was originally to write about Flavors, a celebration of the culinary traditions of the island. So I set about to try all sorts of restaurants, from casual to more formal,…
This isn’t an article about food. I mean, yes, it is an article about food. But it’s so much more than that. The concept for this was originally to write about Flavors, a celebration of the culinary traditions of the island. So I set about to try all sorts of restaurants, from casual to more…
For most of us, travel to a beautiful Caribbean island is a life’s dream, something for which we save, for which we plan. We want it to be perfect, that island scene from the movies: clean white sands, beautiful turquoise waters teeming with life, a tropical drink and a sunset adding some color. We are…
Editor’s note: I don’t think a northern India itinerary is complete without a visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal. Writer Sam Spector takes us on his day trip there from Delhi. Please note his recommendations at the bottom. These are NOT affiliate links and we receive nothing; he just wanted to share them with…
“You mean the pirate statue?” I’m in the cruise terminal in Sint Maarten. Entering was an ordeal in itself, as I’m not a cruise ship passenger, so my meeting needed to be pre-confirmed along with a copy of my passport. This is, after all, an international port. I’m here for one thing: a statue of…
“Welcome home,” John says to me with a smile. This is just my second time staying here at the hotel John Leone owns, the Seaview Beach Hotel in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. But even after four nights on my last trip, it did feel like home, and checking in, being greeted like this, does indeed have…