The Park and National Palace of Pena in Sintra, Portugal is a national treasure. King Ferdinand II contributed to erecting this grand palace and incorporated styles of 19th-century romanticism and has Manueline and Moorish styles of architecture that is evident in the archways, towers, and domes.
Read MorePart of the Park and National Palace of Pena, stumbling upon the Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla is like stumbling upon a dream. This yellow cottage in the woods is surrounded by trees and beautiful blooming flowers. It is designated a Property of Public Interest as of 1993 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site as of 1995. Nearby there are gardens and a horse stables.
Read MoreThe fishing village of Mahahual is where the tourists came before the cruise port was built. A more authentic experience of coastal Mexico than the disneyfied cruise port, this strip includes restaurants, cafe, a boardwalk, gift shops, and hotels.
Read MoreThe Costa Maya cruise port is really built to be just that. A disneyfied version of Mexico with shops, restaurants, a free pool and complimentary beach chairs to lounge on, and more. There are experiences like Aviarius, Kakaw (chocolate tour), mayan healing rituals, and discovering tequila. It is built to accommodate three ships so it can get crowded at times, but a lot of your fellow cruisers might have opted for an excursion away from the port.
Read MoreThe ship docks at a pier, perhaps ten to fifteen minutes from the heart of Harvest Caye. A small island off Belize, it is owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines and has the same glossy feel as the cruise ship. There are restaurants, shops, a beautiful beach, a small wildlife exhibit, a lighthouse, ziplining, snorkeling, and more. This destination is accessible only via Norwegian Cruise Lines and caters to the cruise liner’s guests.
Read MoreThe Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins is a Maya Classic Period Site (years 200-900) in the Toledo district in Belize. It is often referred to as Big Hat or Top Hat, which refers to a stela sculpture of one of the kings. Once a vibrant site from 5th to 8th century, it had three plazas, a ball court, a few step-pyramids, and carved stelae illustrating the rulers of the city.
Read MoreThe Belize Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens is a big attraction in Belize. There is great variety in the plants grown here. We were able to take a tour on a tractor pulled trailer, which seats about twelve people. There is also option of a golf cart for smaller tour groups. There are also tricycle carts and a walking option. The hour long tour is educational and interactive.
Read MoreAn apt name for this place, Pristine Bay Resort and Golf Club is a premier resort in Roatán Honduras. We landed upon here for an excursion on a cruise. Adjacent to the pool area is a massive golf area for fans of the sport. The property is multi-level, taking advantage of the natural hilliness of the land. The biggest tier is the one with the pool.
Read MoreBears have always been native to Bern and it’s said that city owes its name to this wild creature. The bear pit has been revamped to keep bears, and a new section called the BärenPark allows the bears to roam more freely. Current residents are bears Björk and Finn who are mother and father respectively, to cubs Ursina and Berna.
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