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Description: This is an excerpt from our larger guide to all of Hungary, focusing on Budapest and the surrounding area primarily. The author is a resident of Budapest, who knows the region intimately and takes us behind the scenes to discover its best features the sights, the places to stay and eat, the shopping, and all the activities. Millions of people every year hike into, bike, drive or climb into the green valleys and limestone mountain ridges of Hungary s national parks and the hills. Storks, eagles, wrens, blackbirds, woodpeckers, and flocks of thousands make their home in forests, grasslands, and cliff-sides. Majestic antlered stags and deer range the forest. Fresh springs and cold clear creeks tumble down from the mountains. The author takes us there. Sitting astride the Danube, Budapest has been called the Paris of Eastern Europe and The Pearl of the Danube. There are thousands of restaurants and virtually every type of cuisine. Hotels and nightspots are just as numerous and the author guides us to the best of them all. This is the only guide illustrated with color maps and photographs throughout. Print edition is 586 pages.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: Braulio Carrillo National Park, Rara Avis Reserve, La Selva & Sarapiquí, Tortuguero National Park, Barra Colorado & Parismina, Puerto Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo – these are a few of the places to see along the Caribbean Coast. This guide tells you everything you need to know. Here are some review of the full guide from which this one is taken: ""Despite the title, the book is not all rafting, rappelling and rainforests. A full 117 pages of the 386-page volume are introductory and background material covering history, culture, nature and, of course, all the nuts-and-bolts travel essentials. Useful, descriptive listings of hotels, restaurants, nightlife, shopping and, true to the title, adventure-travel options fill the remaining two-thirds of the guide. But if your adventure tastes lean toward shopping in the artisan town of Sarchí rather than scaling Chirripo you'll find recommendations too. Peppered throughout the text are quotes from literature, music and popular sayings, from everyone from Gilbert and Sullivan to Martin Luther King and The Beach Boys. All fit the text, and you'll be excused from breaking away from the travel information and thumbing through to see who the Conords will quote next. The book recommends locking your passport in your hotel safe and, when you go out, carrying a photocopy that you've made before you leave home. That advice generates much debate in travel circles, a question of balancing authorities' insistence on seeing the original document with the risk of losing it. In any case, a copy made before departure without that all-important entry stamp into the country would never suffice. But these matters are small and forgivable in a guide packed with such solid information."" -- Tico Times. ""I am here in Costa Rica in an internet cafe and had to take the time to tell everyone what a good book this is. It really gave us everything we needed to plan our trip and now that we are here, we use it to find just about everything. If you have not visited Costa Rica yet, get a copy of this book and come on down -- it is fabulous. PURA VIDA!"" -- Ramon Vallarino. ""My husband and I just spent our honeymoon in Costa Rica and believe it or not, found this Adventure Guide to be the best resource for exciting things to do and see. It was also accurate for finding hotels that had that little bit of extra ambiance we wanted for romance. We had used Lonely Planet guidebooks on other trips but found this guidebook to be much better. It's easy to use, has lovely photographs, and for rainy nights it made good armchair reading. I heartily recommend the Adventure Guide for a wonderful vacation in Costa Rica."" -- Amazon customer. ""My fiancee and I went to Costa Rica and wanted to get away from everything. This book led us to Uvita de Osa (not even mentioned in other books). This book gave us great local information and helped us plan our vacation from start to finish.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: This book offers comprehensive coverage of vessels that cruise the region and what they offer--service, cabin details, amenities, passenger/crew ratio, dining options and itineraries. The guide covers: Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, St. Thomas & Martinique. The author tells you how to get the most out of your 8-10 hours in each port the ships will be calling on. Information covered includes taxi tours, where to find the best shops, tour operators who are familiar with the ships' schedules and will get you back to your ship on time. For most ports, suggested walking tours are detailed, and out-of-town attractions are described as well.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: Welcome to the wildest place on earth! Ecuador's upper Amazon Basin, referred to locally as the Oriente, awaits you. Spanning most of the Sucumbíos Province, this region is unquestionably one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. Here, you can experience incredible wildlife viewing and bird-watching, nature photography, jungle hikes, dugout-canoe excursions, and a unique mix of native people adapted to life in the heart of the tropics. From bird-size butterflies to butterfly-size birds, from piranhas to vampire bats, from poison-arrow frogs to monster anacondas, and from spider monkeys to howler monkeys, the sky is the limit for the spirited soul. The area surrounding Tena and Misahuallí is the most-visited rainforest destination in the country. One of the more developed regions of the upper Amazon, it is also the most accessible. Jungle excursions abound and there are still small patches of primary forest, mostly in the form of private reserves. Outstanding rafting, kayaking, swimming, tubing and hiking opportunities are available, as well as birding, botany, medicinal study, cultural and general nature travel. Farther down the Río Napo, the land becomes more pristine. In the south, especially along the eastern slopes of the Andes and around Macas, the rugged topography and lack of access have preserved some of the best wildlife-viewing opportunities and intact indigenous cultures in Ecuador. In this region, virgin rainforest and the communities of the unique Achuar and Shuar Nations await the true adventure seeker. As the Andes descend dramatically eastward into the Napo region, the true tropical lowland rainforest begins with the headwaters of the Río Napo. The Central Oriente offers ecological life zones similar to those in the northern region (see The Upper Amazon Basin), with many species that live here and nowhere else on earth. This is due primarily to the mixture of different microclimates created by drastic elevation changes between the Andes and the Amazon, resulting in small pockets of life that evolved separately from their close neighbors. Thus, biologically, the Oriente – with up to 5% of the earth's plant species – is arguably the richest place on the planet. This guide gives you all the details on where to stay, where to eat, what to do, how to get around, the entertainment and arts, the history and culture. Complete with maps and photos throughout.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: Visitors have been drawn to Florence's architectural and artistic treasures for centuries - and for good reason. But, with an historical center of only half a square-mile, it can be hard to see the sights through the crowds. The throng on the Duomo steps, the lines for the Uffizi and the jostling for photos on Piazzale Michelangelo all require a good dose of patience, especially under the blistering summer heat. Fortunately, early evening offers a respite; the quieter streets and softer lighting at that time bring out the colors of the marble-clad cathedral topped by Filippo Brunelleschi's archetypal dome, the sheer immensity of the Palazzo Vecchio and the charm of the medieval Ponte Vecchio, with its shops latched shut for the night. But avoiding the lines when you enter the buildings and museums takes some preparation, especially if you arrive in the busiest and hottest summer months when the only option is to drag yourself out of bed at sunrise to beat the crowds to the 8:15 am openings. Not to be missed: * Piazza del Duomo: Famous address of the Duomo, Campanile and Battistero. * Galleria degli Uffizi: The most select picture gallery in the world and potent symbol of Medici power. * Palazzo Vecchio: Medieval town hall architecture at its most forceful. * Galleria dell'Accademia: Home to Michelangelo's David. * Via dei Tornabuoni: Even if you can't afford to buy, you'll enjoy the window-shopping on this luxury-laden street. * Piazza Repubblica: The 19th century makes its mark. * Museo Nazionale del Bargello: Florence's national sculpture museum. * Giardino di Boboli: Sculpture-packed gardens behind the museum-packed Palazzo Pitti. * The Oltrano: A warren of narrow streets filled with artisan workshops and some great restaurants. * Piazzale Michelangelo: The classic Florentine view. * The churches: Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, Orsanmichele, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito and San Miniato al Monte are just some of the delights on offer. * The markets: Shopping the Florentine way. * Ponte Vecchio: Medieval bridge architecture at its most splendid. * Le Murate: Atmospheric ex-convent and ex-prison now the venue for Firenze Estate events. This guide focuses on Florence and the surrounding region, including San Gimignano, Chianti, Mugello, Upper Valdarno, Val d'Elsa, Fiesole, Pistoia, and Prato - all easily reached in day-trips. This history-rich region offers some of Italy's classic landscapes - pole-straight cypress trees lining dusty farm roads, rolling hills that stretch as far as the eye can see, fields of vibrant sunflowers, medieval villages perched on rocky spurs above crashing surf. Visit them all with this comprehensive guide that helps you explore the very best places. A largely untouched coastline and protected wild areas only add to the appeal of this top vacation destination. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. Places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; tourism contacts - it's all herel Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours. Then come the adventures - fishing, canoeing, hiking, rafting, llama trips and more. Never galloped along a beach on horseback, trekked up a mountain, explored ancient sites? Also includes extensive lists of recommended outfitters, with all contact details - e-mail, website, phone number and location. Adventure Guides are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: This is the resource book for vegetarian travelers. -- Healing Retreats. "This is a terrific and much-needed guidebook that makes traveling easy and worry-free for vegetarians. It lists and rates vegetarian restaurants and also reports on the best places to find produce." -- Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. "... a handy way to eat well on the road... celebrates the pleasures of good and healthful eating.... Frost is an engaging writer, as interested in history as in food." -- Physician's Travel & Meeting Guide. "... well researched... " -- ForeWord magazine. "It's a meaty guidebook for the meatless." -- National Geographic Traveler. "Traveling vegetarians no longer have to make do with salads and pastas." -- The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. The full guide covers all of the United States and is the WINNER OF THE LOWELL THOMAS BRONZE AWARD FOR BEST TRAVEL GUIDE, sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. This excerpt focuses on America's Southeastern states, along with several key elements from the larger book. The ultimate tool for mobile vegetarians, vegans and travelers looking for a good, healthy meal. Many restaurants are described, with some featured in great detail and reviewed using a unique rating system. Food stores and markets serving the vegetarian community are also listed, as well as facts and interesting tidbits that health-minded individuals will appreciate. You'll find everything from hamburger joints with a superb garden burger option to gourmet raw foods restaurants that adhere to strict vegan standards.
Category: Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: A detailed guide to every aspect of Genoa: history, culture, foods, restaurants, hotels, sightseeing, things to do - written by an author who knows the place intimately. Two marble-carved lions crouch flanking the stairs leading to the entrance of Genoa's monumental cathedral of San Lorenzo. Their proud features are marred by graffiti - cartoonish scribbles rendering their expression more pathetic than fierce. They're an apt metaphor for the city of Genoa itself, which can be a challenging one for tourists. During two millennia of tumultuous history, Genoa has seen its fortunes rise and fall. At its pinnacle, the city - center of the Genoese Republic - had unparalleled wealth and economic and political power. French historiographer Fernand Braudel wrote of the city, ""If ever a diabolically capitalist city can be said to have existed before the capitalist age in Europe and the world, then it is Genoa, opulent and sordid at the same time."" From these heights Genoa would plunge over successive centuries, losing hegemony, then autonomy, and finally prosperity. Today, it is a city in the grip of evolution. There is much that is decrepit and shabby, but there are also the heralds of a renaissance both economic and cultural. The lion that is Genoa may be blemished and humbled, but there is every evidence that with attention and caretaking it is regaining - if not its former brilliant grandeur - at least its dignity and relevance on the world stage. Perhaps that's why Genoa is particularly poignant, and important for travelers who hope to leave Liguria with a greater understanding of the region - both what it was, and what it is becoming. It is impossible to leave Genoa unimpressed and without an opinion. Genoa is - and has been for millennia - a port town, and the nature of a port is to facilitate trade via access to both sea and land routes. The geography of Liguria is characterized by mountains that plunge steeply into the sea, and that are criss-crossed by deep valleys. Genoa - which sits at the near middle of Liguria's great land crescent - is not only at the epicenter of what, from above, appears as one giant harbor. It is also at the crossroads of land routes that made use of these deep valleys to cut across the Apennines to northern Italy and the rest of Europe. This guide is drawn from our Adventure Guide to the Italian Riviera, but with added pictures of the hotels, restaurants and other features.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: This is based on our 592-page Adventure Guide to Scotland, but it focuses on the Glasgow and the River Clyde. Also includes and extensive introductory section on Scotland as a whole. Comprehensive background information - history, culture, geography and climate - gives you a solid knowledge of each destination and its people. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. Places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; tourism contacts - it's all here! Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours. Then come the adventures - fishing, canoeing, hiking, rafting and more. Includes extensive lists of recommended outfitters, with all contact details - e-mail, website, phone number and location. The definitive guide to every aspect of the Glasgow and its surroundings - the legends, the clans, the castles and romantic hotels, the Highland games and, of course, the whiskey. This long-time Scotland resident takes us to every site you will want to see.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: Golf resorts--it's a specialized niche for a savvy group that knows what it wants. What they want is golf, so the Nicols have devoted pages of attention to yardage and par, green fees, and special course features for hundreds of golf courses in Mexico. Included are Cancún, Yucatan, Baja Sur, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Ixtapa, Manzanillo, Mazatlan and beyond. But there are other facets to consider as well, because the point here is to take a vacation, a golf vacation, where you get to luxuriate in your scenic vistas, eat your sumptuous meals, and play your 18 holes, too. There are resorts for all sorts, with rustic lodges or posh hotels; full-scale gourmet pampering or low-key environments; all-golf, all-the-time atmospheres; or resorts that offer the works--tennis, fishing, sailing, or skiing--for the spouses who just aren't as intent on golf, perhaps, as you. The important thing is that all types of golf holidays are possible, and the Nicols have done the legwork so all you have to do is browse, choose, and make the reservations. "... the most useful guidebook... a great reference." -- The Traveling Golfer. "If you love golf, Golf Resorts is for you." -- Relax Magazine. "Make sure you have a copy on hand. This tome is the only pre-trip guide you'll need to research not only golf courses, but nearby lodging, restaurants, and additional recreation - for after-golf or non-golfing spouses." -- Northwest Airlines WorldTraveler Magazine. "A guide written by golfers for golfers. Hundreds of resorts are described in this book, with details including fees, course profile (par, hazards, yardage), resident pro information, accommodations (with prices), dining options and equipment rentals. All establishments are open to the public." -- Amazon reviewer
Category: Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: Golf resorts--it's a specialized niche for a savvy group that knows what it wants. What they want is golf, so the Nicols have devoted pages of attention to yardage and par, green fees, and special course features for hundreds of golf courses in Hawaii. But there are other facets to consider as well, because the point here is to take a vacation, a golf vacation, where you get to luxuriate in your scenic vistas, eat your sumptuous meals, and play your 18 holes, too. There are resorts for all sorts, with rustic lodges or posh hotels; full-scale gourmet pampering or low-key environments; all-golf, all-the-time atmospheres; or resorts that offer the works--tennis, fishing, sailing, or skiing--for the spouses who just aren't as intent on golf, perhaps, as you. The important thing is that all types of golf holidays are possible, and the Nicols have done the legwork so all you have to do is browse, choose, and make the reservations.  "... the most useful guidebook... a great reference." -- The Traveling Golfer.  "If you love golf, Golf Resorts is for you." -- Relax Magazine.  "Make sure you have a copy on hand. This tome is the only pre-trip guide you'll need to research not only golf courses, but nearby lodging, restaurants, and additional recreation - for after-golf or non-golfing spouses." -- Northwest Airlines WorldTraveler Magazine.  "A guide written by golfers for golfers. Hundreds of resorts are described in this book, with details including fees, course profile (par, hazards, yardage), resident pro information, accommodations (with prices), dining options and equipment rentals. All establishments are open to the public." -- Amazon reviewer
Category: Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: Golf resorts--it's a specialized niche for a savvy group that knows what it wants. What they want is golf, so the Nicols have devoted pages of attention to yardage and par, green fees, and special course features for hundreds of golf courses in the Caribbean, from Bermuda and the Bahamas to Jamaica and Puerto Rico. But there are other facets to consider as well, because the point here is to take a vacation, a golf vacation, where you get to luxuriate in your scenic vistas, eat your sumptuous meals, and play your 18 holes, too. There are resorts for all sorts, with rustic lodges or posh hotels; full-scale gourmet pampering or low-key environments; all-golf, all-the-time atmospheres; or resorts that offer the works--tennis, fishing, sailing, or skiing--for the spouses who just aren't as intent on golf, perhaps, as you. The important thing is that all types of golf holidays are possible, and the Nicols have done the legwork so all you have to do is browse, choose, and make the reservations.  "... the most useful guidebook... a great reference." -- The Traveling Golfer.  "If you love golf, Golf Resorts is for you." -- Relax Magazine.  "Make sure you have a copy on hand. This tome is the only pre-trip guide you'll need to research not only golf courses, but nearby lodging, restaurants, and additional recreation - for after-golf or non-golfing spouses." -- Northwest Airlines WorldTraveler Magazine.  "A guide written by golfers for golfers. Hundreds of resorts are described in this book, with details including fees, course profile (par, hazards, yardage), resident pro information, accommodations (with prices), dining options and equipment rentals. All establishments are open to the public." -- Amazon reviewer
Category: Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: Guatemala is a feast for explorers looking for new experiences. This fantastic guidebook takes you from fiery volcanoes to historic churches dating back to the 1600s. You can sail on Lake Atitlan, raft on Rio Candelera, hike to Maya ruins, dive a barrier reef or take a bike tour around Antigua. This guide covers all the travel information you will need when visiting the country, plus the food, language, the history, flora and fauna, the economy and government. Then it zeros in on Guatemala City and the Central Highlands, La Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Sololá and beyond. In-depth details on the culture, traditions and how to travel with respect for the country and its welcoming people. With the author's expert advice, you'll find excellent eateries, locally made crafts and family-run B&Bs. Color maps and photos throughout. This is a breakout from our much larger Adventure Guide to Guatemala, which covers the entire country. The author is a Canadian writer who went to Mexico in 1997 with her daughter for a few months and ended up staying. She has been exploring Guatemala since 1998. She has written for a number of publications and travel websites in Canada, England, United States and Mexico, including Fodor's and the Miami Herald.
Category: Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: From the New York Times review, October 31, 1920: "THE publication of In Morocco, by Mrs. Wharton, is practically simultaneous with that of her most recent novel, The Age of Innocence. Both of these books add security to their author's position as one of the foremost contemporary writers of English prose. The one reveals her at her best as a constructive novelist: the other proves once more her exceptional power in translating color, line and form into the perfect verbal equivalents."
Category: General Fiction, Non-Fiction, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: The second you land in Istanbul two things hit you: how vast it is and how chaotic. The cauldron of noise builds in the morning with the first call to prayer. As the city springs to life, ferries and tankers weave their way across the Bosphorus Strait from Asia to Europe and traffic chokes the streets. Hundreds of fishermen line the Galata Bridge in search of their daily catch to sell in cafés nestled below, while seagulls swoop and squall. At the end of the bridge, locals crush into the dark passageways at Eminönü's spice market and along the warrens of the Grand Bazaar for another day of haggling.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: We were enjoying a Jamaican meal at Verney's Tropical Resort, a small inn perched in the hills over Montego Bay. This was a true Jamaican feast - not a watered-down tourist version - served with real Jamaican hospitality. It's that opportunity to meet local residents, taste island dishes and retreat from the typical resort experience that brings travelers to the small inns, many in Montego Bay. While this bayside city is home to some of the Caribbean's most lavish resorts, places where you can lose yourself in all-inclusive luxury and around-the-clock activities, you'll also find plenty of opportunities to meet local people and learn more about the local culture in this thriving city. Montego Bay is more than just a tourist hub, however; it's also a real city with a long-standing history. Columbus visited in May 1494 and named Montego Bay ""El Golfo de Buen Tiempo,"" or Bay of Good Weather. In 1510 the Spanish started to settle here. Using the bay as a shipping point for hogs, they began to call this site ""Bahia de Mantega,"" a name derived from the Spanish word for lard, which was one of the top products. In 1655 the British occupied Jamaica and the parish of St. James was founded soon after. Montego Bay became the capital of the parish and for many years was a tax-free haven. Surrounded by sugarcane plantations, the area became the home of many wealthy English planters. If you know just one Jamaica destination, it is probably Montego Bay, often just Mo Bay. Located on the north coast, this is the capital of the tourism industry and the second-largest community outside of Kingston. For most travelers, this is the starting point - thanks to the Donald Sangster International Airport - as well as the island's busiest cruise pier. Ocho Rios is the garden center of Jamaica and its lushest area is Dunn's River Falls. This spectacular waterfall, the top attraction, is a series of falls that cascade from the mountains to the sea. Here, you don't just view the falls, but actually climb up them. Led by a sure-footed Jamaican guide (who wears everyone's cameras slung around his neck), groups work their way up the falls hand-in-hand like a human daisy chain. West of Ocho Rios in the town of Oracabessa, 007 fans can visit the James Bond Beach. Located near Ian Fleming's former home, Goldeneye, the beach has plenty of options for a day of activity: Wave Runners, helicopter tours and horseback rides, as well as a beach bar and grill. The town of Ocho Rios, often known by the nickname Ochi, sits on the north coast. The main road, called the North Coast Highway or A3 along this stretch, slices through the city, following the coastline. (Dunn's River Falls is on the western side of town.) This entire stretch of road is lined with stony bluffs. Between the hills and the sea there is just enough room for a road and a strip of beach. As you approach the city from the western end, driving from Montego Bay, you'll first see the cruise ship terminal. From here, you'll be moving into the town itself. The North Coast Highway becomes DaCosta Drive; off that and parallel runs Main Street, where many of the shops and the crafts market are located. The main road continues east through town toward the large resorts, most of which lie east of the city. This travel guide walks with the adventurous traveler to the heart of Jamaica, to the miles of sand beaches, to the rugged Blue Mountains, to the country villages that provide a peek at the real Jamaica. The authors focus on the adventures this popular Caribbean island has to offer: scuba diving along coral reefs, biking mountain trails, deep sea fishing, parasailing, windsurfing, horseback riding, and other adventures that range from mild to wild. Special sections include a look at Jamaica's Meet the People program, home visits, local nightspots, festivals, and more. Maps and photos enliven the down-to-earth text.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Description: Following is an excerpt from this guide that specializes in some of the most popular areas of Jamaica. Also included in the guide is complete detail on where to stay, where to eat, what to see and what to do to make your trip unforgettable. We landed at Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport long after dark. The city was celebrating Friday night in its traditional manner; the ""Friday Night Jam"" filled the streets with people glad the work week was over. We were in Kingston. But not for long. Our ride was taking us out of the city and up the Blue Mountains to Strawberry Hill. For the next hour, we wound our way through the city streets that we'd return to in later days, finally making our way out of the humidity and crowds and into the hills. The air grew cooler as we climbed, moving slowly back and forth on the switchback road. Finally, we were there. A pale glow lit the main building and restaurant, around the property we could see the small cottages outlined in dim light. But the real sight was from the restaurant itself. From here, we could see the lights of Kingston in the distance, far below us. The city was still partying down there, but here all was quiet as most visitors went to bed early, ready to rise the next morning to a foggy sunrise and a forest draped in quiet mist. We'd be bird watching the next day. It was time for our Friday Night Jam to end, not to reggae or dancehall music, but to the sound of night frogs and insects in the nearby forest. The capital city of Kingston lies on the south shore. This metropolitan area of over 800,000 residents is visited primarily by business travelers. Within this sprawling metropolis, however, beats the true heart of Jamaica. Travelers interested in the culture and history that define this island nation should make time for a visit to Kingston, the largest English-speaking city. Kingston is big, brash and boisterous. Life spills out from storefronts and homes onto the streets, filling the sidewalks and every inch of available space. Goats roam the downtown area, sidewalk vendors peddle all type of merchandise from carts and tables, pedestrians are everywhere. Kingston dates back to 1692. The city is built along the harbor, stretching from the Blue Mountains in the east to the boundaries of Spanish Town in the west. Kingston is not for everyone. It does not offer a relaxing, fun-in-the-sun vacation. Head to the North Coast resort communities for that type of getaway. Instead, if you've had a few dates with Jamaica and you're ready to visit her parents, then it's time to head to Kingston. Things aren't always pretty here, but its a necessary part of the experience. ""No sheet, no eat"" is the motto of the weekly toga party at this resort known for its adults-only atmosphere. Hedonism II attracts fun-loving couples and singles over age 18 who come to this westernmost point of Jamaica for a vacation of sun, sand and something more. Guests leave their inhibitions behind, seeking pleasure in the form of festivities like Toga Night, buffets to tempt the most devoted calorie counters, bars open until 5 am, and nonstop adult fun. The real wildness in Negril lies just outside the city limits. Here, in an area known as the Great Morass, you can see a side of the country that most visitors never glimpse. Crocodiles, not vacationers, lie in the steamy afternoon sunshine. Peddlers sell, not marijuana, but shrimp caught using techniques over 400 years old. And spectacular birds, not parasailers, fill the air with dashes of color and a cacophony of exotic sounds. Today, Negril has gained respectability and is home to all types of resorts that attract everyone from swingers to families. Law mandates that no building here can be taller than a palm tree so low-rises follow the coast from Bloody Bay (named for the days when the whalers cleaned their catch here) to the cliffs at its southern end, where the Negril Lighthouse still signals the rocks to ships.
Category: Hunter Publishing, Travel  -  General  -  NON-PUBLIC DOMAIN