NYS Travel Walks

Travelers looking for beautiful scenery, relaxing white sandy beaches, and an exciting nightlife may be interested in checking out the Central American country of Belize. Known as British Honduras until 1973, Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community and surrounded by Guatemala, Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. Belize is the only country in the area that uses English as its official language, as well as being considered to be one of the most accessible tropical locations based on entry requirements.

You’ll more than likely have to fly some of the distance to get to Belize from the UK. Take a look at Travelzoo to see if you can get some cheap flights, but there are also opportunities to travel by car or boat if you’re touring the Caribbean or Central America. When traveling around the country, public transportation is available and is relatively inexpensive. Buses are the primary mode of transport and the routes and stations are plentiful in the city. Many of the more remote villages in the area may not be as accessible by bus and a private vehicle may be necessary. There are several auto rental companies available in order to access locations not reachable by bus. Taxies and tour vans are also a way to get around the sights. Accommodation ranges from family-style, condos and campgrounds to luxurious resorts and vacation rentals. If you’re thinking of going for the latter, then take a look at Abercrombie and Kent’s website for luxury holidays.

Some of the most popular attractions in Belize are for the outdoor enthusiasts. Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, sailing, and windsurfing are some of the activities people gravitate toward. Belize is also known for its scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. Known as one of the premiere diving destinations in the Caribbean, Belize boasts a unique barrier reef, unbeatable water visibility (reaches more than 100 feet), 80 degree water temperatures, and calm waters nearly all of the time.

There is also a diverse amount of activities to do beyond the beach. There are many family-friendly things to do regardless of age. Exploring the Mayan ruins, hiking through the rainforest, or visit the Belize Zoo are all adventures to be experienced. There is also a wonderful amount of cultural sites and educational opportunities for every traveler. Guided tours are available through private companies.

Many visitors visit Belize between the months of November and May. Belize in the winter is considered to be the dry season and is predictability sunny and warm most of the time. Belize in the summer usually has fewer tourists and there may be more privacy than during the busy season. The summer is also the raining season, which usually involves brief showers throughout the day, followed by sunshine. Rates from May until November are at their lowest.

For more information about traveling to Belize, check out Travelbelize.org to assist you in planning your trip.

Traveling can be fun and exciting. It's great to have an opportunity to relax and get away from the stresses of daily life every once in a while. However, it's important that you don't let down your guard too much when traveling. Unfortunately, many people get so relaxed during their holidays that they forget to follow the usual precautions necessary to stay safe.

Unscrupulous people often look for signs that travelers aren't paying close enough attention to safety and target those who seem particularly vulnerable. You can help make sure that you and your family stay safe on holiday by following these tips for staying safe on the road.

1. Protect Your Personal Information
It's not a good idea to put too much personal information about yourself on your luggage tags. During a trip, your baggage is likely to be handled by a lot of people. If your home address is visible, that's a sign to the people handling your suitcases that your house is likely to be unoccupied. No matter where you are, it's possible that someone who handles your luggage could notify a contact in your home town that you're away, making your home a potential target for burglary.  

2. Carry Photos of Your Family Members
While no one ever plans to become separate from their family members during holiday, it's a fact that separations can happen. Make sure you have pictures of your children and other families with you, in the event that such a problem develops. When you're out of town, you can't just run home and pick up photos if you need them. Make sure you don't find yourself needing a photo of someone in your party without being able to easily and quickly put your hands on one.

3. Limit Cash Usage
When traveling, it's much safer to carry travelers' checks and credit cards than to use cash. Tourists who are seen using large amounts of cash are often targeted by pickpockets and other thieves. If your cash is stolen, you're just completely out of luck. With credit cards and travelers' checks, you have greater protection in the unfortunate event that you do become the victim of a theft.

4. Choose Accommodation Wisely When selecting a hotel, find out what type of room keying system the facility uses. The safest option is one that uses programmable key cards. There's a much lower chance that a previous guest or former employee might be able to gain access to your room in an establishment that uses this type of keying system. Those that use actually keys are much more risky, as anyone who's ever stayed in the room could possibly still have a key. For a good directory of hotels, with plenty of information for booking, take a look at Lastminute.com.

5. Take out Travel Insurance If you’re travelling within the UK, then you won’t need to take out travel insurance. You’ll most likely be protected by existing policies, such as home insurance or car insurance, but it’s also possible to cover your luggage if you’re travelling by train or bus. If you’re going abroad, however, it’s well worth getting travel insurance cover. Most policies will cover you for medical costs abroad, while they will also cover you for loss, theft or accidental damage to your belongings. Take a look at travel insurance available with AA Travel for more.

Skis – check, salopettes – check, goretex ski jacket – check... travel insurance for skiers... erm, no.

If you’re heading to the slopes this winter then it’s absolutely essential that you check out your existing travel insurance policy, or if you don’t have one, make sure you get one! For a lot of insurers, skiing holidays present a special case. Like any physical activity, skiing presents a risk of injury, so insurers have to take this into account when providing you with a policy. Think of it like this – you spend most of your time lying on a beach in Spain, while you spend most of your time in Switzerland sliding down a slope at 30 mph. For this reason policies for skiing holidays are often more expensive than normal travel insurance policies. There are a lot of policies available on the web that will cover you for your skiing trip, but have a look at Go Travel's travel insurance pages for coverage of off piste skiing, and snowboarding for just £17.99 for a week. If you get injured and need to be airlifted from the slopes, then this way you’ll be to do it without getting extra bills. But that won’t happen, right..?

Venturing beyond the centre of London can be a daunting experience. But if you fancy avoiding the throngs of tourists and understanding just what some of the more adventurous of those seven million Londoners do for fun, you’ll need to get away from the congested centre, and head towards the fringes.

A great place to explore first is London’s chic cultural hubs in the East. Beginning on the cusp of the old City, head over to Liverpool Street or Old Street stations, and venture into the infamous Shoreditch. Bars, clubs, pubs and boutique shops abound on most streets around here, supported primarily by the local émigré’s: artists, fashionistas, designers and bohemians of every stripe. Anything goes here, including the furtive beginnings of a City-boy invasion.

A few years ago, Shoreditch and the neighbouring districts of Bethnal Green, London Fields and Dalston were notoriously depressed and hostile areas, reeling in a postindustrial slump, where ne’er a roving tourist would venture. However, once the artists moved in – squatting in ex-warehouses and frequenting the local pubs – the path was cleared for a full rejuvenation. As the area becomes ever more gentrified and moneyed, thankfully it still manages to cling to its heritage as the centre of whatever cultural zeitgeist is sweeping the country.

Hoxton Square is one of the local landmarks worth visiting – a small green-space corralled by a belt of classy cafes, bars and – one of the first artist endeavours to move to the area –White Cube gallery. Having opened its doors for the first time in April 2000, White Cube has set a precedent for the appearance of small, commercial galleries that shows no sign of waning – there are scores scattered about the vicinity.

A good place to find out what’s on and where it is, is artrabbit.com, which has, alongside listings and opinions, a handy map to guide you to some of the more inconspicuous warehouse spaces. After a tour around some cutting-edge art galleries, some well-earned food and drink can be found around the junction of Old Street and Kingsland Road – which is lined with restaurant-cum-bars to suit every taste. A great place to start your night is Bar Kick, which combines homely Portuguese fodder with a great line in mojitos and table football. A short walk from Shoreditch is its spiritual twin sister, Brick Lane: a vibrant wealth of bohemian clothes shops, bars, clubs and Bangladeshi curry houses.

Be warned however, it can become hugely overcrowded on the weekend, as the rest of London clamours for a taste of this modish world. After a long night (most places in the area stay open ‘til 2 at the earliest), it’s best to escape from the thrumming heart of the East and retire for the night in one of its less-vibrant neighbours. There are several hotels in Shoreditch, but for the less-heeled traveller, there are also several hostels a short bus ride away. HostelBookers.com is a great place to seek out and book a room, and to coordinate your exploration of London’s stylish centres.