Playa Guiones, Nosara, Costa Rica

Interesting in cruising somewhere different? Try Costa Rica! A beautiful country, friendly people, unspoiled beaches, and incredible food – check it out before this hidden gem is discovered.

Arenal Volcano

From cloud forests to active volcanos to sweeping mountain vistas to sparking beaches, Costa Rica offers a wide variety of experiences. So the next time you’re picking a vacation spot, experience la pura vida in Costa Rica!

Coatis

Maybe you’ll even make some new friends!

Have you visited this gorgeous country? Share your stories and pictures with us!

If you’ve cruised the Caribbean, there’s a good chance you stopped in Nassau for a day. And there’s also a good chance that you spent a little time at the Atlantis. (Hopefully you had time to visit some of the other memorable spots in the town, too!)

On my first visit to Nassau, I had a traveling companion – Hurricane Katrina. (Note the gray skies.) This was before she crossed the Gulf of Mexico and wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast. When she passed through Nassau, Katrina was mainly a rain event – although it didn’t stop me from touring this amazing resort.

From the water slides to the restaurants to the casino to the aquarium, the Atlantis is a magical place to escape from the real world. But then again, isn’t that what a cruise is all about?

Do you have any pictures of your visit to Nassau, or the Atlantis? Please share them with us – you could win a Canon PowerShot camera! The contest ends soon – don’t miss out!

Then again, do we really care? They’re all beautiful!

Do you have a favorite sunrise or sunset at sea picture? Share them, and we’ll post them here! Don’t forget the contest…

When I toured the Cape of Good Hope on my trip around the world, I believed it was the southern tip of Africa, and the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Which made it a pretty special place to visit!

I later found out that Cape Agulhas, 90 miles to the east-southeast, holds that distinction, not the Cape of Good Hope. Oh well. It was still spectacular.

A little way up the coast is Boulders Beach, the home of a colony of African Penguins. Although visitors aren’t allowed to walk on the beach, there are boardwalks that take you up close and personal to these incredible creatures.

And there’s nothing like watching the sun rise over Table Mountain, as your ship sails into the port of Cape Town.

We’d love to see your pictures of spectacular places like this – have any to share? Don’t forget, all submissions qualify for our Canon PowerShot camera giveaway!

One of our favorite getaways is a visit to Key West, the southernmost point in the continental United States. Start with a ride around town on the trolley, the fastest way to see the island and learn its history. A stroll down Duval Street offers great people-watching, shopping, dining, and live music. Don’t forget to stop at Margaritaville, the first in Jimmy Buffett’s popular chain.

Tour the Hemingway House, Papa’s tropical hideaway where he wrote such classics as For Whom The Bell Tolls and A Farewell To Arms, and home to the famous polydactyl cats, with six toes on each foot.

A day in Key West isn’t complete without a stop in Mallory Square. Street performers entertain the crowds as they watch the sun sink into the ocean, applauding as the last rays disappear from view. Then the party begins on Duval!

The Florida Keys – a trip to Paradise that doesn’t require a passport. Have you been there? Share your stories and pictures – we’d love to hear from you!