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Author: hotelsetc
5 Alternative things to do on a Caribbean vacation
We all know about the sunbathing, swimming and spa treatment rooms but what about the more alternative things to do in the Caribbean?
Here’s five alternative things to do in the Caribbean
1.Become a pirate for the day
Believe it or not, the movie was based on true story and you now have an opportunity to re-enact the adventures of Pirates of the Caribbean in real time. Located in St Lucia, the Big Unicorn tall ship is home to an unforgettable experience and one of the best thing to do in the Caribbean.
Passing through a tropical paradise, you can sit back and relax on this ship as it continues to evoke images of pirates scrambling across deck. It is also the ship which was used in the movie itself so you can expect what is possibly the most authentic way to see the surroundings.
2.Ride in a submarine
Maybe you have never gone scuba diving before and would like to see how it feels to be submerged in these tropical waters? Or maybe it just sounds like one of the fun things to do in the Caribbean? Either way, you can take a ride in a submarine on your Aruba vacation and participate in the Atlantis Submarine Expedition.
Safe in the knowledge or experienced crew and perfectly dry in the confines of the submarine, this truly is a special way to see the marine life off the coast of Aruba and experience one of the most alternative things to do in the Caribbean.
3.Hiking in Dominica
When you finish soaking up the rays next to the pool an enjoying the spa, hiking is a great way to spend spare time on a Caribbean vacation to Dominica.
Largely due to past volcanic activity, the region is littered with mountains and beautiful surrounding in which to hike. Sitting high in the mountains, there is also the mysterious “Boiling Lake” which is reminiscent of the hot springs you might find in Iceland and they make a perfect way to end a day of rigorous hiking.
4.Take a Camel Ride
While you may be right in thinking this is truly a bizarre place to find camel never mind ride one, you should absolutely still do this on your next Caribbean vacation. In fact, what better place can there be to ride a camel than along the sands, next to the ocean and accompanied by a gentle breeze?
That said, Jamaica has long been known as a country which adopted camels during trading in the 1700’s and their presence here really is no surprise. Starting out in the beautiful plantations, you can take a camel trek here through luscious rain-forest and some of the most impressive scenery while having this unique close encounter with a camel. It may not have been on your list for a Caribbean vacation but it most certainly should if you see a little bit more adventure.
5.Visit the Soggy Dollar Bar
Imagine stepping onto the most incredible white sands next to Turquoise Ocean only to find your own private bar on a private island. Many resorts will make promises for your Caribbean vacation but when it comes to private bars on private islands, they are mostly an imitation of the Soggy Dollar Bar.
Located in the British Virgin Islands, this Tiki bar is a hidden gem with infamous cocktail and ample space for relaxation. Friendly, hospitable and always open, the reputation of the Soggy Dollar Bar precedes itself but it truly lives up to it in every way.
Have you been to any of the above places or can you recommend any more alternative things to do in the Caribbean?
Join Hotels Etc. for vacation discounts on resorts in any of the above destinations and start saving on your Caribbean vacation today.
How to find an affordable Caribbean vacation in 2017
Wondering how to find an affordable Caribbean vacation in 2017? There are many ways to keep your general costs down during the year to be able to afford a trip but more importantly, there is a very specific way to find an affordable vacation that not everybody is in the know about.
Let us explain.
Changes in online travel
The online world has changed the way we travel but more importantly it has allowed people to do so more often with everywhere being so much more more accessible and affordable. That said, the latter of these benefits has all but disappeared in recent years with the arrival of a new law called rate parity.
You see, until recently most travel booking engines or brands were enabled to offer excellent discounts on vacations, hotels etc and for good reason, customers were lining up to avail of these fantastic prices. Sounds great right? Yes it was but actually, all of these great prices and value have completely disappeared from the market without the consumer even noticing.
But how or why has nobody noticed?
Well, naturally if a travel website is perceived as not offering any real value, there is no reason for them being there in the first place. After all, why use a third party when you can go direct to the service provider for the same price? For this reason, a new law called rate parity is little talked about in an industry which is now severely restricted from offering customers genuine value.
What is rate parity?
In a nutshell, rate parity stipulates that travel companies is required to offer the same price to customers across every channel of distribution. Straight to the point, this essentially means these booking engines are no longer permitted to offer customers the great discounts we have seen in the past.
Does this mean the end of hotel discounts or special offers?
Well, no. There was one exemption from this rate parity law and it came in the form of travel membership clubs. As a membership club, you are entitled to negotiate large discounts with suppliers and pass this value on to paying members.
Hence, Travel membership clubs such as Hotels Etc are now returning to the fore of an industry they dominated before the online world and booking engines took over.
Hotels Etc
As mentioned above, Hotels Etc have worked within the travel industry for more than 20 years. At one time this membership club was one of the only ways to find a vacation or hotel discount in a world without internet.
With more than 4 million members and a five star rating, it continued to take care of members but was obviously affected with the arrival of booking engines and online travel brands. As discussed already, with the declining value of booking engines, this membership club is now re-emerging to establish itself as one of the few providers of genuine travel discounts.
It makes sense that customers like to stick with the major travel brands which they trust but with 4 million members and some truly genuine value, Hotels Etc has an easy to use booking system in which you can search and compare all of the best online discounts for hotels and vacations.
Why more North Americans are deciding to vacation at home
Since 9/11, there has been a large decrease in the number of North Americans traveling abroad in general and this is quite understandable given the current climate. However, there are far more reasons for why recent trends are showing that many Americans are opting to vacation at home rather than traveling abroad and they all make sense entirely. Here is the main reason as to why so many North Americans are deciding to stay at home rather than vacationing abroad in 2017, diversity.
Yes, North America has all the necessary ingredients needed for an unforgettable vacation and often, with the use of hotel discounts or deals, it will also cost a lot less.
It’s not Fear, it’s out of interest
Let us get this out of the way, in contrast to popular belief, it’s not actually fear that is deterring locals from traveling abroad. Yes, since 9/11 people are more reluctant in terms of leaving the confines of home and unfortunately, there is still a concern that elsewhere is unsafe or that terrorists are waiting to pounce outside every hotel abroad but none of this is really true. No, most of the reasons for which North Americans are spending their vacations at home are positive and with the best of intentions.
You see, it must be understood that this is a huge part of the world and as a landmass, the States has almost every type of bio-diversity, attraction or variety of landscapes as anywhere else on earth. Something majestic? The Grand Canyon. Entertainment? Las Vegas. Exciting cities? New York, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco. Wilderness, swamp lands or beaches? Montana, Florida and California. It makes complete sense to stay at home as why feel the need to travel abroad for new experiences when you can have a less expensive and just as interesting vacation closer to home.
North America is accessible and affordable
And that brings us to the cost. Traveling in the US was once an expensive thing to do but with the arrival of the online world, just about anyone can afford a vacation with hotel discounts. Want a hotel room in New York for half price? Use hotel discounts. Want two for the price of one in a restaurant? Use restaurant discounts. Want special offers on local attractions or recreational activities? There are discounts for everything online. But you’ve got to know where to look, and that’s where we come in; we know exactly why you should stay at home for your next vacation and we want to help you make it happen at the most affordable price.
You can sign up for a free trial on Hotels Etc here and start finding all the biggest hotel discounts and more.
5 Best Caribbean luxury resorts for 2017
Caribbean all-inclusive resorts are the most popular vacation of choice for most North Americans and there is little to wonder about in this respect for most of them are blessed with fine weather, amazing food and world class facilities. That said, there is a gulf in difference between budget options and the more luxurious resorts making it difficult to choose the most ideal destination for your next trip.
From Mexico to Jamaica, Dominican Republic and back, here are the 5 best Caribbean all inclusive resorts for 2017:
Hyatt Zilara Cancun, Mexico
Mexico makes our list again and as you might expect with the Hyatt, this is a hotel of pure luxury. Offering a world class spa with ocean views, saunas, whirlpools and more, Hyatt is also one of the true masters when it comes to relaxation and pampering of any kind. Another highlight are the hammocks which adorn the balcony of every room and then the food which never fails to make feedback from satisfied customers.
Azul Sensatori, Jamaica
Seven Mile Beach is one of the finest in the world and it is here you will find the Azul Sensatori, one of the most incredible all-inclusive resorts in Negril, Jamaica. Sun baked and covered in white powdered sands, the beach is scintillating but then that’s not all the resort has to offer, for 120 deluxe rooms each have an incredible ocean view. And then there are the facilities, with onsite dance classes, cooking course, and the option of renting canoes or surf boards. Completing the rout, the Azul also has no less than six different restaurants.
Chic Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
There is a mansion in this resort, does that tell you what to expect? This is truly royalty and Chic Punta Cana is the essence of luxury. More than five bedrooms, a Jacuzzi, private pool and wine cellar make this one stand out. Aside from this there are another 300 rooms with green gardens and pools to accompany the variety of foods, from Japanese to Moroccan. Chic in Punta Cana is slightly expensive but worth every last dime.
Generations Riviera Maya, Mexico
Situtated in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, Generations finds itself on an isolated beach and has a unique selling point in that every suite has a personal butler. This really is one of the finest coastal sections in Mexico but there are also stunning infinity pools meaning you don’t even need to move from your suite to take a swim. Gourmet food is also a highlight and make Generations one of the best Caribbean all-inclusive resorts with a wide range of Mexican and Mediterranean foods on offer. Interestingly, the hotel also has a kids cooking club which is super fun.
Melia Nassau Beach, Bahamas
Melia is another luxury resort for rather wealthy and this richness extends to every part of the resort. There are two different areas, Baha Mar and Atlantis, but regardless of which one you decide upon, the experience is just as unique as you might expect. With more than 600 rooms and a beautiful beach front setting, Melia Nassau Beach is one of the best Caribbean resorts for 2017.
You can find hotel discounts for all of the above Caribbean resorts on Hotels Etc.









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