Top 6 Tips for Your Next Caribbean Adventure

March 11, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

When you think of an island getaway, the Caribbean is always one of the top places on the list. Bright sunshine, soft sand, and endless days of relaxation. What more could you want from a vacation? The Caribbean is an endlessly popular destination and here are our top 6 tips for maximizing your next Caribbean Adventure:

Don’t Forget About Hurricane Season

It’s important to consider the hurricane season when planning your Caribbean travel. The season runs from June to November, but the worst months are August – October. Should you absolutely have to travel during that period, consider going to one of the more southerly islands. Islands like Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire, just above Venezuela, are technically outside the hurricane region. They might receive some rain but aren’t likely to be hit heavily.

Remember Each Island is Unique

The Caribbean boasts beautiful warm waters and lush landscapes everywhere you turn. But, with over 7,000 islands and 28 different nations, each island has its own culture, atmosphere, history, cuisine, and vibe. It’s important to consider these differences when deciding which island to visit

[ Photo Credit: Outside Hamilton’s birthplace in Nevis from Ann via Shared Adventures]

Doing more research or speaking with a travel advisor will help you find the right vibe for your travel style. Make sure you pick an island whose culture and cuisine interest you! Connecting with the local culture will make your Caribbean adventure infinitely more enjoyable.

Embrace the Local Cuisine

Some of the most diverse and delicious cuisines can be found in the Caribbean islands. Influenced by Indigenous, African, Indian, and European cultures – seek out local restaurants and street vendors. Even if you stick to the resort restaurants, branch out and try the local delicacies.

You may recognize some dishes like grilled lobster in Grenada, jerk chicken from Jamaica, or conch fritters from Turks and Caicos. And some may be completely new, but no less mouth-watering.

[Photo Credit: Grilling lobsters in Grenada from Liz via Shared Adventures]

Try an Oil Down in Grenada ( a combination of breadfruit, coconut milk, dasheen, dumplings, callaloo, spices, and salted fish). Or Keshi Yena in Aruba (made from a large hollowed-out ball of cheese; stuffed with spiced meat and raisins, olives, capers, Scottish bonnet peppers, and tangy sauces.)

Pack More Than A Swimsuit

Aside from swimwear and beach clothes, there are a few things you should pack to elevate your trip. Reef-safe sunscreen for that powerful sunshine. Water shoes for the reefs and a reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated.

And for your time off the beach, bring some casual but more conservative clothing than just a beach cover-up. This way you won’t seem out of place when shopping or dining in local restaurants.

Note: on many islands, camouflage items are strictly forbidden so make sure you DON’T pack any camo!

[Photo Credit: Ann relaxing in St Maarten via Shared Adventures]

There’s More to Do Than Just Relaxing on the Beach

While relaxing on the beach is a key part of any Caribbean vacation, there’s so much more to do on these incredible islands!

Don’t discount the Caribbean as a vacation destination if you like a bit of adrenaline. Depending on the island, you can go parasailing, ziplining, deep-sea fishing, sailing, and hiking on some of the most beautiful trails. From leisurely nature walks to challenging climbs, there is so much to do and enjoy.

[Photo Credit: Ziplining from Christina via Shared Adventures]

If Your Focus is Just Relaxing on the Beach – Go Small

If your travel style is beach day all day, every day, then we recommend picking one of the smaller islands. They will be less crowded and covered in brilliant untouched beaches. Islands like Anguilla, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Bonaire are all excellent choices. Or, if you’re on a bigger island, consider taking a taxi to a small beach on the other side of the island to escape the crowds and cruisers.

[Photo Credit: an Anguilla beach from Terry via Shared Adventures]

Starting to dream about your perfect Caribbean Adventure? Want help narrowing down which island, beach, and activities are for you? We love planning a perfectly customized adventure — get in touch to utilize our expert advice!

A Romantic Hawai’i Adventure

February 25, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Longtime clients Alicia & Jay were so excited to go to Hawai’i. They were ready to plan their 5th anniversary to a place that offered romance, adventure and fabulous restaurants. Here’s their trip report:

We had such an amazing time in Hawai’i and we already can’t wait to go back! It is such a special place. Here are some trip highlights:

Kaua’i

The Ko’a Kea Resort was perfect! We received personalized 5 star service. We loved how small the hotel is, and that the person who checks you in escorts you to your room and gives you a tour of the resort along the way. Our room was comfortable and modern and had a huge shower. The lanai had a partial ocean view which was perfect for sitting with coffee in the morning. The pool and hot tub were amazing and we loved that they had covers and pillows for the lounge chairs. The pool bar/tiki hut was a great place for drinks and lunch.

The highlight of Kaua’i was definitely our helicopter tour. We both agreed it might be the most amazing thing we’ve ever done. We caught a windy day, but the ride was still pretty smooth even with the doors off! We got incredible photos and videos of Waimea Canyon and the Nā Pali coast.

Restaurants in Kaua’i were also spectacular – Red Salt at our hotel (breakfast and dinner) was amazing. We also loved Eating House 1849 and The Beach House. We went to Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt, but didn’t love the food or atmosphere (it was crowded and didn’t feel authentic and reminded us of Disney World or Atlantis lol).

Maui

The Andaz Maui is fabulous! It’s so modern with lots of wood detailing, and they have an artist in residence so there was colorful art displayed all over the hotel. Our room here had a beautiful view of the ocean and we saw some incredible sunsets.

We spent a lot of our time by the pool, and went to the beach one day. We loved the different levels of infinity pools. The lowest level is where all the kids seemed to go, so we stuck to the upper levels and didn’t even take advantage of the adults-only pool. Food and drink service by the pools was great, and we definitely frequented the pool bar/lounge!

We attended the Andaz Luau, which was awesome! We took the Jeep on part of the Hana Highway, drove through the village of Paia, stopped at Twin Falls for a very leisurely hike, and went to lunch at Mama’s Fish House – one of our favorite meals in Hawai’i.

Our Ocean Spirit sunset cruise was also amazing – we caught a good night and had a great sail and a beautiful sunset.

The restaurants in Maui were also amazing – we went to Morimoto at our hotel twice, for lunch and dinner and did a sake tasting. That was probably our favorite! We also went to the Lobby Lounge at the Four Seasons (had to see it – cue White Lotus music), and Humumunukunuku ā pu’a at the Grand Wailea.

A Special Anniversary Activity

We booked an anniversary photo shoot with Flytographer on Po’Olenalena Beach in Maui. Our photographer Sara was amazing and so much fun to work with and the photos came out perfect! I would absolutely use Flytographer again – it was such an easy process and so worth it when you want nice photos together!

Benefits of Booking Hawai’i With A Travel Advisor

By the end of the trip, we were confident that we had chosen the right hotels in Hawai’i – we really liked the small boutique feel of Koa Kea and loved the smaller feel of the Andaz in Maui better than the larger hotels that we visited. Also, every hotel and restaurant we went to acknowledged our anniversary with a gift, bottle of wine, or dessert!

Hawai’i Overall

We LOVED Hawai’i so much. We loved how small the islands were and that it didn’t take us very long to get where we needed to go. The vegetation in Kaua’i was so beautiful. We loved the Wailea area of Maui. The ocean and beaches are breathtaking. It’s such a special place – exotic but friendly, comfortable, and laid back.

We loved having a car on both islands. The Jeep in Kaua’i was definitely the lowest/basic trim, but in Maui we got to choose one from a lineup and picked a cool green one that had every bell and whistle.

Aside from the scenery, our favorite parts of Hawai’i were definitely the food and the people. Almost every meal we ate was like the best thing we’ve ever had (mahi mahi and tuna were highlights). The long flight from Boston to Honolulu was well worth it and it went by fast! We both agreed that we will definitely return to both islands – I can’t pick which one is my favorite!

Another favorite part was the people. Every single person we encountered was SO friendly and SO helpful and could not do more for us. We made friends with the bartenders at both hotels (not surprising) and ended our trip on a first name basis with them. I don’t think we met anyone who wasn’t smiling and happy to be there. It made our trip that much more special.

Thank you again for planning this amazing 5th anniversary trip for us! Before you know it, I will be reaching out for next year’s trip!

-Alicia & Jay

10 Benefits of A Big Cruise Adventure

February 12, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Some people love small cruises, and the benefits of the smaller ships are often touted. We love them too! But there are many advantages to big cruise ships, and it might be just the right travel style for you. Here are our 10 favorite things about cruising on a large ship:

Endless Entertainment

This is especially close to our hearts because, before Liz became a travel advisor, she worked as a Stage Manager for the epic theatrical shows on ships! But really, there is constant, endless entertainment to discover aboard these big ships.

If you love to be part of the show, you’ll shine with karaoke, game shows, trivia contests, art auctions, casinos, sing-alongs, or group dances.

performers onstage during a Cruise Ship live show

If you prefer to watch live entertainment rather than engage in it: There’s fabulous musicians, live bands, and top-tier theatre shows complete with pyrotechnics. Certainly, you can never be bored on the big ships – there’s always something going on.

Everything is Planned and Ready to Go

Much like working with a travel advisor, cruising on a large ship takes the stress out of planning your vacation. You know exactly how you’re getting from place to place and you don’t have to worry about it. You know where you’re going to eat each night and you will have entertainment and relaxation all just a few steps away. Combine that with working with one of our advisors to help plan your cruise, and it can be the most stress-free vacation you’ve ever had.

An Array of Food Options

With several different kinds of restaurants on the bigger ships, you can enjoy a different type of food each night of your cruise.

You can go for a fancy evening at the steak house. Or you can chill in shorts and a tee at the buffet. Plus there’s food available 24hrs a day! This fills your trip with the same sense of choice and variety that you might find on a city adventure.

See several locations without having to unpack

This is true for all cruises, but it remains one of our favorite things about cruising. You can see a variety of locations, travel from destination to destination, and experience different sites, activities, and cultures—all without having to unpack and repack your bag more than once.

Big Cruise – Private Beaches

If you’re cruising the Caribbean, Bahamas, or Australia, you’ll find that the ships often have at least one destination with a private beach. Sure, you’re sharing it with your fellow shipmates, but there’s not that oppressive sense of a completely packed beach experience. It adds a bit of luxury to enjoying your beach time – like a luxury resort.

Activities for the Kids

When traveling with kids, keeping them entertained is high on the list of considerations. The larger ships offer Kids Clubs grouped by age. They’ll be entertained and looked after by professionals who love kids. And they’ll be able to spend the week with kids their own age and make new friends. You can enjoy some time for yourself and some time with the family – the best of both worlds!

Freedom to Explore on Your Own

Although everything can be pre-planned, there’s plenty of time to explore by yourself. When you arrive in new ports you can choose not to take a shore excursion and just enjoy free time in the destination. Roam around and spend the day shopping or sightseeing at your leisure.

Anonymity

Some people love making friends with everyone on board, chatting up new friends, and feeling like part of a community. If that’s the case, then a small cruise may be where you shine. But for those who like to keep to themselves, or who prefer to focus their attention/energy on their own cruise companions, then the cruise ship has a great balance. The crew will remember you, and you’ll feel welcomed and taken care of, but you don’t have the need to mix and mingle with strangers all the time. The ships are big enough to offer a sense of anonymity

A destination in and of itself

When looking at the bigger ships especially, they are their own destination. With all the different activities, options, and lounges you could spend a week just exploring everything to do on the ship, let alone exploring the ports. Every year they are introducing larger and larger ships with more bells and whistles.

The Ocean View

No matter how much time we’ve spent cruising, we can’t ever get over that ocean view. The feeling of peace and serenity with water on all sides. Ocean cruises do a fantastic job of giving you the sense of being in the middle of the ocean while still actually being quite close to the next port ( just a few miles offshore, usually).

Unlike small ships or river cruises which tend to have excursions or ports each day, the bigger ships offer you sea days. Days in which all there is to do is relax on board and enjoy the view. It’s lovely to have that built-in relaxation day where it’s impossible to feel guilty for not going out and exploring!

Are you itching to enjoy the ocean on a big ship yet? If you’re interested in finding the perfect cruise for you and your travel style then let us know!

How to Choose the Right River Cruise for You

January 29, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

So you’ve read our blog posts about taking a river cruise and decided you’re ready to embark! You know that river cruises are smaller, more intimate cruises that often sail through the heart of several cities. You know that these ships offer more activities and excursions included in the price, and you know that it’s just what you’re looking for. What now?

There are dozens of river cruises in the world – how do you know which one is right for you? While we always recommend chatting with your trusted travel advisor (email us here), this little guide is a good starting place.

First: What Do You Want to See?

When you close your eyes and imagine yourself on this fabulous cruise – what do you see? It doesn’t have to be an exact location yet – just an essence. Do you want to visit fairytale towns, traditional local villages, or castles? Perhaps you light up at the idea of famous historic cities welcoming you in? When you imagine the landscape, are you picturing sailing through forests, rolling vineyards, or jungles?

Start with what kinds of things you want to see as you sail down the river. Consider what you imagine waking up to and exploring each day. This will help you narrow it down to a general region – Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, or South America.

Second: What Do You Want to Experience?

River Cruises are all about experiences and unique excursions. While you may not know exactly what shore excursions are offered on each cruise, thinking about how active you want to be and what kinds of things you like to see and do is a perfect starting place.

You can enjoy beautiful cultural dances and in-depth immersions with local craftsmen. Entice your palate with foodie destinations and wine or beer tastings. If you love an active vacation, you can choose a cruise with options for hiking through beautiful scenery, cycling past vineyards, or incredible walking tours. Consider if your focus is more on history, cuisine, or natural beauty.

a group of teens and kids in traditional Bulgarian dress kneel for a photo after performing a local folk dance

Third: When Do You Want to Go?

Now that you know what style of river cruise, and the general region – you can consider what time of year you want to travel. If you have specific dates you may need to start with that. For specific time-sensitive sites like Tulips, Christmas Markets, or Fall Wine Harvests, then those dates will be decided for you.

If you have a more open schedule, consider the weather and the crowds:

River Cruise season begins in March and continues through the end of December. The summer months are high season. So, along with bright, sunny days, they come with bigger crowds and higher prices. In some places, there can also be questions about water levels (a very dry summer impacts the rivers.)

The shoulder months of September & October are great times to travel with warm days, cool nights, and medium crowd sizes.

The low season months of mid-to-late March and late October – early December are cooler with a greater chance of rain. You may need an umbrella, and you might encounter water level issues (higher than normal rivers can also be a problem), but can generally count on lower prices and fewer crowds.

With all this in mind, you’re ready to choose your river!

Popular European Rivers

The Danube – combining famous cities with unusual destinations

Sites: Fairytale villages, iconic UNESCO sites, Vienna & Budapest, gorgeous soft landscapes
Experiences: Concerts, Waltzes, Biking & Beer Tasting
Best Time of Year: May – June & October

The Rhine – great for first-timers since it travels through six different countries

Sites: Famous cities like Amsterdam & Cologne. A spectacular range of scenery from hills to mountains.
Experiences: Centuries of history & culture, beer & wine tastings, cycling
Best Time of Year: April – June & September – October

The Rhone –Best if you’re short on time

Sites: The French countryside with vineyards and medieval cities, the Swiss Alps
Experiences: Food &wine pairings in the heart of French wine country
Best Time of Year: April & May

The Duoro –For seasoned travelers looking for something different

Sites: Small towns, wineries & UNESCO sites
Experiences: wine tastings, friendly locals
Best Time of Year: September & October

Popular Asian Rivers

Mekong – Visiting Vietnam & Cambodia with lots of options

Sites: Quaint fishing villages and bustling cities, rice paddies & mangrove forests
Experiences: Ancient ruins, rickshaw rides, floating farmers market, activities with local craftsman
Best Time of Year: August – March

Yangtze River –Perfect for exploring China

Sites: Shanghai, Three Gorges and Three Gorges Dam
Experiences: Traditional temples, pagodas & traditional dances
Best Time of Year: April – May & September – October

Once you’ve thought through these questions of where, when and what kind of experiences you want, we can help you choose just the right river cruise line and itinerary to match your list. There are river cruise lines that cater to more active travelers, travelers that love boutique hotels, luxury travelers, solo travelers, and even families. Send us an email, or give us a call!