I needed a break and didn't have the time or energy to plan a complicated trip, nor did I want to go on an expensive retreat. I just wanted to de-stress and experience one of the best relaxing Caribbean vacations. This is why I love cruising; to start with simply packing my travel bags and vacation wardrobe before heading to a port near me like the Miami cruise port with time to plan an enjoyable day trip as everything else is handled for me from highly rated food, impressive entertainment and quiet vacation spots. It's all included in one price.
The Caribbean is my preferred destination when it comes to decompressing and leaving all worries behind. There's something in the salty air, the gentle waves and the friendly people that encourages a laid-back vacation. The Caribbean is filled with amazing getaway destinations that are not only the best for quiet vacation spots, these are also places where locals teach visitors important reminders about living at a slower pace and appreciating the little, beautiful things in life.
If I could describe Grand Cayman in one word, it would be: cinematic. It felt like I was watching a movie or magazine cover — the place is that dreamy. Locals say this is one of the best Caribbean islands for relaxing vacation vibes and I have to agree. I walked around George Town and was able to loosen up and connect to the mellow energy of the place. Everywhere I looked, I found a photogenic spot: colorful buildings by the waterfront, hip cafés serving lattes in funky cups and happy people populating the streets. And I was one of them.
Some might find this strange though visiting an animal sanctuary is one of the best places to relax, in my view I ventured to visit the droves of donkeys. And during a vacation in Aruba, I got to befriend these loving and playful creatures in the Wildlife Reserve. They followed me around for treats and love, and as I petted them, they showed me their huge front teeth. I like to think they were smiling at me, maybe even laughing at my bad jokes. Yes, I talked to them. Donkeys were brought to Aruba by the Spaniards many years ago. At first, they worked on farms around the island, until they were no longer needed and were freed to roam wildly. Because of the modernization of the island, they were unable to do this safely, and the sanctuary was created to offer them a home. They are fed and loved and shared with visitors in a very conscious way. Spending time hiking the quiet areas of Aruba to connect with both nature and these native donkeys was a highlight of my trip.
I was floating peacefully, my body decompressing and my mind slowing down. Below me while snorkeling on my dive were the precious sea life of the Bonaire National Marine Park — perhaps the most venerated attraction visit when planning on a vacation to Bonaire as well as one of the best examples of shore diving in the Caribbean. With discovering one of the best places to relax in quite on the island I was rewarded with miles of seemingly untouched coral reef and endless experiences alongside Caribbean wildlife, and I was discovering it all thanks to the dry terrain and little soil runoff, which create exceptional visibility. The park is a protected area, covering the entire coast of Bonaire, and I had over 100 dive sites to enjoy. Because the place is so detailed and extensive, I only managed to visit a handful, mostly those accessible from the shore. A visit to a dive shop helped me understand the conservation efforts there, and I learned how to protect this mesmerizing place while also relishing in its relaxing beauty.
When I reached Willemstad, the local port for my vacation in Curacao, I wondered if I had landed in a European city by taking the wrong cruise ship. The Dutch-colonial buildings, European fusion menus and history museums truly all contributed to this feeling of being in a sunnier version of a Dutch capital. I kept taking pictures of the buildings and sending them to my family and friends, tricking them into believing I was somewhere else and then showing them the turquoise waters. They were very confused.
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