Discover everything you need to know about visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand, including tour options, tickets, insider tips, and what to expect from one of the country’s most iconic attractions.
The post How To Visit The Hobbiton Movie Location In New Zealand appeared first on Going Awesome Places by William Tang.
Sustainable travel has become the magic phrase that’s supposed to make us feel better about seeing the world. National Geographic has a clear overview of what sustainable travel is supposed to mean. We book “eco” hotels, reuse our towels, buy a carbon offset, and tell ourselves we’re traveling responsibly. Yet if you look a little …
The post Sustainable Travel: Why It’s Mostly Theater, Not Reality appeared first on Travel Notes & Beyond.
Considering taking a cruise with Atlas Ocean Voyages but aren’t quite sure what the cruise fare actually includes? While Atlas isn’t a fully inclusive line like other luxury and expedition brands, it comes very close to including almost everything in the base price. Here, we’re breaking down exactly what’s included on Atlas Ocean Voyages and what you’ll need to pay extra for. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting for your money before you even book a sailing with this luxe-adventure cruise line.
Your cruise fare covers the cost of your suite for the duration of the trip. That’s right — all accommodations on Atlas Ocean Voyages are suites. In addition, every suite has at least a window, with most featuring traditional walk-out balconies or infinite balconies where a large window opens up to create a “balcony” within the room. Included with your accommodations, you’ll have a room attendant who will make up your room twice daily.
Staterooms feature convertible queen-size beds with luxury linens, oversized flat-screen TVs, a Nespresso coffee machine, a stocked mini bar, Vero Water, a safe, a hair dryer, and the use of binoculars, terry bathrobes, and slippers. The marble-accented bathrooms feature L’Occitane bath products.
Nearly all dining (not including the chef’s table experience, called The Explorer’s Table) is included on Atlas Ocean Voyages ships. The main dining rooms offer always-changing menus with dishes inspired by global cuisines, which includes buffet-style dining at breakfast and lunch and an elevated table-service experience in the evenings. An open-air poolside venue called 7AFT Grill is also available, offering casual fare by day and becoming an upscale chophouse by night.
Other dining options on board include a café with grab-and-go bites called Paula’s Pantry and afternoon tea with light snacks in The Dome observation lounge. Room service is also included on Atlas.
Note: 7AFT Grill dinner service is not available on Polar Expeditions, as outdoor dining is weather dependent.
Nearly all beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are included in the cruise fare on Atlas Ocean Voyages. You can enjoy unlimited fine wines, premium craft cocktails, spirits, craft beers, and more all included. As well, things like specialty coffees, afternoon tea service with premium teas, fresh-pressed juices, sodas, and more are all part of the standard price of the cruise.
Atlas Ocean Voyages also allows guests to bring their own bottles of wine on board, including bottles they might purchase while in port. Passengers can consume their own wine wherever they want on board for free too, as there are no corkage fees.
Essentially, the only beverages that aren’t included are ultra-premium liquors and rare vintage wines.
Atlas Ocean Voyages ships are small, and therefore don’t feature many of the bells and whistles that you’d find on larger mainstream cruise vessels. On board, you’ll find a heated swimming pool, as well as two hot tubs. There’s also a fitness center and jogging track, as well as a sauna and spa relaxation area that are completely free for guests to use. A small boutique to purchase things like logo wear and toiletries can be found onboard as well.
There are a few bars and lounges on board as well, including The Dome observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows offering 270-degree views. There’s also the outdoor pool bar in warmer climates, the Atlas Lounge, and a coffee shop (at Paula’s Pantry) on Atlas ships.
Since ships are small and there’s such an emphasis on the destinations you visit along the itinerary, there aren’t a lot of scheduled activities on an Atlas Ocean cruise. However, there are still some, including trivia, game shows, and a dance party in The Dome called “Dancing Under The Dome.” There’s even the popular Yachtsman Cook-Off on Epicurean Expeditions.
As far as unhosted activities go, board games, card games, and puzzles are complimentary for guests to use during their sailings.
If you’re taking an expedition cruise with Atlas Ocean Voyages, you’ll be provided most of the gear you’ll need for land exploration including boots, a parka (yours to keep), and hiking poles. You’ll also have your own locker in the ship’s mudroom area to store bulky outerwear and wet clothes.
Destination immersion is the focal point of a sailing with Atlas Ocean Voyages, so it’s no surprise that most entertainment on board is geared toward that. Expert-led discussions are common on board, with topics ranging from nightly port talks and lectures on local culture, history, art, cuisine, wildlife, and beyond. Interactive sessions and workshops led by photographers, chefs, astronomers, and beyond can also be found aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages ships. These will vary depending upon whether you’re sailing on a Polar, Epicurean, or Cultural expedition.
In addition, the cruise line has a partnership with Afar magazine called “Afar Recommends.” This collection of experiences, exclusively on Cultural Expeditions, is handpicked by Afar and includes events both on board and ashore. These experiences immerse travelers in the local culture, with opportunities to interact with locals, engage in national pastimes, participate in hands-on workshops, and taste regional cuisines.
When not being immersed in the destinations you’re visiting, you can enjoy a bit of live music on board. Musicians may include vocalists, pianists, and guitar players who provide passengers with enjoyable tunes throughout the sailing. Be sure to catch the crew talent show too, where the crew members get to show off their skills on stage.
On Atlas Ocean Voyages, each guest receives one gigabyte of wifi data for free that can be used by a single device. This internet access allows passengers to use social media, send and receive emails, browse the web, and stream videos/music on things like social media and YouTube. This free internet access does NOT include streaming on bandwidth-heavy applications like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube TV, etc.
Premium high-speed internet connectivity and additional internet data are available for an additional cost. Guests can purchase gigabyte data plans starting at $80 for one GB, social media plans starting at $30 per day, or premium streaming plans starting at $35 per day, with discounted per-day rates when purchasing for the length of the voyage.
While Atlas Ocean Voyages does not include all excursions in the cruise fare, some experiences, called “Atlas Immersive Experiences,” are included. They’re designed to enhance guests’ experience of the history, nature, art, or cuisine of a destination. The experience can be an exclusive excursion ashore or a unique event on the ship.
Here are some examples of shoreside Atlas Immersive Experiences:
Polar Expeditions also include shore landings with guided hikes and zodiac safaris.
The base cruise fare on Atlas includes gratuities. This means that there is no per-day gratuity or “service charge” added to your bill at the end of the sailing. However, if you’d like to provide additional gratuities to crew members, you can tip them in cash directly.
An unusual inclusion on a cruise, Atlas Ocean Voyages actually includes limited travel insurance in the standard cruise fare. Called “Atlas Assurance,” the program includes reimbursement for expenses including trip cancellation, trip delays, baggage loss, certain medical situations (including medical evacuation) and more.
The cruise line does suggest purchasing additional travel insurance, though, with “increased maximum reimbursement.” For details on what Atlas’ current included insurance plan covers, click here.
Aside from the special Atlas Immersive Experiences mentioned above, shore excursions are not included in the cruise fare on Atlas Ocean Voyages. Whether you choose to book through the cruise line, take a tour through a third-party, or create your own adventure while in port, these experiences come at an additional cost.
While the sauna and lounge area at the spa are included in the cruise fare, the actual hands-on treatments are not. If you want a massage, facial, or other treatment, you’ll have to pay extra.
Unfortunately, there are no self-service laundry rooms on Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ships. That means if you want to do laundry, you’ll have to utilize the ship’s laundry services. The standard pricing structure is to pay per item. However, the line sometimes runs specials where you can send away an entire bag of laundry for one set price.
Of note, while those staying in standard accommodations do have to pay for laundry services, it is free for those staying in a Concierge Collection or Reserve Collection suite.
Beyond the included gigabyte of wifi access, guests can purchase more gigabytes of internet or an unlimited package — which includes streaming platforms — for an additional fee. Specific costs and exact wifi package offerings may vary depending on your ship and itinerary.
Though it goes without saying, anything you purchase from the onboard boutique or from shops in port are at your own expense. If you plan to purchase lots of souvenirs, be sure to build that into your budget (and spare some room in your suitcase!).
Have you sailed with Atlas Ocean Voyages? Do you prefer to sail with a more-inclusive line vs. mainstream ones? Drop us an anchor below to share your expedition cruise experiences.
The post What’s Included on Atlas Ocean Voyages? Inclusions vs. Extra Costs appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.
This post was originally published on this site.
Applying for CHAMPVA VA benefits should be straightforward, but it’s surprisingly easy to hit delays if your application is missing even one required document.
Many military families spend weeks—or even months—waiting simply because a form wasn’t signed, a birth certificate wasn’t included, or proof of the veteran’s Permanent & Total (P&T) status wasn’t submitted.
The good news? Most of those delays are preventable.
If you’re the spouse or child of a veteran rated 100% Permanent & Total (P&T), or you’re applying as the surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who passed away from a service-connected condition, this guide walks you through exactly what you’ll need before you submit your application.
Learn which forms to complete, which supporting documents to gather, where to replace missing records, and the most common mistakes that slow down CHAMPVA approval.
At least one must be true, and in every case you must not be eligible for TRICARE (the two programs are mutually exclusive):
You generally do NOT qualify if:
Unclear on your situation? See How to Get CHAMPVA for Your Spouse and Kids for the full eligibility breakdown before you gather documents.
VA Form 10-10d, “Application for CHAMPVA Benefits,” starts every CHAMPVA application. Download it and submit it one of three ways:
| Method | Best For | What to Know |
| Online (VA.gov) | Most applicants | Fastest option. Upload supporting documents with your application and get a digital submission record. |
| No reliable internet, or you prefer paper records | Send the signed form and every supporting document together in one package. | |
| Fax | Quick submission without mailing | Use the fax number printed on the current VA Form 10-10d, since contact numbers occasionally change. |
Whichever method you choose, submit everything together — applications that arrive in pieces take longer to process.
Use the category below that matches your household, then cross-reference the printable checklist further down.
VA usually verifies P&T status internally, but a copy of the veteran’s rating decision letter showing the P&T effective date speeds things up — especially for TDIU-based determinations. Request one through VA.gov or your nearest VA regional office if needed.
Submit a copy of one of the following to help process your application faster:
Remarried before age 55 and that marriage has since ended? Also include a divorce decree, annulment decree, or death certificate to reinstate eligibility.
If you or your dependent are 65+ or otherwise Medicare-eligible, you must have Medicare Part A and B (or Medicare Advantage) to keep CHAMPVA. Submit, with VA Form 10-7959c:
Other health insurance besides Medicare? Submit a copy of the card, front and back, with VA Form 10-7959c. CHAMPVA becomes the secondary payer whenever another plan is in place.
Every applicant needs a valid SSN on file. For a newborn, get the child’s SSN first, then add them as a dependent through your nearest VA regional office — VA can’t pay claims for an unenrolled child.
Missing a document? Here’s where to request a replacement:
| Missing Document | Where to Get It |
| VA rating decision letter | VA.gov (your claim status/records) or your nearest VA regional office |
| Marriage certificate | County clerk or state Vital Records office where the marriage occurred |
| Birth certificate | State or county Vital Records office where the birth occurred |
| Divorce, annulment, or death certificate | County courthouse or state Vital Records office |
| Adoption papers | The court that finalized the adoption |
| Medicare card copy | Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE |
| SSA notice of disallowance | Your local Social Security Administration office |
| School certification letter | The registrar’s office at the dependent’s school |
Print this section and check off each item as you gather it, starting with the core documents.
☐ Completed and signed VA Form 10-10d
☐ Veteran’s Social Security number and, if available, VA file number
☐ Copy of the veteran’s VA rating decision showing Permanent & Total status
☐ Marriage certificate, civil union certificate, or common-law marriage affidavit
☐ Marriage certificate
☐ Veteran’s death certificate
☐ If remarried before age 55 and that marriage ended: divorce decree, annulment decree, or death certificate
☐ Birth certificate
☐ Adoption papers (if applicable)
☐ Proof of marriage between the veteran and stepchild’s other parent (if applicable)
☐ School certification letter (if the child is 18–23 and a full-time student)
☐ Disability rating / “helpless child” letter (if the child was disabled before age 18)
☐ Child’s Social Security number
☐ VA Form 10-7959c (CHAMPVA-Other Health Insurance Certification)
☐ Copy of front and back of Medicare card, or SSA notice of disallowance
☐ Copy of front and back of any other health insurance card
☐ Copy of Medicare Part D card, if applicable
☐ All documents are copies, not originals (never mail original vital records)
☐ Every form is signed and dated
☐ Names and Social Security numbers match across every document
☐ You’ve kept a copy of the full submitted package for your own records
Apply for CHAMPVA online or mail your completed VA Form 10-10d and all supporting documents together to:
VHA Office of Community Care
CHAMPVA Eligibility
PO Box 137
Spring City, PA 19475
For general correspondence or updates to an existing application, VA uses a separate address: CHAMPVA, PO Box 500, Spring City, PA 19475.
Questions about eligibility or status? Call the CHAMPVA Help Line at 800-733-8387, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. ET. Addresses occasionally change, so confirm the one printed on your downloaded form before mailing anything.
Most delays trace back to one of these avoidable issues:
1. Missing signature or date on VA Form 10-10d.
2. Leaving off the veteran’s Social Security or VA file number, so VHA can’t match the file.
3. Skipping proof of P&T status for TDIU-based ratings.
4. Submitting documents in pieces instead of one complete package.
5. Missing Medicare documentation once a dependent turns 65.
6. Forgetting the annual school certification for dependents 18–23.
7. Mailing to an outdated address found on an old forum post — verify on VA.gov.
8. Not following up when you’re well past the typical processing window.
In November 2025, VA announced it had eliminated a backlog of more than 70,000 pending CHAMPVA applications through added staffing and process automation. New, complete applications now generally process much faster than the multi-month waits common in prior years — but your timeline still depends on completeness:
Pending well beyond a typical timeline? See Why CHAMPVA Takes So Long for common delay causes and how to escalate a stalled application.
Once approved, you’ll receive a welcome letter, a CHAMPVA ID card for each beneficiary, and access to the CHAMPVA Guidebook, which explains covered services, cost-sharing, and how to find participating providers. From there, you can schedule care with any provider willing to accept CHAMPVA — generally without a referral.
Not necessarily. The rating must be classified as Permanent & Total (P&T) — a 100% schedular rating still subject to future review doesn’t meet the requirement on its own.
You can submit your application, but VA can’t approve benefits until P&T status is confirmed in its records. Including a copy of a recent rating decision helps verify status faster.
Request a certified copy from the Vital Records office in the state or county where the marriage or birth was recorded — most allow online or mail requests, typically within a few weeks.
No. The two programs are mutually exclusive — if you’re eligible for or enrolled in TRICARE, you can’t also receive CHAMPVA benefits.
Call the CHAMPVA Help Line at 800-733-8387 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. ET) with the veteran’s Social Security number or VA file number ready.
Submit a school certification letter as soon as it’s available if your child remains a full-time student — without it, coverage for that dependent can lapse at 18.
Yes. Contact the CHAMPVA Help Line or submit updates through Ask VA to add corrected documents or information to your file.
A complete CHAMPVA application is one piece of a much bigger picture for 100% P&T veterans and their families. Explore the VA Benefits Hub for guidance on the full range of disability, dependent, and healthcare benefits tied to a Permanent & Total rating — and make sure your family is claiming everything it has earned.
The Quality Assurance (QA) team at VA Claims Insider has extensive experience researching, fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy in all produced content. The QA team consists of individuals with specialized knowledge in the VA disability claims adjudication processes, laws and regulations, and they understand the needs of our target audience. Any changes or suggestions the QA team makes are thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the content by our writers and creators.
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
At Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), understanding what drives a positive client experience helps us deliver high-quality mental health care for veterans, service members, and military families.
Measuring Client Satisfaction Through Net Promoter Score
One way we measure client satisfaction is through the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a widely used metric of client or customer loyalty across industries, including health care. It is calculated by classifying respondents into promoters, detractors, and neutrals based on their response to a single item.
CVN’s NPS survey asks clients to rate their agreement with the statement: “I would recommend CVN to a friend or family member,” on a scale from 0–10 (0 = strongly disagree, 10 = strongly agree).
What Factors Are Most Closely Linked to Client Recommendations?
We analyzed 1,574 responses from surveys collected between 2024 and 2025 to examine how different aspects of their care experience influenced client’s likelihood of recommending CVN.
Key Takeaways:
Perceived quality of care, meeting client needs, and therapeutic alliance were the strongest factors in clients’ willingness to recommend CVN, demonstrating that good clinical care matters to our clients and builds loyalty.
These factors also overlap closely with one another, suggesting that improving any one is likely to improve the others, and investing broadly in care quality and the client relationship will strengthen client satisfaction overall.
CVN network data. Findings may not be representative of other populations or care settings.
The post What Matters Most to Military-Affiliated Clients Receiving Outpatient Mental Health Care appeared first on Cohen Veterans Network.
At Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), understanding what drives a positive client experience helps us deliver high-quality mental health care for veterans, service members, and military families.
Measuring Client Satisfaction Through Net Promoter Score
One way we measure client satisfaction is through the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a widely used metric of client or customer loyalty across industries, including health care. It is calculated by classifying respondents into promoters, detractors, and neutrals based on their response to a single item.
CVN’s NPS survey asks clients to rate their agreement with the statement: “I would recommend CVN to a friend or family member,” on a scale from 0–10 (0 = strongly disagree, 10 = strongly agree).
What Factors Are Most Closely Linked to Client Recommendations?
We analyzed 1,574 responses from surveys collected between 2024 and 2025 to examine how different aspects of their care experience influenced client’s likelihood of recommending CVN.
Key Takeaways:
Perceived quality of care, meeting client needs, and therapeutic alliance were the strongest factors in clients’ willingness to recommend CVN, demonstrating that good clinical care matters to our clients and builds loyalty.
These factors also overlap closely with one another, suggesting that improving any one is likely to improve the others, and investing broadly in care quality and the client relationship will strengthen client satisfaction overall.
CVN network data. Findings may not be representative of other populations or care settings.
The post What Matters Most to Military-Affiliated Clients Receiving Outpatient Mental Health Care appeared first on Cohen Veterans Network.
At Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), understanding what drives a positive client experience helps us deliver high-quality mental health care for veterans, service members, and military families.
Measuring Client Satisfaction Through Net Promoter Score
One way we measure client satisfaction is through the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a widely used metric of client or customer loyalty across industries, including health care. It is calculated by classifying respondents into promoters, detractors, and neutrals based on their response to a single item.
CVN’s NPS survey asks clients to rate their agreement with the statement: “I would recommend CVN to a friend or family member,” on a scale from 0–10 (0 = strongly disagree, 10 = strongly agree).
What Factors Are Most Closely Linked to Client Recommendations?
We analyzed 1,574 responses from surveys collected between 2024 and 2025 to examine how different aspects of their care experience influenced client’s likelihood of recommending CVN.
Key Takeaways:
Perceived quality of care, meeting client needs, and therapeutic alliance were the strongest factors in clients’ willingness to recommend CVN, demonstrating that good clinical care matters to our clients and builds loyalty.
These factors also overlap closely with one another, suggesting that improving any one is likely to improve the others, and investing broadly in care quality and the client relationship will strengthen client satisfaction overall.
CVN network data. Findings may not be representative of other populations or care settings.
The post What Matters Most to Military-Affiliated Clients Receiving Outpatient Mental Health Care appeared first on Cohen Veterans Network.
At Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), understanding what drives a positive client experience helps us deliver high-quality mental health care for veterans, service members, and military families.
Measuring Client Satisfaction Through Net Promoter Score
One way we measure client satisfaction is through the Net Promoter Score (NPS), a widely used metric of client or customer loyalty across industries, including health care. It is calculated by classifying respondents into promoters, detractors, and neutrals based on their response to a single item.
CVN’s NPS survey asks clients to rate their agreement with the statement: “I would recommend CVN to a friend or family member,” on a scale from 0–10 (0 = strongly disagree, 10 = strongly agree).
What Factors Are Most Closely Linked to Client Recommendations?
We analyzed 1,574 responses from surveys collected between 2024 and 2025 to examine how different aspects of their care experience influenced client’s likelihood of recommending CVN.
Key Takeaways:
Perceived quality of care, meeting client needs, and therapeutic alliance were the strongest factors in clients’ willingness to recommend CVN, demonstrating that good clinical care matters to our clients and builds loyalty.
These factors also overlap closely with one another, suggesting that improving any one is likely to improve the others, and investing broadly in care quality and the client relationship will strengthen client satisfaction overall.
CVN network data. Findings may not be representative of other populations or care settings.
The post What Matters Most to Military-Affiliated Clients Receiving Outpatient Mental Health Care appeared first on Cohen Veterans Network.
Every time I get bored with dinner, I make crispy chicken. Everyone in our house loves crispy chicken every single time.
And THIS CRISPY CHICKEN! I think it might be the most delicious I’ve ever made. The flavor! It is locked in thanks to the Parmesan and (don’t be mad) the mayo. One bite and I was like, yeah. There it is. That juicy, umami, crispy golden flavor.
I find the mayo coating is actually easiest to work with if you brush it on, and then just spoon the crumbles on top, so everything happens right on the sheet pan. Low lift, high reward!
The combination of the golden crispy chicken, with the creamy, luscious lemony pasta?! Get out. It was glorious. Fresh basil and lemon zest on top? Served with green beans or salad? 10/10!
All family members completely devoured this and went back for seconds on everything. Even my pickiest eater was singing the praises of the chicken. (She’s five and she decided to dip it in soy sauce? I don’t know. Kids are really something.)
Best feeling ever. Hope you guys love it!
Crispy golden parmesan chicken atop creamy, luscious, lemony pasta! This combo is everything!
Creamy Lemon Pasta:
For Garnish:
Prep Time: 20 minutesCook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Boiling, Frying
Cuisine: ItalianKeywords: lemon pasta, creamy pasta, pasta dinner, chicken cutlets, crispy chicken
The post Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Creamy Lemon Pasta appeared first on Pinch of Yum.
In the Caribbean, relaxing and beaches and swimming in surf is a trademark of any visit. And yet when calling at our favorite islands, taking a hike – which can range from strenuous activity to peaceful strolling depending on the park – is a wonderful way to commune with nature and experience a wilder side.
Did you know that rainforests abound in the region? In fact, rainforests (not to mention volcanoes) set the stage for our favorite hikes in places like Nevis, Puerto Rico, Dominica , Tobago and more.
We’ve chosen four of our favorite islands on which to hike (please share yours with us in the comments below). In every case, Windstar offers organized shore excursions and you can also customize your own experiences. Here’s our list of the best hikes we’ve tried in the region.
Rising some 3,230 feet, Nevis Peak shows little volcanic activity but offers a wonderful opportunity to see fantastic views of the island’s west coast and of nearby St. Kitts.
What you’ll see: Hikes up to Nevis Peak start from the Mountravers Estate. The 18th century, one-time sugar plantation (now a boutique hotel) is home to wild green monkeys, tree frogs, bamboo palms, and zebra butterflies, among others. Its tropical rainforest is an unexpected area of the stratovolcano and is great for chilling.
Good to know: Listed as moderate in terms of activities, this is still a steep hike, both climbing up – and coming down. Windstar’s organized shore excursion offers a well-deserved post-hike trip to Nevis’ famous Pinney’s Beach for a well-earned lunch and lounge.
In Tobago, a hike through Gilpin Trace, known as a tremendous destination for birding enthusiasts, and the oldest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. Gilpin Trace is located in the UNESCO-listed Main Ridge Forest Reserve.
What you’ll see: The white tailed sabrewing, a hummingbird, was considered extinct before the breed’s was rediscovered in 1974. There are five other species of hummingbirds in the forest. Other birds you’ll see include blue-backed manakins, white-necked jacobins, pale-vented pigeons, rufous-vented chachalacas, and fuscous flycatchers. Flora and fauna along the way is lush, as you’d expect in a rainforest.
Good to know: The hike lasts two hours and Windstar’s destination experts label it as “strenuous.” We love that the excursion also includes a drive through Tobago’s villages and towns, where guides discuss history and culture along the way.
Dominica is known as the Caribbean’s nature island and one of our favorite hikes is an easy stroll in Morne Trois Pitons National Park to see the Trafalgar Falls. There are two waterfalls; the taller one (279 feet) is dubbed Father and the shorter (131 feet) well, yes, is Mother.
What you’ll see: Think of this experience as like visiting an outdoor spa. It’s the greenest rainforest in the Caribbean, and beyond the waterfalls the region holds many enchanting possibilities, like streams, tropical flora and fauna, and birdwatching. Best of all? There are naturally hot and therapeutic sulfur water pools and cool streams where you can sit and soak.
Good to know: Wear your bathing suit underneath your hiking clothes.
El Yunque is back! After 2017’s Hurricane Maria wreaked destruction on the only tropical rainforest on U.S. land, it’s come back strong. This is a place where you can find the solitude and wildlife you’d anticipate in a tropical rainforest and also a spot where adventurous activities abound.
Discover Puerto Rico lets us know that “many believe its name comes from the Taíno word Yuke, or “white earth,” a reference to the clouds that gather around the forest’s mountainous peak; others believe it derives from Yúcahu, the Taíno deity of fertility.
What you’ll see: On the El Yunque “Eco Wonder Tour” you’ll see more than 240 species of wildlife and plants, along with streams, waterfalls, and hiking trails that range from easy to more strenuous. There are a number of panoramic vistas, as well.
Good to know: Because many Caribbean itineraries use San Juan as a port of embarkation/disembarkation, this tour is more commonly offered as a final day experience that then delivers guests to airport or post-cruise hotels.
The post The Caribbean You Haven’t Seen: Our Favorite Hikes Above the Shoreline appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.
