FLORIDA KEYS string of small islands (Keys) stretch into the Gulf of Mexico like a necklace of uncut bejeweled stones. A fitting description considering all the Spanish and other treasures known to have sunk off the coasts of the area! The ten Keys of the string start with Key Largo, Marathon, Tavernier, Bahia Honda, Islamorada, Big Pine, Long Key, Little Torch, Grassy and Key West are interconnected by a series of bridges including the famous ‘Seven Mile Bridge’ facilitating excellent access to the mainland.

Subject to tropical storms and hurricanes, early warning centers provide residents with ample time to make preparations or leave the area to avoid damage or discomfort. Visitors are advised to spend time touring and stopping at the upper, middle and lower keys to experience all of the best on offer. Fishing, diving and jet-skiing are encouraged under controlled conditions that will ensure ecological and practical survival of the only living coral reef off the US coast, as well as licensed commercial fishing. Apart from the mainland Everglades National Park, there are ten parks and beach sites on the Keys, where boating, swimming, viewing, hiking and sometimes camping is available, from Key Largo to the end of key West.

Travelling from Miami (US 1) naturally the fist stop would be at Key Largo, a haven for fishing, ‘diving capital of the world’ with coral reef and boating, with lots of hotels, motels and resort and camping accommodation, restaurants, attractions, tours and night life.

The central Island of Marathon is known as the ‘sports fishing and water activity Mecca’ of the Keys, where you can swim with dolphins or bask on Sombrero Beach. ‘Boatels’ are a popular accommodation experience and an airport provides flights on national carriers.

Tavernier is known for its Bird Park and as a choice to stay in a ‘quiet community’ with easy access to the rest of the islands and entertainment areas.

Islamorada Island is considered the ‘Sport Fishing Capital of the World’ with almost as many boats as fish! That can guide to the big game or numerous wrecks to explore in shallow waters. Overflowing with restaurants, entertainment and nightlife, it also offers stunning sunsets off the waterfront.

Big Pine key is home to two small State Parks, where the rare White Tailed Deer roam, and the Marine Sanctuary where you can go off shore or ‘flats’ fishing and afterwards relax to some island music in a local (Tiki) Bar.

Long Key is where the State Park accommodates campers and nature lovers who like seclusion yet easy access to neighboring keys.

Little Torch Key is known for being a quiet location, close to the corals of the marine sanctuary and its exclusive, off shore, Palm Island Resort.

Grassy Key hosts the Dolphin Research Center which offers tours and swims with these delightfully friendly ‘cousins’.

Key West has a historical significance as one of the first visited by Spanish explorers and was until more recently, a staging point for travelers to and from Cuba. Writers like Hemingway lived here, and many festivals and occasions still honor his memory. After a day of rides and attractions, visitors and locals still have big fascination to visit many of his old ‘watering holes’ that lure boaters, divers, fishermen and visitors to explore the night life, musical vibrancy or watch sunsets over the island, while listening to pipers playing “Amazing Grace”, is an emotive experience not to be missed.

SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA are barrier islands off Florida coast and also the site of the ancient Calusa Indians civilization. It is speculated that this is where the explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon met his end at the hands of the warlike tribe.

Today the natives are much more friendly! Tourists are welcomed to the area’s National Wildlife Refuge which annually draws almost a million visitors. Eco-tourists bask in the Florida sun, island beaches, the Everglades jungles and waterways, swamps, exotic views and skies, recreational adventures fishing and aquatic pursuits, marine life and one of the best shell collectors sites in the world.

With both International and local Resorts and Inns on the islands, accommodation is available from Luxury to budget – if you can get in! More than a dozen Restaurants offer the freshest seafood available to tickle the taste of the most discerning of culinary fundi’s!

The great visual draws are the cream colored beaches, the azure seas and the spectacular orange sunsets. The sports fishing is legendary, the sailing and boating exhilarating and the primeval forests and waterways of the Everglades, a glimpse into natural pre-history. Awesome, don’t you think?

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Tourists today are unaware of the thousands of years of occupation by the (now extinct) Colusa Indians, except for remnants in the local museum. The largest of the “Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades”, modern tourist facilities have spread yet maintained much of the indigenous Everglades and pristine beaches.

As a consequence of the abundant natural resources, the Colusa Indians had the opportunity to develop a much greater social and political complexity and a larger population density than is typical of hunters and gatherers.

Tourists and holiday makers, the new breed of ‘Hunter – gatherers’ now explores, experience and enjoys the comfort and natural beauty that has been preserved. Magnificent beaches, high-rise apartments with stunning views, quaint inns, much to do – boating facilities to cruise, fish or visit the thousands of islands with their marine, birdlife and wildlife in the unique Everglades environment, laze away on the beach or compete on the golf course.

Tourists are entertained by events specific to the area – Arts and Crafts, Marine Festivals, Cultural Events and Annual National and State Festivals. Restaurants offer the finest of sea and other foods and night life entertainment.

If you want satisfying activity or simply rest and relaxation this jewel among the everglade islands will lure you back, again and again.

REUNION ISLAND is a French overseas Territory. East of Africa and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, it has become a favorite to travelers wanting to visit a thriving community, and a ‘volcanic hotspot’ of great natural beauty. Tourism is fast overtaking Sugar as the chief economic generator. It boasts the highest per capita income in Africa. A short hop from Mauritius it’s coming into its own as a holiday destination.

The infrastructure is good, with busses linking major settlements. Accommodation establishments and other tourist facilities abound. From the ‘cote d’azur’ like coastal resorts to the towering volcanic peaks, deep gouged valleys, this tropical paradise offers a mixture of nature and luxury, and ‘French Charm’ pertaining to the South of France.

Vulcanists and nature lovers can drive through primary forests to reach the worlds most accessible and active volcano of Mt. Piton de la Fournaise (as in furnace!) and may be rewarded by seeing the fiery red lava flow.

An International Airport near Capital of St. Denis serves overseas flights and a secondary airport at St. Pierre which accepts flights from Mauritius. The Capital is home to one of the worlds most fascinating Botanical gardens, French Renaissance architecture (outside France) an Art Gallery and Seafront Park. The yacht harbor of St. Paul is reminiscent of the Mediterranean ports clustered with leisure and sailing craft, below a charming town and miles of pristine beach.

Tromelin Island is well to the north of Mauritius and barely is worth a mention – except that it is basically an island sandbar, is also owned by France and although uninhabited has an airstrip for access by meteorologists from Reunion, to monitor and warn of approaching cyclones.

Seychelles Achipelago has become a tourist’s legend before and ever since the famous South African artist Wren Sergeant (and others) displayed his stunning Impressionist art in the early 1960’s. The islands landscapes, seascapes and its indigenous peoples featured strongly in his brilliant works. Capturing the brilliant colors in dawn and sunsets has lured many an artist and photographer since. Naturally development followed close on the heels of the first ‘adventure tourists’ and today three of the major islands have a fine infrastructure to please the most discerning of tourists.

The two groupings of islands consist of the Inner and the Outer islands.

Of the 43 Inner islands, 3 of the major destinations or stepping stones to visit the surrounds are Mahe’, Praslin and La Digue.

Mahe’ hosts an International Airport at the Capital of Victoria and a Port and the majority of the population of about 72,000 persons. The 28 x 8km island is also the transportation hub to visits elsewhere in this vast area of many smaller islands. I0 large Resort Hotels and over 65 smaller Hotels, B&B’s and Self-catering businesses provide accommodation for many thousands of monthly visitors. Other services available in the three major islands are; Boat tours & hiring’s, Dive sites, fishing for ‘Big Game’, Scenic Drives, Walks and guided tours and Horse Riding or cycling.

Praslin is about 40km2 and is renown for its UNESCO – World Heritage Site, the ‘Valle’e de Mer’ where the unique and extra large, feminine,  ‘Coco de Mer’ fruit originates, and two of the ‘Top Ten Beaches of the World’! The history of harboring 18th Century Pirates and the founder by the French, ‘Duc de Praslin’ add spice to an already exotic location. A small port and airport offer access to the surrounding archipelago. Accommodation is catered for by over 50, large and small Hotels, Guest houses and self-catering enterprises. Other attractions are Art Galleries, Specialty Shops and Museum.

La Digue has a small population of only about 2,000 on the 10km2 island. It is home to some of the rarest and indigenous birds in the world, forests and exotic flora – almonds, vanilla, takamaka and coconuts and stunning beaches, diving and snorkeling opportunities. The small harbor offers a shuttle to surrounding islets and great fishing opportunities.

Outer Islands – the 72 are widespread – as far as 1,000km from Mahe’ and consist mainly of cays and outcrops. Alphonse and Desroches are the only two offering accommodation, sailing, fishing and diving – A sailing explorers dream.

Events – The monthly calendar is full of events and competitions during the cooler months from April to November. August 2009 has the Catholic Celebrations, Boat, Sail and Wind Surfing races, and Fishing Competitions. September has the Indian Religious Celebrations and Tourism Day. October has a Diving Competition and cultural – Festival Kreal. November hosts the great Marlin Tournament. December seems slumber time. January 2010 opens with a Marathon and February with a French cultural ‘Fete’, and a Rotary Fishing Competition. April introduces the Arts Festival of local visual delights. New, May, June and July activities are still to be announced. I can’t wait to hear – as these are some of the best (cooler) months to visit.

Cyprus is a jewel in the Mediterranean Sea. As a historical ‘cross roads’ it has been overrun by invaders, defenders and settlers since time immorial. The latest flood of invaders is more benign -tourists come in their droves to experience the beauty of the Island, the seas, the historical sites and in the South, the Greek Culture and Cuisine. The disputed Turkish North has converted or demolished most of the old medieval structures and Coptic Christian Churches, and redeveloped villages.  Although cross border visits are not officially encouraged, it is possible to cross for a day visit and to find the border guards on both sides quite friendly and accommodating to tourists. (After all why not be proud of your country!).

Cyprus is famous for its Christian history pertaining to the visits by Apostles Paul and Barnabas and accompanied by Mark, who converted the then Roman Consul, thereby becoming the first country to governed by  Christian in 45 AD and leaving a strong Coptic Christian cultural heritage  still overlaying the ancient Greek and Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman occupations. Further back in time, some twelve centuries BC, is the famous ‘love cult’ of Aphrodite’s. Cypriots still consider their Island State, “The Love Island” – the ideal island for a romantic visit, weddings and honeymoons.

The capital of Nicosia (Lefkosia) despite being a ‘divided city’ between Turkish occupied north and Greek south still retains the magical Old City, museums, ancient churches and buildings that preserve the atmosphere of medieval days on the one hand and a rapidly expanding  modern European capital, business hub and cultural center, on the other.

Larnaka has the major International  Airport and secondary sea port as well as the remains of the ancient city-kingdom of Kiton, Mycenaean Greek fort, Castle, Museums and ecologically important Salt Lake- stopover for thousands if migratory birds, and delightful promenade of shady palms. Close to the north-eastern border of Turkish occupied territory lie the premier resort towns of Agia Napa and Protaras – with miles of golden sandy beaches and a paradise of safe, shallow, and crystal clear waters and  charming rural villages.

Lemesos (Limassol), “the city of merriment” derives it s sobriquet from its surrounding vineyards and famous wine festivals in September and carnival parades before Easter. As an important business and tourism center it has world class hotels and entertainment venues and many historic sites and museums to visit. (Where King Richard 1st married Berengaria of Navarre, in 1191)

Pafos on the south-western seaboard with its natural beauty, modern infrastructure and International Airport, is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. Where the cult of Aphrodite (Goddess of love) flourished and with so many ancient sites it’s included in UNESCO’s list of ‘cultural and natural treasures’ list.

The spectacular Troodos Mountains in the center of the island bulges up to 1,952 meters peaking at Mount Olympos. The area is famous for its natural beauty, vineyards; charming villages, ancient churches and ‘cool, pine scented air’ and many hiking trails.

Exploring and getting around is best done by rented car or motor cycle; – there are daily busses between major towns, rural busses connecting villages to towns and ‘urban busses’ operate in summer, in certain tourist areas, and intercity shared-taxis connecting all major towns every half hour.(Weekends and Sundays may be limited).

Virtually every city, town or village has an archaeological site, monastery, medieval churches, and museums filled with ancient artifacts and mind boggling collections, some modern and most dating back many millennia. Overshadowing all this is the main attraction of the magnificent Mediterranean climate; sunny skies, sparkling seas, natural beauty and dozens of sun soaked beaches. All this encourages water sports from swimming, fishing, diving to boating, sailing and cruising around the island. On land area plethora of touring routes, hiking and biking trail off road experience, rock climbing to light aircraft flips and naturally, golf courses and other organized sporting activities.

Of course no visitor can resist the mouth watering culinary experiences on offer and wine tastings of some of the most ancient and modern cultivars available. There are cosmopolitan foods from all over the world and then there are the special local delights from the gourmet to the plain and simply delicious fresh produce of olives, salads, cheeses, meats, citrus fruits and succulent sea foods. From the street stall and some restaurants come the local, juicy ‘gyros’, ‘souvlakia’ and ‘sheftalia’ served in hot pita bread, or the traditional feast of ‘Meze’ – a huge gastronomic experience with a huge menu of traditional foods, best shared with family and friends. For the family and kids are many entertainment Theme Parks at the major cities. Adult entertainment with nightlife from the traditional to the most modern music and live shows expected anywhere, and local festivals fill the calendar.

• Summer Festivals from June to September fill the daily calendar of events but to highlight some of the most traditionally famous are as follows;
• January 6th, Epiphany – The first major religious celebration of the year, held in all Greek Orthodox churches, throughout the island. Ceremonially on the coast – a large cross is thrown in the water, to bless it.
• Akamas Festival, early in the year – (Paphos Aphrodite Festival) – a series of musical events, from classical to jazz, with musicians in concert, from all over Europe.
• Carnival Fests take place in towns across the Island, with colorful and extravagant floats.
• Green Monday – the beginning of lent – 50 days before Easter – where popularly, families picnic in the country on meatless and dairy free, vegetables and sea foods.
• Anthestiria – Flower Festival, to celebrate the onset of spring, with lavishly flower decorated floats in some major towns and villages.
• Greek Orthodox Easter – Festivities begin Friday and enact Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, traditionally followed by a family bowl of soup at home.
• Kataklysmos – (Pentacost) ‘Festival of the Flood’ – celebrating Noah’s deliverance – with traditional dancing, games, fun and entertainment in all seaside towns.
• Shakespearean Festival – June is the time when ‘the Bards’ works are enjoyed for three consecutive days, in the ancient, outdoors theatre of Kourion, under the stars.
• Ancient Greek Drama Festivals are celebrated in July and August in Kourion, Pafos, Agai Napa, Lanaka and Paralimni.
• September in Cyprus is time for the (Lemesos) two week extravaganza Wine Festival – with every evening to enjoy music, dance, snacks and ‘barrels of free wine’!
• Pafos Aphrodite Festival –where opera is performed in the open air at the harbor.
• Kypria International Festivals – from September to November and are major cultural events of music, dance, drama and art, held in all the major towns.
• Christmas and New Year – like elsewhere in the world, is celebrated in style, with church services, lavish meals, presents and all night New Year celebrations.

To corrupt a phrase, “So much to do, so little time” sums up a visit to Cyprus, an ‘Everlasting Island’.