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  • Billy Ivy
    Billy Ivy    Premium Member   Group moderator   Ambassador
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    Living It Up In Belize
    Booking a vacation can often become the most stressful part of the trip, especially when you and your travel mate have differing ideas of what makes a good getaway. You like spelunking and tracking giant lizards, they like frou frou accommodations and foot massages... Why isn't there a place that can cater to both travel personalities? There is -- Belize. And creating a unique and incredible getaway that encompasses the best of luxury and the most exciting of adventures is as easy as reciting your ABC's.

    A stretch of island so small and delicate that locals get around in golf carts, Ambergris Caye is the perfect spot for those who are on the hunt for the kind of relaxation that only comes with powdery white sand and crystal clear aqua water. With a collection of incredible hotels and fantastic restaurants, even the most discerning traveler will leave with a smile on their face.

    It's like a potato, only better. The breadfruit comes in season toward the fall and features a deliciously starchy texture that's unlike anything you've ever tasted. Have Sharon at Hamanasi fry some up for you, and make sure you get a side of garlic sauce for dipping.

    Deep in the jungles of Belize lies one of the most fabulous experiences you'll have on your trip. Part exhilarating and part relaxing -- and yes, I realize that's an oxy moron -- cave tubing is an adventure unlike any other. Grab an inner tube and prepare to go for a bit of a hike before you slip into the lazy river waters, which gently guide you through spacious caves featuring gorgeous rock work and even a surprise or two.

    Located just a short boat ride away from the Radisson in Belize City, Hugh Parkey's Dolphin Experience is truly one of a kind. Learn the ins and outs of dolphin life with a knowledgeable guide before getting in the water with a skilled trainer, who shows you all the clever tricks a dolphin can do. Plus, you'll even get to cradle one and get a porpoise kiss captured on camera for the ultimate souvenir!

    Elvi's Kitchen: This little Ambergris Caye eatery has been owned and operated by Ms. Elvi since 1974, and has survived many a hurricane to continue to bring patrons some of the best seafood on the island. The coconut shrimp starter isn't the deep-fried concoction you're used to -- instead, expect fresh and juicy shrimp in rich coconut milk. Chase it with Elvi's Scallops grilled with garlic butter, and you're halfway to heaven. Sandy floors and a thatched roof complete your island dining experience.

    Belize features some of the freshest produce around, meaning everywhere you eat will offer freshly squeezed juices -- try a watermelon lime blend -- and chunks of mango, pineapple and watermelon for breakfast.

    If luxury is your aim, this is the spot for you. Grand Colony at Ambergris Caye's Banyan Bay feature top of the line two and three-bedroom condos with rich hardwood floors, fully functional granite and stainless steel kitchens, big screen TVs and Jacuzzi tubs, not to mention master bedrooms with a bed the size of a football field. Most of the units overlook the sea, making your balcony the perfect spot for a nightcap.

    Hamanasi , Combining the best of the jungle and beach atmospheres, Hamanasi will definitely make you feel like you're on vacation. You have the option of choosing a beach-facing room or the incredibly unique tree houses for $375 a night in high season. The tree houses are set back from the hubbub, making it perfect for those on a honeymoon -- especially because there aren't any phones, alarm clocks or televisions to distract you!

    If you find it hard to leave your corporate life behind, some hotels offer Internet for your convenience... but do you really want to log on to a net meeting when you could be soaking up the sun?

    Deep in the jungle lies Jaguar Paw, a unique 16-room escape from the everyday that offers you the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature. Booking a room at Jaguar Paw means you're at ground zero for cave tubing, within a short distance of the incredible Belize Zoo, and close to Mayan sites like Xunantunich. And if you're really up for an adrenaline-fused adventure, try repelling, rock climbing or take a jungle walk.

    What's a proper vacation without a spa treatment? Make sure you book some time at Matachica's Jade Spa, where skilled massage therapists know exactly what to do to melt your cares away. Sign up for the 90-minute Therapeutic to really get rid of that stress.

    It's fresh, it's plentiful, it's delicious. Have it as much as possible while you're there. If you're a serious lobster fan, visit Belize Jun. 14-21 for their annual lobster-fest. During this week-long celebration of the beginning of lobster season, watch local fishermen compete to see who brings in the most catch! The best part? Local restaurants cook up lobster feasts more ways than you could possibly imagine!

    Few hotels can match the magic of the Matachica Resort. Located on Ambergris Caye, Matachica features bungalows, villas and mansions for those looking for the ultimate escape. A beachfront bungalow starts at $395 per night during the high season, while the 3,000 square foot beach mansion will put a $1,045 a night dent in your wallet. But when you relax in their harem-like commons area and dine at their fantastically fresh restaurant, you'll agree it's money well spent.

    Belize gives you the best of so many worlds -- jungle and beach, sea creatures and birds, waterfalls and cliff sides... how will you decide? You don't have to -- it's easy to see and do it all.

    Rest assured: there will be bugs. Your best defense? Deep Woods Off seems to do the trick, but if you wind up bitten, ask Stephanie at Hamanasi to make you her special ginger-and-alcohol potion to help take the itch away. (And no, you don't drink it -- it's topical only! Although a drinkable version might be a good antidote, too...)

    While Portofino is a full-service resort with treetop suites and beachfront cabanas, their restaurant is worth the price of admission alone. Feast on a combination of lobster, fish fillet, shrimp and scallops delicately sautéed with garlic butter sauce. You almost don't need the sides, especially when there's a dessert like Completely Cacao -- a chocolate fudge cake on a bed of chocolate glace laced with crème de cacao.

    Quiet: There's lots of it. And peace, too. Enjoy quiet beaches and the relaxed, slow pace of island living. And if you're looking for a place to really get away from it all, visit the sleepy Caye Caulker. This spot is known for it's friendly locals and rich Mestizo and Creole culture.

    Whether you start or end your trip in Belize City, the Radisson is the place to stay. Their helpful and friendly staff are a pleasure to work with, whether they are booking a local tour or freshening up your umbrella drink. Ask for a room in the tower if you want the best unobstructed view of the water, and make sure to have dinner at the Stone Grill, where you can cook your own supper right at your table.

    Shark Ray Alley: Sign up for a snorkeling tour from Grand Colony and you're in for a treat. After doing a warm-up around a local reef, your guide will take you to Shark Ray Alley, where all the nurse sharks and rays hang out looking for food. But don't worry -- you won't get eaten. In fact, the rays are so tame that the guide wore one as a hat! Now that's a memory to last a lifetime.

    When doing inter-island travel, Tropic Air is the easiest way to go. Sure, you could drive for hours from Dangriga to Belize City, which is great if you're into road trip sight seeing. But if you want to get there fast and maximize your time, an inexpensive 15 minute flight will do you wonders.

    Belize is filled with incredible jewelry, arts and crafts for you to take home as a reminder of the time you spent there. Gorgeous sarongs and intricate necklace designs are skillfully created with a passion that shines through the finished product. Make sure you bring an extra bag to load up.

    From the color of the water to the color of the sky, vibrant is the best way to describe what you'll see... and what you'll feel after a week in Belize.

    Sure, you could go with the usual and order up some shiraz or chardonnay, but why not take a walk on the wild side and try some native Belizean cashew, pineapple or blackberry wine? And take some home so you can relive your island adventure at home!

    Xunantunich: The Mayan civilization reached its peak in 800 AD, and while there's still many unanswered questions about what happened to the Mayan people, their majestic sculptures and buildings remain. One such site is Xunantunich, which is believed to have been a regional center of the Mayans. Visiting the site is awe-inspiring, but scaling its largest structure will leave you breathless... and not just because of how many stairs you'll climb! The view at the top is simply amazing.

    Visiting Belize on your own is great, but hiring a touring company like Yute to take you around just enriches the experience. For a truly memorable visit to Xunantunich, ask for Eduardo to be your guide. He's incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the site -- not just because he grew up near it, but also because he worked on the excavation team that uncovered it! Eduardo and Yute know their way around the jungles like no other.

    Imagine laying in a hammock on the beach, enjoying the ocean breeze after a full day of exploring all Belize has to offer...nap time? I'd say so! No matter what your activity or luxury, you'll sleep like a baby in Belize -- guaranteed.