A GREAT EUROPE TRIP PLANNER: Old San Juan

Showing posts with label Old San Juan. Show all posts

3.19.2016

CHRISTMAS IN THE CARIBBEAN

Traveling in early December during our most recent cruise meant it was the first time we had traveled during the Christmas holidays. It gave us the opportunity to glimpse at other countries' Christmas decorations; these decorations would be mixed among palm trees and the warm temperatures of the Caribbean.

Pre-cruise we stayed in Old San Juan for two days. Old San Juan is one of my favorites cities: its cobblestone streets and architecture remind me of Europe except with the Caribbean colors' twist.

Our hotel, El Convento, was beautiful decorated: Pots of poinsettia plants everywhere...

and a beautiful Christmas tree to greet guests...

Red and gold balls and foliage decorated two huge wreaths on the entrance gates of the governor's mansion in Old San Juan...

while golden-color burlap ribboned the trees lining the calle leading to the mansion...

Our cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas, had decorative garland lining all of the decks...

and a beautifully white-light tree standing in the atrium...

Red-ribboned wreaths greeted us on our arrival to the island of St. John...

Red-bowed trees surrounded the fountain in the middle of Independence Square in Basseterre, St. Kitts...

Christmas trees and a snowman greeted us in the Aruba cruise terminal

With one particular ornament we made sure we knew where we were...

Our first visit to Curaçao did not disappoint. From the woven twig reindeer and trees decorating the shopping area next to the Renaissance Hotel and Casino...

to the holiday decorations interspersed in Queen Wilhelmina Park...

Curaçao was beautiful.

Actually, as you can see, these decorations weren't different from anything one would see in a front yard in the U.S. However, isn't to experience different countries, islands and cultures anytime of the year is the reason one travels?

Thank you for visiting.

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by me in December, 2015. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

5.20.2015

OLD WORLD CHARM WITH A TERRACE VIEW

In the heart of Old San Juan, housed in two adjacent 19th-century buildings (the peach and blue buildings in the photo below), is the charming hotel, La Terazza. We stayed here for two nights prior to our cruise.

The hotel gives you a security code to open the front gate. Once inside, you walk down the corridor and to the right to the reception desk/bar.

All of the staff at the hotel are friendly and welcoming. Complimentary ice water or espresso is offered at the reception desk/bar.

Opposite the bar is the dining area where the breakfast is served. We did not eat breakfast at the hotel (more on that in a future post), but the hotel does serve a continental-type breakfast.

I like the mural that is painted on the wall in the dining area.

Beautiful inlaid tiles and dark wood furniture give the hotel an Old World feeling.

Our room was on the first floor, but located away from the street so noise was not a problem. The large room had a 15-foot ceiling, a king-sized bed, a beautiful dark wood armoire for storage and a clean, modern bathroom with a wonderful rain-shower showerhead. Those dark wood shutters that you see in the bathroom are also in the bedroom.

The hotel gets it name from its rooftop terrace (terazza in Spanish). The terrace gives you spectacular views of the bay, the docked cruise ships and of course, Old San Juan.

The terrace has a small infinity-edged pool so you can cool off after a long day of walking on those cobblestone streets of San Juan.

The terrace also has its own bar which is open during the afternoon and evenings.

La Terazza is the #1-ranked San Juan hotel on Tripadvisor. Click here to read the great reviews. From what we experienced during our stay, I totally agree. We will stay here again!

La Terazza is located at 262 Calle Sol. Click here for their website and to book a room of your own. NOTE: La Terazza will match any hotel's price if you are staying two or more nights in San Juan.

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by me during our visit to San Juan in April, 2015.

5.10.2015

THE CERAMIC TILES OF OLD SAN JUAN

I love Old San Juan...period. The narrow, cobblestone streets remind me of Europe with a twist: the vibrant colors of the Caribbean decorate buildings that in some cases are as old as those you find in Europe. For instance, our hotel occupies a 300-year-old building.

One of my favorite things in Old San Juan is seeing the beautiful ceramic tiles that decorate everything:

They decorate the risers on apartment building staircases:

They indicate street addresses...

Some add extra religious tiles to their addresses...

They tell you the street you are on...

They tell you the name of a restaurant...

We spent two days in San Juan prior to our cruise to the southern Caribbean. This is the first of many blog posts I will write regarding our stay in San Juan and the cruise.

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by me during our visit to San Juan in April, 2015.

1.25.2015

COLORFUL OLD SAN JUAN

As we sailed into the port of San Juan, we passed the dramatic Castillo San Felipe El Morro...my shore excursion which was a walking tour of Old San Juan included a tour of the fortress.