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.

SNAPPED FROM OUR BALCONY

I must have a balcony cabin when I cruise. These photos will tell you why. Each one was taken from the balcony of our cabin and show why a balcony is a must-have for me when cruising. I probably could have taken the same photo from one of the outside decks of the ships, but the intimacy of being on your own balcony makes it more special to me.

Belize: Our cruise ship was tendered off the coast of Belize City. I snapped this photo of the amazing turquoise water...it really is this color.

Honduras: We had already docked in Roatan; in the early morning sunrise from our balcony, we watched Carnival Glory turn 180 degrees and back into its place in front of our cruise ship.

Bahamas: As we sailed out of Nassau harbor, from our balcony we passed the lighthouse that greets visitors to Paradise Island with Atlantis in the distance.

Virgin Islands: On our last cruise we visited Charlotte Amalie for the first time. This was the view from our balcony.

St. Lucia: We also visited here last Spring for the first time. This view of the Castries Bay was captured from our balcony.

Puerto Rico: Leaving San Juan Harbor we sailed past Castillo San Felipe del Morro which we had actually toured earlier in the day. Standing on our balcony we were given a perfect view of the entire fortress and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Barbados: Prior to departing Bridgetown we watched the Jewel of the Seas sail off to its next port. We can't wait until we are in our balcony cabin on that ship in just a few weeks!

Thank you for visiting.

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by me. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

A GREAT BREAKFAST PLACE IN SAN JUAN

I mentioned in my previous post that we chose not to eat breakfast at the hotel during our two-night, pre-cruise stay in San Juan.

During my research for our stay in San Juan I discovered Cafeteria Mallorca. Located on Calle San Francisco, we ate here both mornings for breakfast.

It got rave reviews for its food especially its namesake...the Mallorca. The reviews were correct, and the food did not disappoint. For around $20.00 we got all this:

Husband got his usual pancakes, scrambled eggs and crisp bacon. We both got freshly-squeezed orange juice (pricey, but worth the cost). And I got a egg, ham and bacon mallorca. What is a mallorca?

I describe it as a Puerto Rican panini sprinkled with powdered sugar. But it is much more than that. A mallorca is actually a crisp, buttery, sweetened bread (think brioche) that is baked in a spiral shape. Once out of the oven, it is sprinkled with copious amounts of powdered sugar. They can be eaten whole or split open and filled with egg, ham or other meats to be eaten as a meal, usually breakfast. Simply delicious. The buttery bread melts in your mouth and the powdered sugar adds an extra delight.

TIP: If the restaurant is crowded with locals, the food has to be good. 

Cafeteria Mallorca is located at 300 Calle San Francisco. 

Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner 

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

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.