Enjoy this breathetaking View of Prince Rupert Bay, the city of Portsmouth (right) and Douglas Bay (left) taken from inner height of the Cabrits National Park.

What an amazing day this must have been!

Nowadays it becomes more and more popular to travel on board a cruise liner. And there’s no surprise, as a cruise can offer a lot of different options which are very convenient for vacationers.

The Caribbean islands are of particular interest to the holidaymakers.

Dominica is one of the most fabulous stops during the cruise. The beauty of the nature of Dominica attracts tourists who live in big cities, but it won’t also leave indifferent those, who live in the country.

In Dominica you won’t find big shops or entertainment centers. It is a place where you have a wonderful possibility to plunge into the pristine nature.

Once you’ve decided to visit Dominica, you’ll never regret it! But in order to make your travel most pleasant and enjoyable, it is necessary to check out the most important conditions of the cruise and plan it properly. First of all, a vacationer should choose the season when he or she wants to travel on board a ship to Dominica.

During the popular tourist travel season, December to April, the weather is dry, and that means that the frequent rainfalls won’t bother you much. The prices are rather high during this season, and one may want to choose summer season instead. That will be cheaper, of course, but there is the other side of the medal: hurricanes and storms, which can be not just unpleasant during the cruise, but also risky enough. That is why a vacationer must choose the season thoroughly.

The second most important point is selecting the cruise liner type: large or small. The right choice affects the options which should meet your requirements, starting with budget and ending with dress-code. You may think that large size means much space but sometimes it is not so. Very often large size means many people! For those who preserve privacy this variant won’t fit, as on large cruise liners some loud entertainment events such as singing, dancing and music performances are very common.

If you are fond of parties, this variant will suit you perfectly! Smaller liners can offer a vacationer the increased customer service and the possibility to enjoy the voyage away from noise and… other holidaymakers. Bear these tips in mind while choosing the liner, and be sure to check out all the extra-expenses, such as service or alcohol tax, which may be payable separately or included in the cruise bill. The cabin type can also influence the budget, but sometimes the cheaper ones, run of the ship cabins, may not suit you if you have special preferences while perfect cabins will let you stay away from noise, but those cost more. Considering all these facts will help you to plan the budget properly.

So, you’ve chosen the season and the liner, and now it’s just the time to think about Dominica itself, the most pleasant point, but not the easiest one. Why? Because you’ll have only one day to explore Dominica, and is it possible to see everything you want to?

Dominica is rich for its nature and can offer a tourist a wide range of unique activities. Can you imagine whales and dolphins watching? You are sure to get the fantastic impressions! Dominica is also the island of hiking and scuba diving, which give you the possibility to explore the mysterious and magnetic beauty of the primeval nature. But as you have only one day at your disposal, it’s necessary to plan everything properly. Select what you like most, but be sure that whatever you choose, you will surely get excited!

As you have noticed, the sights are rather varied, so check out whether you are totally packed for the adventures that Dominica has in store for you: sunglasses, a hat, special boots, shorts… And get ready for new impressions!

It’s no surprise that cruise travels are very popular among tourists. The liner calls on many ports and it is a great chance to explore the islands at once. Dominica is the pearl of the Caribbean and occupies an outstanding position – there a vacationer can get in touch with the magnificent purity of nature.

Too many resorts throughout the Caribbean (and world by extension) pay little attention in order to minimize its impact on the environment.

Well, if having a Newspaper recycling program or placing recycle bins in guest rooms and hotel lobby qualifies them as a green hotel.

Well, I guess every little bit counts.

But for Eco-resorts like Rosalie Bay Resort in Dominica, these half-measure methods seem merely a punchline to attract more visitors.

So how is serious is Rosalie Bay Resort is about Saving the Environment?

• 70% of the Energy use at the resort is generated from solar panels and a 225 kW wind turbine, which is the first wind turbine on Dominica and the largest in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean.
• the Owners pioneered the first sea turtle protection effort at Rosalie Bay, Dominica
• Guests can enjoy the fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables grown in the organic garden.
• From LED lights to chairs made from recycled materials to sustainably-produced cotton towels and UV-filtered natural spring water…it’s apparent that Rosalie Bay puts the environment first.

Photo: Aerial View of Rosalie Bay Resort, Dominica

It all sounds and look pretty cool, right? As a bonus,the folks at Rosalie Bay Resort are offering 33% off daily rates between now and October 31, 2012 To celebrate their first year. With the savings, the daily rates begins at US$149.00 (doesn’t include taxes or service charges) for two people – which includes daily Continental breakfast as well as yoga.

For reservations and more information, call toll-free, 1-877-732-2864 or E-mail: info[at]rosaliebay.com. You can also learn more about Rosalie Bay Resort on their website (rosaliebay.com).

Everyone of us sometimes dreams about a lovely place where he or she could escape for a couple of days and have a wonderful time, enjoying every minute of life.

We often think that such a place is fantastic. But, incredible how it may seem, such place exists! Check it out and visit the fabulous island of Dominica!

Dominica is a miraculous island in the Caribbean Sea. Maybe, its geographical location somehow determines its natural uniqueness. When a tourist arrives to Dominica, he realizes that there are so many sights to see, that he or she doesn’t know where to look first.

First of all you think, of course, about warm sandy beaches and crystal waters. It’s the most common feature of our escaping fantasies…But it still doesn’t seem to be the main reason. Of course, you have a chance to enjoy yourself lying on the beach, but bear in mind the fact that it rains there very often. The climate is rather wet. Still, it won’t interfere with your sightseeing programme… Did I say “sightseeing”? Oh, I’d rather say “adventurous programme”!

Dominica is really the island of hiking. The fabulous rainforests are mysterious and full of secrets. Don’t forget to hire a guide in order not to get lost.

The waters of Dominica represent a mighty system and can be classified into 2 types: underwater and overwater. Try a river trip along the fast-flowing streams to see the magnificent waterfalls. Explore the underwater world by means of scuba diving which is mainly liked by most tourists. And of course, other water sports are also provided: tubing, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling in the solitary mountain lakes and rivers.

Speaking about mountains, it’s necessary to say that rock climbing is also available in Dominica. But will you be so risky as to try it? It could be really thrilling and adventurous.

If you prefer more quiet and safe way of exploring the island, you have a unique chance to see mostly all types of the island’s terrain in Cabrit’s National Park, from rainforests to swamplands and volcanic sands, all these can be found walking around the Park for a few hours.

But the Boiling Lake of Dominica, the second largest of its type in the world – that is more unique that the various types of terrain! A vacationer can also have a chance to admire the bright wonderful flora of the island, which is really worth seeing. A tourist is sure to be fascinated by the rare plants and bushes.
The fauna of Dominica is as rich as the flora, but whales and dolphins are to be mentioned separately. The water trips aimed at whale and dolphins watching are highly popular. It can’t leave you untouched! This entertainment is adored by tourists.

Dominica’s nature also reveals itself in the regional cuisine. It can include fresh fish or root vegetables. But could you risk tasting the alcohol sea weed drink? You may try it, just for a thrill.

Ten reasons why Dominica’ nature is the richest in the Caribbean are not the limit. The nature always has its secrets which can be revealed rather spontaneously. Come to Dominica not once, but several times and be sure that you’ll find out new secrets each time. That is the fanciest feature of the nature of Dominica.

If you had the opportunity to drop anchor at Prince Rupert Bay, then this is an all familiar scene for you. Nostalgia anyone?

In the December 2011 issue of Travel + Leisure magazine, Caribbean expert Richard Alleman lists Rosalie Bay Resort as one of the “10 Caribbean Hideaways.”

Richard writes “Rosalie Bay Resort —the first luxury resort on the wild, pristine, and still virtually unknown island of Dominica. The pioneering resort is setting a sustainable example for those to come; it relies on solar panels and has its own wind turbine, organic gardens, and spring-fed onyx-colored swimming pool.”

T+L Insider Tip: Take a two-hour hike (organized by the hotel) on moss-covered trails to the hundred-foot-high Victoria Falls.

So if you’re one of the many winter sun-seekers but like staying at small laid-back hideaways – then pickup a copy of T+L to learn more of what impressed Richard about Rosalie Bay Resort.

Dominica is an island full of secrets and mysteries. It is well-known for its incomparable beauty of the nature, but that is not the only feature a tourist can get attracted by. If you are inquisitive enough, it will be quite interesting for you to get acquainted with the native population of Dominica – Dominica Kalinago people, formerly known as the Caribs. .

So, who are those people? One may think they’re just like other authentic tribes or settlements in the USA or in Canada, for example, but this is not true. The Kalinagos is an outstanding people, because they don’t resemble any other nation, moreover, their culture, lifestyle, traditions and beliefs are very individual.

Nowadays the Kalinago people is not very numerous – only about 3000 of them remaining. They live separately, having their own area called the Carib Territory, in their own villages. There is a Kalinago chief who represents the interests of his people. It’s quite evident, that the Kalinagos are rather all-sufficient and that means they have their own rich and full-fledged culture which has been developing for more than 5000 years and now it is still preserved by the Kalinagos with zeal.

The Kalinagos have always been a friendly people, well-known for their hospitality. They are not afraid of strangers to whom they are always ready to offer food, drink or even an excursion to the most extraordinary places of their native island. This people are peaceful, and that means that they wouldn’t try to solve the possible problems by force. It’s more of their nature to coexist with other nations in peace and honest cooperation. From the times of Columbus the Kalinagos were known to be respectful and friendly, as the great seafarer described them to be the best people he had ever met. And you can be sure that nowadays nothing has changed, and a tourist will certainly get a cordial welcome.

But such trustfulness and amicability sometimes had not a good result and the Caribs were betrayed, as well as there were lots of attempts to conquer this people. But the Caribs of Dominica are not easy to be conquered and the key to this is rather evident. They are the spirits of nature, they entirely belong to it and nature can help its children. The wood, the mountains and the rivers can sometimes protect not worse than stone walls and the innate instincts of the Caribs serve them better than a perfect battle craft. In the heart of their mother-nature they will always get the better of the situation.

The ability to protect themselves using the secrets of nature becomes apparent not only in the hostilities, but also in the sphere of healing. Any Carib will tell you a story about shamans with pleasure. The Kalinago people know everything about healing herbs, and a shaman is a “doctor”, who cures with herbs and magic. We all have the right not to believe in magic spells but the fact that herbs do possess the healing properties can’t be denied. Would be rather adventurous to try to get some decoction formula, wouldn’t it…

Well, but there’s always the reverse of the medal. There’s a certain cost at which the culture is preserved and it is rather high. There’s a modernization on Dominica which is the result of the progress like in any other country. But as the Kalinagos are not fully assimilated with the rest of the island, they have no possibility to use all the services offered. The other inhabitants have electricity and roads but the Kalinagos are deprived of this. The problem with schools stands aside because it is the most acute one – the Kalinagos often can’t get the education at school, because it is situated far away from their home and there’s simply no possibility for little children to go there… The problem can’t be ignored, to my mind. Hope the government will try to provide to the Kalinagos the right to get education.

This lot is quite authentic, with rich history, valuable culture, stable traditions. They have their own crafts and possess a gentle temper. The Dominica Kalinago people’s mode of life can serve as an example and, however that may be, their culture is a store of interesting facts and features to discover and to get closer to while visiting fabulous Dominica.

Dominica is a fantastic island, which really can be called “exotic”. But what is the reason for that?

The thing is that Dominica differs considerably from other places that holidaymakers choose for spending their vacation. Dominica can offer you its wild picturesque nature which you’ll never get tired to explore.

Some sceptics may say that nature can be an object for admiration nearly anywhere on our magnificent planet. No doubt that this is true, of course, but the nature of Dominica is so extraordinary and captivating that you may think there’s some magic.

The “magic” effect is quite simple – it just helps you to achieve harmony, to escape the city rush, to get closer to the purity of nature and to combine all this with the fascinating activities.

The tropical forests represent the bigger part of the landscape and this is the reason why hiking is so popular there. Tourist paths are really various and will surely meet the expectations of any fastidious holidaymaker as they are assigned to the levels of complexity. The wide range of plants can be seen in tropical gardens with different kinds of butterflies.

Dominica is famous for its aquatic scenery – tourists love to enjoy its rivers, boiling lakes, fast crystal streams and powerful waterfalls as well as they are fond of kayaking and sailing. Whales love this island and that attracts a lot of tourists as well. It is always a breathtaking miracle to see a whale. Get on a whale-seeing tour and you’ll surely get the chance to have a look at this imposing animal in its habitat.

Just as whales over the water, the rich fauna under the water is also available for you if you are risky enough to try scuba diving. Tourists have an opportunity to enjoy the astonishing underwater landscape: reefs and vegetation such as drift weed and other aquatic plants.

Exotic vacations in Dominica may not only become a real adventure for you, but also let you forget about your problems, getting away from the daily routine. You’ ll get the chance to dive in the wonderful atmosphere of this beautiful island!

Are you fond of yoga? If you do, you are certainly aware of all the wonder-working properties of this kind of physical training. But if you are not acquainted with the wide range of the yoga benefits, then it will be very useful and interesting for you to learn them.

First of all it’s necessary to mention that yoga can help to improve your state of health, that is to widen the range of motion, to increase flexibility by means of stretching and to assist in weight loss. Hardly can you find any contra-indication against yoga exercises, as there are many different types of yoga. That’s why your age or body constitution makes no difference. So, yoga is available for nearly everyone.

The second reason for taking up yoga exercises is the fact that it improves your well-being by reducing the stress level. Our everyday life is often full of troubles and nervousness. Sometimes that even may cause depression. It has been proved that deep breathing and meditation are helpful in reduction the fatigue level. All these factors point at the fact that yoga is effective in achieving the inner harmony.

Nowadays there are a lot of yoga classes available both in cities and in smaller towns. But that can’t be compared to the conditions for yoga exercises the exotic place can offer you. Explore the opportunities for yoga classes on Dominica– a wonderful exotic island in the Caribbean. The island will strike you by its miraculous nature which is a store of many amazing activities such as hiking, sailing, diving and, of course, yoga retreat.

Doing yoga exercises in conditions of absolute serenity will help you to achieve and maintain the peace of mind, the strength of spirit and, as a consequence, improve total well-being for a long period in advance.

Tourists from all over the world have already appreciated the fabulous effects of yoga on Dominica at its true value!

Dominica is the heart of the Caribbean islands where you can find plenty of warm sandy beaches, evergreen plants and bright colours. That is the dream of nearly every urban resident, who doesn’t have a chance to bask in the sun in a megalopolis.

That is why sometimes travellers don’t bother to make some plans for their vacation and prefer to lay on the beach, to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean and to admire the picturesque scenery of Dominica during the holiday.

Surely, it is a nice way of spending your free time, but trying to get new emotions by the options Dominica can offer you is also a great idea.

The lovely nature of Dominica will certainly conquer your heart, but there is also a wide range of interesting things you can see there. The forests and gardens are ready to open their mysteries for the travellers. Sounds attractive, doesn’t it? How about numerous full-flowing rivers and waterfalls hiding high in the mountains? It is certainly a must-see. But you can be sure that there are lots of such “must-sees” in Dominica.

For example, tropical gardens offering you a variety of plants: trees, bushes and flowers. A tourist must also visit the last native settlement of the Caribbean Indians who cultivate bread-fruit and banana trees and produce woven baskets which are purchased by most tourists as souvenirs.

Your vacations continue for some days or weeks, but you are not sure you’d manage not to miss something noteworthy. And it is always such a pity to realize you’ve missed something! You are not attracted by such a situation, do you? The best possible way out is to plan your vacation thoroughly!

Don’t hesitate to spend some hours in research for the sights you anticipate to see, for the hotels providing everything you need, for the travel agencies offering the options you’d like to have and for the activities you’d like to take up! Scuba diving, wind-surfing, fishing, sailing or overnight hiking may become your lifetime experience.

Planning you vacation will let a traveller get anything he/she wants without wasting the time. Plan your excursions and activities without forgetting to swim and to sunbathe. Don’t want to do it yourself? Use the services of travel agencies then. Travel agencies will not only help you not to miss anything important and to leave out the things you’re not interested in, but also to get some discounts for tickets and bookings.

And don’t forget one more thing that is of great importance. This is, of course, the planning of your budget. Try to get the information about prices and discounts and nothing will be able to spoil your fabulous vacation in Dominica.