DREAMWORTHY DESTINATIONS
Maldives
FUN FACT
The world’s first underwater cabinet meeting was held in the Maldives
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT
November-April
The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April, outside of the monsoon season. The climate is warm and tropical, with average highs at a consistent 84°F to 87°F year-round and average lows rarely falling below 75°F.
LANGUAGE
While Dhivehi is the national language of the Maldives, many Maldivians also speak and understand English. French, German, Russian, Italian, and Chinese are also widely used at the resorts.
CURRENCY
The Maldivian Rufiyaa is the currency of the Maldives. Although the best currency to take to the Maldives is either the Euro or the US Dollar, they are widely accepted.
KEY EXPERIENCES
-
Snorkeling
-
Stay in an Overwater Bungalow
-
Island Hopping
-
Take a Scenic Flight
-
Dhoni Sunset Cruise
REGIONAL CULINARY DELIGHTS
The cuisine of the Maldives is a mixture of dishes from neighboring regions like India and Sri Lanka. Because the Maldives is mostly water, fish is the main staple food. Coconut is also a significant part of the country's cuisine, used as milk, cooking oil, or grated on top of dishes. The traditional Maldivian cuisine is known as Dhivehi Cuisine, which offers a variety of tastes. Gulha is the national dish of the Maldives, a deep-fried pastry ball filled with smoked fish or tuna, along with desiccated coconut and onions.
OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH HINT
A lavish phenomenon takes place during late summer in the reefs of the Maldives, showcasing the transformation of bioluminescent phytoplankton into light filaments called Lingulodinium polyedrum. The ocean is filled with this bioluminescent plankton, and the movement of the ocean caused by its waves causes it to glow, making a spectacular shimmer look like the sky is full of stars.
St. Lucia
FUN FACT
Saint Lucia is one of the only countries in the world that takes its name from a woman — St. Lucy of Syracuse.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT
April – June
Peak travel season runs from December to April when the weather is dry and sunny. Traveling in late spring means fewer tourists to contend with and less chance of encountering tropical rain. As a bonus, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival takes place each May, and it’s definitely worth checking out.
LANGUAGE
English is the official language, but Saint Lucians also speak a French-Creole commonly called Patois, which is used in day-to-day affairs.
CURRENCY
The currency of Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$).
KEY EXPERIENCES
-
The Pitons
-
Pigeon Island
-
Soufrière
-
Sulphur Springs
REGIONAL CULINARY DELIGHTS
Saint Lucia cuisine is an eclectic mix of American, European, Indian and Caribbean flavors. The signature meal you should have in Saint Lucia is green figs and salt fish, the island’s national dish.
OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH HINT
Go Jungle Biking. Thanks to St. Lucia’s diverse terrain, it’s actually become a destination for serious bikers, who come to test their skills on Bike St. Lucia’s 12 miles of private trails. This is one of the best ways to get off the beaten path in St. Lucia and get deep into the rainforest.
Greece
FUN FACT
You need a natural sponge for your shower? Greece is the best place to find one. Greece is the leading producer of sea sponges.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT
April-June, September & October
Just about everyone agrees that the best time to visit is Greece is spring and early summer (mid-Apr to mid-June) or autumn (Sept to mid-Oct). This way, you'll avoid the summer high season, with its inflated prices, hordes of tourists and high temperatures (heat waves of 100°F/+40C are routine).
LANGUAGE
Greek is the official language of Greece. It is spoken by about 99.5% of the population. It is also, alongside Turkish, the official language of Cyprus. Because of the membership of Greece and Cyprus in the European Union, Greek is one of the 23 official languages of the European Union.
CURRENCY
Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro. It is important to always have some cash money in Greece and the Greek Islands. Although many hotels, restaurants, and tourist shops in Greece accept credit cards, you might encounter few studios or small shops in less-touristy islands that ask for cash.
KEY EXPERIENCES
-
Swim in Gaiola of Thassos
-
Marvel at the Santorini Sunset
-
Make Waves on Lefkada
-
Get Up Close With History at the Acropolis
-
Hike Up the Santorini Volcano
-
Visit the Red Beach
REGIONAL CULINARY DELIGHTS
The cuisine of Greece comes from Mediterranean cuisine. It is heavily influenced by Ottoman cuisine and for that reason, especially Anatolian Greek cuisines share foods such as baklava, tzatziki, gyros, moussaka, dolmades, yuvarlakia, and keftethes with the neighboring countries.
OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH HINT
Chase Waterfalls on Kythira. Kythira stands apart from the other Ionian islands, and not just geographically. This mythical home of Aphrodite is what you’d picture for the goddess of love: the island’s terrain is heavily wooded, with gorges, rugged cliffs, and romantic waterfalls. You can spend the day splashing around or explore more of Kythira’s magic.
Philippines
FUN FACT
Jollibee is considered iconic in the Philippines. Jollibee is the fast-food equivalent of McDonald’s in the Philippines, a well-known chain that is loved so much that several branches have opened up abroad.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT
November-April
The Philippines are most popular during the dry season, between November and April. At this time the country is fully accessible, including its many beautiful islands and more remote areas. Temperatures are high during March and April, so it's best to travel during the cooler months of December to February.
LANGUAGE
In the Philippines, due to a history of multiple settlements, more than 170 languages are spoken and only 2 of them are official in the country: Filipino and English.
CURRENCY
The Philippine peso, also referred to by its Filipino name piso, plural pesos; the Philippine peso (PHP) is the official currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos or sentimos in Filipino.
KEY EXPERIENCES
-
Float together on a river canyon
-
Swim with the whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu
-
Try cliff-diving at Siquijor
-
Climb and conquer Mount Pulag
-
Mingle with the locals on top of a jeepney
-
Learn to surf at Baler, Aurora
REGIONAL CULINARY DELIGHTS
Adobo is one of the most popular Filipino dishes and is considered unofficially by many as the national dish. It usually consists of pork or chicken, sometimes both, stewed or braised in a sauce usually made from vinegar, cooking oil, garlic, bay leaf, peppercorns, and soy sauce.
OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH HINT
Bantayan Island is a hidden paradise in the northernmost part of Cebu. It's known for its big beaches and peaceful atmosphere, making it a great place to relax. The island also has many different restaurants, including ones for vegetarians and vegans. If you're looking for more excitement, you can try skydiving, which is a thrilling activity for both beginners and experienced people. The staff are professional and friendly, making sure you have a great time. Soaring 3000 ft above ground gives you an amazing view of Bantayan Island. It's the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure in Cebu.
