Sandra Scott Travels

Sometimes we are very lucky when we book a hotel and that was the case with our hotel in Santo Domingo. The Hotel Atarazana is a boutique hotel that was once a private home but the best part was its location in the colonial center of Santa Domingo so it was a short walk to all the places we wanted to visit. I think it is amazing to walk the same streets walked by Christopher Columbus.

Cap-Haitien is in the northern part of Haiti near Labadee where the Royal Caribbean makes a port call. Sadly, the cruise passengers do not get to see one of the world’s most incredible forts and other interesting places nearby. They are not allowed to leave the site leased by the Royal Caribbean. About 17 miles from Cap-Haitien and five miles uphill – really uphill on a twisty-turny road – is the largest fortress in the Americas.

With Europe’s largest historical inner city, Amsterdam is easy and comfortable to explore without becoming overwhelming. Stop by the Amsterdam Tourist office to purchase your I-Amsterdam City Card. Included is a Smart Card for free public transportation, free admission to some of the most popular attractions, discounted offers on other attractions and restaurants.

When John and I were in Seoul, Korea, we took a cooking class at O’ngo Food Communications. The school was conveniently located in the center of Seoul and offered a variety of Korean cooking experiences plus several cooking tours in Seoul and other parts of Korea. I would have loved a tour that introduces people to street food. Street food is what the locals eat but, like many tourists, we are hesitant to try it – most of the time.

The Arcadin Coast north of the capital of Port-au-Prince is the most popular beach destination in Haiti. The beaches are lovely with all the fun-in-the sun activities readily available – snorkeling, fishing, jet skiing, sailing, diving, and so on. Wahoo Bay Beach is a wonderful, boutique-like, family-owned resort. We opted for a quiet room away from the pool with an incredible view of the sea.

The three-hour ride from Port-au-Prince to the southern coastal town of Jacmel was exciting as we traveled over the mountains. We stayed on the edge of Jacmel at the hillside Le Colline Enchantee hotel where we had a great cabana with an alfresco shower and our favorite amenities – air conditioning and internet access. The owners, Michele and Michel Gehy, were so welcoming and helpful.

It had been years since we stayed at an all-inclusive resort and we had forgotten what a stress-free vacation it can be. We recently spent a week at Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach near La Romana in the Dominican Republic. We picked it because it was near the Santo Domingo airport.

United Airlines had a reasonable airfare to the Dominican Republic so we decided on a two-country getaway: Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” But, where does he live? Ask anyone – young and old: “Where does Santa live?” The answer may be Alaska, New York, or Colorado and they would all be correct. I have been to several “North Poles,” but not the geographic North Pole. I’ll leave that to more intrepid explorers.

Sometimes I find it necessary to getaway but not far away – just away from my surroundings including the computer and housework. Recently, John and I did just that. We went to Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles which had been on our bucket list since they opened in 2000. It was perfect. The snowfall the night before had turned Mirbeau into a frosted Christmassy village.