Treasure Beach

Tours to Floyds Pelican Bar in Parottee Bay Jamaica

 Eco Tours in Jamaica, Places to visit in Jamaica, Things to do in Jamaica  No Responses »
Mar 282010
 

Floyds Pelican Bar in Jamaica is one of the most unique places to visit that you may ever have the pleasure to experience. The bar and restaurant are located about a mile offshore on a sand bar located in Parottee Bay on the South Coast of Jamaica inbetween Black River and Treasure Beach and it is by far the coolest place I have ever drank a Red Stripe beer.

Pelican Bar is a well weathered but remarkably stable thatch hut built in the middle of the Caribbean Sea from driftwood, palm fronds and coconut tree trunks driven down into the sand like stilts on the edge of a small reef offering some of the best snorkeling, freshest seafood and homestyle Jamaican cooking on the island. Pelican Bar is owned and operated by Floyd who decided he wanted to do something different to attract people away from the tourist traps and down to his cool spot and it worked out perfectly. Floyd gets a steady stream of visitors to his unique paradise hideaway and the tourists who end up there and the wonderful conversations had are as much fun as the sun, snorkeling and panoramic views. I read an article recently that listed Pelican Bar as one of 15 most unique places to visit but I cannot seem to find it now. I certainly agree it’s a special place.

My first trip to meet Floyd was with friends Sara and Alan on an eco tour in Jamaica which included stops for the Black River Safari and YS Falls which are always great but Pelican Bar was too cool and I go back as often as possible now. We spent a lazy afternoon snorkeling the shallow waters and laid out in the sun before we enjoyed a wicked fresh lobster dinner and one of the best views in the world. Unfortunately on this trip we did miss the great sunsets because a small rainstorm blew in but the sheer power and beauty of nature made up for things and we had an excellent time just chillin out with some cold Red Stripe beers and a spliff to make the time pass.

Not every Pelican Bar tour includes a tour to Treasure Beach but doing both is very easy and many people who visit Floyds do so on an extended boat ride from Jakes Place in Treasure Beach and select private boats will make the trip up from Black River Safari for a full day tour on the water. Every tour to Pelican Bar does include a cool boat ride and some of the most beautiful scenery in Jamaica and makes for a great way to enjoy a leisure afternoon and beautiful sunset with loved ones and friends.

If you want to visit one of the most unique places to travel or visit in Jamaica then you will certainly want to take a tour to Pelican Bar in Jamaica with us. I hope you do because I’m always ready for a trip to Floyds place. :-)

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Driving along in the mini bus on Jamaican roads

 Advertising, Jamaica, Jamaica Adventures, Jamaica Tips, Jamaica Travel, Moving to Jamaica  No Responses »
Aug 162008
 

I love driving my van around Jamaica. It’s been about 10 months now I’ve had it and we have covered many many 1000′s of kilometers and nearly the entire country thus far. We have actually circled the island and spent time in most major cities. I can drive around Mobay, Ocho Rios, Negril and Kingston with no problem mon.

We have driven the South Coast route from Negril to Kingston a few dozen times now and I feel super comfortable taking this route. We have stopped at all the major attractions as well as most of the smaller ones in the last year and visited much of the South Coast Jamaica. I especially love the Bluefields and Treasure Beach areas. Mandeville seems like a nice place to chill with some of the coolest weather on the island.

The van has been a great asset and well worth the investment. I have had to put a few bucks into it to keep it running but besides my van insurance its been pretty cheap. The van insurance policy we started with was weak and basically it covers the legal crap we need. I’m looking for some new van insurance quotes online using a new service that I found at QuoteZone.com but I will most likely be forced to stick with the crap policy I have. I say its crap because it does not cover anything more than the other person and it costs a fortune.

I’ve been lost in the van at least once on every trip we take and to be honest I’m glad it happens. Most often we end up in some rather unique and interesting situations that could only be found by getting lost in Jamaica. From 100 head of goats taking up the road or an impromptu street festival that erupts around a sound system in the town square I have been in some places and seen some things that only only me and Jah seem to truly appreciate.

I love Jamaica and my van has been a great part of the experience. If you plan on spending any more than 6 days in Jamaica bring enough money to buy a car and just sell it before you leave. You’ll appreciate having one while you’re here and it may just change your life.

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J Charles Swaby Black River Safari Boat and Eco Tours

 Birdwatching, Black River, Jamaica, Jamaica Adventures, Jamaica Cities, Jamaica Flora, Jamaica Wildlife, Pictures of Jamaica, Places to visit in Jamaica, Things to do in Jamaica  No Responses »
Feb 182008
 

The pontoon boat at j Charles Swaby Black River Safari

White Egret on Black River Safari in Jamaica

Blue Heron on Black River

No South Coast Jamaica trip is complete without at least driving through Black River and on this occasion we decided to stop and take a trip with J. Charles Swaby on his Black River Safari and Riverboat Cruise. It was an exceptionally hot day and the sun was shining as bright as ever so we decided that a ride on the boat was a great way to spend the day. We set out for Black River from Treasure Beach and arrived in the early afternoon while most of the towns people of Black River we’re off to lunch or whatever they do in the heat of the mid day sun.

This Jamaica attraction was rather slow on this day and we were able to get reservations on the very next boat leaving. We we’re glad to do so because sitting around in the sun and waiting was sucking the life out of me fast. It was really hot this day and I was hopeful that the clouds would blow over and we might end up with an overcast day because the sun was blazing. As it were I was in luck and the clouds came over us just after lunch and cooled the day off for us all. With all the shade it was still a hot sunny boat ride around a very beautiful river and wetlands area.

Jamaican Crocodile

Jamaican Crocodile sits on a log

White Egrets and Jamaica Crocodiles

I really do love the natural beauty of Jamaica and Black River is one of the highlights of any nature or eco tour of the country. The Black River is home to some of the rarest and most unique of all Jamaican wildlife and there are all sorts of animals to see on this tour. The most popular of all wildlife on the Black River tour is the Jamaican Crocodile. There are no alligators in Jamaica and the only crocodile species is the American Crocodile found all over North America. The Jamaican crocs hang out in the brackish waters of South Coast rivers and Black River is a hot spot for croc activity. You can also find manatees in the river but we did not encounter any on this trip.

The Black River is also a birdwatchers dream with dozens of birds to be seen on any given day. I’ve become much more of a birdwatcher since our return and I was glad to be able to get some pictures of birds in Jamaica on this trip. The birds here in Jamaica scare easily but the ones on the Black River tour seem to be used to the boats and noise and they allowed us to approach them rather close. It was really cool to see the Egrets hanging out with the Crocodile in the shots above. I don’t think I could have asked for a better shot from them.

The Black River Safari runs about 1 1/2 hours and costs $15 per adult and half price for children. Resident pricing is available if you present a Jamaican ID or TRN card. I suggest you bring a lunch with you as there are limited choices in the area for dining and it is a bit out of the way. Travel time from Negril is just over one hour with good traffic conditions. There is no swimming area on the Black River and lots of folks head on to YS Falls and Bamboo avenue after spending a half day on the River.

Check out over 300 more pictures from the Black River Safari in our photo gallery here

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Jakes Place in Treasure Beach

 Jamaica, Jamaica Accomodations, Jamaica Cuisine, Jamaica Travel, Pictures of Jamaica, Places to eat in Jamaica, Places to stay in Jamaica, Treasure Beach  No Responses »
Feb 162008
 

Jakes Place in Treasure Beach

The front of Jakes Place Restaurant

Jakes Restaurant in Treasure Beach Jamaica

Jakes Place Breakfast

View from behind Jakes Place and Restaurant

Jakes Place is more to Treasure Beach than another bar and hotel on the beach. Jakes Place is more like an institution with a following of not only tourists from around the world but a great mix of locals as well. Jakes is without a doubt the hottest spot in Treasure Beach with much going on from breakfast in the morning to late night parties on the beach and dancing under the star lit skies of night. The compound is pretty large actually and covers the bar, 2 restaurants and 38 cottages that were created by theatrical designer Sally Henzell nestled just off the beaches of Frenchmans Cove.
Jakes is not a cheap place to stay in Treasure Beach and the rooms here will set you back upwards of $200 per night but you’re living in the lap of luxury in one of the most attractive resorts on the South Coast of Jamaica and amongst some of the best people in the world. The rooms offer the very best in amenities including the following:
Verandas with garden views or decks over the sea
CD players and CD libraries
Architectural details include Moroccan domes and arches
In-room safes and hair dryers
No in-room telephones or TVs to provide distraction
Wireless Internet access in main areas (dinning room, poolside, lobby, bar & games room )
Most of the residents of Treasure Beach are members of a few large families in the are and most everyone knows everyone as a brother, sister or cousin of some sort. You may notice some of the people around town have a unique look to them. You will see what are known as the “Treasure Beach Reds” which are red skinned Jamaicans with freckles, blondish hair, and green eyes.
Jakes is a part of the Island Outpost network of rental properties and attractions in Jamaica and owners Sally and Jason are supporters of a variety of not for profit organizations in Jamaica as well as socially responsible community based tourism and development. They are founders of Breds.org, a non-profit association established by local community leaders with the assistance of Peace Corps Volunteers in 1998 to promote Education, Sports, Cultural Heritage, and Environmental awareness in Treasure Beach. The term “Breds”, short for Brethren, is commonly used by locals hailing each other on the local fishing beaches. They get bonus points in my book for being one of the more socially responsible companies on the island.
Jakes is not the only reason people know about Treasure Beach but it certainly is the most popular. Many of the visitors to town are drawn in by the stories of previous guests about the best Jamaica vacations they have ever taken. Jakes has been the biggest draw in Treasure Beach for many years now and no visit to town is complete without dropping in for a meal, a drink and some good conversations with folks from all over the world.

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The Jack Sprat Cafe at Jack Sprat Beach

 Jamaica, Jamaica Cuisine, Jamaica Travel, Pictures of Jamaica, Places to eat in Jamaica, Places to visit in Jamaica, Treasure Beach  No Responses »
Feb 102008
 

Entrance signage at Jack Sprat Beach and Cafe

Main entry to Jack Sprat Cafe

Main room at Jack Sprat Cafe

Jack Sprat Cafe Menu

Main dining room at Jack Sprats Cafe

Sunset at Jack Sprat Beach

The Jack Sprat Cafe on Jack Sprat Beach is an excellent place for lunch or dinner when you visit Treasure Beach. They offer good food at great prices in one of the most picturesque environments around. We arrived just before evening as the sun was setting on us and the colors of the beach and sky were simply amazing. I don’t think it comes through in web ready photos just how beautiful it really was.

The menu is pretty simple and they specialize in fish served either as brown stew, escovietch, fried, curry, steamed or grilled with bammy and your favorite cool beverage. They also offer lobster, shrimp and conch grilled, curried, garlic and creole style rounding out a nice seafood menu. The evening specials for our night there were a delicious conch soup and seapuss (octopus) served with rice and beans.

The kids were hungry so we took advantage of their lunch menu and grabbed a simple pizza and some sodas. I did order a bowl of the conch soup though as already mentioned it was delicious. They put a lot of spice and flavoring in their conch and the meat is ground fine so the flavor permeates the broth better. It was an excellent bowl of conch soup and only $150 jamaican dollars or about $2 US. The pizza set me back $600 for a large one topping cheese and the kids were pleased with it.

You can literally walk right out onto the beach from the cafe and there are showers available to cafe clients so you can spend a day at the beach and shower for the price of a great lunch. Next time I’ll try to make it for the Sunday Fish Fry held each weekend where you can eat fresh fried fish to order and watch locals play a game of dominos or bingo. They also sell Devon House “I-Scream” and lots of other snacks, cakes and treats. Jack Sprat Cafe and Beach are an excellent and affordable way to spend a day in Treasure Beach on a budget without missing out on anything.

View more pics of the sunset at Jack Sprat Beach in our photo gallery right here!

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Rental rooms at Karibu Cottage in Treasure Beach Jamaica

 Jamaica, Jamaica Accomodations, Jamaica Travel, Pictures of Jamaica, Places to stay in Jamaica, Treasure Beach  No Responses »
Feb 072008
 

Karibu Cottage II in Treasure Beach Jamaica

Main room at Karibu II

Karibu II Dining Area

View of the sea from Karibu II

Karibu Cottage in Treasure Beach Jamaica is a simple place to stay just a couple minutes walk to the beach at Frenchmans Cove but located in the hills above it all where the wind blows down from the Santa Cruz Mountains and keeps things a bit cooler than it gets right down on the beach. You can access the beach alongside Golden Sands at no charge and spend the day strolling the beaches or relaxing on the veranda out front.

Karibu is centrally located to all the Treasure Beach offers in a quiet spot away from the traffic of the main road. The property is surrounded by farmlands and the closet thing to a neighbor are goats and cattle on the adjacent lots. The property is rocky and uneven with ample parking but not much for nice walking spaces.

The rooms in Karibu are small and simple with little more than a bed, window and fan in them. Our room even lacked a dresser or any place to store clothing etc. The common or shared kitchen and bath were clean and sufficient. The shared kitchen comes with a gas stove and a small electric refrigerator and enough pots and pans to make most meals.

Karibu Cottage is a great choice for budget minded travelers looking for a quiet and inexpensive place nearby the beaches in Treasure Beach.

Click here for more pics from Karibu Cottage in Treasure Beach Jamaica.

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Seaside Accomodations at Golden Sands Resort in Treasure Beach

 Jamaica, Jamaica Accomodations, Jamaica Travel, Pictures of Jamaica, Places to stay in Jamaica, Treasure Beach  No Responses »
Feb 042008
 

Golden Sands Beach Resort

Golden Sands Beach Resort Balcony

Golden Sands Beach Resort Front Entrance

Golden Sands Beach Resort Bar

Golden Sands Beach

Although we were on a budget during our trip to Treasure Beach I did entertain other rooms to rent besides Sandy Hill or Karibu Cottage where we finally stayed. While looking around the area we were directed to the Golden Seas Guest House for access to the beach at Frenchmans Cove. We decided to take a stroll down the beach with the kids after two hours in the van so we parked on the road in front of Golden Sands. We walked alongside of Golden Sands Beach Resort on the road beside it as we made our way to the beach. The view of the area from behind the resort is superb and you have easy access to a great walk down the beach on Frenchmans Cove.

While poking around the backside and debating what to do with the rest of our afternoon I decided to look around Golden Sands guest house and inquire as to what they had available for a room and what the rates where. The Golden Sands guesthouse was booked out as well and only had one room available for us at $90 per evening for a huge three bedroom suite with a balcony overlooking the Caribbean. It was way more room than we needed and for the money I would much rather take in some activity the next day then to spend so much for a room to sleep in for the night. If we had plans to spend some time in the area and we’re looking for one nice place to stay then things may be different and I would certainly consider this place. As it was we were looking for something more budget priced and we did not need to be directly on the beach like Golden Sands beach resort is so we went with the offer Prof made us for Karibu instead.

If you are looking for a nice place to stay on the beach in Treasure Beach then consider Golden Sands Guest House.

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Affordable rooms for rent at Sandy Hill Cottage in Frenchmans Cove Treasure Beach

 Jamaica, Jamaica Accomodations, Jamaica Travel, Pictures of Jamaica, Places to stay in Jamaica, Treasure Beach  No Responses »
Feb 012008
 

Front view of Sandy Hill Cottage

Rear porch at Sandy Hill Cottage

View from Sandy Hill Cottage in Treasure Beach

I’m always looking for the cheapest way to travel in Jamaica for many reasons. Not only do I enjoy providing this information to our readers but the most obvious of course is to save money for myself and our family as we travel around Jamaica. We are certainly not wealthy people and living in Jamaica is not cheap. Traveling around Jamaica becomes considerably more expensive when you consider it’s not me alone but the wife and two young children I travel with. If it were me alone I would travel much cheaper and take full advantage of our van and tent. With kids its different and we need things like a shower, toilet and bed to really enjoy our travels. Not to say we can’t rough it in a tent or even the van for a couple days but its certainly not as enjoyable for the family as a whole. Dad always enjoys it!

Our trip to Treasure Beach was organized in a hurry and I did not put in much time for planning accommodations or a variety of activities. I was not even sure how long we would stay but we needed an affordable room for at least the first night we arrived in TB just because It had been some time since my last visit to the area and I wanted the family to enjoy things. Not knowing where to sleep would make it difficult for us to enjoy ourselves. I was hopeful I could find something like a campground when we arrived but I was never able to do so. Someone in Treasure Beach must allow tent camping but I did not find a specific place.

My favorite Jamaica travel guide suggests a visit to Sandy Hill Cottages for an inexpensive option for rooms in Treasure Beach so we decided to give it a try. We got to TB in the late afternoon and made straight for Sandy Hill which is located in Frenchmans Cove or at about the middle of what is known as Treasure Beach. It’s not on the beach but rather up the hills and above the beach on cliffs a few hundred feet above sea level. From the rear deck at Sandy Hill you can hear the sea crashing on the rocks below and watch the sun set over lush landscape and the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains before you.

Sandy Hill is owned and operated by a simple man named Prof who also runs Kirabu Cottage just next door. When we arrived at Sandy Hill with no reservations we were met by Prof who offered us a room next door at Kirabu for a discounted rate because he was full up at Sandy Hill and had no rooms available for the evening. A one night stay at Sandy Hill in the main house will set you back about $30US for the night with a shared kitchen and common area. I got a look into the rooms some people were living in and they seemed great but I took no pictures with all of their things in it. I asked about tent camping and Prof told me sure but the only space he had available was a rocky patch of dirt by the parking lot that was certainly not ready for tent sleeping.

Sandy Hill and Kirabu are just a short walk down the hill to Golden Sands Resort and free access to Frenchmans Cove and Beach. For inexpensive accommodations in Treasure Beach you can’t find much for a better deal than Sandy Hill.

View more photos in the Sandy Hill Treasure Beach Jamaica Photo gallery

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Relaxing in Treasure Beach Jamaica

 Jamaica, Jamaica Cities, Jamaica Travel, Pictures of Jamaica, Places to visit in Jamaica, Treasure Beach  No Responses »
Jan 292008
 

Great Bay Treasure Beach

Treasure Beach Fishing Boats

We needed to take a trip over to Kingston this past week and we decided to make an extended road trip out of the 250km drive. It’s been a long time since I have been to some parts of the South Coast of Jamaica and the family has never been to places like Treasure Beach so we decided this would be our first stop on the way to Kingston and the shipping ports where we needed to pick up a barrel we shipped from the States.

We got a late start in the day and arrived in the late afternoon because I chose to stop about a zillion times for pictures and stuff. The new camera is great but it can be a distraction. I took a total of 2500 photographs over our 3 day adventure. It’s super cool to have so many shots to chose from for the site now but I probably wasted an hour taking photos and messed up my schedule. Having never spent much time in Treasure Beach I was unsure where would be the best place to stay when we arrived but some quick research at TreasureBeach.net listed all the available accommodations in Treasure Beach and much more. I went on the further advice of my favorite Jamaican Travel Guide and chose Sandy Hill Cottages for our first nights visit. It’s a really nice place to stay, look for my further review later this week.

Arriving late as we did I was more focused on finding the place to stay for the night and after unloading some of our things in the room we took off for a short ride around Treasure Beach just so we could all see the place. Treasure Beach is a place for laid back relaxation and there is not much to do in the evening except have some food and drinks at your resort or one of the many small establishments in town. There are but a few larger places in town such as Jakes with more than a handful of customers on any given evening and for the most action you’ll probably spend much of your time at Jakes or Jack Sprats Beach.

Jakes Place in Treasure Beach

Jakes Place in Treasure Beach

Jakes Place Beach in Treasure Beach

Jack Sprat Beach

Front of Jack Sprat Beach Place

The Beach at Jack Sprats in Treasure Beach Jamaica

Both of these places are very nice places closer to Calabash Bay and by far the more popular spots in the Treasure Beach. Jakes Place is more the night time spot open until late every evening and Jack Sprats is more popular during the day for its wonderful beaches and free showers for restaurant clients. If you had a place to camp in the area you could bath and eat at Jack Sprats and stay in TB for as little as the cost of lunch each day. I had a hard time finding anyone interested in renting out some camping spaces and we ended up with a room for our stay in Treasure Beach.

Treasure Beach is very much a lazy fishing village with little more to do than hang on the beach or participate in the variety of watersports available. Treasure Beach is well known to offer some of the best fishing in Jamaica and many of the area residents earn a living from the nearby seas. The fishing in TB is varied and you can hire a professional charter boat from places like Jakes or you can do as most do and negotiate a day trip with a local fisherman and spend the day like so many Jamaicans do by working your butt off in the hot sun hoping to catch enough to eat for dinner for you and your family.

Treasure Beach Trap Fisherman

Many visitors to Jamaica come here to relax in the natural beauty of the island and chill on the beach with a Red Stripe or spliff in hand. If that’s what you want from a vacation in Jamaica than Treasure Beach is the place for you. Some say Treasure Beach is what Negril was about 30 years ago and it’s pretty easy to see that the lack of development and tourists has been a blessing in many ways to the people of Treasure Beach and the South Coast of Jamaica.

Treasure Beach is actually a collection of bays along the South Coast of Jamaica with the more popular being Calabash Bay. The best place for beach access seems to be the road alongside the Golden Sand Resort which provides access to the public beaches of Frenchmans Cove and makes for a great start for a leisurely stroll down the beach. If you’re not into the beach and fishing than there may well be no reason at all for you to visit Treasure Beach. If you appreciate having a gorgeous beach all to yourself than Treasure Beach Jamaica may well be the paradise for you that it is for so many others. Look for more articles on places to stay and things to do in Treasure Beach coming from us over the next week or two.

Beach at Golden Sand Resort in Treasure Beach Jamaica

Take a look at our Treasure Beach photo gallery for more pictures from our trip.

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Rough Guide to Jamaica 4th Edition – Travel Guide Review by Jamaica MAX

 Jamaica, Jamaica Tips, Jamaica Travel, Moving to Jamaica  No Responses »
Nov 012007
 

I bought The Rough Guide to Jamaica 4 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) for our planned move to Jamaica because it was the most up to date book on Jamaica travel that they had and I had a bad experience on my first trip by carrying an outdated travel guide. On my first trip here many of the locations in the guide had closed or changed hands and things were not what they were supposed to have been. I was very disappointed and made the decision my next guide on Jamaica vacations was going to be the best one available. I think I made a great choice with The Rough Guide to Jamaica 4 by Rough Guide Travel Guides. It’s been an incredibly valuable tool in my adventures and I think it will do much to help you with yours.

The Rough Guide to Jamaica 4 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)JAMAICA TRAVEL GUIDE BOOK REVIEW is perfect for just about any traveler to Jamaica, it’s a bit larger than some travel guides at 7.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches and slightly heavy for backpackers at 15 ounces shipping weight but if you have the room for an all around perfect travel guide than you must grab this one. It’s breaks the island up into easy to digest sections based on major tourist areas like Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios but it also includes very detailed information on all the places in between. Find directions to out of the way places like Treasure Beach and Port Antonio as well as Jamaican tourist favorites like YsFalls and Fern Gully and see the Real Jamaica in comfort with this trustworthy trafel guide.

I have had the book in country since June and it has carried me all over the island with accurate maps and landmarks that have been a blessing while driving around Jamaica for the first time in many cases. When I bought the van in Kingston it was 5PM in the evening when I decided to drive home to Negril and this guide helped me navigate the dark streets of Jamaica on my trip home. The book is laid out well and it’s very easy to jump through sections because of the tabbed layout and color coordinated features. Finding things like maps of downtown Kingston or how to drive to Mayfield Falls was simple with this guide and a little back up from my Garmin GPS. I’ve been busy mapping down tracks and waypoints that I need to upload and soon.

I found great places to stay like Leighton House in Kingston and super places to eat like Chelsea Jerk Center also in Kingston. I used the book to find places like Royal Palm Preserve, Mayfields Falls and Roaring Rivers and I have lots more places still to go. If you’re interested in traveling with us on our adventures then Contact Us for more details.

Rough Guide Details

* Paperback: 528 pages
* Publisher: Rough Guides; 4 edition (January 15, 2007)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1843536919
* ISBN-13: 978-1843536918
* Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches

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