We boarded the Carnival Vista in Miami with an itinerary of visiting four destinations in eight days. Along the way, we passed Cuba and Haiti before reaching Grand Turk and the Dominican Republic. As we sailed into the southern Caribbean, picture-perfect beaches awaited us in the Dutch-influenced Aruba and Curacao, which sit off the coast of Venezuela.

From Miami, it’s 983 nautical miles to Aruba (or a three-hour flight). No doubt, our voyage was more luxurious than most. After all, Carnival Vista features North America’s first cruise-ship brewery—the Pilgrims may have never stopped in Plymouth if the Mayflower had an on-board brewpub.

At night, on our balcony, we felt alone in this world. It’s humbling and exhilarating to be on the sea at night, watching the horizon fade back to black. Dawn usually signaled our arrival at a new island. On those mornings, we would finalize our day’s plan over coffee and croissants on the balcony before getting off the ship.

Each island brought its own adventures. We wandered in Curacao and La Romana, and spent the day swimming in Aruba and Grand Turk. We’ve curated our favorite memories from each destination into a pictorial travel guide, which we hope inspires you to start planning your own Caribbean adventure.

Grand Turk

Activity: Snorkeling was the name of the game in Grand Turk. We booked an excursion for a multi-spot snorkel, which took us to a couple of locations off White Sands Beach. The water was warm and clear, and the reefs were alive with all kinds of marine life; we even saw our first Manta ray. One surprise highlight for me was “Splashdown Grand Turk,” a free exhibit at the port dedicated to America’s first astronauts and NASA’s connection with Turks and Caicos.

La Romana, Dominican Republic

Activity: We visited Altos de Chavón, an authentic replication of a 16th-century Mediterranean village with artists’ studios and eclectic restaurants. Overlooking the Chavón River, the village is surrounded by lush greenery and cacti as tall as trees. Wildlife and birds hang around the steep hillside and compliment the village’s amazing views.

Curacao 

Activity: Curacao was an afternoon port of call, a first for us. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well, so Beth explored Curacao on her own—swimming and café hopping into the night. The island’s Dutch architecture coupled with its gorgeous beaches made for a unique Caribbean experience, she said.

Aruba

Activity: Whenever we cruise, we like to do one all-day beach day and Aruba was it on this trip. We took the town bus from the port to Eagle Beach and spent the whole day lounging and swimming. The beach exceeded my expectations. I haven’t seen sand this sugary white since the Maldives.

Do you have a favorite photo from our Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Vista? Let us know about in the comments below. And while you are there, tell us about your next adventure!

The post Postcards from Sea: A Pictorial Voyage from Miami to Aruba first appeared on Beers and Beans.

We have sailed with Carnival several times, always on different ships, affording us a nice snapshot of its Caribbean cruises. By mixing new establishments, like the RedFrog Pub and Brewery, with popular favorites from its fleet, Carnival Vista takes the onboard bar experience to the next level. Stepping onto the cruise ship for the first time feels like arriving in a new neighborhood. Each bar has its own vibe and dedicated bartenders, encouraging exploration to find that one place (or three) on the ship where everybody knows your name.

With more than a dozen bars and lounges on the Carnival Vista, you’ll never be far from your favorite libation. These are our five favorite places to have a drink on the cruise ship.

BlueIguana Tequila Bar

A staple on every Carnival cruise ship we have been on, the BlueIguana Tequila Bar is a tiki-bar on the Lido Deck around the main pool area. When we want to try new cruise cocktails, this is where we go. Each day brings a new drink special, making it a fun way to try one of the Blue Iguana’s colorful libations. Furthermore, if you sit off to the left side of the bar, you’ll have a great ocean view from your bar stool.

Related: 26 Cocktails and Tips for Your Next Cruise

Serenity Deck

Our happy place is a half-shell cabana on the Serenity deck after a day snorkeling in Grand Turk. Add in an ice-cold craft beer and a cheeseburger and fry plate from Guy’s Burger Joint, and, well, it’s pretty much heaven. Serenity, an adult-only area on Carnival cruise ships, is always one of our favorite spots on Carnival cruise ships. It always has the best loungers, and Vista’s incarnation is the finest yet. By adding a full-size bar, realistic looking faux palm trees, and a hip electronic soundtrack to the mix, Serenity now feels like a stylish Miami rooftop lounge, without the cost, of course.

Alchemy Bar

Jersey City (think: a citrus Manhattan) and Gin and Tonic 2.0—ever heard of these cocktails before? Probably not, since Gabriel, one of the Vista’s mixologists at the Alchemy Bar, made them personally for us. After asking us a few questions about what we liked to drink, Gabriel went to work and he knocked it out of the park, so much so, that Beth said it was one of the best drinks she has had in years. In addition to improvising drinks, the Alchemy Bar also has a dedicated menu of craft cocktails that will have you coming back for more.

Havana Bar

From the moment we entered, we were hooked on the Havana Bar. It pops with color and excitement, even when the Latin quartet isn’t playing. By day, cruisers play dominos and sip Cuban coffee among its vibrant décor. Mixed-match chairs and paintings of people and scenes of Cuba are a hallmark of this intimate club. And when the band takes the stage at night, watch out, the Havana Bar becomes the hottest spot on the ship.

RedFrog Pub and Brewery

Wait, what? A brewery on a cruise ship? C’mon, you have got to be joking. Nope, we’re definitely not. As I type this, there is some seriously good beer being brewed on Carnival Vista. It’s fresh, it’s unfiltered and, best of all, it’s delicious. A first of its kind on a North American cruise ship, the RedFrog Pub and Brewery features German-made fermenters and a three-barrel glass brew house, which enables the brewing process to be viewed easily by the brewer and public. The water for the beer comes from the sea, as it’s filtered through the ship’s onboard desalination and reverse osmosis plant. Brewery tours are available and provide a fun and tasty look at the ship’s brewing process and beer styles. Complete with an island décor, table shuffleboard and foosball tables, as well as huge lanai, the RedFrog Pub and Brewery is one of the coolest additions to the Carnival fleet.

Related: Bobbing for Hops: Sharing Beers in America’s First Brewery at Sea

Bonus Spot: Beer Station

I love this concept. It’s an easy and affordable way to pair a beer with your lunch or dinner in the Lido Marketplace. With multiple beer stations around the Lido deck buffets, guests can pour their own beer (you pay by the ounce), making it the cheapest beer on the ship. The key to a solid pour is to hold your glass at an angle and don’t worry about topping off, as you’ll be paying for the overflow.

With so many bars at your disposal on the Carnival Vista, you’ll be hard-pressed not to cultivate a few favorites. So, our advice to you is to stay calm and get your bar hop on.

What’s the best bar you’ve ever experienced on a cruise? Let us know about it in the comments!

The post Our Favorite Watering Holes on the Carnival Vista first appeared on Beers and Beans.

With so many choices on board, though, it is easy to forget each port also has its own set of unique restaurants. We believe that dining in port is one of the easiest ways to connect with the local culture when visiting a new country.

Since your time is limited in port, the key to a successful food adventure starts with having it planned before disembarking. Finding the best restaurant is important, but so is knowing how to get there from the port, how long it will take, and how much the trip will cost. Complications will arise from time to time. All you can do is roll with the punches (i.e. your taxi getting a flat tire) and enjoy the ride; adversity has a way of creating the best memories.

Now, if you’re cruising to the western Caribbean, then Beth and I have you covered. We did the planning, all that’s left for you to do is get there. These are our four favorite restaurants in Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico and Belize.

Pork Pit – Montego Bay, Jamaica

Jerk chicken is a staple in Jamaica, like the way cheeseburgers are in America. So, there are no shortage of roadside barbecue stands in Montego Bay. However, only a few can be local favorites, and the Pork Pit is at the top of the list. A group of us had some time to kill after our ATV excursion, so we decided to grab a taxi to a nearby beach. Along the way, someone mentioned jerk chicken, and the driver said she knew just the place. Inexpensive and authentic, the popular jerk stand features large portions of pork, chicken and ribs, as well as delicious sides, including sweet potatoes, plantains and corn.

Getting there

Catch a cab at the cruise terminal. Pair up with other riders if possible to save on the fare. We were with two other couples and the rate was $15 per couple. My recommendation would be to make the Pork Pit a stop on your way to somewhere else, say the Hip Strip. Keep in mind traffic can be heavy between the terminal and restaurant so give yourself at least one hour to get there and back.

Beacher’s Bar and Grill – West Bay Beach, Roatan, Honduras

By the time we got to West End Beach, we were hungry. With no plan for a place to eat, I did a quick online search which wasn’t very helpful. Luckily, there are a few beachside restaurants. So we strolled along the sand to see what they had to offer. A few minutes later, we were sitting at Beacher’s Bar and Grill, sipping beers, and enjoying the ocean view. What drew us to Beacher’s? Its eclectic menu, which includes nachos, sushi, seafood, burgers and plantain fries. To our delight, each dish was delicious and paired perfectly with our cold beers and Roatan’s tropical breeze.

Getting there

Beacher’s Bar and Grill is in the heart of West End Beach. We booked a hop-on, hop-off bus for approximately $22/rt/pp, which gave us the option to check out West End Beach and West Bay. The tour company is affiliated with Carnival, so we could use our sail and sign cards to pay for the tickets. The stand is easy to locate – it’s in the middle of the walkway after you pass through the duty-free shop.

Rainbow Bar and Grill – Caye Caulker, Belize

The drizzle started in Belize City, but by the time we stepped off the ferry in Caye Caulker it was a full-on down pour. We hopped beneath palm trees alongside puddles on a dirt road until we came upon the colorful Rainbow Bar and Grill. A favorite among the island’s locals, the Rainbow’s lunch menu features a little something for everyone: burgers and sandwiches, vegetarian plates, and quesadillas and burritos. Taking a seat on the covered deck, we ordered drinks and food and watched as the rain danced on the turquoise water in front of us. Our time at the Rainbow Bar and Grill proved to be a perfect introduction to the tranquil nature of Caye Caulker.

Getting there

Two ferry companies run daily out of Belize City to Caye Caulker. The ferry docks are less than a 10-minute walk from the ship. We chose San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxis as their schedule was a better fit. A round trip ticket costs about $25 and each way takes 45 minutes.

Wet Wendy’s Margarita House and Restaurant – Cozumel, Mexico

Finding Wet Wendy’s Margarita House and Restaurant was like hitting a trifecta at the horse track. The food adventure featured all our favorite things: giant margaritas, tasty tacos and discovering a new Mexican town—San Miguel. When we get off the Carnival Glory in Cozumel, we had planned to make our way to San Miguel, stopping along the way for a swim in the gorgeous jewel-tone water that hugs the shoreline. Before leaving the port, we stopped by the tourist information desk and that is when we learned about Wet Wendy’s. From that moment on, we were on a mission to try the restaurant’s famous margaritas. Spoiler alert: They’re huge and super delicious. Wet Wendy’s is a small open-air affair, perfect for all those sunny Cozumel days. But don’t let its size fool you, the menu is plentiful and the food coming out of the kitchen is 100% Mexican.

Getting there

Taking a taxi is the quickest way to get to Wet Wendy’s. A one way, three-mile cab ride from the port to San Miguel is a fixed rate of $18 for up to four people. Fixed taxi rates are one of the ways Mexico is trying to make traveling around Cozumel easier for tourists. Of course, walking is always an option. You’ll find sidewalks all the way from the port to San Miguel, making it a safe choice for those who prefer to walk.

Eating local while in port is a great way to take your Caribbean cruise to the next level. Beth and I think it is one of the best and easiest ways to learn about a new culture, and we can’t recommend it enough. Think of it as an adventure in every bite, plus, sometimes just getting to the restaurant is half the fun.

Got a favorite restaurant when you’re in port? Tell us about it in the comments!

The post Best Places to Dine on Your Next Caribbean Cruise first appeared on Beers and Beans.

Colin Presby is the hardest working man in craft beer right now, and he’s just getting started.

“I want fleet brewmaster,” the 32-year-old beer professional said jokingly, during one of his several back-to-back tasting tours on board the Carnival Vista. “Brew admiral is another one; I think when we have five ships with breweries than I can become an admiral.”

A beer drinker’s brewer, Presby is North America’s first brewmaster at sea. Easy going and overflowing with beer knowledge, the Pennsylvania native sharpened his skills in some of the best breweries in the state. Paired with Carnival Cruise Lines innovative on-board brewery, Presby can offer the Vista’s guests the freshest beer of any cruise ship.

“The best way to get fresh craft beer on the ship is to make it right here,” Presby said. “Brewing on board gives us the opportunity to make good, American craft beer and give it directly to our guests.”

Built from the ground up, the Redfrog Pub and Brewery embodies the spirit of a beach town brewpub, all the way down to its laid-back tasting tours. It’s a vibrant and lively place, featuring live entertainment, table shuffleboard and foosball tables. But, for us, the coolest place in the brewpub was its lanai just off the bar, which was never short on seating or sea breezes. We’ve drank beer in a lot of brewpubs around the world, but I can honestly say chilling out on the lanai with a beer in hand and no land in sight was one of the best experiences ever.

Speaking of beer, there are currently three made on the Vista. The ever-popular ThirstyFrog Port Hoppin’ IPA is unfiltered and hoppy with hints of tropical fruit. The FriskyFrog Java Stout is dark, rich and delicious, featuring touches of roasted coffee and chocolate, while the ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat is the perfect island beer—refreshing and smooth with orange and spice notes. Additionally, Presby rotates in seasonal and semi-regular offerings—like a Pumpkin Ale and Pale Ale, respectively—into the Redfrog Pub and Brewery’s beer lineup.

However, before the ship’s beer can reach thirsty cruisers, it must first be made. And for this, Carnival installed a state-of-the-art brewing system on the Vista. Since, the pioneering ship features an on-board desalination and reverse osmosis plant, the water for the beer comes from the sea with some mineral adjustments on Presby’s end. Furthermore, the beer is brewed with heat from the Vista’s steam system.

Upon entering the Caribbean-themed brewpub, the first thing you’ll notice are the German-made fermenters and three-barrel glass brew house, a first for a United States brewery (only about 20 exist worldwide), which enables the brewing process to be viewed easily by the brewer and public. Generally, Presby makes the cruise ship’s beer in the evening, and he always encourages guest to stop by and watch him work. From start to pint glass, the brewing process takes approximately two weeks.

“You don’t buy a glass brew house to use it at 5 a.m. when no one is watching,” Presby said chuckling. I want people to see it, I want to be able to engage with guests, plus I like having live music played for me while I brew—that’s kind of cool too.”

We met up with Presby in his home away from home, The Redfrog Pub and Brewery, on our recent Caribbean cruise. At the time, he was celebrating his one year anniversary as Carnival’s first brewmaster, a journey that started last March in Italy, where the ship was built.

“It’s been fun for me as brewer,” he explained. “It’s been a wonderful life experience: seeing a lot of the world and meeting a lot of fantastic people.”

And the people have certainly showed up for the beer. On the day of our tasting tour, for example, Presby was all smiles as he explained the brewery had reached another milestone: two of its three serving tanks had been kicked in one day (it was only the second day of the cruise.)  And several days prior to that, Presby hit another one of his goals when he transferred two kegs of ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat to another Carnival ship while docked in Cozumel, Mexico.

“We get a lot of people who are craft beer fans, but we also have a lot of cruise guests who don’t have any experience with craft beer, but they’re curious and want to try it,” Presby explained, adding that he brews his beers to be flavorful yet approachable.

For all intents and purposes, Presby has got brewing on board the Carnival Vista down to a science, and that’s just not because he has a BA in mathematics with a minor in chemistry. His days are a spin cycle of tasting tours (he’s the sole guide), cleaning (he estimates 70% of his day is spent cleaning) and making beer (he brews nearly every night). But his most important role, may be that of an ambassador for American craft beer. Far more than any brewer on land, Presby has the chance to bring Carnival’s fresh, small batch beer to the world, one cruise at a time.

“It’s good craft beer outreach,” he said with a smile.

Know Before You Go

1. Tasting Tours cost $24.95 and last about an hour. In addition to the four tastings on the tour, you’ll also receive a glass and certificate of completion, which is good for one free pint in the Redfrog Pub and Brewery.

2. The lobby bar in the Atrium on the Carnival Vista will always have one of the breweries fresh beers on tap.

3. Stainless steel growlers are available in the Redfrog Pub and Brewery for $49 filled. And then refills are $17, cheaper than the cost of a pitcher of beer at the brewpub.

4. Carnival carries beer (cans and bottles) from the local craft breweries of its home ports on all its cruise ships.

5. Future Carnival ships will also feature breweries, including Carnival Horizon which will set sail in spring 2018.

The post Bobbing for Hops: Sharing Beers in America’s First Brewery at Sea first appeared on Beers and Beans.

It’s not a conscious thing, though. And by that, I mean we don’t plan our trips around swimming the way surfers do for waves. Truthfully, it’s a fact I never realized until sitting down to write this story. As I reflected on our travels, from Iceland to Italy to Greece to Baja to the Maldives, I realized swimming has been our one constant activity.

During the last few years, we’ve traveled closer to home, because we wanted to be near loved ones. Fortunately, we got to explore the western Caribbean aboard two Carnival cruise ships. We went to the islands to swim and that’s exactly what we did.

Along the way, we discovered so many refreshing swimming holes, some on our own and others via excursions. These are our five favorite places to swim in the western Caribbean.

West Bay Beach – Roatán, Honduras

It doesn’t really get any prettier than West Bay Beach in Roatan. Honduras’ Bay Islands have been luring divers for years, and after our visit, I can see why. Flush with flora and fauna, sugar white sand and jewel-tone water, West Bay Beach is pure paradise. We didn’t have a lot of time, but we made the most of it. Locals sell beer and rent snorkel gear on the beach, making for a cheap and easy beach outing. And the water is exactly what you would expect: Perfect.

Cheeseburger Reef – Grand Cayman

Diving is something that’s been on our to-do list for so long, it’s almost embarrassing we haven’t gotten certified yet. So, when we discovered an introductory scuba excursion on our first Caribbean cruise, we signed up immediately. Really, that’s where our love of Grand Cayman started. Within an hour of getting off the ship, we were in the small lagoon outside of the dive shop preparing for our first lesson. Cheeseburger Reef is just a short swim from the lagoon. I can’t think of a better place for a first dive; the reef is vibrant and full of life.

Akumal Bay – Riviera Maya

In the Mayan language, Akumal means “land of turtles.” It’s an apt description for this secluded bay in the Riviera Maya, where sea turtles are still plentiful. We discovered the bay as part of a snorkeling excursion that left from Cozumel. With its light currents and shallow depths, Akumal Bay is one of the most accessible places on the planet to swim with these majestic marine animals. We saw several sea turtles in the hour or so while we were in the water, and I got the feeling this was the norm in the bay. It’s a surreal experience to swim alongside the turtles in their natural habit and something I think everyone should experience once in life. 

Seven Mile Beach – Grand Cayman

We love Grand Cayman. It has a familiar feel to it, kind of like a Caribbean San Diego. We discovered Seven Mile Beach after diving at Cheeseburger Reef. It is a quintessential island beach—tiki bars, white sand and warm sea water. Seven Mile is the perfect spot for a beach day. And on our return trip to Grand Cayman, that’s exactly what we did. We spread out our blanket on the sand, grabbed some food and local craft beers from Calico Jack’s, and spent the day playing in the warm Caribbean sun.

Dos Ojos Cenote – Riviera Maya

I learned of cenotes (pronounced cey-No-tays) from Bethany after she returned from her first trip to Riviera Maya in 2011. Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula has nearly 7,000 of these underground caverns. Cenotes are formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, which often expose turquois pools of crystal clear water. Some are simple swimming holes, while others are part of a huge underground river system. Dos Ojos (Spanish for two eyes) is a system of underground caverns connected by two caves. It is a diver’s paradise and a great cenote for swimming too. We visited Dos Ojos before Akumal Bay and had a fantastic time snorkeling in the two different caves. The water is exceptionally clear and refreshing. When it comes to swimming holes, it doesn’t get any better than cenotes.

Do you have a favorite swimming hole or beach? Let us know about it in the comments below!

The post Our Favorite Swimming Holes in the Caribbean first appeared on Beers and Beans.

Right before my birthday we got slammed by a savage Nor’easter, receiving 18 inches of snow in several hours. Then another storm hit on the morning of my birthday, leaving me with no choice but to declare Feb. 12, 2017 a snow day.

“Since we can’t leave, what do you want to do for your birthday?” Beth asked.

“Boat drinks!” I declared.

Opening the pantry, though, I discovered our provisions were light. I surveyed the labels and hit upon an idea: Let’s recreate a few of my favorite cocktails from our recent Caribbean cruises. And to make it even more festive—this is a snow day birthday, mind you—we went one step further by recreating not just the cocktail itself, but also the scene from the cruise in which I was drinking it.

So, without further ado, I’d like to welcome you all aboard our cruise staycation aka my 39^th birthday. Cups Up!

Bloody Maria

Without a doubt, the Bloody Maria is my favorite morning cocktail. I love the way the tequila plays with the spice and tomato. I fell for it on our first Caribbean cruise and haven’t gone back to vodka since.

Beth mixed up my birthday Bloody Maria and nailed it. Garnishes were piled high and the spice was just right. Then the giant breakfast sandwich and fresh donuts made an appearance. It is the closest I’ve ever got to Carnival’s Sea Day Brunch on land, and it’s now the standard by which I’ll judge all future birthday breakfasts.

Ingredients
2 oz. tequila
1 tsp. horseradish
3 dashes Tabasco sauce
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Dash of lime juice
3 dashes celery salt
3 dashes pepper
Tomato Juice
Celery stalk/Lemon/Olives/ for garnish

How to make it
Pour all ingredients except the tomato juice into a chilled glass filled with ice cubes. Top with tomato juice and mix well by rolling back and forth from one glass to another (or stir well). Garnish with olives, lemon wedge and celery stalks.

Cayman Lemonade

Calico Jacks, a tiki bar on 7-mile beach in Grand Cayman, gave birth to this refreshing cocktail. We mixed one up at home before our first western Caribbean cruise—never thinking we would step into the actual Calico Jacks bar – only to find ourselves there after our first SCUBA lesson. I ordered a Cayman Lemonade to go and we grabbed a spot on the powder white sand just off from the bar.

Fast forward to my birthday. Laying in the snow drinking a Cayman Lemonade as flurries fell in the silver dusk made for a fun juxtaposition to our days in Grand Cayman.

Ingredients
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. triple sec
1 oz. peach schnapps
Cranberry juice
Club soda or seltzer
Lemon

How to make it
First, mix the vodka, triple sec and peach schnapps in a shaker. Pour mixture over ice, add a squeeze of lemon and a splash of cranberry juice and soda, stir and enjoy.

Margarita

Air, sea or land, I am delirious for margaritas. On the rocks or frozen? It doesn’t matter. So, when it came time to recreate the photo of me in the lounger on the Carnival Dream, margarita in hand, I could not think of a better place than the lazy boy in front of a roaring fire.

Ingredients
1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
1 oz. triple sec
1.5 oz. tequila

How to make it
Place the ingredients into a shaker and fill with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime.

Blushing Mimosa

I got a pedicure on our last cruise and loved it. We popped a bottle of Champagne before going up for our spa treatment and that made it all the better. It was a real Treat Yo Self kind of day; one I often reflect on when I need to go to my happy place. So after an afternoon of playing in the cold wind and snow, it only made sense to treat myself to a delicious mimosa cocktail while bathing my frozen feet.

Ingredients
2 cups orange juice
1 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons grenadine
1 bottle of champagne or prosecco

How to make it
Stir together the OJ, pineapple juice and grenadine. Pour equal parts juice mixture and champagne into a glass.

The post 4 Cocktails to Bring Back That Cruising Feeling first appeared on Beers and Beans.

For our 2016 holiday gift guide, we are showcasing our favorite travel gifts (i.e., the one’s that we’ll be giving as gifts this year). We’re huge fans of handmade gifts, and it just so happens that travelers are making some of the coolest travel-inspired goods out there. This may not be the biggest holiday gift guide out there (in fact, it could be the smallest), but every item is sure to bring a smile to the adventurer in your life.

 Food Map of Italy – $24

We love our Food Map of Italy by Jodi Ettenberg of Legal Nomads. Hand-drawn by Ella Frances Sanders and oh so delicious, the print is a true celebration of Italy’s wonderful world of foods. In addition to Italy, Jodi also features several other countries in her typographic Food Map series.

Traveler Pencil 12 Pack – $15

No matter where you are, adventure awaits with this wonderful collection of travel-inspired pencils from Bridgette and Mike Salvon-Berndt at Earmark Social Goods. And if it’s good vibes you seek, then the duo’s brand new Unity Pencil Pack we’ll be sure to keep you smiling from Boston to Bangkok.

Travel Between the Lines Adult Coloring Book – $10.99

Coloring books remind me a lot of traveling in the sense that some days you find yourself in between the lines on the well-worn path; Other times you find yourself outside the lines on the road less traveled. So, it goes without saying that we’re huge fans of the Travel Between the Lines coloring book series by Geoff and Katie Matthews of Wandertooth, which features 47-illustrations from 29 countries across the globe.

Speakeasy Secret Pocket Scarf – $55

Don’t you make these? Yes, we do. I know mentioning our handmade travel scarves puts me into the same category of the band who wears their own t-shirts on stage. (Joey Ramone did it.) What can I say, it’s been three years and thousands of hand-sewn scarves since we launched the Speakeasy Travel Scarf in 2013, and I’m really proud of what we have created. Our secret pocket scarves offer the most stylish way to thwart pickpockets. Mashable agrees: “These scarves are not only attractive, but they’re a clever way to keep your passport safe, and close to your heart — literally.”

Got a favorite handmade travel gift not on the list? Tell us about it in the comments!

The post The Best Little Holiday Gift Guide to Handmade Travel Goods first appeared on Beers and Beans.

I’ll likely never know why Woody was striking such a pose in the picture. But he looked like he was enjoying the festival, so I was sure we would too; after all he’s Woody freaking Harrelson.

Galway’s six-day international film festival is billed as the “film lover’s festival.” Born out of a beer tent nearly 30 years ago, the Galway Film Fleadh does what other major film festivals can’t do, which is to bring together industry professionals—actors, directors, producers, etc.— film geeks and the movie-watching public in an intimate setting.

And while the Oscar qualifying festival may not have the name recognition that festivals like Cannes and Sundance enjoy, Galway keeps ticket prices low—no seat is more than €10—to ensure its movies are accessible to everyone, something the former festivals could learn from.

We arrived in Galway a few hours before opening night. I had read Galway is a beacon of bohemia, one of Europe’s best cultural cities. But, when we arrived at our charming bed-and-breakfast, Roncalli House (Chelsea Clinton stayed here in 1997 during her visit to the city) it felt more like a quiet California suburb than a vibrant city.

I soon discovered Galway has a split personality: West of the River Corrib is residential, while east of the river is the medieval section of the city. This is where you’ll find colorfully painted pubs and cobblestone streets lined with cafes next to shops selling handcrafted Claddagh rings, Aran sweaters and second-hand books. There’s an electricity to this section, and a lot of that has to do with its large student population.

Opening Night Buzz

 The Town Hall Theatre is the cornerstone of the Galway Film Fleadh. Originally a courthouse and later a Town Hall, the 19^th century grey-stone building was converted into a cinema in the 1950s. It’s here that the mayor, film buffs, actors, directors, mingled before the world premiere of My Name Is Emily.

There was a buzz around the theater, and it centered around the film and its creator Simon Fitzmaurice, who wrote and directed My Name Is Emily while battling Motor Neuron Disease (ALS); this was the acclaimed director’s first full-length feature, he wrote a majority of it by typing on an iris-recognition screen with his eyes, after losing all physical function. Hailed as “Ireland’s most promising film-maker” by Film Ireland people could not wait to see the film, and Fitzmaurice, who was on hand for the screening and a Q&A session, did not disappoint. As one review said, My Name Is Emily is “a love letter to life.” It’s a coming of age story for a teenage girl as well as a transitional tale of the loss of a loved one. As Beth’s father used to say, “A great story will make you laugh and cry;” My Name Is Emily accomplished both.

Something for everyone

While Fitzmaurice’s masterpiece was our first film of the festival, it certainly wasn’t the last. For the next few days, we watched a couple of more feature films, including The President—a moving film by Mohsen Makhmalbaf about a dictators attempt to flee his country that has fallen into revolution—a short film series and recently recovered 8mm footage from the Aryan Islands in the 1960s

The Galway Film Fleadh attracts directors, cinematographers, actors, and artists of all ages and backgrounds, and it’s not uncommon for American actors to attend the festival. Actor John C. Reilly was in Galway in 2015 to teach that year’s Acting Masterclass and perform with his band. And that, in my opinion, is what makes the Galway Film Fleadh so special: it strives to elevate cinema through creative workshops as well as a market place for budding filmmakers to meet with industry leaders and investors. With the city’s love of all things cinema, it’s fitting that Galway is a UNESCO City of Film.

The 2017 Galway Film Fleadh will take place Tuesday, July 4 to July 9^th. For more details, visit http://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com.

Disclosure: Tourism Ireland is a Must Love Festival sponsor. They lent their support while we were in the region to cover the Galway Film Fleadh. As always, though, our thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.

The post Galway Film Fleadh: A True Film Lover’s Festival first appeared on Beers and Beans.

The cruise provided a nice refresher and reprieve from the New England winter. Our itinerary on the Carnival Glory was mix of new and familiar locales; but we ultimately chose it because it visited Roatan, Honduras, which had been on our radar for many years.

I’m happy to say Roatan was worth the wait. While we did hit some unexpectedly bad weather on our cruise, we had a blast visiting the different countries—Belize, Mexico, Honduras, and Grand Cayman—and enjoyed the many amenities the ship had to offer on sea days. The Carnival Glory is little smaller than the Carnival Dream, the last ship we experienced. However, we found the Blue Iguana Cantina and the Alchemy Bar (think: handcrafted cocktails) to be nice additions to the onboard smorgasbord of food, bars, and entertainment.

Related: 6 Things We Love About Sea Days 

Remember that New England winter I mentioned earlier? Well in fact, our winter was actually pretty mild. However, our spring has been a beast. I need sunshine and warmth, and I need them now! But at least I can bask in Beth’s photos from our cruise—I swear they’re better than a dose of Vitamin D.

So if you find yourself patiently waiting for warmer days too, then I’ve got your cure. These are our favorite images from our 2016 Carnival cruise—I hope they warm you to the core too.

If you could go to any Caribbean Island right now, which one would you choose? Tell us about it in the comments below.

The post Caribbean Playground: One Week at Sea on the Carnival Glory first appeared on Beers and Beans.

It’s a bold statement. I’m well aware of that. But, then again, Roatan—the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras—is a pretty bold place, color wise anyways.

And color is everywhere on West Bay Beach, the island’s most popular beach. Boats, blankets, restaurants, people, everything pops. Blue-greens, yellows, orange-reds are a gentle reminder you’re still in the Caribbean.

Our plan wasn’t to have a beach day in Honduras on our recent Carnival cruise. We had signed up for a beginner’s scuba diving excursion, but it got canceled at the very last second due to poor weather conditions. So we improvised. Thirty minutes later we were on a hop-on, hop-off tourist bus riding through the island’s forested interior, not really sure what we’d find.

Despite the Bay Islands being high on our places to visit, neither one of us (most likely just me) did a ton of research on the islands over the years. A number of our friends had been; they all loved it. I wrote a story about it once, interviewing said friends about their adventures in the islands, including the best things to do in Roatan.

Still, I never dug deeper, and by that I mean I never sought out pictures of Roatan or its sister Islands, Utila and Guanaja. For some destinations, I don’t like to know what it looks like before I arrive—Roatan was one of those places.

Located off the north coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands (Islas de la Bahia) are best known for their superb diving and snorkeling, as the reefs are part of the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Roatan, the largest and most developed of the islands, is no exception. “Roatan’s greatest appeal is its water, which is warm, crystal clear and home to some of the most beautiful, diverse and prolific marine life in the world,” U.S. News and World Report reported in 2013.

Despite Spanish being the official language of Honduras, Caribbean English is the primary language of the Bay Islands, as they were once part of British Isles and many of the locals, known as the Caracol people, are of European and British-Afro-Caribbean descent. Additionally, U.S. currency is also widely accepted. This fact, along with the widespread use of English, makes the islands all the more attractive to American travelers, since language and currency are usually the two biggest hurdles when traveling to a new a country.

Arriving in Mahogany Bay, Roatan, on a cruise ship like the Carnival Glory, is a real treat, as an old, rusting shipwreck breaks up the tranquility of the calm bay. Once in port, Mahogany Bay features a shopping village as well as a white sand beach resort complete with a chair lift.

Since attractions in Roatan are fairly spaced out, it’s not possible to walk to other beaches from Mahogany Bay. Instead, your best bet is the hop-on, hop-off bus, which is cheaper than using a taxi. As I said before, our scuba diving excursion got cancelled at the last minute, and as we were scrambling for something else to do, we found the stand for the tourist bus (approximately $22/rt/pp), which gave us the option to explore West End and West Bay Beach on our own. Better yet, the tour company is affiliated with Carnival, so we were able to use our sail and sign cards to pay for the tickets. The stand is easy to locate too, as it is right in the middle of the walkway after you pass through the duty free shop.

One thing to keep in mind about the tourist shuttle, and this is a biggie: If you don’t get off at West End, you can’t go back to West End on another bus from West Bay Beach. Communication was lacking about this, and we assumed (one of the biggest mistakes you can make when traveling) the buses ran in a loop between the two west side destinations. They do not. We found out the hard way. The driver stopped in West End for a few seconds, asked if anyone wanted to get off, we hesitated because we didn’t do our research, and before we could decide, the bus pulled out and headed down the road. No big deal, we thought. That is until we got to West Bay Beach and discovered the buses are on a one-way loop with the port.

Other than that the 45-minute ride to the west side of the island was pleasant and, along the way, the driver filled us in on details about the island, its people and history. And when it was time to leave West Bay Beach, the bus was on time and we got back to the ship with time to spare.

At West Bay Beach we walked the length of the beach to get a feel for the place before stopping at one of the many restaurants for lunch. We ate at Cayuco Beach Bar, where we had nachos, fried plantains, and sushi. It was a great meal and the view couldn’t be beat.

After lunch we grabbed a snorkel and fin set for $10 from a local on the beach and a couple of beers for another $5, and then made our way to the end of the beach. By this point, we didn’t have a lot of time to snorkel, but it was enough to see why people rave about the Bay Islands for diving.

Looking back on our time in Roatan, I’m glad we got to experience West Bay Beach. It lived up to the hype and then some. It’s a gorgeous beach—one the prettiest I’ve been to—and it planted the seed for our eventual return. My first choice would still be a scuba diving excursion; however, using the hop-on, hop-off bus to explore the island is solid second choice for those who prefer independent travel over group tours.

The post How We Did Roatan in 5 Hours first appeared on Beers and Beans.