A sought after spot by divers worldwide, Guanaja is a secret Caribbean destination. Places to stay in Guanaja are few and far between, but those that exist are laid back and tranquil.

Because of the small and secluded nature of Guanaja, most of the resorts are miniature and family run. The white sand beaches and miles upon miles of seclusion are ideal for any traveler. Whether you are on your honeymoon or are looking for an adventuresome diving journey, the several small lodging location in Guanaja offer serene beaches and fun in the sun.

One of the most popular privately owned spots in Guanaja is The End of the World Resort. End of the World offers private tours of cascading waterfalls and snorkeling and swimming in the clear blue waters directly off the shore of the resort. It is privately owned by Captain Brian Rowland who operates the outstanding resort. Snorkeling and diving classes are available as well as nearby water sport rentals. With a capacity of only twelve guests, camaraderie is built amongst almost all visitors, yet seclusion is always just footsteps away. Accommodations include cabanas with breathtaking ocean views and completed with local island decorations and artifacts. Every cabana has a bathroom and a private deck, perfect for watching the sunrise and sunset. Rates are reasonable and the service is said to be impeccable. For more information and reservations contact The Captain at 1-941-375-0257.

Another exquisite family run hotel owned and operated by famed diver Bo Bush is the Island House. Located on the north shore, and with guest houses that can accommodate up to twelve people, the Island House also offers serenity and seclusion with some of the best diving in the western hemisphere. With roomy accommodations and private balconies with spectacular ocean views, Island House is perfect for a romantic getaway. The Island House has kayaking, snorkeling, swimming and hiking within walking distance and offers inland tours. Waterfall tours and Mayan Ruin tours are a popular destination among both locals and tourists. A bar and kitchen are available and located just off the dock for a quick jump out of the ocean and in for some food. All meals are included. Call the Island House directly at 011-504-991-0913 and ask for Bo to find out more information and make reservations.

If you are looking for a larger place to stay, yet with a still scenic and peaceful atmosphere, the Villa at Dunbar Rock offers some of the most distinguished lodging in Guanaja. The Villa’s sister resort, Nautilus Dive Resort is owned by the same family and is seconds away. Both have serve yourself bars and Caribbean views from all private balconies. The modest resort has been voted one of the top ten diving resorts in the world and lives up to the honor! Offering diving lessons, guided tours, and on land tours, both the Villa at Dunbar Rock and Nautilus Dive Resort have unsurpassed service and excellence. For reservations, call the US based number at 952-953-4124.

Whether you are looking for something away from everything, or a bit of camaraderie among fellow divers, this scuba diving water Island of Guanaja offers it all. From the End of the World Resort to renowned Villa at Dunbar Rock, you are sure to find spectacular views, prices and accommodations for your diving trip.

Read more resortspadestinations.com/resorts resort reviews at ResortSpaDestinations.com.

A small town of about 2,600 at the edge of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Campton is a great place to stay to enjoy the area’s many recreational opportunities. Just a couple of hours from Boston, Campton is a great spot to get away from the urban life for a while.

You will feel the stress and worries of your daily life lift from your mind as you leave the highway and drive onto New Hampshire’s rural back roads. The heavily forested and hilly scenery contributes to the sense of serenity that the quiet of the White Mountains provides. In spring, summer and fall, you often only hear the rustling of leaves and creaking of trees as the breezes winds its way through Campton’s woods. In the winter even the sound of wind and trees is quieted by the blanket of snow covering everything.

There are many ways to enjoy and explore the gorgeous scenery of Campton, New Hampshire. You can hike your way around the White Mountain National Forest, take in the views from the peaks of the White Mountains, drive or bike on winding, scenic roads, canoe on and swim in the Pemigewasset and Mad rivers, and fish on the many ponds in the area. Some tings you might see on your scenic drive include covered bridges, waterfalls, moose and other wildlife, and in the fall, of course, magnificent foliage.

During summer and fall, golfers will enjoy the Owl’s Nest Golf Course in Campton, and can easily reach a number of other courses in a short drive. Other White Mountains attractions are just a short distance away, including Whales Tale Water Park and Hobo Railroad scenic train rides. There is also the annual Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival in August.

Campton’s main attraction in the winter, however, is its proximity to multiple ski resorts. The closest is Waterville Valley Resort, which is right up the road from downtown Campton. Waterville Valley typically opens in November and features restaurants, condos and shops in its Village Square. In addition to Waterville’s 52 trails, 2000-foot vertical drop and 11 lifts, there are multiple terrain parks as well as a Nordic Ski Center. Waterville can accommodate skiers of all abilities.

Other nearby ski resorts include Cannon Mountain, Loon Mountain and Tenney Mountain. Campton also isn’t far from the town of Plymouth, which has restaurants, theater and a college, and the outlet shopping destination of North Conway, which also has many restaurants and nightlife.

There are very few hotels or motels in Campton since it is such a small, rural town. But that doesn’t mean there is no place to stay in Campton. There are dozens of private vacation homes for rent, as well as condos at Waterville Valley Resort. The variety of Campton vacation rental homes available will give you the option of putting yourself closest to the activities you most enjoy. Rent a condo in Waterville Valley to be close to the slopes, or rent a Campton vacation home high on a hill in the woods for a great view of northern New Hampshire.

Choose

Gatlinburg is a popular resort town in eastern Tennessee with a year-round population of 3,300. The town enjoys a great sense of history that is easily accessible to all visitors. The Ogle family built one of the first cabins in Gatlinburg in the early 1800s. The Ogle cabin still stands and is one of Gatlinburg’s main attractions.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee was originally settled in the 1790s and 1800s by South Carolinians of English, Scotch, Irish and Scotch-Irish ancestry. The earliest settlers were the Ogles, Huskeys, McCarters, Reagans, and Whaleys, who named the township White Oaks for the many white oak trees in the valley. In the following decades, many other families such as the Trenthams, Clabos, Maples, Oakleys, Ownbys, Kings, Bohannons, and Cardwells joined the Ogles in populating White Oaks.

Although originally named White Oaks, the town was later renamed to Gatlinburg – derived from a man named Radford Gatlin. Gatlin arrived in 1855 from North Carolina and opened the second store and post office in the small village. In appreciation of Gatlin’s service, and the popularity of his shop, the postmaster Richard Reagan renamed the office in his honor, and soon Gatlinburg became synonymous with the entire White Oaks surroundings.

In retrospect, it may seem surprising that White Oaks was renamed after Radford Gatlin. Although he opened a popular post office and store in the town, Gatlin was also a highly controversial figure. According to local legend, Gatlin, a supporter of the Confederacy, became embroiled in a physical dispute with Union supporters who drove him out of town and forced him to abandon his property.

Vacationers have been central to Gatlinburg’s identity for about 50 years. However, for its first 150 years, Gatlinburg was a self-contained, close-knit residential town. In the early 1900s, the local economy shifted from subsistence farming to timber. At this time, Gatlinburg’s first hotel was established to service lumber buyers traveling through the Smokey Mountains and the local economy slowly began to expand. Since its incorporation in 1945, Gatlinburg has transformed into a premier camping, tourist, and convention site.

Thousands of visitors flock to Gatlinburg year-round to enjoy the unique and beautiful views of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, established in 1934. The wooded area in and around Gatlinburg provide ample opportunity camping, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking and horse-back riding. In addition to the breathtaking natural environment, vacationers enjoy many shopping opportunities and fine dining experiences.

e-gatlinburgcabins.com Gatlinburg Cabins Info provides information on Gatlinburg cabins, Gatlinburg cabin rentals, properties for sale, weddings and related topics. Gatlinburg Cabins Info is the sister site of e-pigeonforgecabins.com Pigeon Forge Cabins Web.

A gorgeous sunset sinks into the calm blue of the ocean. Gentle waves lap against the pristine shore. Light wind rustles your hair and the hem of your lovely bride’s tropical-style gown. There’s nothing more romantic than a wedding in Barbados, and though it may look simple to execute on television and in the movies, there are a few legalities to consider.

Before you say “I do,” there are a few things you need to have in place. First, make arrangements for an authorised marriage officer, Minister of Religion, or Magistrate to perform the ceremony.

Next, you must apply for a Marriage Licence from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bridgetown. The cost for this is Bds $150 (US $75) with a Bds $25 (US $12.50) stamp.

You will need to present your passports or original (or certified copies) of both of your birth certificates, which you will need anyway to come to Barbados. If either of you were previously married and widowed, an original (or certified copy) of your marriage certificate and a death certificate of the deceased must be presented. If either of you are divorced, the original (or certified copy) of the Decree Absolute must be presented. This is done to prevent fraudulant marriage.

We suggest using the services of an experienced wedding co-ordinator to help you with all of your planning and preparations. A wedding co-ordinator who is familiar with the sometimes quirky Barbados bureaucracy and will ensure a smooth and stress free ceremony. As for the reception, you always have the option of barbadosbarbados.com Food Affairs to unsure a delicious and romantic wedding dinner.

Once these legalities are secured, you are free to enjoy your wedding and Barbados honeymoon.

Billy O’Dell, with his wife Carolyn, is the owner of barbadosbarbados.com BarbadosBarbados.com, an online concierge to Barbados. The O’Dells also own Food Affairs, a popular Bajan catering company.