5 best places to visit in the Caribbean while you study online

Completing a degree used to require laying down roots close to the classrooms of your chosen institution. But modern tech means more people are studying online in order to change careers and the flexibility means they can continue to work or travel while they complete coursework.

So if you’re planning some time on the road while you expand those little grey cells, here are the five best places to visit in the Caribbean while you study online.

1. Barbados



Barbados is home to stunning seascapes, dramatic cliffs and luscious rolling hills. And the Bajans love to party — if you’re plugging your laptop in here for a spell, you might even bump into Rihanna during a trip back to her homeland. But for something a little different, try surfing in Barbados — the island has three coasts suitable for the sport, each with plenty of wonderful waves, cool restaurants and lively bars and clubs.

2. Jamaica
 


When you’re yearning for a Caribbean location that’s full of good vibes, it’s hard to beat Jamaica. High-crime areas are best avoided, but prior planning and advice allows you to pick the right locations with confidence. Capital Kingston is party-central, with clubs, bars and cultural attractions aplenty. But parishes like Portland, St Mary and Westmoreland combine beautiful beaches with breath-taking mountains and waterfalls.

3. Cuba



Cuba and Jamaica arguably have the most valuable cultural currencies in the Caribbean — but those with a revolutionary mind-set should definitely head to the former. The iconography of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro is emblazoned across walls island-wide, so you can’t escape reminders of the coup completed in 1959. But Old Havana takes pride of place on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its Baroque architecture, large plazas and beautiful cathedrals — well worth a visit.

4. Trinidad



If you’re lucky enough to drop anchor in Trinidad in February, you’ll feel the full blast of the famous Mardi Gras in capital Port-Of-Spain — it’s famous for elaborate costumes and wild dancing to high-energy Soca music. But culture vultures can also find lots of arty activities in post-Carnival Trinidad, including the Alice Yard contemporary arts centre, the Bocas Lit Fest held in April and stilt-walking sessions at the 1000mokos project.

5. Martinique



The larger Caribbean nations are dominated by English and Spanish speakers, but the region is also home to some stunning destinations where French is the main language. Martinique might be the pick of the bunch — activities range from tree bathing in the exotic Jardin De Balata to swimming with dolphins in the island’s warm, crystal clear water. But if you really want to unwind after submitting your latest essay, head to Habitation Ceron to refresh yourself with a wide choice of delicious rums.

If you haven’t started studying yet, Anglia Ruskin University Distance Learning offers a wide choice of online degrees that can be completed from anywhere in the world.

But when you’re planning your study sabbatical, be sure to sample as many of these five best places to visit in the Caribbean as possible.

Have you visited any of these Caribbean locations? Share your reviews in the comments section.

Note: The photographs are courtesy of wikimedia commons and have been linked to their host pages.

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Guest Post: Alternative Road Travel

There are so many quick, convenient and technologically amazing ways to travel these days that it's easy to forget that we don't all have access to modern travel. In this article, we take a look at some of the most basic travel modes from around the world, and at how they differ from westernized methods. From Tuk-Tuks in Thailand to the Bamboo railway in Cambodia, we find out about how it's not just about reaching your destination, but it's how you get there too.

Our guest author usually writes for PassSmart.com, but today she's given up regular road travel to look at some alternative options in the world.

Bamboo railway
Though not strictly road travel, we had to include this on the list. When the local residents of Battambang, Cambodia, got tired of waiting for unreliable trains, they took matters into their own hands. The Bamboo railway, also known as the 'norry', is only 3m wide and is made of bamboo. The makeshift railway can accommodate 10-15 people and travels at a steady pace. It may not be the most innovative pieces of technology, and, worryingly, they have no brakes, but it does the trick, allowing locals to transport their produce to the market. Bamboo drivers know the official railway's time schedule, so when they hear one coming in the distance, they quickly dismount from the tracks by taking the bamboo carriage apart.

Coco taxi
The Cuban Coco taxi is a favorite amongst tourists visiting the Caribbean country. The rickshaw type vehicles have two seats, three wheels and a moped engine. They get their name from their coconut-shaped bodies, as 'coco' means coconut in Cuba's native language, Spanish. Coco taxis are noisy, and you may be in for a bumpy ride, but they're cheaper than regular taxis in the capital city, Havana.

Boda Boda
The Boda Boda is a bicycle taxi which comes from Africa. They first started being used around 50 years ago as a means for travel for the locals, and have since become an entrepreneurial way for locals to make money. Transforming them into taxis, they're used to transport people between villages. They've since made the progression from bicycle to motorcycle, meaning locals can treat themselves to a speedier, if a little noisier, journey.

Tuk-Tuks and Jumbos
The Tuk-Tuk is not a new phenomenon, but it is one of the most popular travel methods for people visiting Thailand. They may be cramped, but in the bustling traffic of the Thai capital, Bangkok, there's little space for a larger vehicle. They have three wheels, 2 seats and fearless drivers who will get you from A to B as quickly as possible. Jumbos can be found in Laos, and they're really just a bigger version of the Tuk-Tuk; able to seat up to six passengers. Again, they're open-air and your ride may be a little bumpy, but they'll get you to your desired destination.

Bemos
Bemos are the favored form of transport for locals in Bali, Indonesia. The open-air minibuses are small and cheap, but not particularly comfortable. The most unique aspect of a Bemo is that all of the seats have been ripped out, meaning they can fit more people in. Bemos travel on set routes like buses, so you can even take one for your airport transfer, if you're feeling brave enough. Don't be surprised if you come across livestock on a Bemo either, as all kinds of passengers are welcome!

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Choosing a Holiday

It’s that time of year again: the rain is pouring down, it’s cold and you’re in the mood to plan your next getaway. But choosing a holiday is easier said than done. Will you opt for a late deal and a quick fix, a fun-filled adventure with the family, or put some money aside for a trip to the tropics?

Whatever you fancy, there’s a world of choice to suit every taste and budget. Take the Caribbean for instance. Holidays to Cuba are simply magical - a memorable trip to a sun-drenched corner of the world that’s all breathtaking beaches, soaring mountain peaks and a laid-back way of life that’s perfectly suited to holidays. Then there’s Jamaica with its beautiful colonial forts, the lost Mayan city at Chichen Itza in Mexico, or the vibrant reefs and powder-soft sands of the Dominican Republic.

But if that all feels a bit too exotic, there are plenty of options closer to home that fit the bill perfectly.

Package holidays to Spain might not feel comparable to the Caribbean but this magical country has more than its fair share of qualities. It’s got fabulous beaches with glittering golden sands, crystal clear shores and bubbly resorts with everything from cheesy karaoke and 80s discos to Irish pubs and chic wine bars. Spain is also home to bustling Barcelona and fabulous Valencia, two prime city break territories, and the lovely Balearics - a collection of sun-drenched islands with just about everything to see and do under the sun.

Europe really does sum up the meaning of ‘diversity’. Beaches and cities aside, you’ll also find sprawling mountain ranges such as the Alps - perfect for winter fun on the slopes or summer days spent walking amongst wildflower meadows, tackling hairpin bends or gazing across spectacular scenery.

At home or away, when it comes to holidays there really is a world of choice. It’s just a matter of finding your favorite.

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