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Discover Unhabitated Beaches, Jungle, and Mayan Ruins in Belize

Only its own country for the past 18 years, Belize was known as British Honduras until 1990. Its located just south of the Mexican Yucatan, and though tourism is one its most profitable businesses, travelers aren't as quick to go here as they are to go to better known resorts just north, around Cancun and Tulum.

Here are a couple highlights in and around Belize.

Caye Caulker is one of the most popular islands off the coast of mainland Belize, yet its still extremely easy to get some time to yourself in or around the beautiful coral reefs.

Caye Ambergris is another popular island in Belize, located just north of Caye Caulker. Here you'll find some of the best island nightlife in the country. That is, if you like dancing, live music on sand beaches, and cold cervezas.

For more of an offbeat experience, head up to Orange Walk in Northern Belize or to San Ignacio in Western Belize. Both offer small hotels located in the middle of the Central American jungles. From San Ignacio, you can catch a bus to the Guatemalan towns of Flores and Tikal. You can go to both in a day, or, for a more leisurely trip, reserve three days for this excursion.

Flores is colonial town in the middle of a lake. Tikal has arguably the most impressive Mayan ruins in the region.

If you're into Mayan ruins, also check out the ruins at Xunantunich, located just inside the Belize border with Guatemala.

Picture of Caye Caulker



Picture of Xunantunich



Picture of the Streets in Flores Guatemala, a city located just West of Belize



Picture of a Howler Monkey

Is the Sherlock Holmes Museum Any Good?

Sure, my last name is Holmes, and I've been called Sherlock plenty of times by not-so-funny individuals, but even considering these circumstances, do I want to go to the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London?

Not really.

Wikipedia calls it the most popular museum in London, meaning big lines, not a lot of walking space, and over prices admission tickets.

I'd rather go to a pub in Chelsea.

5 Free Things To Do in Las Vegas

Almost all casinos in Vegas want you in the door. For that reason, they'll offer free entertainment, free drinks, and sometimes spectacular shows for their non-paying customers. Here are 5 of my most-recommended free activities:

Fountains at the Bellagio



Remember those scenes in Ocean's 11? This amazing fountain display shoots water almost 240 feet into the air. That's the equivalent of a 20 story building, and while standing at ground level, it can be spectacular. I'd recommend not robbing a casino first. Unless you're into that.

The Bellagio fountains consist of 1200 nozzles and 4500 lights, and the water display is set to music. Very cool. The show lasts from 5 to 10 minutes, and is played every 15 minutes from 7 pm to midnight every day of the week, plus every 30 minutes from noon till 7 pm on the weekends and from 3 pm to 7 pm on weekdays.

The Lions at the Mirage



Another landmark hotel in Las Vegas has their own tourist display that is free of charge. As soon as you walk into the Mirage, anytime between 11 am and 10 pm, watch lions lounge, play, or feed, in their 5000 square foot home. The Mirage may have a white lion in this habitat as well.

Bellagio Hotel Flower Conservatory




This floral display contains over 1200 types of plants, all pressed together under a 50 foot roof.

This garden is placed in the middle of the Bellagio hotel, so try not to get sidetracked by the sluts, er slots, sprinkled around the lobby while walking here.

Its open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so this could be a nice place for rest and relaxation after an 8 hour blackjack binge.

Masquerade Village Sky Show at the Rio



This Rio style event occurs five times a day at the Rio Hotel and Casino. It consists of many large floats with clowns and acrobats performing all kinds of stunts. There's usually a live band playing as well. Try to get a view from the upper deck to take in all of the festivities.

Rock and Roll Memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe



The Hard Rock Cafe is not to be outdone by its equally established name brand casinos. They have all kinds of memorabilia on display to the public, free of charge, including autographed guitars, leather jackets, motorcycles, and underwear. Now THAT's Rock and Roll.

While at the Hard Rock Cafe, try catching a show as well, though that may cost you 20 bucks.

Not enough? Here are some more free things to do in Las Vegas.

Things to Do in Beijing other than Watch People Run around in Circles

The Olympics officially start today, so if you're in Northwest China, and don't feel like watching 200 pound people with muscles on top of muscles jumping into pits of sand, check out these world-renowned sites in and around Beijing

Attraction 1: The Forbidden City




Very much a city within a city, The Forbidden City housed the Chinese Emperors and their entourages for over 500 years. And their entourage would make Vinny Chase look like a knife salesman from Queens in comparison.

Built from 1406 to 1420, The Forbidden City contains 980 buildings currently with over 7000 rooms. It became a world heritage site in the 1987, just before the Chinese communist government trampled and shot the student protester at...

Attraction 2: Tiananmen Square



Student protests against the communist government happened here in 1989. Separated from the Forbidden City by Tiananmen Gate, Tiananmen Square is a must for any recent history buff, though don't expect any tank rides. Well, if you do get yourself a tank, you're either going to jail for a really long time or you go by 007 in some circles.


Attraction 3: The Ming Tombs




The Ming Tombs lie about 50 Miles Northwest of Beijing, so you'll have to find yourself a car rental, and it is definitely worth the trip. These tombs sit on almost 30,000 acres of land, at the foot of Mt. Yan. It includes 13 emporer mauseleums (I'm not really sure what a Mauseleum is), seven tombs for concubines (I know what this is) and one grave for euneuchs (no idea). Overall, their are 13 emporers buried here. Watch your step. Hopefully, none will rise up, reincarnated as Jet Li, with only Brendan Frasier there to defend you.


Attraction 4: The Great Wall of China





About 30 miles northwest of Beijing is one segment of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall stretches more than 4000 miles, and was built and rebuilt over a span of 2,200 years to keep away those pesky Mongol bandits from the North. During the reign of the Ming Dynasty, the wall was patrolled by as many as 1 Million soldiers, and more than 2 Million workers died building this 'wall'. Almost none of them are buried in the Ming Tombs. That spot is reserved for the more important people - the emporers and their mistresses with little feet.


So, enjoy Beijing. Find out more about this amazing city at the Beijing Travel Guide.

Go Back 800 Years in Dubrovnik, Croatia

With its city walls built between the 13th and 16th Centuries, Dubrovnik Croatia offers a medieval Mediterranean experience, commonly thought to have only been found in Western Europe




Comprised of cathedrals, monasteries, and towers, all packed together between 30 foot walls that touch the Ocean, Dubrovnik Croatia is an Adriatic beauty. Founded in the 8th century, Dubrovnik was protected by the Byzantine Empire for 500 years, though later came under authority of the Venetians, whose capital city, Venice, was another major trading force of the Adriatic.

Dubrovnik was especially vibrant during the European Renaissance, experience peace and economic prosperity for a few hundred years, during which artists and culture flourished.

Though confrontations emerged within its massive walls during the Yugoslavian civil wars in 1991 and 1992, Dubrovnik's timeless architecture and beauty still stand strong today, and is considered by many to be THE jewel of Croatian tourism.

After looking at these pictures. I agree.