HAITI: Haiti Offers Fascinating Castles, History, Architecture, Art, Music And Spiritual Traditions. .

Haiti, once one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean, is now making a comeback. For intrepid travellers intrigued by the country’s cultural offerings and natural beauty, Haiti offers fascinating castles, history, architecture, art, music and spiritual traditions. .

Haiti

Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The capital, Port-au-Prince, is located in the central region on the Gulf of Gonâve. Points of interest here include the Musée de Pantheon (MUPANAH) museum, the iron market, the metal arts village, galleries, and the nature and flora in the hills above the capital. Inside the Musée Nationale is a treasure-trove of historical relics such as the anchor of the Santa Maria – Christopher Columbus’s flag ship and artefacts dating back 2,000 years.

The Museum of Haitian Art features the nation’s famed art naïf paintings. Fine art galleries are located in Pétionville in the hills above the city, where most visitors choose to stay. This upscale district is home to international embassies, trendy restaurants, boutiques and nightclubs. The Barbancourt Rum Distillery is another popular attraction, in operation since 1765 and based in a hillside castle.

The northern peninsula is filled with forts and ruins to explore. The formidable Citadelle crowns the 3,000 foot Pic la Ferriere and in the valley sits the Palais Sans Souci, an elegant but ruined palace built in 1810. The two structures are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Five additional forts overlook Cap-Haïtien harbour and the coastline. The southern peninsula’s high mountains and thundering waterfalls attract nature lovers. Visit Bassin Bleu, a triple waterfall with deep pools, and Pic de Macaya, a 7,700 foot mountain populated by rare orchids and birds. Étang Saumâtre, a blue saltwater lake, delights with more than 100 species of waterfowl plus flamingos and American crocodile
AIRPORTS/GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES:

Airports: Aeroport International Toussaint Louverture (PAP) is in the capital Port-au-Prince. – located 5 miles from downtown and from October 2014 international flights such as American Airlines will arrive into the northern city of Cap Haitien (northeast). Domestic airports include Port-de Paix (northwest). Jacmel (southeast of Haiti) Les Cayes and Jeremie (both South West of Haiti) .

Gateways/Flying Times: There are no direct flights from the UK. Air France and Air Caraibes fly from Paris, and there are multiple daily flights from New York and Miami with American Airlines, Delta and Jet Blue. Copa flies 6 times a week from Panama and and there are flights from Dominican Republic and Cuba.

Air Caribe operates up to 33 weekly flights from Paris to the CTO members countries of Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre), Martinique (Fort-de-France), Haiti (Port-au-Prince) and Saint Martin (Juliana). The company has set up the schedules of its regional network to offer passengers quick connections to all destinations: Saint-Martin (Grand Case), St. Barthelemy (service operated by St Barth Commuter), Saint Lucia and Haiti.
CLIMATE:

Average daytime temperature 76-82 degrees F., with cooler nights. Rainy season from May to July and September to early December, 20-25 days of rain annually.
DINING:

Restaurants available-Local. Fast food. Gourmet. International. Service charge -10% . Dress code is usually casual comfortable summer sportswear. Some hotels may require a jacket and tie.
LANGUAGE:

French and Creole are the official languages. English and Spanish are also widely spoken.
NIGHTLIFE:

Entertainment available includes-Live Bands. Dinner/Dances. Theaters. Casinos. Nightclubs. Cinemas.
SIGHTSEEING:

In Port-au-Prince: Musee du Pantheon, iron market, metal art village, Barbencourt rum factory visit, art gallieries in Petion Ville and Ginger Bread House tours. ‘In Boutilliers’ (3000 ft) panoramic view of Port-au-Prince and the Bay of La Gonave’. In the Cote des Arcadins: Moulin sur Mer Museum, Kay Piat nature walk and waterfalls such as Bassin Zim and Saute Eau. In Cap-Haitien: Citadelle LaFerriere. Palais Sans-Souci. Colonial Architecture. In Jacmel: Bassin Bleu. Walking tours of the town, Colonial Architecture, art – especially paper mache. Cock fighting and vodou ceremonies can be experienced all year round.

Haiti has 3 carnivals – Jacmel (pre-lent), National (a week later), Flowers in July. There is also an annula vodou pilgrimage in June and July.