According to The Nassau Guardian, the U.S. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) said in its 2019 Crime and Safety Report there was a 29 percent overall increase in traffic-related deaths from 2017 to 2018.

The report also found that one of the leading causes is intolerant drivers who show reckless and sometimes antagonistic behavior on the road. OSAC cites reports of pedestrians being struck by cars and fatal accidents caused by impatient drivers in areas known for heavy traffic.

“The embassy continues to see a significant number of serious injuries from accidents in which the operator suffered from alcohol/drug impairment, lack of experience or inattention operator and/or other motorists,” the report said.

Police have warned locals and tourists about ignoring stop signs, speed limits and traffic signals, but the number of accidents continues to be a problem. In January, the commissioner of police announced there were 63 fatal traffic accidents recorded in The Bahamas last year that resulted in 69 deaths.

For tourists who rent cars while in The Bahamas, OSAC warns them to drive defensively and exercise caution. The agency also recommends avoiding travel on scooters and bicycles, especially in heavy traffic conditions.

Poor planning and maintenance of roads were also cited as hazards for visitors.

As always, talk to your travel agent about best safety practices before visiting.

Situated just 30 miles from San Francisco, Sonoma County encompasses six geographic regions, each unique and magnificent in its own right. Home to some of the best winemakers, brewers, cheese-makers, artisans and culinary specialists, our weekend only touched the surface of all there is to experience here. But it was a phenomenal sampler that only makes us want to come back for more.

Where to Stay in Wine Country

Located in eastern Sonoma County, the spectacular Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa was the ideal place for our home base. Nestled in the heart of the valley, the luxurious yet unpretentious historic resort delights its visitors with its exquisite accommodations, stunning grounds, five-star service and an impressive list of amenities.

Native Americans first discovered the underground hot mineral waters at the hotel site. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, the Spanish-style mission inn built in 1927 was an exact replica of a previous hotel earlier destroyed by fire. And it’s regarded as one of the finest hot springs resorts in America.

Our Mission Suite featured a four-poster king bed, fireplace living area, two-person Jacuzzi tub and balcony with French doors opening to a picturesque courtyard with fountain.

The idyllic grounds feature an outdoor heated pool and on-site Willow Stream Spa set atop an ancient thermal mineral stream. The spa includes outdoor heated mineral pools, an indoor Roman mineral bath, herbal steam room and an outdoor Watsu treatment pool. More than 50 revitalizing and relaxing treatments and mind-body programs are available.

Restaurants on site ranging from Sante’s premier dining room to more casual 38-Degree North provide opportunities to sip and savor fine foods and wines. Each afternoon, guests are invited to the lobby for complimentary wine tastings and optional artisan cheeses that showcase the region’s finest wineries.

Sonoma

Sonoma lends its name not only to the county but also to a valley in the country’s southwest region and to the valley’s major community. Sonoma Valley is the birthplace of California’s wine industry. Within the 17-mile span, there are more than 100 premium wineries, running the gamut of castles perched atop a mountain and garden chateaus to rustic organic ranches.

A visit to Buena Vista Winery is a must, for it’s truly a walk through California winemaking history. Founder, Agoston Haraszthy, the self-proclaimed “Count of Buena Vista,” emigrated from Hungary and settled in Sonoma in 1840. In 1857, Buena Vista became the first premier winery in California (selling and distributing wines).

In 2011, it was purchased by Burgundy’s French wineries owner Jean-Charles Boisset, who restored the property to its past glory. Buena Vista is now a California historic landmark offering top-quality award-winning wines.

The property itself is magnificent, but the real treasures lie within the walls of the historic Press House and Champagne Cellars. From the eccentric Cave of Curiosities to the eclectic tasting rooms and fascinating wine history museum, it’s truly a unique winery experience.

Sonoma’s historic downtown Plaza is ringed with tasting rooms, cheese and olive oil shops, charming restaurants and boutique stores. French-inspired The Girl and the Fig serves up an array of creative delights, many made with figs, of course, and featuring local cheeses. OSO’s urban tavern with its touch of rustic modern interior specializes in amazing locally-sourced small plates.

Santa Rosa and Highway 101

Plopped right in the middle of the otherwise fairly rural Sonoma Wine Country, Santa Rosa is home to more farmers markets than one can count. Old Courthouse and Railroad Squares seem to perfectly meld history with family-friendly urban growth. Antique shops and boutiques with a decidedly urban flare all have their place here. And these easily walkable side-by-side squares make exploring the vibrant area convenient and fun.

Neighborhood restaurants celebrate Sonoma wines and highly skilled chefs in places like Perch and Plow turn the natural bounty from the farms and nearby coastal waters into culinary magic. Their outstanding poke and pork belly dishes attest to this.

Route 101 heading out of Santa Rosa leads to the spectacular wine region of northern Sonoma County. Picturesque and historic, Healdsburg and Geyserville are home to world-renowned vineyards such as Clos du Bois and Francis Ford Coppola.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery offers private tours and tastings at its verdant picturesque property tucked among the rolling hills of the region’s Alexander Valley. With more grapevines than the eye can see, this French-inspired chateau winery sports 18 acres of olive trees, two lakes along with donkeys and goats grazing in pastures. Three-fourths of its scenic estate is set aside for natural habitat. But it’s not just all eye-candy here, for Jordan is renowned for their incredible Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Russian River and Western Sonoma County

No visit to the Sonoma region is complete without heading to the land with an ancient redwood forest, rushing Russian River, lazy winding roads, rural farmlands, and small-town gems.

Western Sonoma County is likely the most diverse region as it’s not only dotted with wineries and vineyards, but historic bridges hover over its famous river meandering through charming towns like Guerneville and Forestville. Guerneville’s main street is small-town U.S.A. at its best, with a smattering of shops, restaurants, galleries and tasting rooms.

A mere five minutes outside of Guerneville sits the majestic towering redwood-studded forests of Armstrong Redwoods State Preserve. It’s worth the 10-dollar parking fee for a chance to walk through the serene ancient groves of magnificent Sequoias, some towering over 350-feet.

No time for a park visit? You can still surround yourself with redwoods while sampling some top varietals at KORBEL Champagne Cellars. There is no tasting fee here as KORBEL responsibly limits its visitors to three ample-sized champagne or wine tastings.

Established in 1882, the winery celebrates France’s time-honored Méthode Champenoise process in which the champagne is fermented in the bottle itself. KORBEL offers a range of dazzling and tantalizing champagnes including at least five varietals that can’t be purchased outside the cellars.

Tours of the winery and gardens are available by reservation and visitors are welcome to stroll the awe-inspiring historic property with its vine-covered bricked buildings and flower-filled walkways. A market on site carries an array of cheeses and deli sandwiches, perfect with an accompanying glass of wine on a picturesque outdoor deck overlooking the vineyards.

A 10-mile journey on the Bohemian Highway through forested canopies, rolling pastures, rocky ravines and more charming towns was the icing on the cake to our spectacular Sonoma weekend. We knew we’d only scratched the surface of what this splendid region has to offer. But that only gives us reason to go back.

Perhaps most notably among the achievements listed, DFW has become a carbon neutral airport, making it the largest airport in the world and the first in North America to receive this distinction.

“Our initial goal was to reduce our CO2 emissions per passenger by 15 percent by 2020. We were able to achieve this goal two years ahead of schedule, and as such we’ve been able to drive more efficient operations, offset the impact of our growth and reduce our emissions per passenger,” Robert Horton, vice president of Environmental Affairs for DFW told TravelPulse. “DFW has a strong commitment to sustainability, and we will continue to look for innovative ways to reduce our emissions while improving the customer experience.”

Facility officials say their focus on conducting business in a way that balances environmental considerations with the day-to-day operations of the global super hub have resulted in numerous additional achievements as well:

—DFW recently achieved a three-year Airport Carbon Accreditation through 2021. DFW is the largest airport in the world, and the first in North America, to achieve this distinction.

—In fiscal year 2018, DFW achieved a 5.4 percent reduction in carbon emissions per passenger, reaching a 2020 strategic plan goal two years early.

—Since 2010, DFW has achieved 83 percent reduction in carbon emissions per passenger and an overall 27 percent reduction in electricity costs, all of which was accomplished while passenger totals increased 22 percent over the same period.

—DFW diverted 180,000 U.S. tons from landfills through recycling in fiscal year 2018

—DFW purchases 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, specifically Texas wind farms.

And despite naysayers who often suggest that such environmental efforts represent a costlier way to do business, the economic vitality of the airport has benefitted from all of the sustainability programs. The fact sheet highlights a number of relevant examples.

For instance, by installing highly efficient plumbing fixtures across terminals and office buildings, DFW lowered customer water usage across all five terminals, saving millions of gallons each month.

In addition, DFW has partnered with neighboring cities to create a reclaimed water-delivery system that provides water irrigation and serves as a key component in heating terminal buildings.

By regaining the water rights to Trigg Lake, a major water resource for the irrigation of Bear Creek Golf Course, DFW further reduced the potable water used for irrigation.

DFW used 126 million gallons of reclaimed water in the fiscal year 2018 and averages 100 million gallons per year.

The airport also continues to reduce the consumption of power and water, despite projected passenger growth of 66 million to 80 million in only five years.

In the fiscal year 2018, the airport reduced electricity costs by 27 percent.

Additional efforts being undertaken at the airport focus on achieving a target of zero waste. Launched in the fiscal year 2018, the zero-waste initiative aims to have a 90 percent landfill diversion rate.

“The new Zero Waste Program will improve overall performance of DFW’s diversion rate by an estimated 45 percent and reduce operational costs,” states the fact sheet.

Last year alone, DFW diverted 180,000 U.S. tons from landfills through recycling. In addition, the airport recycled more than 2.4 million pounds of concrete truck washout waste from airfield construction projects – nine times more waste than what was recycled the previous year.

All of this new data, which represents just a fraction of the airport’s sustainability efforts, was released in advance of the airport’s annual Environmental, Sustainability & Governance Report, which will be published in the coming months, officials said.

“We recognize that environmental improvement is an economic, social and business imperative for the airport and for the community we serve,” said Horton. “Sustainability touches everyone, and we look at our sustainability goals not just as expectations we need to meet, but an important responsibility.