WHERE ARE THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

Located in the Western Caribbean Sea, the Cayman Islands consist of three sister islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. All three islands are the exposed portion of large coral formations that are part of the Cayman Trench, a formation that extends 8,000 feet below the surface. The islands lie between Cuba and Jamaica, and are about 480 miles south of Miami. (Just a 1 hour and 25 minute flight from Miami.)

The islands are notable in that they are extremely flat, with the highest point being The Bluff on Cayman Brac …a mere 140 feet above sea level. The Caymans are located in the Caribbean hurricane belt, and were hit hard by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 but have since rebuilt and recovered from the majority of the storm's damage. For more on the Cayman Islands check out www.caymanislands.ky.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Cayman Islands are one of the most popular Caribbean travel destinations worldwide, and as a result, fights to the Caymans are frequent and readily available. Flights to The Cayman Islands originate in London, Toronto and many U.S. cities including: Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, Houston, Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. As flight schedules are always changing, check with your local airport to see if flights to the Caymans have been added or changed. Also, check discount travel Web sites like www.kayak.com, www.travelocity.com or www.expedia.com for the latest flights and prices from your area.

The Caymans have two airports to serve most airline requirements: on Grand Cayman the airport is Owen Roberts International, and on Little Cayman, the airport is Gerrard Smith Airport. Cayman Brac has a smaller airport that handles inter-island aircraft.

Some of the airline carriers servicing the Caymans include:

• Cayman Airways
• Continental Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Northwest
• US Airways
• Air Canada
• British Airways
• Air Jamaica