{in my own words} Two Hot New Caribbean Spa Hotels!

Travel Agent Magazine ran my takes on this season's hottest new Caribbean Spa Hotels. My top picks are the new Viceroy in Anguilla and the new W Retreat in Vieques, Puerto Rico. You may read what I have to say right here... in the little purple box. Sound like your type of vacation style?

Jamaica's "Sweet 16" at the World Travel Awards

On November 8, 2009, London played host to the 16th Annual World Travel Awards. 16 was the lucky number for Jamaica as they took home 16 awards including Leading Caribbean Tourist Board and Leading Destination. Air Jamaica won as the Caribbean's top airline. Read more for a complete list of winners.

St. Kitts is Easier to Reach this Winter!

Pssst! Breaking News! Delta added another flight from Atlanta to St. Kitts, that's 2 flights every week from December 23 to April 7!!

Christmas & New Years Villas in Jamaica!

It is not too late to book a villa vacation to Jamaica for the holidays! Airfare to Jamaica is still decent and many of the island's finest villas are offering discounts including free nights and reduced rates. All villas have waived their normal 14 night holiday minimum rental requirement. All villas in Jamaica are fully staffed including a cook who will prepare gourmet meals with fresh, local ingredients.

Please contact me and I will see what great rate I am able to negotiate for your family!

Open for BOTH Christmas & New Years Week:

Good Hope Plantation - 16 Bedrooms at $16,500/week

Fairway Manor - 7 Bedrooms at $12,000/week

Open for Christmas Week:

Belle Abri - 7 Bedrooms at $22,500/week
Bougainvillea @ Tryall - 5 Bedrooms at $25,000/week
Calypso Shores - 4 Bedrooms at $10,000/week BEACHFRONT!
Cliffside Cottage - 5 Bedrooms at $11,000/week

Coral Cove - 5 Bedrooms at $9750/week BEACHFRONT!
Destiny - 4 Bedrooms at $17,275/week

Emerald Seas - 5 Bedrooms at $13,000/week
Frankfort on the Beach - 4 Bedrooms at $18,500/week

Hanover House - 6+ Bedrooms at $14,200/week

Keela Wee - 6 Bedrooms at $16,000/week BEACHFRONT!
Knockando @ Round Hill - 5 Bedrooms at $25,000/week
La Casita Villa & Spa - 2 Bedrooms at $4900/week
Longview Manor @ Round Hill - 7 Bedrooms at $32,500/week
Mirador @ Tryall - 1 Bedroom at $7150/week
Mahogany Hill @ Tryall - 5 Bedrooms at $25,000/week
Malatai on the Beach - 6 Bedrooms at $20,000/week

Nutmeg - 4 Bedrooms at $17,000/week
Pavilion - 5 Bedrooms at $13,500/week
Pimento Hill - 6+ Bedrooms at $16,300/week
Seafore @ Tryall - 4 Bedrooms at $12,155/week
Silent Waters - 5 Bedrooms at $38,000/week
Spyglass Hill - 8 Bedrooms at $13,500/week
Summertime Hill - 6 Bedrooms at $8300/week
Wild Orchid - 5 Bedrooms at $11,750/week
Windsong - 4 Bedrooms at $9000/week

Open for New Years Week:

CooYah @ Tryall - 4 Bedrooms at $15,950/week
Drambuie Estate - 5 Bedrooms at $13,000/week
Noble House on the Beach - 4 Bedrooms at $17,000/week BEACHFRONT!

Beaches, Blenders and Bikinis: Luxury Living International's Top 10 Beach Bars in the Americas

Luxury Living International put together a list of the top ten beach bars in the Caribbean. Check out the fruits of their research for the inside scoop on the best places to sit back in the sand with a drink in your hand!

Lime in the Coconut

Linda at Lime in the Coconut has a dream worthy garden and a talent for finding tropical homes & hotels worldwide. Her blog is a growing collection of island inspired life... Enjoy!

10 Things You Don't Know About St. Martin

This list is courtesy of Porto Cupecoy in St. Maarten. Read more about this luxury condominium complex here.

10 Things You May Not Know About St. Martin/St. Maarten
1. There are 9172 coconut trees on the island.
2. The island is only 37 square miles, but belongs to two nations.
3. St. Martin/St. Maarten is completely duty free, a big tourist draw.
4. It has the world’s longest emergency number.
5. St. Martin/St. Maarten is known as the Caribbean’s gourmet island.
6. Simpson Bay Lagoon (just steps from Porto Cupecoy) is the largest salt water lagoon in the Caribbean.
7. The island has the world’s shortest runway with regular 747 landings and take offs, which is 2180 meters long. Check out this video of a plane landing on St. Martin.
8. St. Martin/St. Maarten’s temperatures remain constant year-round, averaging about 80 degrees F (27 C); water temperature averages 78 (F).
9. Electrical outlets on Dutch St. Maarten are wired as in the US; the French side of the island uses European current.
10. About 75,000 people live on the island.

Just Back! Beaches Turks & Caicos!

I hope you enjoy these photos from my recent trip Beaches Turks & Caicos! Beaches is offering some of the lowest rates EVER right now! I'd love to help you get the best value for your Caribbean Vacation at Beaches... Enjoy!

Grace Bay Beach is rightfully listed on most 'Top 10 Beaches' lists from every major travel magazine and publication. It IS that fantastic! Sugary white sand and crystal clear water...

Even at sunset the water keeps it turquoise hue...

There are 16 restaurants at Beaches Turks & Caicos. Two are for Adults Only but the others all offer kid menus and some even offer kid sized dining rooms:
The fun doesn't stop after dark. On most nights you'll find glowing musicians joining Elmo & crew in a parade. The mix of the beat and sea breeze is intoxicating...

The parades are complete with beautiful, larger than life, marionette style puppets...

Club Liquid is a really cool new addition. They have teen and adult hours so every has a chance to let loose and have some fun...
No, that is not me dancing...

I'd love to book this fantastic resort for you!

Luxury Living International

Luxury Living International magazine is now the most
valuable resource online for buying vacation homes and
living the good life in tropics.

Luxury Living International (LLI) has just been reinvented on-line as the most
valuable resource for information and ideas on buying vacation homes, living
the good life and retiring in the sexiest areas south of the border.

Photo is Punta Mita Bahia Golf Course... read more here.

Baby Boomers are looking for new and more experiential lifestyles today that
they can enjoy now versus strictly financial investments. LLI provides the critical
information consumers are seeking to help them make informed decisions on
investing in their dream home and the desirable lifestyle of the tropics.

The New Luxury Living International – One Click Away from Paradise.

Sandpiper Barbados

With a chill in the air, the beaches of Barbados are more tempting than ever! Sugar sand and deep blue seas combined with first class amenities, makes for a perfect holiday vacation at Sandpiper Barbados.

The Sandpiper in Barbados is one of the West Indies’ most exclusive small hotels, The Sandpiper is tucked away on St James Beach, on Barbados’ west coast. Enjoy!

Last Minute Thanksgiving Villa Vacation Discounts!

Luxury for Less at our favorite Fully Staffed Villas in Jamaica!

Extraordinary Fall Savings through November, including Thanksgiving!

Book 3 nights ~ your 4th night is free!
Book 5 nights ~ your 6th & 7th nights are free!
Book 7 nights ~ your 8th & 9th nights are free!
Book 14 nights ~ your 11th, 12th, 13th & 14th nights are free!

Think you will have to sacrifice a Traditional Thanksgiving Feast if you spend your Thanksgiving Holiday in Jamaica? Think again! Your Jamaican cook is well versed in home cooked greatness and will prepare the following traditional fare for your family or group. One benefit of having your own private cook, is that all meals can be customized to your palette:

TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING DINNER

Pumpkin Soup
Roast Turkey (be adventurous, try our family's favorite: Jerk Turkey!)
Stuffing
Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Sweet Potatoes
Green Beans
Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream
Blue Mountain Coffee

A villa vacation IS affordable! Contact me and I will provide a customized quote that will surely surprise you. Enjoy the view from the photo above, captured at Fairwinds Villa at Tryall Resort in Montego Bay.

Costa Rica Villa Open for Christmas!!!

Located in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, this lovely villa is owned by a dear friend of mine and is still open for the Holidays! Rate is only $3500/week for use of 2 bedrooms, sleeping 4-6 people.

Selected as one of the properties featured in the Fine Living Network/VRBO special "Around The World In 80 Houses"

Simple elegance is the best way to describe this property.

The purpose of the house was to frame the view (acknowledged to be one of the best in Manuel Antonio) and live in comfort and style.

You will find luxury details such as: Italian mosaic glass-tiled baths; a fully furnished kitchen (gas stove, microwave, dishwasher and garbage disposal); appliances including Oster blender, juicer, coffee maker and toaster; plentiful cookware; and full sets of indoor and outdoor dishes,plus spices in the cupboard and condiments in the fridge. An outdoor grill will allow you to prepare the fresh fish you may bring back from an excursion in some of the best fishing waters in the world. Maid service, travel and tour arrangements as you wish.

Egyptian cotton towels and designer linens, plus your personal items are easily kept fresh by a large capacity washer and dryer.Beach towels are also provided.Sony Bravia Flat Screen TV; DVD; VCR; SkyTV; I-Pod Docking and wireless internet.

Let me know if you are interested! Laura @ CaribbeanJourney.com

Check out the Cheap-O Air Blog!

It's a fact. Most travel blogs out there today are simple tools for self-promotion of expiring rates and tourist traps. Sometimes my own blog falls into this category too... I'll admit. So imagine my surprise when I stumbled across a blog with a typical title but seriously quality content? Check out the Cheap-O Air Blog and this great post from Friday all about one of my favorite Jamaican dishes:

Jamaican Foodie Friday

"Jamaican food is truly a celebration of the diverse cultures we boast, along with a touch of novelty and innovation. The distinctiveness of our food and culture was contributed primarily by the Arawaks or Tainos- the earliest recorded inhabitants, The Europeans, The Africans-who came as slave laborers and The Indians and Chinese- who came as indentured servants.It’s no surprise our Motto is : ‘Out of many one People’..." read more here on their fantastic travel blog and be sure and check their main website for Cheap Flights!

Happy Halloween!

Last year, we celebrated Halloween & Dia de Los Muertos in Zihautanjo Mexico. It was one of my all time favorite trips. I loved the downtown seafront location of my friend's villa... in the middle of all the action one would expect in a small Mexican fishing village. The parades, costumes, and graveyards were beautiful and mysterious.

Here is a recap of that trip... Enjoy!

Zihautanejo - Where We Stayed
Halloween & Dia de Los Muertos
The Tides Zihautanejo
Deep Sea Fishing & A Private Island

Meet Sandals & Beaches Resorts Culinary Consultant

I just returned from a fantastic trip to Beaches Turks & Caicos. There are plenty of new upgrades at the resort, including a higher-end feel to many of the menus and cuisine quality. When I inquired as to why, I learned that Sandals & Beaches Resorts employs a famous Culinary Consultant.


Walter Staib is the Culinary Ambassador to Sandals & Beaches Resorts and founder of the Caribbean Culinary Federation. How cool is that? Being one that will do almost anything for a fine meal, I immediately researched Mr. Staib... a name I had heard, but could not place. Mr. Staib has had a long career in hospitality cuisine, consulting for many of the worlds finest hotels and restaurants. He is has contributed to many cook books and made appearances on the Food Network. Read more about him here and book your next culinary vacation to Sandals or Beaches Resorts!

The PUNTACANA Hotel Marks 40th Anniversary with Fabulous Upgrades!

Puntacana Hotel is a 186 room property located on 105 acres within PUNTACANA Resort and Club. The refurbishment is due to be finished on October 31st, and includes flat screen television installations, extensive interior paint work, and new bedding throughout the property. The hotel is surrounded by pristine white beaches and located in close proximity to many of the Resort’s facilities, including several restaurants and the Six Senses Spa.

Celebrate Holidays in Sunny Style at Radisson St Martin and Aruba Resorts

The new AAA Four Diamond Radisson St Martin Resort, Marina & Spa and ever-popular Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa are hosting memorable tropical experiences for the 2009/2010 holiday season. The chefs at both resorts are preparing elaborate tropical holiday menus for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Special New Year’s Eve festivities planned for guests include fireworks displays in St Martin and a private beach party on Aruba’s best beach. Between parties and festive meals, guests can enjoy distinctive treatments and pampering at the resorts’ spas, kayaking along the coast in search of sea turtles or sitting beachside while escaping the cold winter to the north.

Vacationers traveling to Aruba can stay at the flagship Radisson resort on the island’s best beach from December 18, 2009 - January 3, 2010, with rates beginning at USD $549 per night. Those looking to escape to the chic French side of St. Martin can enjoy the new Radisson St Martin Resort with rates starting at €419 per night (approximately USD $585*).

Aruba and St Martin are serviced by direct flights from major U.S. gateway cities including New York, Boston, Miami and Atlanta. Guests can explore the crystal-blue waters of the Caribbean through snorkeling, sailing, or diving. Both resorts feature comprehensive spas, a complimentary kids club, an array of diverse cuisine options in several on-site restaurants and cafes, and other amenities special to each property.

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is a perfect warm-weather locale to celebrate with family and friends and many guests have been making the resort their annual holiday home since its opening. Special culinary offerings are planned for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve at its beachside hot spot Gilligan’s, tropical hideaway Laguna and the award-winning Sunset Grille.

I'm Coconuts for Porto Cupecoy!

After a trip to the Caribbean, many visitors start looking for a permanent base in the islands and Porto Cupecoy at Sint Maarten combines the best of the Caribbean with the creature comforts of home.

First, about the island… life on St. Martin/Sint Maarten is so desirable the island is shared between two nations, the Netherlands Antilles and France. According to folklore, to divide the island the two nations decided they would walk westwards, the French along the northern edge, the Dutch along the southern. Wherever they met they would draw a dividing line across the island.

As the story goes, the French set off, having fortified themselves with wine, the Dutch with gin. But, the Dutchmen stopped along the way to sleep off the gin. Consequently, the French were able to cover a greater distance.

Porto Cupecoy is situated on the Dutch side and is surrounded by pristine beaches and the largest salt water lagoon in the Caribbean. The luxury real estate project is set against a backdrop of a Mediterranean-inspired promenade of shops and restaurants that combine European charm with the very best of Caribbean living. The Marina Village will feature European-inspired cafes, bistros, restaurants, artisan galleries, jewelry shops, and designer boutiques. Shopping is convenient with an onsite grocery store, pharmacy and bank.
One, two, three and four-bedroom residences are on sale from US$650,000 to $2+ million. Construction will be complete in the fall, just as chilly winter approaches for the rest of us. Check out floor plans and interiors.

Here are some daydream-inspiring photos of Porto Cupecoy and St. Martin island!

US Virgin Islands Cent-sational Promotion - Hotels for 25 cents!

*Photo from here.

The U.S. Virgin Islands’ “Cent-sational Promotion” offers a 25 cent rate per night at participating hotels. The new travel promotion will celebrate the launch of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ first-ever United States quarter. In honor of this event, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is offering savings to travelers for 25 days only:

• The 25 cent room nights at participating hotels (maximum stay of three nights)
• $25 per person dining credit
• $25 per person activities credit
• Virgin Islands commemorative quarter Scotiabank coin set.

The participating hotels include Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Hotel Caravelle, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, The Palms at Pelican Cove, Windward Passage, and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa.


Details:

• Book by November 2 and Travel by November 15
• Minimum 3 Night Stay
• Must book on BookIt.com

And the winner is...

A winner was drawn on October 16th at 12noon by the hands of my precious daughter... DESI - step right up and collect your prize! (Really, just email me your mailing address!)

Wet Bikini Bag from Uncommon Goods.

See you all again next time!