Hurry - Last Chance to book Curacao NOW!

Curacao is an exotic island... Not for the usual reasons of lush tropical fauna and deserted beaches, but because of its well preserved and showcased history. The island is home to the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, a beautiful structure with sand floors. Local philanthropist, Jacob Gelt Dekker, spent millions on a world class anthropological museum, Museum Kura Hulanda, featuring the Origin of Man, the African slave trade, West African Empires, Pre-Colombian gold, Mesopotamian relics and Antillean art. Wandering the streets of Williamstad, browsing the art galleries and museums, you will be left with a keen sense of the intoxicating mix of cultures that made the island what it is today... simply amazing!

Hurry – Book the Curacao NOW Promo by July 15th to get these great savings: (Valid for travel August 15- December 15 with a 4 night minimum stay required.)

One free night
A $200 per person air credit
$140 Food & Beverage Credit
Free shore or boat dive day
Free car rental day
Coupon Book for discounts on entrance to Museums
Half price off on attractions, tours and transfers
High value shopping discounts in downtown Willemstad
Some of the participating hotels:

Hotel Kura Hulanda – located in town and adjacent to the island’s best museum.
Avila Beach Hotel – family owned and operated, a true boutique hotel.
Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino – all the norms one would except at a Marriott but a supreme beachfront location and energizing casino.

I’d be happy to plan and book your trip to Curacao. If interested, please contact me for a customized itinerary.

Book Review - The Reaper of Souls

Publisher's Summary: On 1 September, 1957, an excursion train left Montego Bay on its return trip to Kingston and met disaster halfway there. Dangerously overcrowded, it had rushed down towards Jamaica's central plains on its way back to the capital. Sometime after midnight, in wet conditions, the train derailed near Kendal, Manchester, creating a horrific tangle of wood, glass, steel and torn bodies. Of the 254 lives lost, 14, nearly 6 percent of the dead, were members of Beverley East's family.

In my own words: This is a truly gripping tale of how tragedy can form one's live and make us change course completely. I enjoyed this book primarily for its poignant view of Caribbean life and most importantly, for a glimpse into times-gone-by and the Jamaica of yesteryear. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I picked up my copy at the airport in Kingston in April. You can order yours here.

Photo of Ms. East from here.

Cayman Jazz Fest 2009

The 5th Annual Cayman Jazz Festivel is December 3-5, 2009. This year's lineup is quiet impressive... Peabo Bryson, Keith Sweat, Kirk Whalum, and headlining the event, Alicia Keys!Book your tickets now!

Make a Difference - The Sandals Foundation

Its been a while since I featured a "Make a Difference" campaign, but now more than ever, Caribbean charities need our help. So take a look at all that is good about the Sandals Foundation.

The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International. It is the culmination of three decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where we operate across the Caribbean.

By definition, our responsibilities to family reflect our corporate social responsibilities. We believe things can be better and we want to make them better. We believe we have contributed much to the Caribbean over the years but we want to do more. We know that as World’s Best it’s our plans, hard work, skills and innovations that put us there – but we have a responsibility to put them to work beyond our resorts too.

The Sandals Foundation is our way of better enabling us to take on more of what needs to be done in the islands where we operate by making the Caribbean the best that we can be. It is not just about gathering and spending money. We also harness our passion, energy, skills and brand power to tackle issues under three broad headings; Community, Education, & Environment.

To learn more or DONATE, please visit their website.

Once Again... the CARIBBEAN FALL SALE is here!

Save up to 70% by traveling between August 15 and December 15, 2009! Don't let these great deals pass you by - book before July 13, 2009.

A sampling of the great deals:

Barbados - 3.5-star FROM $399*
INCLUDES 5 nights, Turtle Beach Resort, all-inclusive & hotel
transfers. BONUS 2 free nights & $300 air credit per person.
Plus on-island discount & gourmet dining card, $25 Oistins Fish
Fry voucher.

Antigua - 4-star FROM $549*
INCLUDES 4 nights, The Verandah Resort & Spa, all-inclusive &
hotel transfers. BONUS save up to 50% & $100 resort credit.

St. Kitts - 4.5-star FROM $259*
INCLUDES 4 nights, St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach
Casino & hotel transfers. BONUS save 50%.

And introducing one of the Caribbeans newest properties... the Curacao Renaissance:

Curacao - 4.5-star FROM $299*
INCLUDES 4 nights, Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino
& hotel transfers. BONUS save 50%.

*Rates are Per Person! Contact ME for a custom quote!

Vintage Fashion Photos @ Half Moon circa 1967

I first learned that these lovely photos and talented photographer thanks to a Twitter post from the Half Moon Resort. If you know me personally, you know I love antiques & vintage... especially anything Vintage Caribbean. So I was thrilled to learn of Mark Mender and his lovely photos from 1967... a time when Caribbean Tourism was fresh and new...

And there's even a You Tube Video showing how the set was staged:

Caribbean Whale Friends

Yesterday, I read an article mentioning Whale Watching as a $300 million industry. This sparked a few hours of research into how much of this leisure activity is taking place in the Caribbean and any known harm it might cause. Look what I found: Caribbean Whale Friends.

A handful of Caribbean countries have, as recently as 2006, been in support of commercial whaling, but it seems the majority of Caribbean-ites would rather watch the whales than harm them, and for this I am proud.

"Visitors can now go whale watching in a number of Caribbean countries including: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines. "

"Whale watching is a growing industry in the Caribbean, in fact it is the fastest growing sector of the region’s tourism industry, and brings much-needed financial revenue to the region. By 2007, the industry was generating an estimated US$22 million annually."

Organizations such as this need our support. Visit their website and make a difference!

Photo is a Caribbean Humpback Whale from here.

Meet Kanopi House...

Kanopi House. Jamaica's newest eco-friendly hotel located on my favorite corner of the island, Port Antonio. Equal parts rustic & charm...

Give a bundle of local wood to Jamaica's talented local artists and this is what you will get...

Kanopi House has just enough jungle to remind you of exactly how precious every little living thing is... Follow me...But its not all jungle... oh no, fear not. This little wonderland is only a stone's throw from the Blue Lagoon... a 250+ foot abyss of blended salt and spring water. I could stare all day at this lagoon and never tire... entertained by the constantly changing colors.
Need a closer look?

After long days of rum shop tours, river rafting, fishing, birding, or mountain biking... Kanopi House waits to welcome you... with plenty of fine cuisine crafted from fresh local ingredients, paired with the perfect vintage from the owner's cellar... and plenty of luxe lounging...

If this is starting to sound a little too civilized for what you're looking for... pause for a moment and remember... Kanopi House is comprised of tree houses... far, far away from the ordinary.

And if you dig deep into this little blog, you will come to learn that Port Antonio is one of my favorite places on earth. I've swam at midnight in the Blue Lagoon... watched from a distance a famous wife tend her mares... I've read the books and sang the songs... all about this, this perfect PARADISE. And once you visit... you too will want to find a cozy chair, put pen to paper, and draft your memories for fear there might come a day when your own experiences in Port Antonio fail to conjure up a soul warming smile...

The End.

Thank You for Mentioning My Wedding Blog!

I am so excited to see my name in print! A big THANK YOU to Destination Wedding & Honeymoons Magazine for mentioning my destination wedding blog in their summer issue... 5 Blogs they Love. On stands now!

Corn Islands, Nicaragua...

Yes, its true. There are islands named for one of God's smartest creations... CORN. It's been around a real long time... fed the masses... and the farm animals too... and therefore worthy of sharing it's name with a few little dots of paradise...

The Corn Islands of Nicaragua

I have a personal connection to this place...

It was rainy. Windy. Stormy actually. October. A birthday. Someone special. Someone who set me on the travel path to the person I am today... a birthday. We missed the boat. The plane refused to fly. And time was short. Duties were calling from across borders.... and I never made it to the Corn Islands. Sadness. So it was... one more night in Bluefields... Hot. Steamy. I'm talking about the weather. One fan... one little fan... and one little tape player. I think it was Celine Dion... dubbed from the local market, of course. A notebook. And rain. Lots of rain.

I am sure these little islands are not quite the same as they were 12 years ago... I am sure there are now TVs in every house... and phones too. Gosh... there might even be cell phone service. I don't want to know. Because one of these days I am going to make it to these Corn Islands and I hope I find them as dreamy as my dreams from 1997...

I want to sleep here...

I want to eat this... with lots of butter.... and an ice cold Victoria... (the brew de Nica)

Keep your pleasure palace... just give me an island or two... BIG or little... Let me walk your path... dear girl in the picture? Are you there? I'm tapping my ruby slippers just to be you for one more day...

Photo Credits: 1. here 2 & 3. this girl's cool blog 4. here 5. say it isn't so... msnbc

Meet Mount Cinnamon - a little hotel with big style

A sweet boutique hotel, designed by Peter de Savary, overlooking Grand Anse Bay on Grenada...

Packs BIG style with bright colors... And all around comfort...

Many of the villas have full kitchens... I'll take one of those fridges please! And two of the lime green side tables too...
Or maybe canary yellow will look best in my island home... anyway, back to this cool little spot...

Tennis Anyone? On real grass courts... the best way to play...

Are it's stylish ways calling to you yet?

What about dinner al fresco with uninterrupted views of a twinkling Caribbean bay town? And dancing sunsets?

If all this style doesn't convince you.... let the perfect white sand beach and crystal clear waters do the trick... then call me, email me... just let me know when you want to go and maybe I'll see you there!

June Newsletter - Summer in the Tropics

A big huge THANK YOU!

If you booked a trip with me this year, I sincerely thank you! This has been my busiest high-season ever, allowing me to expand my online portfolio to include Mexico. I am so excited to announce that we recently added Cancun & the Mayan Riviera to CaribbeanJourney.com. We are adding new hotels monthly, so check back often.

7 nights for the price of 5 at my favorite Jamaican Villas!

Most of you have heard me speak of my love for villa vacations, especially the fully staffed villas in Jamaica. There simply is nothing as relaxing as being attended to by a full staff while on vacation. A staff that is dedicated to looking after only your personal family or group and who works diligently and lovingly to prepare gourmet meals and keep your vacation home spotlessly clean. Many of my favorite homes are participating in a summer promo that offers 4 nights for the price of 3 or 7 nights for the price of 5 plus free airport transfers! And about those gourmet meals… how does Fettuccini with Ginger Grilled Lobster in Olive Oil and Fresh Tomatoes or Coconut Chicken Curry served with Timbales sound? Served al fresco, of course. Most of these villas are not yet on my website... send me an email and I will fill you in with more details and photos! (Photo is Haystack Villa in Montego Bay)

I am going to Mexico and so should you

This July will find my family and I basking in the warm tropical sun about 45 minutes south of Cancun at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa. We will swim in azure waters and let the rhythm of the waves wash away our cares, dine on first class cuisine – certainly a rarity in the world of all-inclusive. The kids will enjoy a kid’s club like no other, focusing on educating participants about the history of the region. A day trip to the Mayan ruins of Coba, Xel-ha, Chichen-Itza or Kohunlich and we will all leave Mexico with an expanded knowledge bank… because travel should be a learning experience. Mexico is safe and the rates are low. It’s not too late t o book your summer vacation to Mexico!

Destination Weddings

Destination Weddings have long been an integral part of my business. I enjoy helping brides pick the perfect location and assisting all of their guests with travel arrangements. If you know anyone planning a Destination Wedding, please refer them to me… I’d be happy to help! AND… Destination Wedding Magazine recently named my wedding blog as one of their top five favorites!

You've just finished reading my June newsletter! If you'd like to be on my mailing list, please send an email to laura @ caribbeanjourney.com. Thank you for your time. I look forward to helping you plan your vacation!

Fly Free to Cancun & Riviera Maya!

Yes, you read this correctly! You can earn free air travel to Mexico this summer!

Stay 3 nights, earn 1 FREE ticket!
Stay 7 nights, earn 2 FREE tickets!

Sample Rates from NYC: (include roundtrip airport transfers and all-inclusive hotel)
3 nights at the Oasis Cancun starts at $345/per person, 7 nights $485/per person.
3 nights at the Allegro Playacar starts at $515/per person, 7 nights $885/per person.
3 nights at the Occidental Grand XCaret starts at $585/per person, 7 nights at $1049/per person.
3 nights at the Excellence Riviera Cancun starts at $799/per person, 7 nights $1525/per person.

Book by June 30, 2009
Valid for travel up to December, 23, 2009
*Not valid on all airlines or flights. Blackout dates do apply.