Breaking Sandals Resorts News...

Every now and again I scour the web for fresh press releases on Caribbean topics. In a 24 hour period, I have come across two HUGE Sandals Resorts related newflashes...

1. Martha Stewart Omnimedia has parented with Sandals Resorts to offer Sandals Destination Wedding clients signature Martha Stewart Wedding Packages starting January 1, 2010. Packages available for purchase starting this October. Martha Stewart craft classes are coming to Sandals in 2010 as well. Read about it here.

2. Supposedly, Sandals Resorts has contracted to buy the former Four Seasons Resort property in Exuma, Bahamas. Read about it here.

Montserrat's Literary Festival

Montserrat, the small island which Henry Nelson Coleridge, the nephew of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, briefly visited in 1825 “for relief to breathe its air”2 is the birth place of such literary figures as M.P Shiel, the first unofficially acclaimed King of Redonda, playwright Edgar White and the late poet, novelist and academic, E. Archie Markham. The island will be holding its first literary festival, the Alliouagana Festival of the Word, from November 13 – 15, 2009.

Writers, publishers and literary agents around the world as well as Montserratians living overseas will have the opportunity to establish and strengthen connections while participating in the celebration of the word in its many manifestations. Authors who have won various literary awards have generously agreed to participate in the first literary festival to be held on this island which over the last two decades has seen the emergence of a disaster literature.

The festival will include a wide range of workshops and seminars and tours of the island. Click HERE for more info!

Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine debuts on the Travel Channel

Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine has partnered with the Travel Channel to give viewers a glimpse of all the wonders the Caribbean has to offer in a new series called "Affordable Caribbean". The series starts this weekend, featuring Barbados! Coming soon are shows dedicated to Antigua & the Bahamas. Click HERE for more info!

Introducing Scrub Island

Scrub Island, a private island resort in the British Virgin Islands is open for business! Come and explore one of the hottest new hotel openings slated for 2010! Book before August 30, 2009 for great early booking rates starting at $450/night inclusive of breakfast...

Wouldn't you love to do this all day?

And return "home" to a gourmet meal on this terrace?

Or watch the sunset from your living room... cool drink in hand?
You might even retire early because these rooms are just so alluring...

While Scrub is a private island, it welcomes yachtsman and boaters alike to come ashore and dine at any of their 7 restaurants. What else can you do besides enjoy the fine cuisine and the 3 pristine white sand beaches? Plenty...

• Lagoon-style, multi-level pool with 15-foot waterfall and swim-up bar
• Boat Rental
• Fishing Charters
• Water Sports
• Nature Trails
• 60-slip Marina
• Retail Shops
• Island-wide Wireless Internet
• Spa and Fitness Center

Air Jamaica Executive Lounge Day Pass

Air Jamaica has announced that travelings may purchase entry to their Executive Lounges in Kingston and Montego Bay Jamaica for $30/per person. The pass may be purchased at the ticket counter in both airports.

"We are pleased that we can now offer this facility to our passengers in Economy Class. Our Lovebird Executive Lounge will allow them a quiet, relaxed atmosphere with wireless Internet access, cable television, newspapers, beverages and snacks while they wait for their flight,” said Sue Rosen, senior director of customer service.

Baby Gear Barbados

Baby Gear Hire is a full service baby and toddler rental agency offering safety certified, sanitized high quality products and services to the travelling parent. Their professional, friendly service will provide the best baby gear with all of the comforts of home delivered straight to your holiday accommodation. They also provide additional services such as babysitting and shopping for baby’s necessities. So travel light and use the services of Baby Gear Hire next time you visit Barbados!

I Love Beaches Turks & Caicos!

And you will too after you visit! This hotel is the number one family all-inclusive resort in the world and so I have dedicated an entire website to help you learn more about how wonderful it is. Click here for great deals on Turks & Caicos Vacation packages!

Welcome to Sandy Lane...

Sandy Lane in Barbados has been welcoming guests to its posh rooms, lush grounds, and polished terraces since 1961. They have service down to a fine art, an art appreciated by their international clientele who come to relax, or to golf on one of 3 courses, or visit the first class spa...

The main swimming pool is indulgent by day....
or night...In their own words: "From our magnificent 47,000 square foot spa, nine floodlit tennis courts and 45 holes of championship golf to beachside service and an exciting children’s program we deliver exceptionally."

Book your trip to Sandy Lane today and enjoy one of the finest luxury holidays!

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Make a Difference - AA's Miles for Kids in Need

How Your Miles Can Help!

American Airlines is one of the top producers of flights to the Caribbean. Their Miles for Kids in Need program provides worldwide support for children and their families, as well as for organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with needs for medical, educational, social services issues and/or for those that heighten public awareness of children's issues.Since 1989, AAdvantage members have donated miles to help kids in need. Last year alone, members generously donated over 30 million of their unused AAdvantage miles to help provide transportation to over 500 kids through this program. If you can help us replenish some of these miles, we (and the kids) will really appreciate it. Please check your mileage balance and consider making a donation today. More details...

Breaking News... Spirit buys Air Jamaica!

The Associated Press & the Jamaica Gleaner have both reported that discounted carrier, Spirit Air, has recently acquired Jamaica's national airline in an effort to help save Air Jamaica! I am not sure what this means to the market, but it will be interesting to watch! Maybe a drop in fares? Maybe a drop in service? Let's see!

Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast

Once upon a time… long before pillow menus and linens with thread counts were of any importance to me, I lived here… the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. 6 glorious months without a care in the world in a place trapped in time. I was here 12 years ago, before the digital camera age so I don’t have many of my own photos to share. Recently, I found a wonderful company and creators of a DVD of images from the coast… each one straight from my own memories. Enjoy these images below and check out Pura Vida DVD for more!

The End! All photos from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

Interview with an Eco-Pro, Herbert Samuel

It seems every hotel I work with, is marketing some sort of eco advancement as everyone jumps on the eco-travel bandwagon. Thus, it is more important than ever to be aware that any hotel can announce their own "greenness" and market facts about their energy saving efforts. Only a Certified or Green Globe Certified hotel is in full compliance with internationally recognized standards.

Green Globe has been certifying hotels since 1993. The Caribbean is home to 63 Green Globe Certified Hotels & Tour Companies. Read about their high standards here.

During my research, I found Mr. Herbert Samuel. Herbert has recently been accredited as a Green Globe Certifications auditor for the Caribbean region. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a background in energy planning and project management. Herbert is founder and president of Green Island Inc, a Caribbean energy sustainability consulting firm. Being always curious about "green" efforts in the Caribbean and those behind them, I had a few questions:

Laura: Your company, Green Island, Inc. is very exciting! Would you explain for my readers what it is Green Island, Inc. does in a nutshell?

Herbert: Green Island Inc is a consulting firm, specializing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy sustainability in the Caribbean. Right now we are working with several clients, mostly regional & international agencies, on projects ranging from project management (of renewable energy projects) to energy policy and planning studies. In addition to this, we’re doing Green Globe Certification audits this week in Barbados, next week in the Grenadines and in St Lucia soon after.

Laura: On a personal note, where is your favorite place to do some serious relaxing?

Herbert: Actually, at home! I have everything I need there; a view of the Grenadines from the side lawn, my music, my wife. We’re recently married and we both love to cook, so we’ve created our own little resort at home where we spend most of our spare time.

Laura: How fantastic that you live in the region! (I glance at my virtual beach with jealousy) Are you a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines?

Herbert: Yes, I was born in Kingstown, St Vincent (1960) and have lived here for most of my life. I am also a citizen of St Lucia, having lived and worked there for 10 years from 1993 – 2003.

Photo is the view from Mr. Samuel's house... swoon...!