Hi Honey... I'm Home! (at La Concha, Puerto Rico)

Yes, if I could do it all over again... I would decorate my home just like this...

Isn't it lovely? This is the newly renovated La Concha Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
I was reintroduced to the property from a brilliant article in Architectural Digest.

Mmmmm.... such hot curves!

Quiet spaces & neutral palates...

Uninterrupted views of the sea... so my kind of place.

Contact me for great rates and check in soon!

Bon Appetit Eats Caribbean!

I've said it a million times and I'll say it again... if I wasn't "in" travel, I'd be in food. So along with my monthly copies of Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure arrive Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and Cooking Light. (And soon a new foodie mag I can't wait to devour - Relish!)

What gets me really excited? When one my favorite foodie mags features the Caribbean! So run, don't walk, to newsstands now and scoop up the September issue of Bon Appetit for this great article "Caribbean Splurge & Save" (or you can just check it out right here) Enjoy as the writer takes your palate through the Bahamas, Anguilla, & Barbados!

Photo - Sit seaside and linger longer at The Fish Pot on Barbados.

Viceroy Comes to the Caribbean

Does this post really even need a narrative? Seriously, this IS perfection. I can't add a thing - except to say that the new Viceroy Anguilla makes me very, very happy...

Let me send you here... just give a jingle, send off a note... I want to hear from you!

Updates from Firefly Mustique

Firefly Mustique is a well loved boutique hotel known for offering guests privacy, panoramic views, and excellent service! They have recently completed upgrades on property including the following guest room improvements:

The patio of Seashell has been replaced and the old plunge pool removed to make more room for the hammock and plantation chairs, so you can relax on your private patio.

Royal Palm has a totally new look to the bathroom having had a major overall. The whole suite now has pale limestone flooring extending throughout the patio and is light and elegant.
I for one, love Royal Palm's new bathroom... swoon...

Pineapple still has the same magnificent views which you can now enjoy from the new king sized bed which has been given a fresh, crisp look with fine Italian Linens and divine down pillows.

Pineapple's elegant seating area... All rooms now have bespoke sound and temperature insulated traditional wood and glass sliding doors and new soft furnishings. This helps to keep the rooms cool and quiet.
Hummingbird, amongst other things, has a new pebble and glass shower making the bathroom beautifully fresh light and airy.

The hotel has also retired all of their petrol driven guest mules and replaced them with GEM electric vehicles. Have you seen these little "bugs" yet? If not check them out here.

Book your trip to Firefly Mustique today!

A True History of Paradise

I absolutely loved the author's other book - The Pirates Daughter and so I opened this one a bit biased. While just as entertaining, the book delves into a few dark scenarios as crime and politics were on the rise. The book is set in 1980s when Jamaica was becoming known worldwide for its beautiful beaches and friendly hotels. The story backtracks through the narrators live detailing what leads to her decision to leave her homeland... Order your copy here.

Secrets Resorts helps save the Sea Turtle

Check out this cute little guy! Secrets Silversands tiniest guest! Now through the early fall, mother Sea Turtles will visit the beach at Secrets Silversands to lay eggs. We take every measure to ensure the continued safety and protection of the turtles through involvement with local protection agencies... Read More

Introducing RiuLand - Riu Hotels New Kid's Program!

RiuLand was conceived to give Riu’s entertainment and activities program for children an improved and modern twist. The activities are planned with different age groups in mind (Club 4 to 7 and Club 8 to 12), and to place a premium on physical group activities outdoors instead of more static pastimes, such as handicrafts and table games. RiuLand comes complete with a new image and a song of its very own.

Riu suggests that children explore a program of 12 themed days that include Aqualand Day, with games in the pool; Riu Olympic, a day for group sports and individual events; and Piratesland, a day of tough pirate contests and treasure hunting. Two of these themed days stand out for the educational value that tops off the fun: Riu World and Ecoland. The first introduces children to the cultures of different countries through the most popular children’s games from these places. And Ecoland is a day devoted to ecology that encourages kids to get to know the ecosystem of the hotel’s natural surroundings through a number of different activities that also seek to reinforce the importance of caring for the environment. Another feature of RiuLand is that children are always the protagonists, which is why the children’s plays staged once a week in the hotel’s theater are not performed for children, but by them instead. In addition to glittering shows in the evening, RiuLand offers RiuLand Parties, which feature dance games, shows and the Miss and Mr. RiuLand contest, with a prize given to the winners. For more information or reservations, visit Riu Hotels.

San Juan Art Museum Family Sundays

The Doral Bank and the Puerto Rico Museum of Art have partnered once again this year to host D’Museo, four days of cultural activities for the family, with no admission fee. Taking place the last Sunday of the month from July to October (Aug. 30, Sept. 30 and Oct. 25), D’Museo will host small plays, an artisan’s fair, a bomba and plena show, arts and crafts workshops, storytelling events, guided walkthroughs of museum exhibitions, music performances, one on one with plastic artists and much more.

New Rooms at the Hyatt Aruba!

Let the hypnotic sounds of the ocean gently lull you to sleep each evening in the luxurious comfort of the newly remodeled Aruba accommodations. Situated on the upper floors of the Hyatt Regency Aruba, these spacious 380-sq.-ft. rooms offer a private step-out balcony, perfect for enjoying views of the ocean, three-level pool, lagoon and tropical gardens. Complementing the view is the delightful decor, with sophisticated yet warm colors of the Caribbean creating a serene setting for your visit.

Awaken each day refreshed from an exceptional rest in our signature Hyatt Grand Beds, fitted with luxurious linens, fluffy down pillows and a colorful throw over a pillow-top mattress. All King rooms include a shower while the Queen/Queen guestrooms include a bathtub. Enjoy the deluxe amenities in our air-conditioned, beachfront Aruba lodging including refreshing ceiling fan, Portico bath products, iHome clock/radio, coffeemaker, minibar, 32" LCD TV, high-speed Internet access and daily newspaper.

Photo 1: Partial Oceanview King Room Photo. 2: Pool/Oceanview Two Queen Beds. Photo 3: Family Suite Living Area

St. Vincent & Grenadines Travel Video

Such an enticing blend of lush mountains, clear turquoise water, white sand, and good people!

A Few Caribbean Spots Make the Top 10 Snorkel List

This is a great article from Coastal Living via CNN... "(Coastal Living) -- Underwater photographer and adventurer Tanya Burnett-Palmer shares her favorite places to sightsee beneath the waves.

Dean's Blue Hole, Long Island, Bahamas
A blue hole is created when the ceiling to an ancient cave system collapses in the ocean -- Dean's is thought to be the world's deepest. Fin your way off the powder-white beach and watch the sand go from 5 to more than 600 feet deep in just a few kicks.
On-site secret: I found I could circumnavigate the entire blue hole by swimming along the cliff base and sandy shoals. On a light-wind day, it's easy to snorkel the protective reef near the mouth of the small bay.

Keep an eye out for: jacks, tarpon, turtles, the occasional dolphin or porpoise -- almost anything can wander in. Small reef fish stay in the shallows. Coastal Living: 2009 best seafood dives
When to go: all year; 242/338-0011 or reeldivers.com.

READ MORE HERE...

Sandals Fans - Check out Adam Stewart's Blog

Are you a fan of Sandals Resorts? If so then stay tuned to CEO Adam Stewart's Blog. Mr. Stewart is a hands on leader and his blog reflects how deeply involved he is with every major company decision. Be sure and check out the pictures of Sandals Royal Bahamian's newly expanded beach!

Book Review - An Embarrasment of Mangoes

If you've ever dreamed of leaving "it" all behind and sailing the Caribbean in the wake of explorers and pirates many years ago, then you will love this book! An Embarrassment of Mangoes takes the reader on a literary tour of the dreamy islands of the Caribbean. The story is narrated by the author and gives readers a glimpse into the way of life for the husband and wife duo who traded in their desk jobs for the job of sailing into the sunset. The tale is littered with culinary delights and left me wanting more! Buy it HERE!