{the shoemaker has no shoes}

...and the travel agent doesn't know where to stay during a June visit to St. Maarten...

I'm so intrigued by this little island of dual nations. 

...largely due in part to the great marketing efforts of the St. Maarten Tourist Board's new campaign... they can be credited with these amazing photos...

There are so many options for cheap flights... maybe you want to join me?

St. Maarten is also referred to as the culinary capital of the caribbean... so I think I'll have just as hard a time trying to decide where to dine... 

...maybe my style...

I can't wait for my trip! Any ideas on where to stay?

Book the Royal Retreat at Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

The Royal Retreat at Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica:

Whether you want to treat yourself to an unforgettable getaway with your closest friends or a romantic escape with the one you love, the Royal Retreat Package adds the special touches to an already perfect vacation.

Package is $249/per person and includes:

* Relaxation: $150 Red Lane Spa Credit.
* Indulgence: Champagne and berries in-room upon arrival.
* Rejuvenation: 2 complimentary yoga sessions.
* An amazing morning on the beach: A special breakfast on the beach with local fresh
   fruit in season, pastries and a bottle of "bubbly".
* A fun night on the town: One night dine around at Ocho Rios' best local Italian
   restaurant - Evita's.
* Caribbean Flavor: "Fresh Catch" cooking class with the resort chef.
* Goodies: Complimentary beach bag.
* Shopping: 10% off Gift Shop.

{I was lucky enough to crash the honeymoon of one of my favorite clients while she was at Royal Plantation a few weeks ago. It was great to meet Amy in person after hundreds of emails & phone calls back and forth for months while we planned her Destination Wedding. She was a dream to work with and I actually miss our communication! Stay tuned to my Destination Wedding Blog for photos documenting her amazing event! While she enjoyed Royal Plantation, I think it is safe to say the superb service and the luxury of having a private butler were certainly the highlights.}

* Package valid at Royal Plantation Ocho Rios, Jamaica for travel between Jan. 19, 2010 - Dec. 31, 2010 in Royal and EP Plans. Price is based per person. Inclusions subject to change and availability. To take advantage of all inclusions, package is recommended on stays of 4-nights or longer. No cash back for unused portion. Package not combinable with other spa credit offers. Package can be changed or withdrawn at anytime without notice.Offers can be changed or withdrawn anytime.

AZUL Beach - Best Baby & Toddler Inclusive Hotels in Mexico!

{This is Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma, located in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.}

As told by the photos, the hotel is PERFECT for adults... chic, stylish, and beaconing relaxation. What you don't see, is that this hotel is also PERFECT for kiddos. Azul Hotels offers an enviable Baby & Toddler Inclusive program. 

{For Babies}

• Babies up to the age of 2, stay FREE!
• The hotel provides: strollers, cribs, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizers, Gourmet Gerber Baby Food, itty bitty baby bathrobes, baby bathtub, baby monitors, a great pack 'n play program.
• A Jogging Program for stroller babies.
• Yoga for Mama & Babies.
• Baby-sitting Services (at an additional fee)

{For Toddlers}

• Welcome smoothie and Azulitos Journal by Fisher-Price at check-in.
• Kids Swimming Pool
• Kid's Club
• Jugueteca Toy Lending program by Fisher-Price.
• Kids menu at ALL restaurants.
• DVD Menu with popcorn delivery. 

If you need a break from your little charmers, Azul Hotels offer's a great "Parent's Night Out" program where the children will enjoy a movie & popcorn at the Kids Club and Mom & Dad can relax to a romantic candlelight dinner on the beach... 

Ready to go? We have great all-icnlusive vacation packages that can be combined with discount airfare from the US or cheap flights from the UK. Contact us - info @ caribbeanjourney.com or 866-236-1924.

Valley High Villa - Runaway Bay, Jamaica

{Welcome to Valley High}

Located in Cardiff Hall,

 Runaway Bay, Jamaica. 

Valley High Villa is a gorgeous Luxury Villa, situated in the prestigious Cardiff Hall Estates,  Runaway Bay,  in Jamaica's north coast. Located high up on the hills,  overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the surrounding mountains, the villa provides breathtaking views.

  There is a large private pool,  romantic pavilion,  many terraces and 3 

acres of lush plantation with a spring fed river for a cool dip.

I was able to visit this lovely property on my recent trip and these are my own photos of the property. Aside from the commanding view, I was surprised at how peaceful the villa was... how calm and quiet it was... how easy it was to relax.

The villa is fully staffed with a housekeeper, caretaker 

and excellent cooks.

You may dine indoors, or al fresco on the patio.

The grounds are lovely and tropical flowers & lush greenery are noted at every turn.

The villa offers 7 bedrooms, new modern bathrooms,  20 ft vaulted ceilings,  fans, air conditioning and  mesmerizing views from all rooms.

This is the lower level terrace, a the perfectly shaded spot to curl up with a good book or enjoy easy conversation after a long day in the sun.

And the view... 

Guests of Valley High, and all other Cardiff Hall Estate Villas, have access to the private Cardiff Hall Beach, adjacent to Tropical Spice Villa. Combining these two villas would be the perfect solution to accommodate a large group. 

Runaway Bay, Jamaica... one of the best beaches in Jamaica.

For more information or to book your trip to Valley High Villa, please send me an email - laura @ caribbeanjourney.com or call 866-236-1924.

Tropical Spice Villas - Runaway Bay, Jamaica

Welcome to Tropical Spice Villas in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. This is where we stayed last week on our vacation to Jamaica. This is one of the best values on the beach! 

The property has 2 villas, each with three bedrooms. Each villa has 2 master suites upstairs and one smaller bedroom downstairs.

We arrived to find the villas clean and comfortable.

If the villa itself was lacking in any regard, it was lost on us because once we set foot down the garden path, we knew we'd found paradise. The little yellow building to the right, is the main kitchen where the chef holds court and prepares all of the meals.

The beach is beautiful....  (to the left of the villas, just past a small private beach, is Breezes Resort. This shot is from the beach, looking left.)

even at night... amazing...

You might be visited by an ice cream vendor from time to time... never a complaint from our group:

To the right of the villas, is another villa, Sweet Spot, home to a very lovely lawn:

If you continue to walk down the beach, past Sweet Spot, you will pass a few local vendor beach shacks other lovely little beach villas:

 

And the sea will entice you all the way...

Here are the good people who took care of us:

Mr. Obrian, the bartender.

Our trusty security guard showed up every night at sunset.

Miss Althea runs a tight ship.

Miss Juliet kept our bedrooms clean and free of sandy footprints.

 And last, but certainly not least, the CHEF. We devoured his culinary talent with gusto! To see the CHEF in action, and see a sample of what we dined on - click here!

If the beach proved too tiring, there was plenty of room to relax in the garden filled with the most amazing tropical flora and well kept by Mr. Jack.

Then there was the pool. It is HUGE - plenty of room for all.

And a popular spot for the little ones due to the adjacent baby pool.

We miss the beach, the staff, the delicious meals and cool drinks at sunset. For more photos of the gorgeous beach - click here.

Seasonal Weekly Rates for Villa Tropical Spice are as follows:

1-3 Bedrooms - $2800/low season & $3150/high season

3-6 Bedrooms - $5600/low season $6300/high season
Holidays - $8500/week

To read more about the villa, click here! You may contact me - laura @caribbeanjourney.com if you would like additional information or to start planning your own Tropical Spice Villa Vacation!