Have a Happy Halloween!

This week, I've been remembering my trip to Zihautanejo 2 years ago to celebrate Halloween + Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico. The trip was one of our all-time family favorites. Check out all we did here:

Zihautanejo - Where We Stayed

Halloween & Dia de Los Muertos

The Tides Zihautanejo

Deep Sea Fishing & A Private Island

Annie Palmer is the White Witch of Jamaica and one time owner of the Rose Hall Estate. Curious how she became famous? She killed her husbands. 

Think you know about the Bermuda Triangle? Jump over here for a few chills and other Caribbean haunts!

And even more Caribbean haunts are featured on this round up for Spooky Spots along Martinique's Route de la Trace.

Halloween is a great time of year to visit the Caribbean. Rates are low and many hotels celebrate the holiday with fun and festive parties for family members of all ages. October/November is also a great month to find cheap flights to the islands on every major airline, including American Airlines.

Happy Haunting,

Meads Bay Villas in Anguilla

I just booked a client for 10 nights at this lovely little collection of 4 private villas on Meads Bay Beach in Anguilla and I must say, I am supremely jealous. Anguilla is tops on my list and Meads Bay Beach is my favorite beach on the island. 

Each one of the Meads Bay Beach Villas is 1700 square feet. Villa # 1 is closet to the sand with the other 3 staggered back from this unit. 

The property is lushly landscaped and the interiors are well appointed with high-quality furnishings:

It can be said, that one of the reasons this property has such a high return guest rate is because of the staff. Miss Delta is famous for her Caribbean hospitality:

After a long day on the sand... retire to your villa and enjoy your private pool:

Jump on over here to see more photos from my visit.

Meads Bay is my favorite because some of the best restaurants are located on this beach such as the Straw Hat & Blanchards.

Enjoy,

Last Minute Deals to Sandals Resorts

{photo is Sandals Montego Bay}

If you are able to make a fast decision and commit to a luxury all-inclusive vacation on a whim, then booking Sandals Resorts at the last minute is likely your best deal. Sandals Resorts last minute vacations include up to 65% off the regular rates, 1 to 2 nights free, and possibly $250 Resort Spa Credit.

Enjoy,

A few fun facts about BARBADOS!

Last night I went to dinner with the Barbados Tourist Board. As with any Caribbean sponsored event, the night was lively & colorful but it was the following facts that I found most interesting...

Did you know 7 of South Carolina's first 21 governors were from Barbados?

Or that Barbados' own Mount Gay Rum is the oldest in the world? Maybe that's why it is called "the rum that invented rum".

What about this... Barbados was the only country George Washington visited outside the US and the house he lived in has been restored and is waiting for you to explore.

Not only is Barbados the first Caribbean island to be Zagat rated, but there are more restaurants per square mile than any other Caribbean island. 

Who knew that Barbados is home to Bathsheba, one of the top surfing destinations in the world.

And rounding out the coolness factor report, she's from Barbados too...

Stay tuned for more tidbits on this little gem of an island...

Enjoy,

RIP Mr. Gregory Isaacs

Mr. Gregory Isaacs, 

Thanks for being the soundtrack to so many of my favorite island memories. When I saw you in concert, I couldn't help but feel that you were singing only to me. Your voice will be missed...

One Love,

Azul Sensatori Hotel

Welcome to the Azul Sensatori Hotel. This is check-in:

Complete with easy access for the little ones to check in too... all located in a super chic lobby:

The hotel was completely full during my visit... and it was October - LOW season! This alone speaks volumes about the hotel but also meant I wasn't able to see any rooms. Having seen the rooms at the other two Azul Hotels, I'm confident the Azul Sensatori rooms will not disappoint. 

We did have some time to relax on the super chic roof-top lounge:

This is the view - beautiful pools, clear ocean, and a cruise ship in the distance:

The grounds were lush and green yet still very open and spacious.

We ended our night with a lovely dinner on the beach. Jump over here and see the photos... 

Mexico Tourism Board Launches iTunes App

The Mexico Tourism Board launched the Visit Mexico iPhone application -- the first iPhone travel application to provide nationwide coverage. Users can select to receive information from six regions and all 32 states, in addition to receiving in-depth information about 27 top tourist destinations. The app includes several features, such as online news and weather, interesting activities, videos and Google Map links for top destinations. The application also includes an interactive “piñata” game where users can shake the iPhone to receive a treat -- a destination suggestion. By tapping the name of the suggested destination, users can learn more about its culture, cuisine, climate, geographical setting and much more. This is the perfect game for spontaneous travelers, who love nothing more than jetting away to new and enticing locales.

One of the best features of the application is the “Activities” section located on the home screen. By tapping into this section, users can learn more about Mexico’s wide range of activities. From beaches to camping to entertainment, users can see their favorite activities in a multitude of Mexican destinations, such as Tijuana, Cancun, RivieraNayarit and Queretaro, among others. By using the application, users can also learn more about Mexico’s numerous World Heritage sites, festivals and rich history all with the “tap” of a button.

Get it here, its FREE! 

Have fun,

Anguilla Travel Specialist

After my amazing trip to Anguilla this summer, I decided I wanted to know everything possible about this little island. After weeks of study, I have finally completed the Anguilla Travel Connoisseur Programme and am now a recommended agent on the Anguilla Tourist Board website. I'd love to help you start planning your trip to Anguilla today!

Cheers,

Jamaica's Tourism Minister & Sandals Resorts offers Vacations to Chilean Miners

Jamaica’s Tourism and Foreign Ministries have partnered with Sandals Resorts International to offer the recently rescued Chilean miners, their rescue workers and their spouses a relaxing Jamaican vacation. Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett made the announcement at a press conference in Montego Bay on Oct. 14, 2010...

“As we celebrate the near completion of our Montego Bay Convention Centre,” Bartlett said, “we must pause to give thanks to God for the miraculous rescue of the Chilean miners from their 69-day ordeal trapped underground. I have the highest praises for the Chilean government, their international partners and the rescue workers involved in bringing the miners to safety. The rescue of the 33 trapped miners is an amazing survival story and a miracle which will long be remembered.”

Bartlett said his ministry along with related agencies would be working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sandals Resorts to ensure the miners, rescue workers and their spouses are able to enjoy a stress-free Jamaican vacation after spending more than two months anxiously awaiting what has happily resulted in a positive outcome.

Enjoy,

Last Minute Villas Open for Thanksgiving Week on St. John!

There are still many fabulous villas available for Thanksgiving Week on the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands!

Thanksgiving Week is considered Nov 20-27, 2010

Send us your dates, number traveling, ages of any children, and we will send you a customized list of options. St. John is only a short ferry ride away from St. Thomas. You can find cheap tickets to St. Thomas on most major airways, including American Airlines.

We'll even help you pre-order a catered Thanksgiving Day Feast!

Brought to you by CaribbeanJourney.com 

866-236-1924

info@caribbeanjourney.com

My Visit to El Dorado Royale & Casitas, Riviera Maya

The El Dorado Royale is one of three El Dorado Resorts - the luxury adults only resorts by Karisma. 

I haven't visited this part of the Riviera Maya since before Hurricane Wilma destroyed the beach. The exposed reef and large sandbags resembling beached whales in the shallow water, were a bit of a shock, but they don't take away from the clarity of the water and might actually be helping the environment as they form artificial reefs. 

The resort has plenty of places to relax with your toes in the sand:

The accommodations at Royale are private villa suites featuring dark wood furnishings, white linens, and marble baths. And every room has a jacuzzi for two...

 The newer Casitas section is more luxurious with outdoor showers, full size beds on every veranda, pillow & aromatherapy menus, and some rooms with private pools: 

The El Dorado Hotels are very popular and were almost at max capacity even in October. We'd love to help you book early and lock in your preferred dates at a great rate. info@caribbeanjourney.com

Click here for more of my photos from the El Dorado Royale & Casitas.

Stay tuned for more reports from my trip! 

Cheers,

Just Back - Cancun

I had a fabulous time in Mexico exploring 8 hotels and celebrating a client's wedding. Now I'm home safe but the wedding guests are stranded. Here's hoping Paula changes course soon...

Enjoy,

Earn Bonus Delta Skymiles when Booking the Caribbean!

Stay in a 1 Bedroom Suite Category at any Almond Resort in St. Lucia or Barbados and receive 25,000 bonus miles.

Book any Sandals or Beaches Resort and earn up to 9000 bonus miles.

Earn up to 2000 miles for when you book vacations to Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, Curacao, Jamaica, Nassau, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, or the Turks & Caicos.

Be sure and let your CaribbeanJourney.com travel agent know you want to hear about how you can earn Bonus Delta Skymiles on your next vacation! info@caribbeanjourney.com

{As with all promotions, dates and other restrictions apply.}

Enjoy,