Dive into the Turks & Caicos

Enjoy this colorful article all about diving in the Turks & Caicos...


Not far ahead of the dive boat I can see the occasional head pop up, breaking the surface for a sniff of warm, tropical air. Sea turtles. The sighting is enough to send the snorkelers on board scrambling to prepare their gear. People spit into their masks, quickly rubbing it onto the glass to prevent fogging once in the water. Our boat captain unpacks the waterproof spotting charts and deals them around. The dog-earred pages are filled with coloured pictures of sponges, corals, tropical fish, intimidating looking sharks and, of course, sea turtles.


“These waters are part of the marine sanctuary,” explains Brent Forbes, a guide with eco-outfitter Big Blue Unlimited. “This zone is protected against anchoring and fishing, conching and lobstering. When you get in you’ll see the turtles, but watch for spotted eagle rays, stingrays, parrotfish and nurse sharks.”


Turks and Caicos, a chain of 41 small islands, straddles the seam between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Incredible water in shades of blue that defy description — turquoise, navy, marine, aqua, teal — and the marine life below the surface draws visitors to these island pedestals of coral limestone.


According to Forbes, the gin-clear water and bountiful coral reefs have long been magnets for experienced divers. “It varies by season — in the busy season we see more divers than snorkelers, but people still come to snorkel all year round.”



Read the rest of the article here... from the Toronto Star via the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board. {photo from here}

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all of us at Caribbean Journey & The Journey Group! 


Thinking of spending your next Thanksgiving in the Caribbean? Check out this fabulous Caribbean Thanksgiving Menu. Would you ever? Delish! Here's a little advice on how to plan a family turkey day in the islands. 


PS. Photo from Country Living.


Cheers,

Punta Cana Resort and Club Named TOP Golf Resort!

PUNTACANA Resort & Club is currently home to two world class golf courses, P.B Dye’s La Cana and Tom Fazio’s Corales, with a third, Hacienda, set to open in 2011. The P.B. Dye-designed La Cana Golf Course, which opened in 2001, has long been a firm favorite of golfers from all over the world and, in line with PCRC’s efforts to be as environmentally friendly as possible, was the first course in the Caribbean to use paspalum, a grass seed that can be watered using sea water.  

In April 2010, the highly anticipated Tom Fazio designed Corales course opened to rave reviews with Golf Week’s Brad Klein naming the course “The future of Caribbean golf”. With the addition of Hacienda, the resort will offer 54 holes of championship golf to guests of the resort. The combination of the three courses, along with the many other amenities available to guests, makes PUNTACANA Resort & Club the Caribbean’s premier golf and beach destination.

Over 2,000 golf resorts from around the world were considered for this award category and were judged based on customer satisfaction, quality of golf course and accommodation, value for money, accessibility to tee times as well as speed of communication and quality of service of the golf resort sales and marketing team. 

Not only does Punta Cana Resort & Club have access to amazing golf, but the beach isn't bad either:

 

The resort buildings reflect the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets:

And the newly refurbished rooms are clean and streamlined making relaxation easy...

Contact CaribbeanJourney.com for great golf packages to the Punta Cana Resort & Club! We'll combine a resort + golf package with cheap flights. Punta Cana is serviced by every major island including; American Airlines, Delta, and even some discount airlines such as Jet Blue.

Enjoy,

The 6th Room is FREE at some of my FAVORITE Resorts

{This is Zoetry Agua Punta Cana}

Hurry! Book 6 rooms by November 30, 2010 at any AMR Resort - the parent company of Dreams Resorts, NOW Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Zoetry Resorts - and the 6th room is absolutely FREE! Travel must be completed by April 30, 2011.

Plus, your group will receive a complimentary room upgrade, VIP private check-in and $200 in resort coupons.

Dreams & NOW Resorts are family friendly resorts, while Secrets & Zoetry cater to adults only.

Ready, Set, Go? Let us know!

Happy Weekend,

Clients Return to Travel Agents

USA Today recently published a fantastic article reminding readers of the benefits of using a live human travel agent as opposed to taking on the responsibility of booking your trip independently online. 


Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the article:

• For some travelers, do-it-yourself booking is losing its luster. A study by Forrester Research found that in the first three months of this year, 28% of leisure travelers in the U.S. who booked their trips online said they'd be interested in going to a good traditional travel agent. That's up from 23% in 2008. Another Forrester report finds that the number of leisure travelers who enjoyed using the Web to plan and book their vacations dropped to 46% last year, down from 53% in 2007.
• In addition to getting clients special rates, upgrades and perks, a traditional travel agent can help passengers avoid the headache of figuring out varying rates and restrictions on their own.
• "A lot of people are finding that travel has become more complicated than ever and that they need ... the assistance of professionals that are going to understand," says Paul Ruden, senior vice president for legal and industry affairs for the American Society of Travel Agents.

Read the full article here and book your next trip with a Travel Agent! 

Enjoy,

Cotton House, Mustique

This is Mustique... a minute, yet charming island in the Grenadines. Mustique has long been a hideaway for the affluent and celebrities alike. Dotted with luxury villas and gingerbread cottages, the island is home to only a few hotels. Most notable is The Cotton House, an intimate boutique hotel with only 17 rooms. 

This is the building that houses the spa & gym: 

The Cotton House was originally an 18th century coral warehouse and sugar mill. The late British designer Oliver Messel is credited with the original restoration:

Beautiful airy rooms with plenty of natural light and luxurious furnishings:

The Cotton House is located on a hillside but has access and full facilities on an amazing beach:

Mustique has only been open to the public since 1968. The entire island still has a strong air of exclusivity. This is where you want to come to royally get away from it all and be pampered on a new level.

How do you get to Mustique? Its not as difficult as you might think. Book a flight to Barbados on any one of the large airlines servicing the island, such as American Airlines, Air Canada, Continental, etc. Then you'll need to book a 45 minute flight from Barbados to Mustique on Mustique Airways. As soon as you land.... you'll know you've arrived. ;)

Enjoy.

My Visit to the Villas at Viceroy Anguilla

Here's a little tour of the villa we called home on our trip to Anguilla at the Viceroy Resort! 

Enjoy,

Sandals Resorts Specials for Repeat Guests

Like many hotel chains, Sandals Resorts has a great loyalty program. For each visit to any Sandals or Beaches Resort, you will earn points resulting in discounts off future vacations. Their loyalty program is called SANDALS SELECT.

One of the neatest features about this program is Reunion Week. Each Year, Sandals Resorts hosts the popular ‘Reunion Week’ as a special thank you to returning guests for their unwavering loyalty to the Luxury Included® resort company. Loyal guests enjoy an opportunity to return to the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and participate in special themed events and activities, all while receiving exclusive savings. From April 25 – 29, 2011, the Sandals Select Reward Club—Sandals Resorts’ returning guest program—will offer its members a fun-filled reunion weekend at any one of the fourteen Sandals’ resorts in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and the Bahamas.

In addition to exclusive activities and savings, Sandals Select members are also eligible to receive Sandals Resorts’ current ‘Up to Two Nights Free’ promotion , and up to $250 credit towards  Sandals Resorts’ award-winning, Caribbean-inspired sanctuary, the Red Lane® Spa - by booking before December 9, 2010 with travel dates through 2012.  As with all Luxury Included® vacations, guests of Sandals Resorts will enjoy gourmet specialty dining at their choice of up to 14 restaurants, premium brand wine and spirits, watersports including snorkeling & scuba diving, nightly entertainment, luxurious accommodations, airport transfers and all resort taxes and fees.

 If you've stayed at a Sandals Resort previously and did not sign up for the loyalty program, we'd be happy to help you with your enrollment. If you are already a Sandals Select member and are interested in more information about Reunion Week - drop us a line.

 Each Sandals Resort is located on islands easily accesible via flights from most major US & European Gateways. American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and most major carriers service every island home to Sandals & Beaches Resorts.

Enjoy,

Bermuda Race Weekend

January 14th – 16th, 2011

Surrounded by crystal clear waters warmed by the Gulf Stream, Bermuda is the perfect wintertime destination for the active-minded traveler.  With its lush foliage and pastel-colored buildings, Bermuda is one of the most beautiful places on earth and the ideal destination for your next race. A short flight from many East Coast cities and Toronto, Bermuda only feels like it is a million miles away.

Register today to be a part of the 2011 Bermuda Marathon Weekend featuring ;

The Races

Friday, January 14th

KPMG Bermuda Invitational Mile - 1st race in Bermuda Triangle Challenge series

Saturday, January 15th

Bermuda 10K & 10K walk - 2nd race in Bermuda Triangle Challenge series

Sunday, January 16th 

Bermuda Marathon & Half Marathon - 3rd race in Bermuda Triangle 

Bermuda Triangle Challenge
3 Races * 3 Days * 4 Medals
Will You Survive?

We'd be happy to help plan and book your trip to Bermuda! Visit us at www.CaribbeanJourney.com

Best,

Craig & Sally's in St. Thomas

Craig & Sally's Restaurant on the island of St. Thomas offers a "Passionate Menu that Changes Daily".  The menu might be short - but it is very sweet, consisting of fresh local ingredients and gourmet imports. The concept of a daily menu rotation was born out of necessity after a hurricane many years ago. The concept was welcomed by staff & patrons alike and so it stuck. The delicious dishes will temp you to visit again soon and see what new creations await on tomorrow's menu...

Enjoy,

Sail the Caribbean in one of these!!!

Ok - so, maybe we're just dreaming... but these super yachts are beautiful and worth dreaming about...

Check out the other yacht's featured and the story here...

Cheers,

Happy Friday!

{Just a little lovely shot of Maunday's Bay, Anguilla.}

Kudos to Sheraton Hotels for investing $120 million in a worldwide fitness program at their hotels.

Jamaica to Host 15th Annual Caribbean Golf Association Classic in Montego Bay from May 12 to 16, 2010.

See what top Caribbean spas made this list.

One of my favorite reggae artists.

In very exciting news... Starwood Hotels is set to debut its first all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica! The Paradisus Playa Conchal will be re-branded as The Westin Playa Conchal Resort & Spa in May 2011. 


Check for cheap flights on United Airlines to the Caribbean!


Have a great weekend! See you Monday!

Cheers,

My Visit to Excellence Playa Mujeres

The Excellence Resorts have one of the highest repeat guest ratings in the category of adults only all-inclusive resorts. They have 3 properties - the Excellence Riviera Cancun, the Excellence Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and my favorite, the Excellence Playa Mujeres. Playa Mujeres is north of Cancun proper. From the amazing beach, you can see Isla Mujeres. I love it that while this hotel is chic and modern, it doesn't stray entirely from classic Mexican decor:

All hotel rooms and bathrooms on property are created in the same design, with the same soft furnishings - the only difference between room categories is location and your travel agent will be able to help you decide on the best location for your stay:

The Excellence Spas are noteworthy for any spa connoisseur. They are clean & minimalist without feeling stark or cold. See the curtains below? They create a giant circle, or "the cloud" and inside you'll find aromatherapy candles, soft music, and cozy chaise lounges. This is where you will relax and wait for your service:

The open air design of the communal spa space houses a state-of-the-art water circuit to rival any spa worldwide:

These are the spa cabanas which are conveniently located in front of the spa and the lazy river:

There are so many pools on property that at any given time you will surely find one practically empty so you may enjoy a quiet and peaceful swim:

The pristine beach is a highlight. It is wide enough to house all guests comfortably and long enough to allow for lazy sunset strolls, cocktail in hand:

 The Excellence Playa Mujeres is a great choice for a honeymoon or a group of friends wanting a sophisticated beach getaway. The hotel is also one of our bride's top choices for a Destination Wedding. We've booked 11 weddings here in the past few years, including this one that I was lucky enough to attend.


For more photos from my visit click here to view our Flickr gallery!

We'd love to help your plan your Excellence vacation! Contact us!

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Dominica!

November 3, 2010 marks the 32nd year the island of Dominica has been an Independent Nation. 

Become a fan of Dominica on Facebook.

An inside view of Dominica from Peace Corps Volunteer Anna McCanse.

Explore the beautiful website of the Tourist Board of Dominica.

Happy Birthday!

How to get to Anguilla?

Most of my clients ask "How do we get to Anguilla?" before we even begin looking at Anguilla accommodation options. 

American Eagle does fly directly into Anguilla from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Flight times are limited and the price is high. This leads most visitors to fly into St. Maarten, and take a ferry or small plane over to Anguilla.

{The view from my June ride on GB Express!}

My preferred ferry provider is GB Express. They are very reliable and reply quickly to any questions you might have. Recently, I booked a clients to spend a week on Anguilla and a week on St. Barths and GB was able to assist me in coordinating the Anguilla ferry with the St. Barths ferry and made my job so much easier! {Thank you, Cara!} Rates for GB Express start at $35/per person, each way. Click here to view their schedule. 

I usually recommend my clients take the ferry one direction and if they can afford it, fly another direction. {as long as you aren't afraid of small planes} On my recent trip, I few with Anguilla Air Services and they too were super reliable and helpful. Rates start at $80/per person, each way. Check out their schedule here.

I highly recommend a small plane transfer because it will double as a sightseeing tour and give you a bird's eye view of the Caribbean. Below is one of my favorite shots - and click here for more. Stay tuned - I'll be posting a video of my flight soon! 

As a full service travel company, all of our agents at CaribbeanJourney.com are able to book your entire vacation package to Anguilla - international airfare to St. Maarten, ferry and/or small plane charter, and resort or villa accommodations. Just another reason why you should use a Travel Agent.

 We look forward to hearing from you! 866-236-1924 or info@caribbeanjourney.com 

Happy travels,

Hurricane Tomas Update

Hurricanes are scary phenomenons. We lived through 5 in Miami before moving to Atlanta. We were safe, and what was scarier for me was the loss of business when the Internet would take weeks to be repaired. But in 3rd world countries, without hurricane standard construction, even Hurricane Tomas - barely a category 1 - can cause catastrophic damage as noted in this video:

So far, we don't have any reports of damage to hotels on any of the islands affected. We are keeping a close eye on the path of Tomas as it threatens Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and if it hits, it would likely disrupt thousands of travelers. We are praying the storm steers clear of Haiti because as haven't they had enough?

Stay tuned!