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Where To Go In April 2023

March 24, 2023

For a lot of folks, April is a month to stay home and regroup. Memories of winter vacations have faded, the kids are back in school and the college crowd is sharing selfies and nursing hangovers from recent spring break adventures. Travel agents might call this a “shoulder season,” which is a good thing for anyone who has the urge to go somewhere special. A shoulder season often means lower rates at prime properties, fewer crowds on beaches, table spaces at cafes, and milder pre-summer temperatures. Here are a dozen destinations where April is a great time to visit.

Bali

Bali is less than 600 miles from the equator, so there’s never really a “cool season.” Unless you head for the lakes. The northern highlands of this volcanic island include four alpine lakes that sit more than 4,000 feet above sea level. Trips to the lakes take in emerald-hued rice paddies and some of the island’s most iconic temples. The Ulun Danu Beratan temple complex overlooks the clear waters of Lake Bratan, which reflects the iconic profile of the 11-roofed shrine to the Hindu god Vishnu. Lake Bratan offers local restaurants, boat rides, and a botanical garden, while the shores of the lakes of Tamblingan and Tamblingan are favorites with hikers. April is a perfect time to visit, as it is the dry season, with almost no chance of a passing shower to dampen the scene.

The iconic Hindu water temple, Pura Ulun Danu Temple was built in the 17th century and is set in the highlands of Bali. Photo: Nikada/iStock

Hawaii

Each year the Island of Hawaii hosts a week of traditional crafts, art, music, and hula known as the Merrie Monarch Festival. This event dates back to the 1800s when King David Kal’kaua celebrated his 50th birthday with a two-week party that revived ancestral hula traditions and sparked a newfound interest in traditional Hawaiian culture. Kal’kaua was not only a patron of traditional arts and culture, he was also a fun-loving character who earned the nickname “Merrie Monarch.” The festival now held in his honor in the town of Hilo includes parades, art shows, music, and performances by ho’opa’a chanters and ‘lapa dancers who compete for top honors. The 2023 festival takes place from April 9 to 15.

Hula performances include ancient-style and modern-style dances at the Merrie Monarch Festival on Hilo, Hawaii. Photo: Bruce Omori/Merrie Monarch Festival

Canary Islands

In-the-know travelers come to Grand Canaria in April to get ahead of the crowds and heat of summer. In addition to warm, sunny days and balmy nights, an early-season visit offers some tasty events. The cobblestone square of Flor de Guia is the setting for the annual cheese festival, which celebrates the island’s signature soft and creamy goat and sheep cheeses. A couple of years back, winemakers started getting in on the act as well, giving festival goers the perfect pairing for the celebration. April is also time for the island’s annual Valsequillo Strawberry Festival, offering live music, farm tours, cooking and dessert competition, and a chance to sample all manner of strawberry-based treats. Other mark-the-calendar events in April include the island’s lavish Semana Santa Easter processions and the historic reenactments and traditional costumes at Fiesta de los Aborigenes.

The twin-towered Cathedral of Saint Ana is on the visitor’s guide located in the heart of Vegueta in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Photo: Gerold Grotelueschen/iStock

Philippines

March and April are the driest months in Bohol, and that’s the best time to take in one of the island’s signature attractions. The area known as the Chocolate Hills are covered in grassy mounds shaped like giant chocolate drops. And the region’s resemblance to an oversized candy store becomes even more convincing when the grass dies in the dry season, leaving the hills covered in a carpet of brown. Bohol is known as the eco-adventure capital of the Philippines. In addition to more expected activities such as snorkeling, paddling, off-roading, and trekking to waterfalls, visitors can zipline superman-style across an entire river valley, swim in hidden underground caves, seek out the world’s smallest primate, or take an evening trip on a river where huge clouds of fireflies light the way.

The island of Bohol in the Philippines hosts seven waterfalls, Pahangog Falls aka Dimiao Twin Falls is one of the most favored. Photo: zcesty/Shutterstock

Thailand

Thais love a party, which is probably why they celebrate New Year’s three times. It starts with the global event on January one, then there’s the Chinese New Year a few weeks later. And when April 13 rolls around, it’s time for Songkran, Thai New Year’s national holiday. There’s a solemn element to the occasion, as it’s considered a time for spring cleaning of homes, monuments, and temples to remove bad luck. But it doesn’t take much for the washing to get out of hand, and in cities and villages across the country, Songkran becomes a three-day water fight in the streets. Most people welcome the cooling splash, as April is one of the hottest months of the year in the Kingdom of Smiles, and seasonal rains are still a few months away.

During the Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the traditional bathing of the Buddha Phra Singh parade takes place on an annual basis. Photo: nuwatphoto/Shutterstock

Seychelles

Sitting in the open waters of the Western Indian Ocean, Seychelles is bathed in lively northern trade winds from November through March, Then the southern trades kick in beginning in May. This leaves April as the month with the best chances of enjoying calm seas for swimming, snorkeling, and boating. It’s also the dry season, which means lower humidity and temperate nights. A favorite destination is the island of La Digue, where postcard-perfect beaches are framed in palms and lined with huge granite boulders. The shoreline known as Anse Source d’Argent often described as the most beautiful beach in the world. It’s home to the Kissing Rocks, likely named for the almost-touching nature of the formation — though the setting is undeniably romantic enough to elicit a smooch.

Grand Anse Beach on the south side of La Digue island in Seychelles is one of the world’s most beautiful white sandy beaches. Photo: Igor Tichonow/Shutterstock

Barbados

The Barbados fishing village of Oistins is famous for its Friday Night Fish Fry, which serves up a savory array of fresh catches against the backdrop of a lively street market that reverberates to the sounds of Calypso, Reggae, and traditional Barbados tuk band music. Each year during the Easter weekend, the party keeps going as Friday’s fest transforms into the annual Oistins Fish Festival. Known as the largest community festival on the island, this event adds even more food, music, and dancing, plus all manner of fun such as an Easter Bonnet competition, boat races, a fishcake eating contest, and a celebrity cook-off. The 2023 Oistins Fish Festival will take place from April 7th to 10th.

Oistins Fish Fry is a Friday night occurrence in Barbados but during the Easter season, it evolves into a huge festival with food, music, and dancing. Photo: Barbados Tourism Marketing

Cape Verde Islands

Beaches. That’s why you visit the Cape Verde Islands. This cluster of 10 volcanic islands set off Africa’s west coast offers plenty of sun and sand, and April sits squarely in the center of the dry season while also enjoying refreshing trade winds from the north that keep temperatures in the mid to high 70s. There are remote beaches for long walks, lively beaches lined with cafes and restaurants, surfing beaches, wind-swept strands that draw windsurfers and kiteboarders, and calm shores where clear waters invite swimmers and snorkelers. In recent years, the fishing village of Tarrafal has become a new favorite for snorkelers and swimmers, as it is located on the main island of Santiago but sits comfortably far away from the crowds.

Fishing boats rest on Tarrafal Beach, the most beautiful beach on Santiago island, the largest island in Cape Verde. Photo: Iacob Madaci/iStock

Antigua

Sunshine, blue water, and steady trade winds create the perfect formula for a yacht race, and that’s exactly what you get when you visit the Caribbean island of Antigua at the end of April. Billed as the Caribbean’s most prestigious regatta, Antigua Sailing Week attracts more than 100 yachts from the Americas and beyond for a series of around-the-buoy and around-the-island races. To keep things competitive, there are separate categories for everything from small open boats and casual live-aboard cruisers to sleek million-dollar speedsters, giving everyone a chance to get in on the action. After the sails are furled, the parties start, and it isn’t just the sailors who celebrate, as most events are open to spectators who watch from shore.

Action from Antigua Sailing Week 2022, during the English Harbour Rum Race Day 1, sponsored by Antigua’s favored rum. Photo: Paul Wyeth/Antigua Sailing Week

Palau

The waters of Palau’s southern lagoon are festooned with some 300 small limestone islands surrounded by sparkling waters that hold colorful coral formations. It’s a snorkeler’s and kayaker’s dream destination, and April is a great time to visit. While air and water temperatures remain fairly constant through the year, April sees a drop in winds that makes for easy paddling and glassy waters for snorkeling. The Rock Islands have been named a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of their unique beauty. This area is also home to the famous Jellyfish Lake, which is an inland lagoon where swimmers can immerse in clear water to swim with thousands of non-stinging jellies.

Nikko Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is laced with tunnels and marine caves ready to explore via kayak. Photo: Naima Niemand/Shutterstock

Colombia

Sometimes known as the “Accordion Olympics,” the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata is actually much more. Held each April in the Colombian city of Valledupar, this four-day event is a celebration of all things related to the folk music genre known as Vallenato. Top billing is given to the musical contests that lead to the crowning of Rey Vallenato — the king of accordions. Similar contests are held to determine top honors for guacharaca percussionists and songwriters. The long weekend also includes plenty of parades, dances, parties, and food. The festival draws competitors from across the region as well as Venezuela, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States, and more than 50,000 spectators. 2023 marks the 56th anniversary of the event’s founding, and it is dedicated to Luis Enrique Martinez, which is known as the king of Vallenato music.

The Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata showcases some of the best composers and performers of vallenato, the popular folk music of Colombia. Photo: Merly Diaz Bustamente/Flickr

Key West, Florida

While Key West is often thought of as a tropical destination, the truth is that winter months can get a bit chilly and breezy when cold fronts from the continent sweep across the islands. That’s all over by April – and as a bonus, the spring break crowds are back at school or work. This leaves visitors with plenty of personal space as they walk the historic streets of Old Key West. Temperatures typically peak in the mid-80s, while the humidity remains lower than during the muggy summer months. It’s also a great time to grab some shoulder season rates at hotels and enjoy wait-free dining at popular restaurants. For an extra bit of local color, plan your trip during the annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration for a week of parties, parades, and whimsical reenactments.

Duval in downtown Key West is the most visited street in town. It’s lined with ornate architecture where hotels, restaurants, and shops have set up shop. Photo: Birute Vijeikiene/iStock

Barbados, Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Florida, Hawaii, Islands, Maldives, Maui, Mexico, Plan

Best Places to Travel in March 2023

February 14, 2023

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March is one of those months that can fly below the vacation radar. It’s just past the end of winter getaways, and a bit before the mad crush of spring break. This means travelers who time it right can enjoy an ideal combination of mild weather, fewer crowds, and great shoulder-season rates. Here are seven good choices for a March getaway.

Panama

Just a few miles from downtown Panama City, Somberania National Park is an oasis of rainforest greenery. And March is a great time to visit because – well, it isn’t raining all the time. Visiting the park during the dry season means plenty of sunshine and mud-free hiking trails. Paths lead through impressive stands of cotton, mahogany, and guayacan trees, crossing streams and swaying bridges on the way to waterfalls and swimming holes on the Chagres River. The 55,000-acre park is a favorite destination for bird watchers, who have tallied 400-plus species including exotic finds like toucans, trogons, flycatchers, and tanagers, along with rare birds such as the red-bellied woodpecker, yellow-eared toucanet and ground cuckoo.

Sunrise over the Chagres River in the Soberanía National Park of Gamboa, a 55,000-acre protected tropical ecosystem in Panama. Photo: Bkamprath/iStock

Mexico

March breezes usher in one of Mexico’s premier sailing events in the blue waters of Puerto Vallarta. 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the Banderas Bay Regatta. This international nautical get- together draws an eclectic mix of serious sailors and casual competitors to compete in a week-long series of around-the-buoy races and shoreside celebrations. Headquarters for the event is the Vallarta Yacht Club, but don’t expect blue-blazers and bloody marys, because the club has a more laid-back flip-flop and Corona vibe. After watching the races, head to the quiet fishing village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle for some old-school Mexican hospitality.

Racing unfolds during the 2022 Banderas Bay Regatta, an annual event attracting sailors from Mexico and North America. Photo: John Pounder/JL Digital Media.net

Maui

Each year thousands of humpback whales from all corners of the Pacific gather in the warm, shallow waters off the coast of Maui to mate, give birth, and raise their young. The action takes place in calm water not far from shore, making it one of the most relaxing places in the world for whale watching. And in addition to on-the- water viewing sessions, anyone who’s really into whales should mark their calendars for the Lahaina Whale and Ocean Arts Festival. Held on the first week of March at Lahaina’s Campbell Park, this event combines ocean-themed art exhibits with food, games, live music, and family activities.

A humpback whale fluke during a sunset whale watching in Lahaina on Maui. Here, the whale-watching season runs from March to November. Photo: Manuel Balesteri/Shutterstock

Maldives

There’s really not a bad time to visit the stunning islands of the Maldives, but March gives you a chance to slip in after the end of the winter rush while still enjoying some balmy weather and plenty of sunshine. This is also a favorite date for divers and snorkelers, as waters are particularly clear at this time of the year. March also marks the beginning of the surfing season. There are beginner- friendly waves ideal for anyone who has ever thought about taking up the sport, and some legendary breaks to challenge experts. With more than 100 islands offering stunning beach resorts, there are options to suit all tastes and budgets.

Aerial view of a seaplane approaching an island resort in the Maldives where over-the water-bungalows are ubiquitous. Photo: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock

Florida

Florida’s theme parks and beaches can get crowded once spring breakers arrive, but there are still plenty of quiet places to enjoy in the Sunshine State. For a truly wild adventure, head to the Everglades National Park and sign up for an airboat tour into the heart of America’s largest wetlands. These specially-designed flat- bottomed boats glide through sawgrass meadows and shallow waters that aren’t accessible to other types of boats. For added enjoyment, combine a boat trip with a visit to the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation for a cultural immersion into the history and traditions of the Seminole tribe.

Blue skies are reflected in the still waters of the Florida Everglades as tourists take airboat rides to visit alligators and other wildlife. Photo: allouphoto/Shutterstock

Dominica Republic

Each year, as many as 2,000 humpback whales visit the Dominica Republic’s Samana Bay, and March is an ideal time for a whale- watching trip that has the added bonus of visits by resident pods of dolphins. Plan your trip early in the month and you can also take in the National Carnival Parade. This event is the culmination of weeks of regional carnival competitions, all leading to the big finale when the best carnival troupes from across the country converge on the Santo Domingo Malecón for a weekend of pageantry, dances, and parades. And if you miss that party, there’s still time after your whaling trip for a road trip to the Cabarete district to watch the action at the World Surf League and get in on the final carnival of the season.

The Bay of Samana is ideal for watching humpback whales as they come to mate, give birth, and nurse their young in these warmer waters. Photo: Judith Lienert/Shutterstock

Barbados

It’s fitting that the island that has been called “a little piece of England” delivers echos of The Royal Ascot with the staging of the Caribbean’s most prestigious horse racing event. The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup is a highlight of the island’s sporting and social calendar. The race draws an international field of jockeys and thoroughbred trainers. The Gold Cup is the culmination of a tradition dating back to 1845 when officers of the British Regiment stationed in Barbados staged impromptu horse races on the parade grounds of the Garrison Savannah. Today, it is much more than a race, as it has become the centerpiece for a weekend of social events and celebrations.

Any escape to Barbados involves some beach time. With more than 80 white strands on the island, there is plenty to explore. Photo: Barbados Tourism Marketing

Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas-Out Islands, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Dominica, St. Eustatius, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Turks & Caicos

The Caribbean’s Latest Hot Spot Hotels

January 12, 2023

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While the travel landscape might have been turned upside down in the past couple of years, the hotel industry in the Caribbean has been resilient, to say the least. The tourism sector of these nations has been maintaining a pace as if the world had not been interrupted. These recent additions to the Caribbean inventory showcase sustainable practices while offering plenty of style and luxuries.

Caerula Mar Club, South Andros Island, Bahamas

On an island where very little has changed the opening of Caerula Mar was a big deal on the island and in the HGTV world. The largest island of the Bahamas, Andros has always been a low-key off-the-radar place – a quiet retreat for visitors who come to fish, bird watch, and dive blue holes. The island is pretty much left in its natural state and that was a consideration when Brian and Sarah Baeumler purchased the abandoned property in 2017 to renovate into an ultra-luxe boutique property, the star of the HGTV show, Renovation Island. Incorporating ethical and sustainable practices this low-density resort sits on 10 acres with a gorgeous beachfront where all of the cottages are just steps from the sea. With just five private villas and 18 suites, guests find themselves immersed in nature, and the sea, and pretty much secluded from the outside world. It’s barefoot luxury at its best. When it comes to amenities, there are three restaurants to choose from, a spa, a fitness center, and a selection of on-the-water activities and bikes for exploring the backroads of this pristine island. To find out more: https://www.caerulamar.com/

South Andros Bahamas Caerula Mar Club Resort

Caerula Mar in The Bahamas features sustainable and natural materials in the suites mirroring the outdoor living spaces. Photo: Caerula Mar

Hammock Cove Resort & Spa, Antigua

Set near the dramatic limestone formations of Devil’s Bridge, Hammock Cove overlooks a tranquil and protected area of the bay on the northeastern edge of Antigua. Each of the 42 villas is single-story, king-bedded and comes with large outdoor living spaces that include plunge pools, sun loungers, and a cocktail area with a fully stocked wine cooler and of course, a view. This new luxurious boutique ticks all the boxes and more. In addition to indoor and outdoor spaces, this adults-only 5-star resort comes with an all-inclusive plan better known as uninterrupted luxury. Taking the concept to a level above with Micheline-star dining from breakfast to dinner including traditional English afternoon tea with an Antiguan twist, personalized service as each villa has its guest ambassador, yoga and fitness classes, paddle boarding, or snorkeling. If downtime is on the agenda drift off on the floating relaxation mats. A big hit with couples, this star opened at the end of 2019 and is a member of the Elite Islands Resorts group which includes four other resorts in Antigua. For more info: https://www.hammockcoveantigua.com/

Each villa at Hammock Cove has uninterrupted views of the turquoise water. Here guests enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and paddle boarding in the calm bay. Photo: Hammock Cove

Rock House, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Capturing inspiration from Capri and Nice where villas are set within seaside cliffs, Rock House takes guests on a journey to the Mediterranean. With conscious efforts to preserve the existing natural landscape along the rugged limestone coast north of Grace Bay, the 46 oceanfront villas with an aura of the Amalfi Coast have come to the Caribbean. Constructed by local artisans, limestone feature walls wrap around the one and two-bedroom standalone villas that feature outdoor terraces, shower garden bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows to seamlessly blend indoors and outdoors, where the turquoise sea is a constant vista. A handful of villas overlook the 100-foot infinity pool which is surrounded by day beds and umbrellas, beyond is a white sand beach and a jetty that reaches out 130 feet into the Atlantic. Oceanfront dining showcasing Adriatic cuisine and two bar options fuel guests for kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming. For more information: https://rockhouse.gracebayresorts.com/

Rock House, a member of Grace Bay Resorts is the first cliffside residential resort to open along the north shore of Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos. Photo: Rock House

Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski, Dominica

Surrounded by Cabrits National Park, a 1,313-acre region set up to protect tropical forests, reefs, and wetlands on the north end of a peninsula near Portsmouth, this property made its debut in the Fall of 2019. It’s the first new build from the iconic European hotelier to come to the Americas. And it’s the first grand property, with 151 guestrooms, in Dominica, an island that has remained sheltered from mass tourism. The five-star hotel brings all the amenities one might expect. Luxuriously appointed rooms with mountain and ocean views done in coastal colors with wood accents merge indoor and outdoor ambiance. The juxtaposition of nature and luxury is the intended experience. Guests might hike in the forest all day and return to a freestanding soaking tub filled with aromatic bubbles. An 18,000 -square-foot spa continues the connection to nature with treatments inspired by local culture and the surroundings offered in treehouse cabanas. Dining concepts bring in local fare with Creole dishes as well as farm-to- table and sea-to-table offerings. A small black sand beach dotted with six cabanas, four pools, a fitness center, and water sports keep families entertained. For more details: https://www.kempinski.com/en/cabrits-resort-kempinski- dominica

Luxury meets nature in Dominica, where Cabrits Resort & Spa was constructed to harmonize with the natural setting of mountains and ocean at Douglas Bay. Photo: Cabrits Resort

Saba Rock, British Virgin Islands

The rebirth of this tiny island resort in the North Sound of the British Virgin Islands took place in October 2021. Hit hard by Hurricane Irma in 2017, it took five years to rebuild, but this rendition is tougher and stronger and built to withstand any future storm. The island has been a haunt for sailors and divers since its heyday in the 1960s when diving pioneer Bert Kilbride set up his diving base on the island. Today, a miniature museum takes visitors on a journey to the past showcasing maritime treasures found through the islands. You’ll find sailors and water sports enthusiasts with beer or cocktails in hand at the rooftop sunset bar and dining in the open-air restaurant. Stayover guests might feel like they are sleeping on a boat in the middle of the sea and the experience is not far from that, guest rooms are on the second level outfitted with large picture windows with direct views of the blue water. The decor is one-of-a-kind vintage and contemporary nautical with wooden oars and kiteboards lining the walls. The resort offers just nine rooms in total, seven guest rooms, and two suites, so the place never carries much of a crowd after happy hour and diners head back to their yachts. This is where you can escape the day-to-day stresses and watch the sailboats go by from the deck. Book your room at: https://sabarock.com/

The newly renovated private island resort of Saba Rock is a must-stop for yachties plying the waters of the BVI’s. Photo: Saba Rock

Coulibri Ridge, Dominica

The newest and latest in eco-luxury resorts to come to the nature isle. Years in the making, and every detail was researched to minimize the impact on the environment from the power technologies down to the linens you will sleep on. Here, the mantra of sustainable luxury includes conscious choices that preserve the environment. The concept is to enjoy life’s luxuries without depleting resources. Set within 200 acres of secluded wilderness with views of mountains and the sea where Martinique lingers on the horizon, the small enclave offers just 14 suites. Imagined and realized to be off-grid with solar panels, wind turbines, and the collection of rainwater to fuel the small resort that opened in October 2022. Even the interiors bow to sustainability drawing on recycled teakwood and aluminum while the exterior incorporates hand-chiseled stone sourced from the property and constructed by local community members who remain in various capacities at the resort. Guests enjoy two dining options, two pools, a spa, a yoga pavilion, and, a gym along with an island packed full of natural scenery waiting for discovery. To book a room contact: https://www.coulibriridge.com/

Structures that harmonize with the national beauty of the landscape were a consideration in the creation of Coulibri Ridge, a fully sustainable resort on Dominica. Photo: Coulibri Ridge

Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort, St. Eustatius

This quaint off-the-beaten-path island hasn’t seen a new resort in years. Statia is one of a few hidden gems in the Caribbean that maintains an authentic Caribbean lifestyle and a pristine natural landscape. However, it’s been no secret to divers who have been coming for years to explore the diverse underwater habitat. Today, comfort and luxury have landed topside with the opening of Golden Rock, Statia’s ecologically sustainable resort which is powered by solar panels and receives drinking water from the sea via reverse osmosis. Sitting between the Quill, the island’s dormant volcano, and the sea, the eco-resort includes 32 deluxe rooms and suites that are carefully melded into 40 acres of natural terrain dotted with flowering gardens and an organic vegetable patch. Guests have tennis courts, a small spa, a large saltwater pool, a fitness center, and Breeze, the restaurant offering local delicacies with an ocean view. Look for the opening of the pool bar and pool cabanas next year. To book a room: https://www.goldenrockresort.com/

St Eustatius Golden Rock Dive Nature Resort

Villas at Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort have views of The Quill and the sea on this hidden Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius. Photo: Golden Rock

The Morgan Resort & Spa, St. Maarten

New on the scene in Dutch St. Maarten, The Morgan opened its doors in June of 2021. This new luxury boutique has brought a jolt of fresh energy to the island’s hospitality scene. The feel is a bit elegant, trendy and chic. Rooms are dressed in sleek and contemporary furnishings with walls of windows and private balconies or terraces. Guests gravitate to the beach-style infinity pool featuring an underwater music system and a swim-up bar with a blackjack table. Chaises and umbrellas line the walk-in pool edge and for added privacy cabanas with billowing drapes are set in the background, all within sight of the sea. The highlight is the rooftop observation deck where observers will have a 360-degree view of jets landing at Princess Juliana Airport, a favorite pastime for visitors of Maho Beach, which is just steps from the resort. For more information and to make reservations, visit: https://www.themorganresort.com/ or call 1-833-9-MORGAN.

Dutch St. Maarten’s modern and stylish newcomer, The Morgan Resort & Spa, features 124 rooms and suites and overlooks the Caribbean Sea. Photo: The Morgan

O2 Beach Club & Spa, Barbados

The south coast of Barbados received a breath of fresh air with the opening of O2 Beach Club in November of 2021. The new five-star all-inclusive luxury boutique is the transformation of the former Ocean Two Resort with an additional 42 ocean view and oceanfront rooms. Contemporary, colorful, and cheerful in design bringing in elements that encompass island living with palm fronds and coral motifs in artwork, fabrics, and floor coverings. The ambiance is upbeat while remaining chill just like you’d expect from a beach club. Amenities include non- motorized sports and a full activity plan from aqua aerobics to beach volleyball is on the slate. Experience ambassadors set up how-to classes allowing you to go home with a new skill; you might learn how to make fish cakes, play the steel pans or blow a conch shell. Dining includes several options from toes-in-the-sand to fine dining with 360-degree views of the south coast. Sunset champagne and canapes are part of the elegant mix on the sky terrace. Three collections of suites allow guests to select the level of accommodations from adults–only to spacious one or two-bedroom suites. For more information: https://www.o2beachclubbarbados.com/

Fresh and vibrant guest rooms bring in tropical colors and views of the pool and beach at O2 beach Club in St. Lawrence Gap in Barbados. Photo: O2 Beach Club

Bahamas-New Providence, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Plan, St. Barts, St. Kitts, U.S. Virgin Islands

Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Caribbean

December 14, 2022

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Fireworks on the beach, parades in the streets, and plenty of music and dancing are what you’ll find on these islands during the holiday season. When the clock strikes midnight in St. Kitts, St. Barts, Bermuda, St. Croix, the British Virgin Islands, Barbados, and the Bahamas you’ll want to be there to ring in the New Year.

St. Kitts

The Kittitian culture takes on Sugar Mas as the Federation’s national event combining what many call Carnival with Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. It’s essentially one big party that lasts from the end of November until the first week of January. There’s a calypso show to kick off the season and the event culminates with Parade Day on New Year’s Day where revelers wear colorful feathered costumes and march through the nation’s capital of Basseterre.

St. Kitts and Nevis celebrate Carnival, locally known as Sugar Mas, with street parties, musical competitions, and cultural performances. Photo: St. Kitts Tourism

St. Barts

This annual rendezvous attracts sailors and boaters from around the world. The island alone draws jet setters and stars, but locals love the festive holidays here as well as returning visitors. It’s hard to find a more picturesque place than the harbor of Gustavia to celebrate the New Year. Boats don lights and holiday decorations, villas and hotels are brimming with ornaments and the harbor is trimmed with lights. At midnight, the sky lights up with magical fireworks, and yachts moored off the island and, in the harbor, sound their foghorns in unison.

At midnight Fort Oscar is illuminated from above by a sky bursting with fireworks. Hotels and restaurants on St. Barts host costume parties, special dinners, and festivities. Photo: St. Barth Tourism

Bermuda

The island of Bermuda takes on the holidays with warm and inviting passion as seasonal celebrations begin early with walks, parades, and parties throughout the towns. One of the most popular traditions is the New Year’s Eve Onion Drop where visitors and locals come to gather and walk the cobblestone streets of St. George’s on December 31. After a few stops at local pubs, the crowd heads to King’s Square to await the big drop. Music, fireworks, and the community gathering run from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The town square in St. George’s is the most popular place in Bermuda to ring in the New Year. The onion, the pride, and the joy of Bermuda is celebrated on New Year’s Eve with the drop at midnight. Photo: Anna Bryukhanova/iStock

St. Croix

The Crucian Christmas Festival takes place from late December until early January culminating around Three Kings Day in the seaside town of Frederiksted. While most Caribbean islands begin Carnival in the spring here the action starts at the end of the year. Elaborate and colorful costumes made the year before are donned in parades that wander through the streets and across the island including one big street party in Christiansted where roads are blocked off so revelers can celebrate. On December 31 a free reggae concert takes place at the Festival Village in Frederiksted with performances by Maxi Priest and a grand finale and salute to the New Year with fireworks.

Beautiful women in spectacular costumes with feathered headdresses get the crowd’s attention and votes during the Crucian Christmas Festival on St. Croix. Photo: USVI Tourism

British Virgin Islands

These islands are popular with yachties all year long but during the holiday season, many gravitate to its countless island harbors and coves. As New Year’s Eve approaches there’s plenty of boat-to-boat hopping as well as bar hopping throughout the islands. At midnight, the foghorns sound on the water, and fireworks light up the skies. Back on land, Foxy’s Bar hosts the popular Old Year’s Night party that people talk about for years as a must-do in the British Virgin Islands. Every year, this huge celebration held on the white sand beaches of Jost Van Dyke explodes with live music, food, and drinks.

The best New Year’s Eve party spot in the BVI is Foxy’s Bar & Restaurant where people dance and drink through the night and on until the next day. Photo: Foxy’s

Barbados

There are more than enough options to celebrate the New Year in Barbados. For a low-key night, find a spot on the beach along the west coast and wait for the fireworks to start. West coast hotels compete for space in the sky to set off their fireworks at midnight. Many hotels host New Year’s Eve parties and themed dinners. Splurge for a stay at the famous Sandy Lane or have dinner overlooking the water at The Cliff, dine on a tasting menu, and enjoy live music until 2 a.m. Both Holetown and St. Lawrence Gap close out the year with parties and fireworks.

West coast hotels like the Hilton in Barbados welcome the New Year with fireworks and beach parties. Crowds gather early along the sand for a prime viewing spot. Photo: Anton/Flickr

The Bahamas

Nassau is the place to be for Junkanoo, the street party that takes place on Bay Street for Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. What began as a simple parade has evolved into a grand festival. There’s music, dancing, and brightly colored intricate costumes to attract the crowds. The rhymical music resonates throughout the town as cowbells, goat skin drums and an assortment of brass horns play a march for everyone to join in.

Horns and cowbells ring in the holidays and the New Year at the multi-day Junkanoo festivities throughout the Bahamas, with the most spectacular events taking place in Nassau. Photo: Stringfixer

Barbados, Caribbean, Eat, Plan, St. Barts, Trip Ideas

2022 Caribbean Culinary Events

October 3, 2022

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If you are a food traveler looking for the latest culinary and beverage experiences these high- octane events will surely satisfy your curiosity and your cravings. Mingle with highly acclaimed chefs and fellow food lovers for tastings, tours, demos, and plenty of parties on the islands of Turks & Caicos, St. Barts, and Barbados.

Caribbean Food & Wine Festival

October 14-16, 2002: Turks & Caicos Islands

Known as an epicurean destination, the Turks & Caicos Islands will host their annual culinary festival this October. The event began twelve years ago with visions of attracting visitors to the culinary heritage of the islands and fostering local talent. Today it is one of the world’s best festivals bringing in winemakers, distillers, and restaurateurs all headlined by world-renowned chefs. The venue takes place along the white sandy shores of Grace Bay, Long Bay, and the island of Parrot Cay at the islands’ top resorts.

Guests look forward to an evening of celebration and a sit-down dinner. Diners enjoy an evening at the Palms during a previous event. Photo: Caribbean Food & Wine Festival

Welcoming devoted foodies and wine enthusiasts the event kicks off with Women of Wine at Shore Club on Long Bay featuring a celebration of women winemakers. Cigars and Whiskey will be hosted by Master distiller Brendan McCarron at the newly opened Rock House just in time for cocktails on the evening of October 14. On day two Grace’s Cottage will welcome guests for Wine Pairing Experience and later in the eve, the biggest event will be a four-course wine dinner with cocktails at the oceanfront setting of Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar at Grace Bay Club. The final day is a champagne brunch on Parrot Cay. Guests will be transported via private yacht to the island resort where chef Michael Schwartz will host the event. For tickets and more information: https://caribbeanfoodandwinefestivaltci.com/

Turks and Caicos Caribbean food and wine

Chefs prepare samples during demos and at cocktail parties typically offering a variety of seafood and local delicacies for tastings. Photo: Caribbean Food & Wine Festival

Barbados Food & Rum Festival

October 27-30, 2022: Barbados

Once again food lovers convene on the island of Barbados for four days of gastronomic events including a celebration of the national drink, Bajan rum. Restauranteurs, chefs, and mixologists will dazzle island guests with a unique blend of local cuisines and international fare at multiple venues throughout the island. This year the entire month of October will highlight homegrown culinary talent in local haunts around the island. Expect to find plenty of rum cocktails at your favorite rum shop along with flying fish and cou-cou at local spots. This year’s theme is Feed the Future where part of the proceeds from the event will go to funding students seeking culinary degrees.

Chefs offer cooking demonstrations at resorts where the backdrop is the beach of Barbados. Fresh local seafood is always on the grill and ready for a taste. Photo: Barbados Tourism

This event kicks off with a pre-festival food truck mashup where the best Bajan moving culinary experiences come together in one location. Then on the first day of the festival, everyone heads to Oistins Fish Fry, a favorite local spot on Friday nights where vendors cook up all things from the sea. Day two begins with cooking demos when chefs share tricks and tips followed by a street party with access to restaurants and bars in St. Lawrence Gap. On Saturday morning early risers will sample local food and rum in a breakfast beach party and in the evening there will be themed dinners hosted by renowned chefs in some of the best restaurants on the island. The final day is all about rum with rum tastings at various distilleries during the day and a dress-up closing gala with food, drink, fashion and jazz. Book your ticket at: https://www.foodandrum.com/

Dishing up tastes for hungry spectators at a past event in Barbados. This year the island will be celebrating the entire month of October with community pop-ups. Photo: Barbados Tourism

St. Barth Gourmet Festival

November 8-13, 2022: Saint Barthelemy, FWI

Celebrated French chefs will grace the shores and resorts of St. Barts for the ninth edition of the St. Barth Gourmet Festival celebrating French gastronomy. Eleven chefs will set up kitchens in island resorts and share their culinary talents and expertise with guests during the four-day event. While chefs may be bringing in secrets from their homeland, this year each guest chef will prepare a dish using local products adding another dimension to sharing cuisine with fellow chefs and guests. Chefs will prepare exclusive lunches and multi-course dinner menus for the four nights of the event, tasting menus will be offered for dinner service so make your reservations for the festival dinners early with the host resort.

Chefs line up for the camera after days of cooking, presenting, and sharing secrets with foodies at a previous year’s St. Barth Gourmet Festival. Photo: Emily Lab/St. Barth Gourmet Festival

Guest chefs will be hosted by one of the island’s top resorts so plan on a meal at fabulous restaurants like Eden Rock, Cheval Blanc St. Barth Isle de France, or Hotel Le Sereno. These chefs will leave their accouterments in France and create cuisine using regional ingredients so expect an explosion of flavors melding French gastronomy with a Caribbean flair. In addition, there will be a caviar workshop, bartender contest, café waiter’s race, and a chef’s challenge at Bonito with young professional cooks judged by six visiting pros. For more details: https://saintbarthgourmetfestival.com/en/us/

Stellar chefs will prepare delectable entrees that are visually appealing with contrasting colors and textures for guests this November in St. Barts. Photo: Emily Lab/St. Barth Gourmet Festival

Barbados, Caribbean, Central America, Jamaica, Panama, St. Lucia, Stay, Trip Ideas

Romantic Caribbean Resort Getaways

February 14, 2018

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Add some heat to February’s winter chills by escaping to the Caribbean for a romantic interlude. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day treat for old flames, or a destination wedding for new couples, there are a select number of resorts that provide special romance packages for the month of February and beyond.

Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

With its lush landscapes, sparkling waters and pristine beaches, St. Lucia is the ultimate setting for a memorable romantic escape. And there is no place better to stage this escape than Anse Chastanet resort, which nestles in the shadows of the iconic Pitons, and faces the island’s finest coral reef. Romance-minded couples and honeymooners can take in the Lover’s Early Bird Special, which offers a 7th night free for weeklong stays. This “total romance” package pairs accommodations with an all- inclusive meal plan that includes afternoon tea and most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Also included are airport transfers, a welcoming bottle of champagne and a one-hour Swedish massage per person. For activities outside the room, there are tours to the island’s volcano, sulphur springs, and Diamond Mineral Baths, escorted walks of the Old French Colonial Plantation, guided boat snorkel trips, a resort scuba diving course for beginners, or 2 dives per person for certified divers, half-day jungle biking in Anse Mamin Valley and half-day sailing on the Serenity. As an added thank, you, the resort provides a $500 credit to be used on a return trip. Rates per couple start at $6,876.To book call 800-223- 1108; visit www.ansechastanet.com.

A guest room at St. Lucia’s Anse Chastanet resort perches on a slope high above the Caribbean Sea. The room offers views of the ocean and the Piton Peaks. Photo: Anse Chastanet

Couples Tower Isle, Jamaica

Named one of the top ten most romantic getaways in the world, Tower Isle is a place couples can unwind and reconnect in an intimate beachfront setting. From breakfast in bed to a candlelit beach dinner, every guest experience is tailored to create a memorable stay. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, the Romance Package is offered for stays of 4 nights or more. Couples are met with candles, rose petals, chocolates and a bottle of sparkling wine when they arrive. The package includes a romantic private dinner overlooking the beach, and a 50-minute spa treatment. Options and add-ons include the One Love package for bride, groom and up to four guests, with ceremonies documented by a photographer and videographer. The Vow Renewal package adds in a private beachfront dinner for bride and groom plus four guests. Rates start at $250 per person per night. For this getaway offer, you’ll need to travel by February 18, 2018. For details visit www.couples.com or call 877-793-1913.

Twilight falls as couples enjoy happy hour libations at Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica. This adult-centric resort is an Ocho Rios landmark that benefits from a sweeping renovation. Photo: Couples

Mango Bay Hotel, Barbados

Whether you are looking to tie the knot for the first time, or are ready to renew your vows, this boutique-style, all-inclusive beachfront property has a package to fit. Mango Bay offers several “Say I do in Paradise” options that allow lovebirds to stage a fairytale wedding in a tropical oasis highlighted by warm breezes, delightful Caribbean sunshine and picturesque beaches. Hotel rates start at US$515 per room, per night, based on double occupancy. For wedding add-ons, a dedicated team of wedding specialists work with couples to personalize and coordinate all the details for a seamless and stress free celebration. The Standard Wedding Package is priced at $1,125 and includes the personalized services of a wedding coordinator, officiating clergyman, marriage license fees, round trip transfers to obtain the marriage license, decorated wedding gazebo, bridal wedding bouquet, bottle of sparkling wine and a 12” cake. The Ultimate Wedding Package is priced at $1,910 and adds champagne, a steel pan soloist for one hour, a couples half-hour massage at Elements Spa, breakfast in bed on the morning after the wedding and a one-hour sunset cruise. A Mango Bay vacation includes all meals, afternoon tea, local and brand name drinks, wine with dinner, use of the on-site gym; nightly entertainment; watersports include waterskiing, paddle boarding, kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing, pedal boating and snorkeling; complimentary scuba diving lessons, and off-property sightseeing excursions including a glass-bottom boat trip and a catamaran sail. For more information call 246- 626- 1384 or visit www.mangobaybarbados.com.

The pool at Mango Bay. This small-scale all-inclusive resort offers 76 rooms set on a pristine beach, within minutes of boutiques, restaurants, and bars in Barbados’s historic Holetown. Photo: Mango Bay

The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort, Panama

This Valentine’s Day, this newly named Autograph Collection Hotel is offering a special package that mixes romance with recreation. Couples are sequestered in the romantic ambiance of this exclusive beach and golf community, where they can enjoy a championship Jack Nicklaus design golf course, go horseback riding, or take advantage of full access to a sports club complex and water sports. The 118-key Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort provides guests with nine restaurants and bars, the Corotu Spa, seven swimming pools, personal plunge pools, kids and teen club and the Buenaventura Zoo. The romance experience promotion includes a welcome cocktail, daily breakfast for two, and a romantic dinner at any one of the resort’s fine dining restaurants. The special offer is valid through February 28, 2018. The package starts at $324 per night per couple, with a two-night minimum stay. To book visit www.buenaventurahotel.com or call 507-908- 3318.

The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort is one of Panama’s premier beachfront destinations, offering elegant accommodations and suites set in lush gardens and a lagoon on the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Buenaventura Resort

Capella Marigot Bay Resort & Marina, St. Lucia

Love is in the air at Marigot Bay. This picturesque upscale resort overlooks the palm tree-lined bay, and a marina filled with gleaming yachts. Rooms feature an elegant yet welcoming West Indian-inspired décor, while pampering amenities such as hot tubs, on-call personal assistants and private balconies with water views set the tone for relaxation and romance. Five-star service and gourmet dining with farm-to-table offerings are signatures of the resort, which remains a favorite with honeymooners. The Valentine’s package includes, a bottle of Prosecco delivered to your room upon arrival, full breakfast each day, a 3-course dinner at The Grill, couples massage at The Auriga Spa, rose petal turndown and taxes and service charges. This experience is priced from $580 per person for a two-night stay and is available throughout the month of February. Use rate code VAL18 to book, visit www.marigotbay.com or call 877-384-8037.

A pool suite at St. Lucia’s Marigot Bay Resort & Marina is set within lush island landscaping. Views from room and balcony take in one of the island’s most picturesque bays. Photo: Marigot Bay

Barbados, Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, Islands, Key West, Oahu, Oceania, Plan, St. Kitts, Tahiti, Trip Ideas

Christmas, Island Style

November 14, 2017

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If your idea of a white Christmas involves ivory colored sands, accented by palm tree green and ocean blues, then you need to head for the tropics, where islanders celebrate the holiday season in unique ways that combine familiar traditions with elements of the local culture and setting. To help you start planning, here are six idyllic destinations where you can experience Christmas island style.

Hawaii

Christmas is a big event in Hawaii, but they do things island style. Santa sheds his polar garb in favor of board shorts and an Aloha shirt, and trades his sleigh in for an outrigger canoe pulled by dolphins. Locals decorate palm trees with lights and sing carols in the Hawaiian language accompanied by ukulele, but they also cue up for the arrival of the Christmas ships that bring more traditional pines from the mainland. You may see locals adding a Santa hat to their swimsuits, and call out “Mele Kalikimaka” as they head to the beach. Christmas dinner is served luau-style, with a roast pig as the centerpiece. The best place to catch all the tropical traditions of the season is at Waikiki Beach, with a stay at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, where the trees are decorated with tiny flip flops and surfboards, and hula performers replace Christmas carolers. This is also where Santa paddles his outrigger canoe ashore each year to have breakfast with hotel guests.

At Oahu’s Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, the lobby Christmas tree provides a traditional reminder of the season, while ukulele tunes and bare feet proclaim: “you are in the islands.” Photo: Outrigger Waikiki

St. Kitts

Forget the twelve days of Christmas. On the island of St. Kitts, the holiday season lasts from late November through the first of January. This is the time of the Sugar Mas, an island-wide celebration that combines elements of Carnival with English Yuletide traditions. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, streets are filled with a series of colorful parades and processions. Clowns, stilt-walking moko jumbies and troupes of street performers dance to the rhythms of soca and calypso music, while pageant contestants showcase elaborate costumes. Christmas provides a brief respite as families and friends gather for special holiday meals, then the party returns with J’ouvert, when costumed dancers fill the streets of Basseterre on Boxing Day. The six-week celebration culminates with the Grand Parade on January first. All are welcome at these street parties, but guests who want to mix revelry with relaxation might want to choose a quieter setting for their home base. A favorite is Belle Monte Farm, where cottages sit within a 400-acre farm on the foothills of Mount Liamuiga. This setting provides an authentic sense of local culture, while also reward palates with exceptional dining opportunities.

In St. Kitts, Christmas is a time to enjoy the island’s national dish, which showcases flavors of the island with stewed salt fish and spicy plantains, seasoned breadfruit and coconut dumplings. Photo: St. Kitts Tourism Authority

Fiji

In the Islands of Fiji, the Christmas season is about family, fellowship and food. Beginning several weeks before Christmas Day, homes are decorated with candles, lamps and ribbons, and entire communities come together to sing and perform traditional dances. Christmas Eve is the time for traditional lovo feasts, and a special holiday dish is palusami, which is spiced mutton wrapped in leaves and cooked in coconut cream. On Christmas Day, most islanders head to church in the morning, then head to the beach for more food and fellowship. The best ways for visitors to tap into the community spirit is with a stay at a small property such as Navini Island Resort, which is located on a small coral cay near Malolo Island, and accommodates just 20 guests in ten traditional villas. On Christmas morning, the staff begins Christmas Day by singing carols outside of guest villas, and all are invited to partake in a Christmas service. In the evening, the kitchen also serves a traditional western Christmas dinner complete with plum pudding.

Singing is a core element of Fijian culture. At Christmas time, traditional choirs may perform a mixture of Polynesian folk tunes and European carols. Photo: Chris McLennan/Tourism Fiji

Bora Bora

In the two weeks leading up to Christmas, the island of Bora Bora is humming with preparations. The town of Vaitape becomes the site of Le Village de Noel—the Christmas Fair. Here on the town’s central square, vendors set up stalls that offer a wide variety of local products that includes shell and mother of pearl jewelry to hand-made clothing, colorful pottery and traditional musical instruments. The market overflows with local fruits and flowers, and crowds browse to the sounds of ukuleles and guitar music. An island-wide party takes place on the Saturday before Christmas, beginning with a parade of colorful floats, followed by a night of dancing and dining from ‘roulottes‘, the island’s iconic mobile restaurants. On Sunday, crowds gather once again for Christmas caroling, with performances from island choirs. Visitors can complement these public events with a private holiday celebration at the Four Seasons Resort, where the first class festive package begins with an arrival by private chartered jet and a stay at a premier over-water bungalow. Participants are treated to a special five- course dinner on Christmas Eve, and an even more sumptuous nine-course New Year’s Eve feast, followed by fireworks on the beach.

At the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, the deck at the Sunset Bar becomes the setting for memorable celebrations at Christmas time and New Years. Photo: Timothy Joyce/Flickr

Barbados

On an island where Caribbean and British cultures blend with seamless ease, holiday traditions dating from the old country still hold sway. Radio stations play traditional carols, homes and businesses are decorated in festive arrays, downtown Bridgetown glows under red and green holiday lights, and even the traffic roundabouts are transformed to depict Christmas themes. Locals don their seasonal best to attend the annual Christmas morning service at Queen’s Park, with music performed by the Royal Barbados Police Force Band. Christmas dinner is another cherished tradition, and centerpieces of this meal are great cake, jug-jug and clove-studded ham. Jug-jug is a traditional dish inspired by the Scottish dish known as haggis. The Barbados version is made with pigeon peas, guinea corn flour, herbs and salted meat. Great cake is a seasonal favorite made with dried fruits and generous quantities of liquor. Visitors can sample this traditional fare on the Christmas day luncheon at The Crane. This landmark hotel embraces the spirit of the season with lights, nightly caroling and special holiday menus.

The Barbados Royal Police Band ushers in the Christmas season with traditional Christmas tunes during the annual Caroling on the Green concert in St. James, Barbados. Photo: Andrew Browne/Barbados Tourism

Key West

The town of Key West lights up for the Christmas season—literally. There is the lighted boat parade, the lighted bicycle parade, the City Lights tour aboard the Old Town Trolley, and the Harbor Walk of Lights, featuring whimsical Christmas trees created from lobster traps, fishing floats and other nautical paraphernalia. Organized walking tours of the historic district visit festively lit inns and take in private homes decked out for the season. And not all the events are visual, as there are also performances of Christmas music, The Nutcracker Ballet, Handel’s Messiah, and more. And as expected from a town that loves its parties, Christmas celebrations meld into the island’s legendary New Year’s pageants and parades. Most festivities take place in the downtown district centered around Duval Street. The best place to stay for a Key West Christmas is the Pier House. Here, guests can enjoy a private swath of beach and spectacular sunsets yet are just a few blocks away from the action.

Like many of Key West’s downtown inns and guesthouses, the Dewey House Bed & Breakfast celebrates the holiday spirit with Christmas decorations and lights. Photo: Florida Keys News Bureau

Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas-New Providence, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Caribbean, Curacao, Eat, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, Trinidad & Tobago, Trip Ideas

The Best Caribbean Summer Parties

May 24, 2017

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Summer is a great time to be in the Caribbean. The winter season crowds are long gone, and the locals come out to play. Parties and festivals pop up on islands across the region, offering everything from intriguing cultural experiences to unabashed beach parties. Here are a dozen must-do island parties for the summer.

Riviera Maya Film Festival

In the first week of June, the international film community converges on the beach town of Playa del Carmen. Now in its seventh year, the Riviera Maya Film Festival has garnered the attention of film buffs, who come together for showings of award-winning Mexican and international films. The 2017 festival is expected to draw more than 80,000 spectators for both indoor and outdoor free showings, which take place in restored historic cinemas, and in open-air beachfront settings.

In addition to showcasing new releases, the Riviera Maya Film Festival supports RivieraLAB, which nurtures projects by Mexican filmmakers in the development stage. Photo: Jerry Aguirre/RMFF

St. Kitts Music Fest

This small island is home to one of the Caribbean’s biggest musical happenings. Now in its 21st year, the three-day event draws some of the biggest names in soca, jazz, R&B, gospel and reggae. Performances are in the evening, but many festival goers gather at Warner Park Stadium early to spread a blanket on the lawn and make a picnic from the offerings of the numerous local food vendors. This year’s festival runs from June 26 to 28.

Reggae artist Zemenfest Kidus performs for a home-town crowd at St. Kitts Music Fest. He returned to the island following a successful recording career in Jamaica. Photo: Modern Elegance/ St. Kitts Tourism Authority

Fiesta de Santiago Apostol, Puerto Rico

Each year, Puerto Rico celebrates its Spanish heritage in the town of Loiza, with a two-day festival that is equal parts religious observance and street party. Processions honoring St. James bring thousands into the streets to follow large, colorful statues carried on the shoulders of costumed and masked marchers. These observances are followed up with dance shows, music and gatherings of street vendors offering crafts and traditional food. Processions take place on July 22 and 23.

Puerto Rico’s Fiesta de Santiago Apostol has its roots in Spanish traditions dating back 400 years. This annual procession through the streets features masked knights and demons. Photo: Carlos A. Aviles/Flickr

LIV Bermuda

On the first weekend in July, islanders and overseas guests from around the world come together for Bermuda’s most anticipated party. Billed as a chance to “experience Bermuda like a local,” the gatherings include beach parties, boat cruises and floating “raft ups.” Staged as a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters Bermuda, admission to these parties provides an all- inclusive experience with dancing, libations and live music.

The 2017 edition of LIV Bermuda will take place from July 7 to 10. All- inclusive ticket packages for the four-day event give total access to a range of beach activities, concerts and parties. Photo: LIV Bermuda

Junkanoo Summer Festival

No need to wait for Christmas to experience the sights and sounds of the Bahamian Junkanoo. Each Saturday in the month of July, the waterfront at Nassau’s Arawak Cay comes alive with drumming, dancing and music as costumed troops strut their stuff and compete for top honors. The revelry starts at noon and lasts till midnight, and when it’s time for refreshments or a nosh, onlookers can duck into one of the many pubs or seafood restaurants that line the cay.

During Nassau’s colorful mid-summer Junkanoo parades, rival dance and drum troops compete for top honors and prizes. The costumed processions have roots dating to African traditions. Photo: Brian & Leigh/Flickr

Christmas in July

Each summer, flotillas of pleasure boats depart Puerto Rico for the Virgin Islands for a week of gatherings and beach parties that have been given the name “Christmas in July.” But you don’t have to own a boat to enjoy the fun, as beach bars through the U.S. and British Virgins welcome one and all with day-long celebrations that start with volleyball tournaments and barbecues and end with evening fireworks and live bands that keep revelers dancing on the sand till the wee hours.

Christmas in July is the whimsical name for the mid-summer invasion of the Virgin Islands by fleets of vacationing Puerto Rican boaters. Destinations such as White Sound are favorite stops. Photo: Michael Rubenstein/Flickr

Anguilla Summer Festival

One of the longest-running festivals in the Caribbean takes place on the otherwise quiet island of Anguilla. The 40th anniversary of this island-wide celebration will include beach parties, sailing races, pageants, parades, calypso concerts and more, each staged at different villages and resorts around the island. A highlight of the festival is J’ouvert morning, when a street jam begins at 4:30 a.m. when floats, drummers and festival-goers parade from the island’s capital to the beach at Sandy Ground for a day of music, food and water sports. The festival runs from July 2 to August 10.

Anguilla’s twelve-day-long Summer Festival delivers a non-stop schedule of events ranging from pageants and parades to soca raves, calypso competitions, and a massive all-day beach party. Photo: Anguilla Summer Festival

Reggae Sumfest

Jamaica’s largest music festival is also the island’s biggest party. The weeklong celebration is staged at Montego Bay, and features local reggae and dancehall artists. Before the music starts, the fun kicks off with a beach party, a musical day cruise and the famous “All White Party.” When the concerts get underway, audiences arrive with their own “reggae beds” — flattened cardboard boxes for sitting and chilling between dance sessions. The 2017 Sumfest runs from July 16 to 22.

Crowds gather at the main stage of Reggae Sumfest, which is Jamaica’s largest and most acclaimed music festival, with an international lineup that includes the biggest names in reggae and dancehall music. Photo: Jamaica Tourist Board

Crop Over

On Barbados, one party isn’t enough. The annual Crop Over is a three- month string of celebrations that dates back to the island’s colonial-era agricultural roots, when the end of the harvest season became a time for relaxation and revelry. The tradition continues with a three-month series of festivals, concerts, cultural events, and street parties. A highlight of the season is the “road march”, when troops of costumed revelers take over the streets of Bridgetown on Kadooment Day. This annual parade turned street party takes place on August 7.

The culmination of Bardados‘ three-month Crop Over celebration is the Grand Kadooment, a carnival-like parade that features large bands with members dressed in elaborate costumes. Photo: Barbados Tourism

Antigua Carnival

On the last week in July, the island of Antigua explodes in a riot of feather– clad costumes, bright body paint and floats booming heavy calypso beats. The party kicks off in the capital St. John’s with J’ouvert, where steel drum musicians, calypso and soca singers entertain crowds of revelers. Over the next ten days, towns across the island will stage music competitions, local food fairs, cultural shows and cultural workshops that create chances for visitors to immerse in the local culture and join the fun. Carnival time starts July 26 and runs till August 5.

In addition to street parades and open-air concerts, Antigua’s annual Carnival includes a series of island-wide talent shows, singing competitions and stage performances. Photo: Wayne Mariette/ Antigua Carnival Celebration

Tobago Heritage Festival

The sister island of Trinidad may be home to the Caribbean’s best-known carnival, but Tobago also knows how to throw a party, and it spreads the fun out over two weeks from July 17 to August 1. Heritage Festival is an island- wide happening, with each village and community staging events such as concerts, street parades, storytelling sessions, folk dances and African drumming sessions. The island’s heritage is celebrated with unique events such as goat races and historical re-enactments.

Modern dance melds with traditional cultural roots during a live performance staged for Tobago’s annual Heritage Festival. Staged by local communities, the performances are open to all. Photo: Terrell George/Flickr

North Sea Jazz Fest

In keeping with its reputation as a regional center of art, culture and sophistication, the island of Curacao welcomes some of the biggest names in soul, jazz, hip-hop and R&B to its iconic jazz festival. Headliners for 2017 induce Bruno Mars, Chaka Khan, Dianne Reeves, Nile Rodgers and Chic, and Juan Luis Guerra, with performances taking place on three stages. In addition to the all-star acts, the festival is known for it’s lively after parties, which often keep going all night. The two-day happening takes place on August 29 and 30.

Curacao’s North Sea Jazz Festival is the Caribbean’s version of the original performance event of the same name that is held each summer in the Netherlands. Photo: Wassef Sokkari/ Curacao Tourist Board

Barbados, Bermuda, Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, Oahu, Palm Beach, St. Pete Beach, Stay, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Iconic Pink Beach Resorts

March 21, 2017

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The historic pink hotels that grace beaches in Florida and the Caribbean harken back to the palazzos built by wealthy Italian families in the 19th century. When pink crossed over to the New World it was embraced by builders of the 1920s and beyond.

Bermuda is a destination that is all about pink; there are pink sand beaches, pink mopeds, pink Bermuda shorts and pink buildings. Here, the pink Fairmont Southampton stands out among the green landscape of Southampton Parish.

Valentine's Day In The Caribbean On Beach

Anguilla, Bahamas-New Providence, Barbados, Caribbean, Dominica, Grenada, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Martin/St. Maarten, U.S. Virgin Islands

10 Romantic Caribbean Escapes

January 27, 2017

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Don’t settle for the same old flowers and candy routine this Valentine’s Day. Treat yourself and that special someone to a romantic interlude in the Caribbean. These premiere properties are offering special packages that are sure to fan the flame.

Suite Love

Rekindle romance in a Love Nest Suite at Sandals on Barbados. These private enclaves of intimacy provide all the elements, from four-poster beds to balcony soak tubs with ocean views. Personal butler service brings indulgences right to the room, but should you wish to venture out, all the amenities of Sandals Barbados await. For Valentine’s week, the resort will offer special couple’s nights presentations such as a chocolate themed buffet.

A swim-up suite at Sandals Barbados includes a private veranda with a soak tub that blends indoor and outdoor spaces, while still providing the ultimate in privacy. Photo: Sandals

Wine and Dine

If the way to the heart really is the stomach, there’s love aplenty at Nassau’s Graycliff Hotel. This historic and casually elegant five-star property serves up a three-night Romance Package that begins with a chilled bottle of champagne and a sampler of Graycliff chocolates. Later, you’ll be indulged with a four-course chef’s tasting menu and wine. Another night is highlighted by a Caipirinha and dinner at the Churrascaria Humidor. There is also a culinary lesson with an executive chef, a chocolate and spirits tasting and a day at the Blue Lagoon Beach.

Signature chocolate creations from Graycliff Chocolatier. This historic Nassau hotel combines five-star service with a casually elegant atmosphere. Photo: Graycliff

Stay Together, Play Together

Sugar Beach’s Sweet As Sugar package starts off with champagne and a long-stemmed rose at a luxury villa. But this isn’t your usual boudoir-centric getaway. Over the course of four days you and your special someone will bond over an introductory dive in the crystal waters of St. Lucia’s national marine reserve, hike up Gros Piton, and experience the Sulphur Seduction tour, which includes a visit to an active volcano and a soak in therapeutic mineral springs. There’s also relaxation in the mix, including a sunset cruise, breakfast in bed and a romantic candlelit dinner served beachside or in a garden setting.

A hillside villa at St. Lucia’s Sugar Beach takes in expansive views of the Caribbean Sea. Native fruit trees grow on the landscaped grounds. Photo: Sugar Beach

Spice It Up

Escape to Grenada, the island of spices, where your private luxury suite opens to spectacular Grand Anse Beach. You don’t actually have to be newlyweds to enjoy the Spice Up Your Honeymoon package at Spice Island Beach Resort, which welcomes you with tropical flowers, fresh fruit, chocolate truffles, and champagne on ice. Dine on your private patio or take in spectacular ocean views and the sounds of a steel band at Oliver’s. Relax with a couple’s massage at Janissa’s Spa and leave with a basket of spice scented body oils. Cap off a memorable day at the beach with a sunset sail along the island’s scenic Caribbean coast.

Spice Island Beach Resort is Grenada’s premier all-inclusive property. The resort occupies a prime location on Grand Anse Beach. Photo: Dehoog/Spice Island

Let Love Linger

Why settle for a day of romance when you can stretch a Valentine’s Day treat to a full week of togetherness. An ideal way to keep that special feeling going is with the Sea of Love package at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa on Anguilla, where luxury accommodations are set against a dazzling crescent of white sand on Rendezvous Bay. Couples can begin the day with al fresco offerings at Café Med or enjoy in-room breakfasts. There’s golf and beach time, but food often takes center stage, as the package includes select meals at three additional signature restaurants, plus cooking classes, private beachside dining and a chef’s table experience. Also in the mix are massages and spa packages, and a day’s use of a rental car to explore the island.

Beachfront rooms and suites at Anguilla’s CuisinArt resort provide sweeping views of Rendezvous Bay. Fine dining is a hallmark of this upscale property. Photo: Joe Rahm/CuisinArt

If you love Piña Coladas…..

The song may be kitsch, but the setting is not. Puerto Rico’s Caribe Hilton actually is the birthplace of the Piña Colada, but there are many more reasons to visit this landmark property. Occupying a prime beachfront location on Condado Lagoon, and just a short distance away from the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, the Caribe Hilton is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The property has kept up with the times, and offers a full range of modern luxuries. Couples who book a three-night Valentine’s package will enjoy special perks and pricing.

The pool at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan. For more than 60 years, this resort has been a favorite with vacationers to the island. Photo: Don Riddle/Caribe Hilton

Natural Attraction

Reconnect with nature and each other at the Caribbean’s premier eco- resort. The Tropical Romance package at Dominica’s Rosalie Bay is a five- night immersion in the island’s natural beauty, and a relaxing indulgence for body and mind. Enjoy healthful, savory cuisines based on locally sourced foods, wander a surf-washed black sand beach and enjoy a private five- course dinner served on the banks of a scenic river. The package also includes a couple’s massage, a day trip to Dominica’s famous Champagne Reef, and a relaxing soak in the hot sulphur springs. Rooms are lavished with fresh flowers daily, and gifted with natural island-related aphrodisiacs at evening turndown.

A view from the porch at Rosalie Bay. Sitting next to a nature preserve, this upscale eco retreat overlooks a black sand beach and the surf-washed Atlantic. Photo: Rosalie Bay

Love on the Rocks

Perched on a rocky seaside bluff at the entrance to Charlotte Amalie’s harbor, Frenchman’s Reef provides a romantic setting where couples can watch the ships come and go from a private balcony, and take in the lights of St. Thomas at night. The resort’s Ultimate Romance Package is ideal for a Valentine’s getaway, and includes requisite perks such as champagne, couple’s spa treatments and special dining credits. An added attraction of stays at Frenchman’s is immediate access to the quiet sands of Morningstar Beach.

A view from the hillside terrace at Frenchman’s Reef take in the harbor of Charlotte Amalie and the island of St. Thomas. Photo: Corey Weiner/Frenchman’s Reef

Fragrant Memories

A dozen red roses set the tone when you arrive at Belmond La Samanna, where rooms open to fresh sea breezes and the sapphire blue waters of Long Bay. During the month of February, the resort’s Valentine’s Package provides perks such as a Tijon VIP gift bag, couple’s Swedish massage and a unique dinner experience at La Cave, the resort’s on-site atmospheric wine cellar. For a sensory reminder of their time together on St. Martin, couples are treated to a perfumery tour, where they can create their own handcrafted fragrance.

Whites and warm wood accents complement the blues of the Caribbean at Belmond La Samanna. This St. Martin resort is known for good food and fine wines. Photo: La Samanna

Say I Still Do

Anguilla’s Cap Juluca is a stunningly beautiful setting where it would be hard not to fall in love—or fall in love again. To facilitate romances new and old, the resort is offering several Valentine’s themed specials during the month of February. The Romantic Rendezvous pampers couples in a luxury oceanfront room or suite, and adds in extras such as couple’s massages, daily libations and a special private beachside dinner under the stars. During Valentine’s week, couples can reaffirm their commitments with the I Still Do package, which begins with a beach or lawn ceremony, complete with photographer, bouquet and boutonniere. This is followed by champagne and cake, and the day ends with a private three-course dinner with wine on the beach.

The distinctive Greco-Moorish architecture of Cap Juluca resort complements the white sands and blue waters of Anguilla’s Maunday’s Bay. Photo: Mark Welland/Cap Juluca

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Love on the Rocks

Fragrant Memories

Say I Still Do

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