The second edition of the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival took place in World Trade Center Piscadera Bay on September 2 and 3 2011. During the two days of the festival visitors enjoyed a wide range of international artists performing at the festival grounds. Started already in the week preceding the festival, the island submerged itself in jazz, soul, latin, hip hop and r & b, all with a Caribbean touch.
One thing is for sure; the Caribbean was swinging!
The North Sea Jazz Festival is one of the biggest Events in the Caribbean and has again been a huge success for Curacao. Visitors come from all over the world to see the impressive line-up for 2011.
On Friday September 2nd, visitors were enjoying renowned artists like Sting, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Terence Blanchard and Poncho, Sanchez, Danilo Perez Trio and Levi Silvanie.
On the second day of the event, on saturday the party went on with acts including Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Juan Lui Guerra, Chucho Valdes & Afro Cuban Messengers, Ruben Blades, Roberto Fonseca en Ronchi Matthew.
It was indeed an amazing Festival and the best Jazz you can imagine. You were invited to enjoy the wonderful music by delicous food and beverages.
If you couldn't make it this year you should seriously consider to be pat for the 2012 North Sea Jazz Festival ! You won't regret it.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning at 8.am when arriving at Calmos Cafe in Grand Case on the French side of St Martin in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. This was the meeting point for our rendez-vous with the rather large Catamaran and their crew of 'Winner'Touch'. After registering it wasn't long before the majestic 'cat' sailed onto shore and lowered its steps right onto the beach..this was just the beginning of the personal service that was to adorn the whole voyage. Three very pretty, welcoming girl crew smiled and wished us a 'good morning' as we made our way carefully up the wet steps. Fresh tea and coffee and home made cake were waiting as I made my way around this enormous vessel. My 17 month old daughter was not as impressed as it was a little overwhelming for her. I got chatting to Captain Jean-Louis' wife Brigitte who told me about the day, the boat and she took my daughter off to calm her down a little. Loving the personal touch here. We were soon on our way to Prickly Pear Island, our destination of the day, via the lovely island of Anguilla. On the deck were fantastic chair bean bags..wow how comfy were they, or you could sit on the netting at the front of the cat and feel and see the waves up close. There seemed to be a position for everyone. Luckily there were only 16 of us so we have plenty of room. Apparently they also do private boat charters, Caribbean weekends away, Caribbean weddings etc all around these parts of the Caribbean but based primarily in St Martin and regular outings to islands all around Anguilla, Sandy Island, Prickly Pear to name a couple. We got a good view of Anguilla and other very tiny islands around, the weather was perfect with a few clouds to shelter us from the sun beating down. The wind was also present and whisked my daughters hat straight into the sea..oops her grandmother will not be pleased! Soon we were docking just off the shore of Prickly Pear Island. A stunning, small island on the edge of Anguilla and next door to Sandy Island. Find your place in paradise, shame there were no vacation villas to hire..I would have stayed! Marvelous..now you were spoiled for choice..stay on board and continue to take advantage of the OPEN BAR, or go snorkeling (all equipment provided) or kayaking (lovely kayaks) or swim to shore, or get taken to shore in their dinghy, use the 'noodles' to drift to shore... the choice was yours. I opted for swimming to shore with noodles, then kayaked back then LUNCH..which was not just a buffet it was a full sit down meal with 3 courses (desert served later in the afternoon) We munched through home made savoury bread/tart, homemade tomato salsa and salad starter. Main was lamb or turkey with home made prune sauce and potato dauphinoise. Accompanied by choice of wine and drinks. All served by the lovely multitasking blond female crew! Delicious..I had to have a snooze then back to kayaking and snorkeling...bliss. Time just flew by and before we knew it we were being called back to the boat for desert - banana and rum flambeed with vanilla ice-cream. Delicious. Then captain Jean-Louis hoisted the sail again and we were flying back to St Martin being offered drinks regularly by the staff. I was quite sad to leave 'Winner Touch' as we almost felt like family! So as a member of staff from Caribbean Vacation Rentals, I fell qualified to suggest, if you and your guests want to have a marvelous, amazing day with great food, superb service, immaculate island views and white sands, with entertainment and activities that suit you. You need to book this one! You won't regret it. HAPPY SAILING.
How would you like to get married in the Caribbean? Do you dream about a beach wedding with beautiful tropical flowers, white sands, barefeet and the azur blue ocean as a backdrop? Every year thousands of couple's come to the Caribbean to tie the knot. The weddings vary from intimate to huge family affairs, they include beach weddings, yacht and villa weddings and of course the 4 or 5 star hotel wedding option. Whatever you have in your mind about a dream wedding, we're pretty sure the Caribbean can provide it. You are spoiled for choice in terms of islands to choose from. You have the small islands like the collection of Grenadines, or the French and Dutch St Martin, or the larger islands like Barbados or Jamaica. Whatever your heart's desire, somewhere within the Caribbean Sea..the perfect destination awaits you! And what about accommodations? Well most people tend to hire a villa to house family and even your own private ceremony. Its very easy to hire in caterers, DJ's, Wedding planners to handle everything for you so YOU don't have to do it on the day! Villas come in all shapes and sizes and usually with breathtaking views of the ocean and local scenary. Imagine the face of your guests when they arrive to your own wedding week (or two) villa with maids, butler and other amenities. It will truely be, not just a day to remember but a week or two of lifetime memories....dreams can come true.
Celebrate Bastille Day with a Caribbean twist! On the 14th July every year, many of the French Caribbean Islands commemorates the storming of the Bastille at the start of the French Revolution on July 14, 1789. In St Barths for example, this tiny French outpost celebrates France's most important national holiday with a spectacular firework display and dancing on the Quai Général de Gaulle! Other islands like Guadloupe, Martinique and St Martin, also celebrate with fireworks, partying and general public merrymaking! The other great thing about Bastille Day is that it is a public holiday accross all these islands. Enabling you to 'meet the locals' at celebrations, this also involves lots of food stands, outdoor bars, live music and dancing...Not that the French Caribbean needs a reason to party, they are always doing something, so checkout the local events schedule, dont miss out and book your trip to the French Caribbean today! For those of you still in or near France the French overseas territories, such as the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, will be at the heart of this year's Bastille Day Military parade. Troops from the overseas territories will lead some 7,000 soldiers from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs Elysées to Place de la Concorde for the July 14 national fete. More than 5,000 soldiers will parade on foot; the others will be on horseback or aboard a dozen motorcars.During the march, 84 planes and helicopters will take to the skies for a 7-8 minute airshow. In addition, for the first time, troops will sing as they process. One unit from French Polynesia will even perform the Haka, the traditional Maori dance, before French President Nicolas Sarkozy! Sounds very interesting! So wherever you are ENJOY Bastille Day..hopefully you will be joining us in the French Caribbean...renting a villa or private accommodations, boat rental, sports, sailing, yacht charters, fishing, scuba, diving, hiking, windsurfing, art, world class dining, music, fantastic beaches,honeymoons, weddings..what more could you want? See you soon! A bientot!
A weekend of Yacht & Work Boats Races, enhanced by sporting events, cultural shows, artistic performances, big drum dances and street parties.
Carriacou Regatta Festival, started in 1965 as a mere boat racing event in Hillsborough Bay, Carriacou. Carriacou is getting prepared to start the event this year on the 24th of July – 1st of August 2011.
Now a days it includes a large number of sporting and cultural activities. The regatta race events focus mainly on locally and regionally built workboats with some twelve different classes of boats, ranging from 14 to 35 feet in length.
Sister islands like Grenada and Petite Martinique, Antigua and Tobago, as well as Canouan, Mayreau, Bequia from the Saint Vincent Grenadines will join the Regatta. Making the festival growing to become the biggest annual summer festival in the region.
The event offers lots of other attractions than only the Regatta. Events like Karaoke, Beach fests, Family fun days, Motorcade, Back In Times Fete, Miss Aquaval Queen show and a huge open air concert for the final will entertain you over the whole week.
Anguilla has so much to offer, it has one of the best beaches, friendly people, great food and places to stay.
The Anguilla Summer Festival has become one of the top 5 Caribbean carnival destinations. It is an eleven days celebration, garnished with traditional Anguillian hospitality where organizers promise residence and visitors lots of fun and excitement.
By no dispute Anguilla has the biggest 'Caribbean Beach Party' the Anguilla Summer Festival focuses on August Monday, which is the first Monday of August, this Famous day officially began to be celebrated in 1940 with boat-racing. This sport has been merged with the cultural aspects of carnival, which is now known as Summer Festival. August Monday is now a days a of boat-race and sea food - BBQ festivals during the day, and Carnival events at night which fill the air with culture and music. We hope to see you here in Anguilla for a wonderful experience.
Friday July 29th
Official Opening & Fireworks Display
Landsome Bowl - 6:00 pm
Prince & Princess Show - Landsome Bowl - 7:00 pm
Junior Calypso Show - Landsome Bowl - 9:00 pm
Saturday July 30th
Band O Rama - Landsome Bowl - 9:00 pm
Anguilla Band Clash - Landsome Bowl - 9:00 pm
Sunday July 31st
Heineken Boat-Race - Sandy Ground - 2:00 pm
LIME Soca Monarch; Party Groove - LBCC - 9:00 pm
Monday August 1st
J'ouvert Morning - Sunrise Street Jam - The Valley to Sandy Ground - 4:00 am
August Monday Boat-Race - Sandy Ground - 3:00 pm
Caribbean Beach Party - Sandy Ground - 6:00 pm
Tuesday August 2nd
CCB Talented Teen Pageant - Landsome Bowl - 8:00 pm
Wednesday August 3rd
Sandy Ground Boat-Race - Sandy Ground - 3:00 pm
Calypso Monarch - Landsome Bowl - 8:00 pm
Thursday August 4th
August Thursday Boat-Race - Meads Bay - 3:00 pm
Miss Anguilla Queens Pageant - Landsome Bowl - 8:00 pm
Friday August 5th
Parade of Troupes - The Valley Streets - 12:00 pm
Saturday August 6th
Leeward Island Calypso Competition ft David Rudder - Landsome Bowl - 9:00 pm
Sunday August 7th
Champion of Champions Boat-Race - Sandy Ground - 3:00 pm
Barbados, July 2nd to Aug 1st 2011 — Only the island that has perfected the fine art of living can throw a party like this! Four spectacular sun-drenched weeks filled with dancing, live music, cultural events, and of course, legendary Barbadian rum! For the people of Barbados, it's a cultural celebration that has hallmarked the end of the sugar cane growing season for over 300 years. For visitors like you and us, it's a unique opportunity to become truly immersed in the dynamic culture of the island nation. Highlights of this gigantic party include the Cohobblopot – the island's largest festival show, and dozens of local Kadooments – the brightly colored parades guaranteed to get you into the festival spirit. After all, who can resist joining in with hundreds of costumed locals swirl as they sway to the irresistible Calypso rhythms provided by world-class musicians? Also not to be missed are the numerous after-work limes. "Liming'" is the Barbadian art of having a good time, and these informal, laid-back parties can stretch into the wee morning hours, as revelers mix, meet, and enjoy one another's company. All fueled by generous helpings of Barbados' famed Rum Punch. Heritage fairs, fireworks displays, dances and the fantastic Pic-O-De-Crop calypso music competition will also keep you celebrating and dancing your entire visit long. What else can you expect if you make it to Barbados in JulyIt's part month-long street dance, heritage fair, arts and crafts show, Calypso concert, Soka dance party, parade, cocktail party, and fireworks display. It's Crop Over in Barbados. And it's the sweetest summer festival! So get your vacation booked for July and don't miss this fantastic Event!! Festival dates again are July 2nd to Aug 1st 2011. So feel free to call us to check availablilty on villas! : ) Happy "Liming".
In today's market place the choice for the holiday or vacation consumer is huge! So let me ask YOU, what do you most want from an annual vacation? From our initial surveys you want value for money, you want to escape familiar surroundings, you want excellent cuisine and choice of restaurants, culture,almost guaranteed sunshine, clean safe beaches and very comfortable, clean and welcoming accommodations. Let us know what YOU would add to our findings! Luckily the Caribbean offers all of the above and more. Most of our team here have lived and worked in both Europe and the USA so we know the differences in what is expected and the wonderful array of activities, and adventures that await you in the beautiful part of the world. Our team have travelled to various parts of the Caribbean and also lived in different areas, from Curacao to Grand Cayman there truely is something for everyone! The one thing you do notice as soon as you get off the plane is that here, has a completely different pace of life, there is no point in trying to RUSH anywhere..(if youlive here and come from London or New York, it takes a lot of getting used to!!!) People are relaxed, they generally have a balance of life between working hard at their jobs then spending a lot of time with their family barbequeing and spending time on the beach. How can you be in paradise and not take the time to enjoy it!!? So plan your vacation well and choose somewhere that fulfils ALL the criteria you want to experience! We know you won't be disappointed, and as always, if you need somewhere to stay..you know where we are!
Yesterday was the annual Around-the-Island Boat Race covering the waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean ocean and sea respectively around the Caribbean island and back to the starting point, Sandy Ground, Road Bay on Anguilla. There were boats taking part and also boats following who took a more relaxed approach with refreshments! Real Deal was the winning boat with De Tree coming in second place. The Anguilla race is sponsored by the Government of Anguilla with a first prize of $7500EC! It created an exciting day with lots of visitors and two barges were set up as party boats with music, food and drink for a large number of attendees. This is a Public Holiday for Anguilla and this holiday pays tribute to their Revolution and the day on which it began; May 30th, 1967. Also taking place ont his holiday are Sport Meets, Bicycle Races and Tennis Matches. Anguilla is still a British Foreign Territory so maintain many British customs and holidays. If you are staying in Saint Martin/Saint Maarten it is a mere 45 minute ferry ride away. It costs about $40 dollars return. If you want to hire a car or taxi this is possible in the port you arrive in. Do be careful as the last ferry leaves around 6pm so check with your captain. So it is a fun day out for all...I'll be there next year! What about you? Why don't you coincide your trip to the Caribbean with a stay on Anguilla...plus you are heading for the low season so it won't be so busy and you should get good value from vacation rentals!
Being an expert in social media is to compare with being an expert at taking the bread out of the refrigerator. The goal is to make an amazing sandwich, and you can't do that if all you've done in your life is taken the bread out of the fridge.
Social media is just another facet of marketing and customer service. Social media, by itself, will not help you.
We're making the same mistakes that we made during the DotCom era, where everyone thought that just adding the term .com to there corporate logo made them instantly credible. It didn't. You weren't "building a new paradigm while shifting alternate ways of focusing customers on the clicks and mortar of an organizational exchange." No -- you were simply an idiot who'd be out of business in six months.
Ready for the ultimate kicker? We still haven't learned! We got thirsty again, and are drinking the same ten-year-old Kool-Aid without so much as asking for ice. Rather than embracing this new technology and merging it with what we've learned already, we're throwing off our clothes and running naked inthe rain, waving our hands in the air, sure that this time it'll be different, because this time it's better!
IT'S ABOUT GENERATING REVENUE THROUGH SOLID MARKETING AND STELLAR CUSTOMER SERVICE, JUST LIKE IT'S BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.
It's about transparency. It's about not lying to your customers, and thinking that a good Twitter apology will suffice when you're caught. It won't, and you'll lose. Lie to them and get caught, and say goodbye.
It's about using the tools to market to an audience that wants to help tell your story, because you've been awesome at providing them with the service they deserve.
It's about relevance. It's not about tweeting every single time your company offers 10 percent off on a thingamabob. It's about finding out where your customers actually are, and going after them there. Marketing involves knowing your audience, and tailoring your promotions in specific bursts to the correct segments. "Social media experts" don't know this. They'll build you a fan page, and when all that work doesn't convert into new sales, they'll simply say, "Well, we'll just post more."
It's also about brevity. Good writing. Good writing is brevity, and brevity is marketing.
Finally, it's about knowing your customer, and making sure your customer thinks of you first. When Barry Diller was running Paramount, he'd call ten people in his Rolodex each morning, just to say "hi." That translated into all of Hollywood knowing this previously unknown executive's name -- because he took the time to reach out and communicate. It also translated into Paramount making billions in a time where other movie companies were struggling.
Social media is not "cool." MAKING MONEY IS COOL. Social media is simply another arrow in the quiver of marketing, and that quiver is designed to GENERATE REVENUE.
Do you know your audience? Have you reached out to them? - I'm not talking about "tweeting at them." !
The final countdown to Sol Rally Barbados 2011 is under way, with the entry list once again over-subscribed and no fewer than 22 drivers or co-drivers from overseas heading to the Barbados Rally Club's blue riband event for the first time. There, they will join a host of others who have made this a 'must-do' annual event . . . first-time visitors from Australia and Germany have brought to 18 the countries outside the Caribbean to be represented in recent years.
From small beginnings in 1990 as a one-day rally for around 30 local competitors, Rally Barbados – it was renamed in 2003 - has grown into the Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport international, attracting up to 100 crews, one-third of them from the wider Caribbean and overseas. It is one of the strongest sporting brand names in the region, particularly for visitors from Europe, and a major contributor to the island's sports-tourism product and foreign exchange earnings. Sol Rally Barbados 2011 will run over the weekend of June 4-5.
Jump Up, which is held four times each year, is a "carnival like" cultural party held in the streets and along the boardwalk of Christiansted. It has become one of the islands favorite social events for both locals and visitors alike.
The streets are closed down and the party begins at 6pm and goes until about 10pm. Stores and restaurants in town stay open late, offering special discounts. You will also find many vendors on the streets, offering food and drink, arts and crafts, fine hand-crafted jewelry and much more.
Live music is also a big part of Jump Up. You'll see Caribbean steel drum bands along with many other musicians on almost every corner. Mocko Jumbies, said to ward off evil, dance in the streets and add to the carnival atmosphere. The Mocko Jumbie has been a part of Virgin Islands culture for more than 200 years. The sound of music and the smell of food is everywhere. You can sample some local cuisine while you listen to some authentic Caribbean music.
If you cannot make it this time, don't be sad, check for flights now to be part of the next St.Croix Jump Up !
Jump Up Dates / Schedule April 29, 2011 - Triathlon July 8, 2011 - Summer/Hamilton November 25, 2011 - Holiday
Jump Up is truly a fun experience for everyone, including families!
Book Now and be part of this Caribbean Major event !
Caribbean Fashionweek (CFW) is now in its 11th year, the first year of a new decade.
CFW will once again be held in Kingston, Jamaica, June 8 – 13.
The Event features the best designers from the Caribbean and around the world. Worlds famous supermodels and top stylists from Europe, North America, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
In previous years Eve, Kelly Roland and Nia Long have made performances.
This year will seen an expansion of the live entertainment packages, with even bigger names and full length concert performances by superstars following the fashion shows. As it attracts major international celebrities.
A business forum on June 12 will be a key feature of CFW 2011. Designers who have shown collections at CFW include Cedella Marley, Gavin Douglas, Meiling, Sandra Kennedy, Claudia Pegus, Catalin Bothesatu, Atelier Dore, Barry Moncreiffe, Heather Jones, Jessica Ogden, Simon Foster, Pauline Bellamy, Mutamba, Nefertari Caddle, Deola Segoe, Biggy, The Mushroom, Uzuri and Robert Young. Most of these designers will show collections this year.
Important fashion press will be present from around the world, including Vogue, Fashion TV Paris and many more.
British Vogue once described CFW as an important new trend in world fashion and the event has been taken to every corner of the globe by Fashion TV Paris. It is also regarded as one of the important fashion weeks in the world and is accepted internationally as the number one platform for the best of Caribbean style, attracting thousands of locals and visitors alike. Its growth in its first decade has been exponential. This year's event is likely to be the biggest and best to date, based on confirmations already received from designers, celebrities, supermodels and entertainers. The event features six days and nights of activities, including opening and closing events, as well as three nights of shows, an exhibition, after parties and the business forum. Over the years, Pulse supermodels have led the model line-up at CFW, and this year will be no different. Stars of past years include models of the calibre of Jaunel McKenzie, Carla Campbell, Nadine Willis, Oraine Barrett, Gaye McDonald, Lois Samuels, Kimanee Wilson, Sunna Gottshalk, Nell Robinson, Lincoln Wynter, Romae Gordon, Althea Laing, Reshima Hemmings, Nikki Vassell and Nicole Gray.
As usual it was a full success, the island was bouncing, everybody went with the beats of famous artists like Mervyn Wilkinson, John Legend, Allison Marquis and Eclectic Pan, Maceo Parker, Ledisi, Chuck Brown, Carimi and many more.
Saint Lucia Jazz has become one of the major events on Saint Lucia's calendar of events and surely a most anticipated event on the Caribbean's calendar. During the month of May, the island dances to the beat of jazz when music fills the air and tourism takes on a whole new meaning to all. What started as simply a marketing event to boost tourism industry arrivals during a low peak period, has now developed into a truly Saint Lucian Festival.
Saint Lucia Jazz encompasses multiple shows of acoustical/straight ahead jazz, new age jazz, fusion, rhythm and blues with acts emanating from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe, French, latin and Reggare genres all being representd as well. The shows range from formal performances to intimate late night open air venues and late night club venues to open air picnic style events, which allow Saint Lucia Jazz to offer unparalleled variety and ambience.
Saint Lucia Jazz 20 Years and Counting
"We've done this for so long 20 years and going strong. We've made ours the place to be, land of Music, sand and sea. A spectacle so grand, once you're here you'll understand. We are the very best, first class and nothing less. Authentic and so real and a spirit you can feel. Saint Lucia...oh Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia Jazz" -Shane Ross
The St Eustatius Tourist office have decided to invest in a professional promotion video with two producers from Holland. They spent just under two weeks filming hotels, historical sites, national parks, restaurants, tourist activities and much more. They even went underwater to ensure they got a great perspective of the diving possibilities (I’m sure they are also keen divers..11 times) They already did a 3 minute video 3 years before of one of their previous dives. Appartently this is how the tourist office decided to hire them! This video will be used to promote St Eustatius at trade shows. The 7- 8 minute video will be live in the summer and apparently Winair sponsored their flight...ps if anyone wants to hire us to do videos just contact us! LOL!
Arrivals this year are already up 14% on last year according to the St Maarten Harbor Group of Companies. These numbers so far represent a 21.5% increase over 2010 number for the same period. The Group's CEO Mark Mingo puts this down to St Maarten's desirability to both cruise line's and their passengers. As it is positioned in the North Caribbean, it is a more accessible than other islands. Carnival have already committed to 30 additional cruise calls for 2012/13 season so good news for Caribbean Vacation Renters and Owners.
Waikiki Beach and its sister companies celebrated 20 years serving tourists and locals in the famous Orient Bay of St Martin. The who's who of St Martin, St Bart's and Anguilla all turned up for the night, welcomed with canapes, food stalls, wine and open bar. Being situated right on the beach and having the vast size it has. It was the perfect location to celebrate. In addition MusicFWI.com also launched. Its a new radio set up by Sebastien Politano that plays DANCE tracks, so lovingly named dancefloor radio too! DJ Kitty did a fantastic job of keeping everyone on the dance floor and showing everyone why the Caribbean is the BEST place to be and Vacation! Congratulations ALL! Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL17GTQKWeA
Great News – Disney Cruise Line continues to patronize the Caribbean including St Thomas, Grand Cayman and St Maarten. 2012 Port Canaveral Schedule The Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will continue to sail a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral. The Disney Fantasy will depart on her maiden voyage March 31, 2012, and will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries – alternating eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel). Special Eastern Caribbean sailings in November and December 2012 stop at St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All Disney Fantasy itineraries include a stop at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night cruises from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. Five-night itineraries include two stops at Castaway Cay. Until she is repositioned to New York, the Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral on seven-night Caribbean itineraries and four- and five-night Bahamian cruises.
The name of the exhibition is ' Island Reflections' and consists of selected artists from various disciplines including Herman van Bergen, Philippe Zanolino, Ellen Spijklstra, Rita Houwen, Ariadne Faries, Midxy Longuevergne, Tony Monsanto, Carlos Blaaker, Hortence Brown and Yubi Kirindongo. It will take place form August 19th to October 1st. According to Art Historian Susan Wilczak comments that these artists represent various cultures present on the island from Surinam to France! The disciplines are numerous too – painting, visual arts, photography and sculpture. She also states it could be a HUGE breakthrough for the international career of artists as it will be held in the city Holland's art gallery ' De Pree' and also where 5 of the 413 American Billionaires live. Lets hope they see how wonderful the Caribbean is and make a journey down to stay in one of our luxury vacation rentals then! Good luck all.
Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI) - March 2011: Each year, during the last week of March and the beginning of April, there is an annual migration of sailors to the British Virgin Islands and this year, being the fortieth anniversary of the event, even more are expected. Although many of the visitors fly into the BVI, the Caribbean based sailors are most likely to sail, with the trials and tribulations of the delivery being a true test of how much they want to take part in the event. These Caribbean sailors are the backbone of the event, with many of them competing since the early days of the regatta. Regardless of the trip, either by sea or air, sailors flock to the BVI for the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. For the 40th edition, the elements of the regatta that have led to it's success will be continued with a few additional twists that will provide more fun on and off the water for the sailors and other visitors.
St.Barth - March 2011 — The yachting jetset heads to St. Barths this spring with the acclaimed St. Barths Bucket Regatta. Starting on March 25-28, 2010, the top yacht event takes to the Caribbean Sea. This Caribbean Bucket Regatta brings one of the largest yachting fleets together for challenging race and unbeatable party.
St. Barths Bucket Race is one of the most prestigious sailing yacht events held annually in the spring. It's famously carefree atmosphere attracts true sailing yacht fans eager to see what some of the top yachts can do.
The St. Barth's Bucket is organized by The Bucket Association, St. Barth's, FWI The event is affiliated with and sanctioned by the Federation Francaise de Voile (FFV).
The St. Barths yacht culture flourishes in the St Barths Regatta and it's the premier event for the sailing yacht jetset crowd. If you're interested in a renowed sailing vacation in St. Barth's, head down to the Caribbean island this March for the acclaimed St. Barths Bucket Regatta. If you're heading down to the St Barths Regatta, stay in a luxury villa in St Barths for the perfect complement to the sailing vacation experience.
British Virgin Islands (BVI) - March 2011 -- Virgin Limited Edition is delighted to announce that Necker Belle, its 105ft luxury catamaran, will be racing in the '2011 BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival' which takes place in the British Virgin Islands between the 28th March and 3rd April 2011 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the BVI Spring Regatta.
Necker Belle will also be setting a new record as 'the largest catamaran to ever enter' the race as no other sail boat that has competed in the race in previous years has been over 100ft.
Richard Kellett, Necker Belle's Captain, commented: "The entire crew of Necker Belle are thrilled to be racing in the regatta for the first time. Not only will it be incredible fun for all involved, it is a great local event but is known worldwide and a fantastic way to promote the British Virgin Islands as what is undoubtedly the best sailing ground in the world."
Necker Belle will also be participating in the 40th anniversary celebrations taking place that week which will include live music and fireworks. Sir Richard Branson will be sponsoring the live music band – Elvis White, on Friday 1st April.
Today the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival is one of the Caribbean's premier annual racing events and one of the largest in the world. Held annually, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival is now a seven-day event with two events back-to-back attracting an average of 150 yachts per year with eighty percent of the competitors from overseas.
Virgin Limited Edition is an award-winning collection of unique retreats, chosen for their beautiful locations and magnificent surroundings; each offers a sense of fun, style, luxury and exceptional personal service. The group includes Necker Island in the Caribbean's British Virgin Islands, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa, The Roof Gardens and Babylon Restaurant in London; Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, The Lodge in Verbier, Necker Belle, a 105 foot luxury catamaran and Necker Nymph, a three man aero submarine.
Virgin Limited Edition aims to make a credible contribution towards creating a sustainable economy and to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers and stakeholders.
At first blush, the idea of celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the Caribbean sounds as incongruous as, say, a tropical shirt in Dublin. But while you'll find nary a green beer in the islands, and you're more likely to find cassava that potatoes, the Caribbean does have a few hot spots of Irish heritage and culture.
Montserrat In the 17th Century, Irish Catholic indentured servants were welcomed to the tiny volcanic island of Montserrat at a time when they were shunned in most other English-controlled islands of the Caribbean. The Irish mixed freely with the African slaves brought to work the English sugar plantations, and a unique Afro-Irish culture developed.
Some say St. Patrick's Day is a bigger deal in the U.S. than it is in Ireland, but Montserrat may top them both: the St. Patrick's festivities here go on for a solid week. In fact, Montserrat is the only nation in the world other than Ireland that considers St. Patrick's Day a national holiday. St. Patrick's Week in Montserrat includes parades featuring costumed revelers wearing green shamrocks, concerts with calypso, soca, and iron band music, church services and dinners, and a special March 17 commemoration of an attempted slave revolt in 1768. You'll find Guinness on tap in the bars, hints of Irish cookery in the national dish (a stew called 'goat water'), and lots of Irish surnames among the people. Like Ireland, Montserrat has suffered many hardships in its history, including the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and a series of volcanic eruptions. The 1995 Soufriere Hills eruption left the island's original festival village, St. Patrick's, uninhabitable along with a good chunk of southern Montserrat. But the island's 4,000 tough residents have carried on their St. Patrick's Day festivities regardless, and welcome visitors to join in the fun.
St. Croix The Spanish, Dutch, French, and English all possessed the island of St. Croix before it became part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, but never the Irish. But the island has embraced the patron saint of Ireland anyway, and the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Christiansted is one of the most popular events of the year. The party starts midmorning, with the parade kicking off promptly at 11 a.m., with green-clad marchers, floats and music.
Grenada Grenada's St. Patrick's Parish honors its patron saint with a weeklong festival each year that includes food fairs, cultural events, and religious services.
Irish Bars and Other Options March is a popular time for Caribbean travel, so resorts in the region will occasionally roll out the green carpet to lure visitors south on St. Patrick's Day week. The Martineau Bay Resort & Spa on Vieques Island in Puerto Rico, for example, hosts a St. Patrick's Day Weekend party with a beachfront celebration, green cocktails, and local stand-ins for Irish beer and cuisine. (The 2007 GET YOUR GREEN ON package is available by calling the resort at 1-866-837-4216.)
In Turks and Caicos, Providenciales plays host to an annual St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawl.
Well in St Martin the Heineken Regatta has kicked off quite well. We attended most of the events and ended up volunteering for the Heineken Water Taxi Team. So we got to meet all the sailors and organisers as well as contributing to tourism in the Caribbean! Naturally we were also networking on behalf of all our lovely members and looking forward to creating relationships for some advance bookings for next year if we can!
Our promotion also seems to be going well so welcome to our newer members!
We do have a few of our other caribbean members staying so Welcome to St Maarten.
Carnival is still going strong across the Caribbean and bringing in visitors..Club Med are residing in Marigot Harbour at the moment. Its nice to see the French Side getting a bit of cruise action as well. Big Carnival days and a bank holiday in St Martin tomorrow should add to the atmosphere and FUN.
I (Amanda) have just come back from a European visit - reminding people why they should use us to book their holidays and why the Caribbean is one of the BEST places to BE...especially when it is so COLD in the rest of the world!!
Also for those of you that are members we are stepping up our social media campaign by using Flickr - so watch this space as we will send you more info on it next week. Naturally if you do NOT wish for us to maximise traffic to your property. Just let us know.
So enjoy these wonderful islands and we'll check in with you next week!!
St.Maarten getting prepared for Heineken Regatta !
These days, it's almost impossible to fathom—now that the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta has become an international phenomenon, a one-of-a-kind festival of world-class sailing, music and parties that over the years has attracted tens of thousands of sailors from every corner of the planet—but once upon a time, it was simply a boat race.
It was meant to be fun. Then it got serious. Seriously. Fun.
That inaugural event was over three decades ago. But now, once again, sailors of all stripes, from near and far, are making plans to congregate on the blue waters of the Caribbean for the 31st edition of the largest, best, most unique sailing event in the islands: the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. The traditional kick-off to the racing season, including the Gill Commodores Cup—the one-day match racing series prior to the three-day St Maarten Heineken Regatta—is scheduled for March 3-6.
But the time to make your plans to attend is…now.
As always, for sailors competing aboard yachts ranging from charter boats to Grand Prix thoroughbreds, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is an equal opportunity celebration. The racing, featuring a mix of round-the-buoys contests and point-to-point destination races against the backdrop of the sensational coastal views of St. Maarten, simply doesn't get any better, whatever or wherever the venue.
Yes, the sailing is spectacular, but so too is the other star of the show: the half-Dutch, half-French island of St Martin. From the café's in Marigot, to the pubs in Phillipsburg, to the sizzling barbecues up and down the beaches, St. Maarten has something for everyone. Indeed, the island has it all—boutique hotels, high-rise resorts, upscale casinos and marinas, and some of the best nightlife in the Caribbean. Especially during the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.
Do you like music? You've come to the right place. Every night of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is a veritable battle of the bands, with multiple sound stages at that evening's party venue. The best is saved for last, at the Sunday night Awards Ceremony. Previous headliners have included Ziggy, The Wailers, Shaggy, the Marley Brothers, Jimmy Cliff, The Black Eyed Peas and the Neville Brothers.
Serious talent. Serious fun.
For 2011, the entry list is growing by the day. Once again, the fleet is comprised of one-designs and Superyachts, multihulls and daysailers. Geographically, the competitors come from near and far. Many of the local names are familiar to long-time Caribbean racers, including Ian Hope-Ross's Beneteau First 36.7, Kick 'em Jenny; Richard Wesslund's J/120, El Ocaso; Sergio Sagramoso's latest Lazy Dog, a Grand Soleil 54; and the Melges 24, Budget Marine/Gill.
On the other end of the spectrum, the 2011 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta will be a showcase for some of the grandest, most impressive mega-yachts ranging across the world's oceans, many of which will make their way to St. Maarten following the Caribbean 600 ocean race...a perfect feeder event for the Heineken. This remarkable contingent includes sailing yacht Aegir II, a Carbon Ocean 82; S/Y Bella Pita, a Tripp 75; I-SEA, a Farr 78; the Swan 100, Varsovie; and POS, a Reichel/Pugh 78.
Looking back at the history of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, which in its first thirty years attracted literally thousands and thousands of sailors, the evolution is clear. The fine sailing started it. The people of St. Maarten welcomed it. The wondrous island nurtured it. Heineken Beer quenched its thirst. The parties and music and organization kept people coming back. Word spread. The little boat race became one of the most anticipated, successful yachting events ever.
It's the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. And you're invited. But only if you're serious...about your fun.
For full information on the Gill Commodore's Cup and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, as well as entry lists, past results, photos, videos, party and band information, the Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and much, much more, visit www.heinekenregatta.com.
Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean are the best parties in the world and come from a long and honored tradition. Carnival originated in Italy hundreds of years ago when Catholic Church members participated in costumed festivals before the first day of Lent. The word 'carnivale' originates from a Latin phrase that means 'put away the meat,' indicating that Lent is a time of fasting and sacrifice of material pleasures. Carnival festivals were meant to give the people one last wild fling before the sobering time of reflection and atonement represented by Lent. The practice spread across all the Catholic countries of Europe, and when the French, Spanish, and Portuguese traveled to the Americas, their beliefs and celebrations, including Carnival, came with them.
In the Caribbean, Carnival traditions were combined with African festivals. The importation of slaves and the high numbers of indentured laborers brought from Africa to work on plantations had a strong influence on Carnival celebrations. Plantations owners hosted lavish parties, while slaves had their own celebrations nearby.
The ancient African traditions of holding parades and dressing up in costumes and masks before circling through villages were widely adopted. It was believed that these actions would bring good luck, healing, and appeasement of relatives who had passed into the next world. African influences on Carnival in the Caribbean are also shown in the materials used to create masks and costumes. Feathers, which represent the ability of human beings to rise above their problems, are often incorporated in African masks, for example. Other aspects of African influence are felt in the music and dance moves popular in Carnival. Today, Carnival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in virtually all the countries of the Caribbean.
Travelers who plan to enjoy Carnival festivals in the Caribbean have been warned by Hugh Riley, secretary-general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, that "Caribbean music is highly infectious" and can lead the body to stretch muscles that wouldn't ordinarily be used. "Expect to be lured into a music-infused costumed-covered trance that is addictive and hard to resist, he says."
Tourists have many options for participating in Caribbean Carnival celebrations, and although the overall experience is similar wherever they go, the unique flavor of each Caribbean country will shine through.
Calypso Carnival in Montserrat
Festivities on Montserrat include calypso contests and party-goers following trucks throughout the community as they broadcast musical selections for the enjoyment of all. Known as "The Festival" on the island, two special activities feature the Soca Monarch on December 22 and a concert with soca stars Edwin Yearwood and Burning Flames on December 28. See www.montserratfestival.com for more information.
Party in the U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands each have their own fabulous party happenings. St. Croix starts things off with the Crucian Christmas festival, which runs now through January 8. Food, artisan exhibits, and music are on view in St. Croix, with the "j'ouvert" a favorite with the crowds. This celebration features many bands that play on flatbed trucks and roll through the town, attracting participants to dance in the street. Chantal Figueroa, the island's deputy commissioner of tourism, says she has participated since she was eight years old. "During the month-long celebration, we eat traditional dishes to delight our bellies and then wash it all down with old-time drinks," she says. Visit www.stxfestival.com for more information.
The biggest party of the year is held in St. Thomas in April, and in St. John, a family-friendly celebration is held on July 4.
The Carnival festival in St. Kitts runs from December 17 through January 2. It features dancers in extravagant costumes, "Mocko-Jumbies," dancers on eight-foot stilts, wild calypso gyrations, and the presentation of the comedy "The Bull." In St. Kitt's capital city of Basseterre, Festival Village is not to be missed on December 26. On New Year's Day, there's an exciting parade and on January 2, the Last Lap Jam is a favorite tradition on the island. "Visitors are enthusiastically welcome and can even participate in the Grand Parade," says Sen. Ricky Skerritt, minister of tourism. Skerritt says he is very fond of the street parades and has been actively participating in them since he was a teenager. For more information, visit www.stkittsneviscarnival.com
Bahamian Boogie Nights and Days
At midnight on December 26, a midnight blast from a shotgun signals the start of the Bahamas Carnival as the Junkanoo, a street parade featuring music, begins in Nassau. The Junkanoo takes its name either from the African tribal chief called John Canoe, or the French phrase "l'inconnu," which means "unknown people," and refers to the fanciful masks that are trademarks of the parade.
"Junkanoo is an exciting way of becoming intimately acquainted with what it means to be Bahamian," says Sen. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, the island's tourism minister. "It is truly one of the great performance art traditions of our country."
There is a new museum on Nassau's waterfront that showcases costumes worn in Junkanoo. It is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information, visit www.bahamas.com.
The Out Islands have their own Carnival festivities as well.
Rocking in Aruba
From New Year's Day through March 8, Aruba offers its most mind-blowing celebration of the year. Homes on the island become factories that turn out costumes for women of all ages as they ready themselves for the Carnival Queen Competitions. Featured on Aruba at "jump-ups" that get the crowds in the mood, while marchers parade with pride and sing their songs with gusto. The Lighting Parade on February 26 is a magical scene as costumes glow with tiny lights all along the parade route and shine cheerily in the night.
Tourist Night is held at Paseo Herencia on March 1 and features a wide variety of steel bands. The Grand Parade in Organjestad is scheduled for March 6. This is the longest parade in the islands. It is a once-in-a-lifetime sight, with islanders decked out in sequins and other extravagant regalia. The Old Mask Parade on March 8 follows the Dutch Caribbean tradition of burning King Momo in effigy to signal the beginning of a new year.
In Curacao, Carnival lasts from January 8 to March 8, the liveliest period of the year on the island as it celebrates with pre-season parties and the African-Caribbean music of Tumba from January 31 to February 4. Several parades make the festivities in Curacao memorable. There is the Horse Parade on February 20, the Children's Parade on February 27, and the Teen Parade on March 4. Everyone gets into the act! The signature non-stop shimmy of the Gran Marcha is featured on March 6, while the Farewell Parade on March 8 ends with the burning of King Momo after night falls.
Andre Rojer of Curacao's Tourist Board notes, that "since Carnival is such a celebratory time, we like to say that babies born in November are Carnival babies." For more information, visit www.Curacaocarnival.info.
Jamaica Be Jammin'
Bacchanal heats up the island of Jamaica beginning with street marches on February 1 and continuing through May 1. The parades wind through the streets of Kingston and on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay. The celebration here is friendly local affair, but tourists are very welcome to all Carnival events. These include Bacchanal Fridays, the Beach J'ouvert on April 23, Soca at De Sandbar on April 27, and Bacchanal J'ouvert on April 29. Visit www.bacchanaljamaica.com for more information
Carnival in Tempting Trinidad
In Trinidad, the Carnival is considered the best party on Earth. It runs from March 5 to March 8 and attracts serious party-goers from around the world. Hotel rooms and plane tickets are booked far in advance as fans flock to watch as parade participants, decked out in flamboyant costumes that can reach 30 feet in height, dance to the music of steel drum bands. Revelers in Trinidad take pleasure covering their bodies with oil, grease, chocolate, and mud as part of the sacred traditions of Carnival Monday and Tuesday on March 7 and 8.
For serious fans of Carnival willing to pay fees starting at $500, it's possible to join a band. The fee buys a costume, food, and drinks for two entire days of wild and reckless partying on the island. Visitors select a band with a style that suits them and can choose between the "Way of the Warrior" in the Tribe Band, the largest group. It signs up over 4,000 people every year and has its own website at www.carnivaltribe.com. There is also the "Planet Rock" style of the Harts Band that many fans find appealing. Visit the website at www.hartscarnival.com.
Yes CARNIVAL IS BACK...and started in Grand Case on Tuesday. All kinds of events are going to be happening all over the island over the next few weeks so make sure you don't miss out! This is one of St Martin's favourite times of the year when glamour, great food and music all come together to highlight just how SPECIAL the Caribbean is!
Also good news for Culinary aficionados - Sundial School on the Dutch side of St Maarten has signed an agreement to work together with the Lycee on the French Side of the island to help create fantastic local specialists in the culinary arts! Congratulations guys - we checked out your food at the Taaste of St Martin and it was fantastic. Bonne continuation! We look forward to being able to sample more..
Barbados Barbados did well this year in attracting A list celebrities in January - Take That, Simon Cowell from X Factor and Rhianna (who hails from Barbados!) plus a few more who stayed hidden in top resorts! The gorgeous beaches and proximity from the USA always bodes well for this top 10 Caribbean destination...lucky we have a few places tucked away ourselves there...villa anyone?
The Caribbean brought in the new year just a few days ago...Karakter on Simpson Bay Beach in Saint Martin got off to a fine start with their Unox sponsored water jump! Good to see business is busy at many of the restos including Divino in Maho with a southern French twist and hospitality to match as well as visitor favourites - boat trips! Luckily the Caribbean weather held out, particularly in St Martin for most of the Christmas season…
Weather was not so great in Guadeloupe but this did not stop visitorsenjoying the many hot springs that the island has to offer...
Deb Andrews tells you in more detail where you can go to get a natural high!
Getting Into Hot Water – Experiences of Hot Sulphur Springs in the Caribbean.
I found out that bathing in seawater has so many incredible benefits to health that it even has the official name of thalassotherapy. I'm not sure if bathing in hot sulphur water has such a technical term but I am certain that it is just as healing.
Hot sulphur springs are a natural feature of many Caribbean islands, especially the Lesser Antillean islands of St. Lucia, Martinique, Grenada, St. Vincent and some of the other more mountainous islands. These volcanic islands were formed millions of years ago as the tectonic plates of North America and the Caribbean slid over each other. The tectonic sliding continues to this day and gives rise to the many locations where sputtering steam vents and sulphur springs can be found.
The origin point of most of these sulphur springs is a bubbling stew of grey/black water that is boiling temperature and would scald the skin
immediately on contact. When the boiling cauldron bursts through the Earth it definitely makes for good sight-seeing but the main attraction point in my mind is the baths of hot water that are created after the water has travelled or been channelled enough distance away to make it suitable for a delicious soak.
A common comment made about sulphur springs is that they smell of rotten eggs. I actually think the natural smell of sulphur water is not nearly so pungent and has a rather pleasant fragrance. But even if the smell does make you think twice about bathing in it, I would definitely urge you to ignore your olfactory system and plunge in. The delightful treat of a natural Caribbean sulphur spa provides healing to mind, body and spirit. Natural sulphur waters have been shown to ease symptoms of rheumatism, arthritis, gout and skin complaints such as eczema and sunburn. Surrounded and bathed by nature eases away stress and tension and many of these springs around the world have been referred to as fountains of youth. I know that I honestly feel complete cellular rejuvenation after any trip to the springs and recommend them highly! I have been blessed to visit some of the hot springs within the Caribbean region and would like to share some of the experiences.
I'll start with what is on my doorstep – the hot springs in the village of Wotten Waven, Dominica. This small village in the Roseau valley has fast become the unofficial spa destination of the country. There are currently four operations that have created pools and tubs with the healing sulphur waters and offer a natural spa experience for visitors and locals alike.
Ti Kwen Glo Cho (meaning: little corner of hot water) is my most local spot. Within the beautifully landscaped gardens there is a mud bath and waterfall and, in a separate location, five bath tubs are continuously filled with hot water that allows you to recline in your own private paradise. The water is channelled through the property in bamboo pipes and as the water flows onto your body it is like receiving a massage from the hands of Mother Nature herself!
Screws Sulphur Spa offers a selection of large pools of water in varying temperatures so there is something to suit everyone. They are deep enough to take a little 'swim' and float in them. Screw's also offers a nice selection of fresh tropical fruits and juices to accompany the bath – yum!
Tia's Bamboo Cottages as the name suggests is a set of creative constructions made primarily from bamboo. At Tia's you can take a bath undercover which is great for rainy days and privacy. There are also pools right next to the river, a bamboo restaurant for lunch or dinner and of course the cottages are available to rent in case you really don't want to go home!
The new kid on the block is the Shangri-La Resort and Spa which offers accommodations and healing treatments. Their three pools are constructed from stone by the riverside and range from hot to hotter to hottest! Here a qualified Watsu therapist can offer you a treatment in the waters that is like returning to the womb – what bliss! Dominica also has several other hot springs... there is one on the climb to the spectacular Trafalgar Falls which is as untamed and pure as nature intended. Also in Trafalgar are the three tubs at Papillote Wilderness Retreat. For the more adventurous there is a wonderful hot waterfall and pool after the valley of desolation on the trail to the Boiling Lake - you need this soak to recover from all the hiking.
On the west coast a small hot water outlet can be found in the Layou River and on the way down south a stop off into Champagne beach you can revel in the bubbles as you snorkel in the sea! At the very southern tip of the island, Soufriere boasts not only of hot springs but has a trail to walk to the 'sulphur mountain' which I always feel is like going to the moon without leaving the Earth! The white cratered surface is covered with vents which gurgle and cough out steam and I was once completely cured of flu by taking this walk and breathing in the vapours.
Dominica's close island cousin, St Lucia, also has a Soufriere which offers the world's only drive-in volcano tour – thankfully it is now dormant! Here you can walk through a lesson in Caribbean geology and then soak away stresses in a selection of natural or man-made pools.
I've been to Jamaica twice and I was blessed both times to visit different hot springs. The first time was to the famous Bath, where I was massaged and stretched on the rocks whilst being immersed in the hot water. It was such an incredible experience that I don't think my body has ever been the same! On my second visit I stayed in the Northern parish of St Ann's and visited the spot of the firewater! Yes this sulphur water actually sets on fire and I was completely amazed as I reclined in the water which was then lit on top and burst into flames! A more wild and wonderful time could not be imagined!!
I have read about other sulphur springs in St Kitts and Saba and I am sure there are many more within the region that I have yet to visit. I'd love to hear from anyone else about other hot springs in the Caribbean and your experiences of bathing in them. For now I think I deserve to go for yet another healing hot water soak!
Casion Royale played host to this season's Taste of Maho offering that took place this week in the lovely Maho resort area. Guests arrived to sample a wonderful array of seafood, Italian pasta and even Sushi. Restaurants such as Bamboo Bernies, Sopranos and new bar Divino fronted by Fabrice provided complimentary cocktails and finger food for the ocasion. Needless to say it was very busy and I believe enjoyed by all! Congratulations to team on a well attended event.
Porto Cupecoy opened its plaza to the locals and tourists alike to sample the cuisine and hospitality of this luxury resort. Sample dishes from its cafe's and restaurants like Le Moulin Fou all made for exceptional tastings! Ti punch and sangria also found their way onto the menu and guests were sipping away nicelyamoungst the candles, christmas lights and Christmas Music Played by a live band...in the Plaza that was completely brought to life...caribbean style...what a WONDERFUL way to celebrate your CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS...
German transplant Bettina Laurer has a profession of design and paper. She likes the elegant look of stationary, the message a handwritten note symbolizes and the way functional design blended with funky colors make every item into a piece of art.
The evenly lit, tiny white walled Art + Design SXM studio and Paper Boutique in Le Pirate, next to the Beach Plaza in Marigot is treasure trove for those who worship elegant and funky stationary to match their personality. The space is lined with shelves of electric arty boxes of greeting and blank cards and stylish containers containing candles and waterproof cases of laptops, cellular phones, wine and beer bottles.
Bettina stocks Midori wrapping paper, made of 100 per cent recycled cotton fibre and delicately decorated with an assortment of gorgeous designs. From simply chic to wildly unique, each pattern is unforgettable and turns a simple trinket into a thing of beauty.
Art + Design SXM is just over three weeks old and a fulfillment of Bettina heart's desire to share her passion for paper and design.
Want to browse before shopping, visit the Art + Design website: www.art-design-sxm.com. The website is still being tweaked by Bettina, who has designed several other websites on the island for businesses and individuals. She is also the brain behind www.best-stmartin.com.
Congratulations to Vinisha Chugani who opens the new sexy skylounge PRIVE in Simpson Bay (above Garden Market at entrance to Pelican) Party kicks off with Ministry of Sound DJ's (COOL) at 11pm...dont miss the opening night of this classy new chilled out lounge/bar on the top floor! So get your dancing shoes on and enjoy one of St Maarten's latest offerings.
I think St Barts must be the coolest, smartest, chicest holiday place on the planet. I'm surprised they let me in, at my age, in my old shorts. Even the waiters and waitresses look like models, which is not surprising as they are chosen from their photographs, not just their CVs, before they come over from France for the season.
As for the shops, they all seem to be designer boutiques. The visitors are wealthy but not noisy and flashy - or dripping with bling, as in some places I could mention (OK, Sandy Lane in Barbados). St Barthians prefer to be discreet, hiding themselves away behind modest yet tasteful exteriors.
I would never have known, if I hadn't been told, that a simple gateway beside an isolated, uninhabited beach was the entrance to what is said to be the most expensive private estate bought anywhere in the world last year, for £60 million. Three guesses who has bought it. Go on, indulge me.
I was just as surprised to discover that in the hotel I was staying at, Eden Rock, there was a new villa that didn't look at all out of the ordinary from the beach but turned out to be probably the most expensive holiday villa to rent anywhere. At the height of the season, it costs £21,000. A night.
For that you get four main suites plus two other rooms, three butlers, maids, two pools, a recording studio and viewing room. Oh, and there's a Harley Davidson and Mini Cooper thrown in to help you get around - even though the island is only ten miles long and very hilly with lots of potholes.
When the young Russian couple who were renting it had left, I was invited into Rockstar, as the villa is called (hence the recording studio), and discovered it contains the mixing console which John Lennon used when recording Imagine. It's enormous, compared with the gear they use today.
They hadn't actually had any rock stars staying so far, as the villa had only recently been completed, so as biographer of The Beatles, I agreed to give a little talk about the band. Quite a few hotel guests turned up, as they were also being offered free champagne and a chance to poke around the villa, and there were some locals, including the President of St Barts, Bruno Magras, who also happens to be a keen guitarist.
St Barts is part of France. The language is French, the currency euros, and about 95 per cent of the 8,500 population white. It never had plantations, being too small, too hilly and without water.
The French, mainly Huguenots from Normandy and Brittany, arrived in the 17th Century. But the affluence of St Barts and its status as a top-class resort is all pretty recent. The first plane didn't land until 1947 and they didn't have electricity until 1962. Until then, most of the population was very poor, scraping a living.
The modern development has been done carefully, avoiding the mass market, and there are no chains or cheapo blocks. The biggest hotel has only 80 rooms. The airport is titchy, with the biggest plane carrying no more than 20 passengers. I got there via Antigua and an overnight stop at Jumby Bay resort, which has reopened after a multi-million pound redevelopment.
Despite St Barts being French and attracting the majority of its visitors from America or France, the owner of Eden Rock is English. David Matthews is from Yorkshire and was a motor mechanic before building up his own motor and coach business. In 1995 he was on holiday with his wife Jane in St Barts, thinking of buying a holiday home, when he saw that Eden Rock was on the market. It is built on a real rock, sticking out into the sea in the middle of the island's best and biggest beach, St Jean. In 1995 it was a small hotel of six bedrooms. David and his wife, without any experience of the hotel or restaurant business, decided to expand, creating more rooms, then buying an adjoining hotel on the beach.
These days it has 34 suites, cottages and villas and I think it is the most stunningly located hotel in all the Caribbean. I wouldn't stay in the Rockstar villa - the space and design, gadgets and facilities are overwhelming, unless you are used to such things - but the other units are mouth-wateringly attractive and different, each a little work of art thanks to Jane's artistic talents.
Roman Abramovich - new owner of that expensive estate (yes, you guessed it was him) - is a frequent lunchtime visitor at Eden Rock when on the island. He was there during my visit, sliding into the beach restaurant hardly observed at 2.30pm for a quick bite.
His new property is a 70-acre estate above Gouverneur Bay, once owned by the Rockefellers. I got a taxi driver to take me there, but first he insisted on taking me to another beach and stopping at Maison Nureyev, a beach cottage once owned by the ballet dancer.
I got out, knocked at the door and, from inside, a woman in a white gown wearing a surgical mask waved me away. Very mysterious.
The entrance to Abramovich's place is beside the little sandy car park at Gouverneur Bay - so not very private, and he doesn't even have his own beach. All the beaches on the island are public and all Roman has is his own little gate, leading on to the beach. It's a good beach though, very white sand, totally empty and undeveloped. Personally, I always like one little beach caff for my rum punch. Or several.
I noticed a large launch moored about 100 yards out and on deck someone watching me through very large binoculars. Back in the taxi, I asked if that could be one of Mr A's minders, but the driver said no, it wasn't his boat. Perhaps they mistook me for Mr A. We do have similar tastes in beach and leisure clothes - ie, pretty crummy.
On the way back to Eden Rock, we stopped at the local football ground where work was in progress, renovating and laying new artificial turf. One of the builders said the work was being paid for by Mr A - one of some 200 little football stadiums around the world he has helped, without publicity.
Gustavia is the capital of St Barts but it is more like a toy town with its immaculate buildings, painted fronts, expensive yachts, fancy restaurants and pricey shops. You could well be in the South of France.
In the harbour, a young French couple called Franck and Delphine had arrived on their little yacht with their two daughters, aged ten and two. That night, a handwritten sign announced, they were performing a Spectacle.
I went to it and it turned out to be a sort of acrobatic show, done on board, with them climbing up and down the rigging, twirling from the sails, dancing to music and doing silly things with buckets of water, all in mime, and very French.
They call themselves 'navigartistes' and have been sailing round the Med, the Caribbean and Canada doing their show since 2004. It all sounded absolutely mad - but ever so charming.
As for money, they get that by taking the hat round after a performance. So you see, you don't have to be wealthy to enjoy yourself in St Barts. Though it does help...
Finally a great book for children and tourists alike. Riet Sint and Gerda Heil have written, completed and launched their book 'St Martin in Sight' in the Philipsburg Library. It is an all encompassing book about the history, geography, politics, nature, legends and more about St Martin/St Maarten. They worked on the idea for 2 years after having the idea on their hill and nature walking on the island. Both ladies have been teachers and appreciate the need for learning and creating a book that is both stimulating to children and very interesting to tourists, visitors and residents! The launch was overseen by Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams and many local residents, supporters, press and schools. There was a wonderful dance and drum display from a local school. If you wish to get your hands on a copy, get to one of the Shipwreck shops on the island. RRP $18.95. A great present for anyone wishing to understand the life, times and culture of this wonderful island!
"Welcome to St. Martin...Step aboard. Picture yourself in a helicopter flying over St. Martin with us. We see an island surrounded by water with a large lagoon on its west side. We see beaches, hills and valleys, two towns and harbours and a fantastic new airport. We see boats and bridges, much traffic, shops and homes, old forts and new buildings." With these words, authors Gerda Heil and Riet Sint introduce the reader to their joint literary product, which they entitled St. Martin in Sight. Especially, but not exclusively, geared towards the island's teenagers, the two authors through their book express a deep love for the island, as well as concern for its immediate future. An added value to the book is that it encourages the reader to explore the two sides of the island as a means to establish his/her own opinion. The book is not a one-night read. It takes much more time. It reminds you of what St. Martin means to you and how you might take part in its present state of affairs and future development. It also provides residents and tourists with in-depth information about the two-nation island.
November 2010 - MARIGOT – People lucky enough to see, or even go on board, the massive solar catamaran that pulled into Marigot Bay on Thursday could be forgiven for thinking an alien craft had invaded St.Martin.
The futuristic 12.5-million-euro vessel Tûranor Planet Solar, the largest solar boat in the world, was on its first tour around the globe and made an unscheduled stop in Marigot to pick up supplies before leaving for Miami, Florida.
The 31-meter-long 15-meter-wide solar catamaran is powered exclusively by solar energy without use of traditional fuels. The top deck durface consists of 536.65 square meters of photovoltaic cells. These capture energy which is then stored in six blocks containing 12 batteries each (648 cell using the latest maintenance-free lithium ion technology). Each of the six blocks weighs just under two tons.
The catamaran is driven by two contra-rotating carbon propellers. The diameter of each propeller is almost two metres, twice the usual size for a vessel of this size, which makes propulsion more efficient.
Tûranor Planet Solar left Monaco on September 27 and took 26 days to reach St. Martin. It is a Franco-Swiss project headed by its founder Raphaël Domjan. The vessel has a crew of six and will continue circumnavigating the globe during the next eight months, making numerous stopovers to promote public awareness of the importance of renewable energy.
The Planet Solar team's objective is to show that current technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency are reliable and effective, and to advance scientific research in the field of renewable energy.
The name Tûranor comes from J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings saga and means "Power of the Sun." More information on the catamaran is available at Website: www.planetsolar.org . The Daily Herald
November 2010 - PHILIPSBURG - A fabulous event held on Philipsburgs famous Boardwalk. Resorts, restaurants and wineries came together to provide wonderful food, amazing wines and a local singer who could play just about anything on his steel drums.
Great fun for all the family and a great way to test all the resort offerings without having to go to a different restaurant every night.
There were also large alcohol distribution companies who were allowing you to sample new rums, vodkas and waters....what more could you wish for!
And only $45 for as much as you can drink or eat.
We invited the St Maarten Tourist Board to do another one SOONER than next years planned event...too good!
In addition any of the proceeds were going to Charity for one of the Cooking Schools in St Maarten - Sundial!
November 2010 - St.MAARTEN/St.MARTIN - Many of the St Martin movers and shakers took part in this 2 day extravaganza of business marketing and networking. One lady halved her business costs just by talking to one contact. For those people just visiting the island there were gift stands and other homewares that could be shipped home or taken in your suitcase. It set in one of Maho's largest, if not the largest resorts - The Sonesta, which has the most amazing gardens and pools. Something for everyone!
November 2010 - MARIGOT - Claro launched their new beer at Palm Beach Club in Orient Bar last week. It is a refreshing beer - a kind of cross between Corona and Heineken. Many of the islands hospitality persons were there to sample the new product and to find out more. Sabine from Baobab Distribution provided a lovely setting to enhance the qualities of this new refreshment (very popular in the US already!)
November 2010 - MARIGOT/PHILIPSBURG - The privileges of dual autonomy and greater expectations of cooperation were overriding themes of St.Martin/St.Maarten Day as the island took a pause from the hustle and bustle of day-today business and politics to reflect on unity, friendship, and family.
The Dutch side was experiencing it's first St.Martin/St.Maarten Day as a Country within the Kingdom of Holland, joining the French side as two halves of an island experiencing new autonomous statuses, but coming together as one people and one territory.
As usual a large gathering of dignitaries from both French and Dutch sides, as well as from Curacao, Anguilla, Aruba and Martinique, gathered for the traditional wreath-laying and photo calls at the border monument n Belle Plaine.
The whole Island is celebrating St.Martin/St.Maarten Day. Schools around the island are teaching students about the island's history and the historic ties between French and Dutch side in observance of St.Martin/St.Maarten Day. The Daily Herald
November 2010 - Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) and Royal Dutch airline (KLM) will be expanding their existing cooperation as of December 1 on the new DAE destinations and continue their transfer of service to passengers.
According to a DEA release, from December 1 passengers with a KLM ticket can also fly to all DAE destinations in Venezuela, colombia and Panama 'comfortably and quickly' on one ticket and with automatic baggage transfer via a transfer to DAE hub Curacao,
besides Aruba, Bonaire and St.Maarten. Due to this agreement, KLM passengers from all over the world can find a good connection to the mentioned DAE flights.
Also in the new agreement between DAE and KLM the arrangement remains that both companies - in as far as they are capable - will transport each other's passengers in case of flight interruptions.
October 2010 - SABA - An ocean area of 2.500 square kilometers makes Saba Bank the fifth largest marine protected area in the wider Caribbean.The average depth of the Bank is about 80 feet, and there are extensive coral reefs on the eastern and southeastern edges. New species of fish, gorgonians and seaweeds have been discovered on the Bank which has been found to be among the richest areas of the Caribbean in seaweed diversity. Much of the area and its biodiversity still remain to be explored. The Bank is suspected to be an important foraging area for sea turtles and may be important to marine mammals such as hump back whales. The Daily Herald
October 2010 - October is Breast Cancer Month Worldwide. In Saint Martin there are events happening all over the island to support this great cause. Last week there was the Pink Carpet events in Princess Casino, Le Shore and Anguilla. In Princess Casino there was a fabulous fashion show, showcasing not only amazing fashions but also the beautiful models of Saint Martin..well done ladies! Barbara Warren or LadyB as she is known was behind the organisation of these in conjuction with the Positive Foundation and Elektra. The Gala event at Le Shore, a swanky restaurant and bar in Grand Case on the French side provided the location alongside great food and LadyB proceeded to hand out many prizes to those who had bought raffle tickets to raise money for the Positive Foundation. It was a very successful evening! There are more events to come at the Princess Country Club and Spa this weekend, October 17th, 23rd Tag me Pink and on the 27th the Cinema Gala Evening. Do check out the Positive Foundation on Facebook for more info. So there is something for everyone to support this cause and plenty of wonderful locations to enjoy it on Saint Martin!
October 2010 - PHILIPSBURG--The Netherlands Antilles flag was lowered in front of the Courthouse at the stroke of midnight Saturday and the St. Maarten flag was hoisted to mark symbolically the end of one era and the birth of new Country St. Maarten, rounding off a decade of lobbying, negotiations and agreements. The folded Netherlands Antilles flag was presented to the St. Maarten Museum to preserve as a symbol of the dismantled Netherlands Antilles. With the St. Maarten song playing in the background, roars of applause rang out from the crowd that gathered to witness the ceremony when the St. Maarten flag, designed by Roselle "Rosie" Richardson in 1985, was hoisted. This was followed by fireworks and a celebratory mood as officials embraced and congratulated each other on St. Maarten's increased autonomy. The Daily Herald
October 2010 - Caribbean VR, La Collectivite and Radio des Iles, amoungst others, attended the Caribbean Tourism Organisation presentation last week that was very encouraging for St Martin investors, tourists and hospitality. My Hugh Riley has invested in numerous initiatives to promote SXM and the caribbean including conferences, new websites and international promotions and PR. Hopefully we will get the lowndown on new initiatives as they happen and anything else that may be able to assist with attracting new tourists and renters and keeping existing ones. They also discussed a large customer service review initiative that will assist the tourism industry to increase and expand on customer satisfaction and return rates. Great news for tourists and visitors too
September 2010 - The Worlds largest and newest cruise ships - Oasis of the Sea, Norwegian Epic and Carnival Dreams visited St.Maarten all together on Tuesday 14th. The streets and beaches on the whole Island where flooded by 13,000 passengers and 5,000 crew members. Attracted by good offers of fine jewellery, electronics, souvenirs and the delicious culinary offers St. Maarten is famous for in this region. The unexpected visit from two of the cruise ships was a bonus for the Island, only Epic was scheduled in the beginning but because of the presence of Hurricane Igor in the Atlantic Ocean the other two had to be re-routed to St. Maarten. The Island Harbor Group of Companies CEO Mark Mingo is expecting a furthermore "busy low season" for the Island. It is great news for St Martin and the Caribbean islands in general that the cruise ships are docking at our ports. We provide a fantastic offering hence so many great cruise companies decide to leave their lovely passengers with us! Some of them are even staying over they are so impressed with the 'two sides' of the island, the cooking and rental facilities. Long may it continue and we look forward to welcoming tourists and guests alike to this fantastic island..ideally for more than a day! Happy vacationing all!
August 2010 - Bonaire has some of the most pristine and wonderful coral. The Living Oceans Foundation's Survey is the precursor to its Global Reef Expedition who will begin in 2011. It will examine the resilience of reefs worldwide to identify those sites that warrant immediate protection.
Bonaire has been selected due to its amazing coral which are apparently are some of the best in the western oceans - particularly in the deep water zones. The Living Oceans Foundation is committed to the conservation and restoration of marine life and seas. They want to preserve these treasures through research, education (keeping tourists informed!) and a commitment to Science without Borders.
We trust with this kind of research and responsible tourism, we will be able to enjoy these jewels for many years to come!
July 2010 - Simpson Bay's Lyzanne Charles' Summer Speaks featured artists such as Peter Lake, Gino Olivacche, Stephen Rodney and others. They wanted to give insights into younger poets on the island. Their events consist of a dinner, followed by poetry readings for around $20. A great way to inspire locals and tourists alike as well as encouraging the community to support this type of event. In addition for those of you that want to grab the chance to share your own poetry. They even let you have an open session in front of the group. What an opportunity for budding artists and visitors alike!
July 2010, How are the wealthy faring in the current economic climate? A survey done recently by a creation of American Express Publishing and the Harrison Group polled about 2,400 people from the richest 10% of U.S. households. They are starting to change their spending habits and it appears their values are changing somewhat!
1. They are less 20% stressed about keeping their careers compared to last year.
2. Concerned about the economy - 91% still feel that the US is still in mid-recession and 60% expect it would take at least 12 months to get back on an even keel.
3. Yes Millionaires do shop at Walmart! (NYSE WMT News) They want value for money and aren't afraid to show it by buying in bulk, purchasing white label items and even waiting for sales to buy very high end goods.
4. High End Goods - they are still purchasing at this end of the market - however they are very focussed on quality over pure 'brands' for brands sake.
5. Brand is Best - despite shopping in good value stores they are becoming more brand loyal as long as its worth it. They stick to particular brands and there was a 7% rise in those who feel their 'brand' expresses who they are.
6. Online Orders - the affluent love to compare pricing and research purchases online and prefer to avoid sales people! Only 8% said they use Facebook to make a purchasing decision, though more than 40 % had Facebook accounts, which I find surprisingly low!
7. Money Talk - 64% say that they now discuss cash and finances with their family.
8. Wealth Guilt - Last year they were more reluctant to expose and demonstrate their wealth. This year they're happy to flaunt it a bit!
9. Family First - Surprisingly 83% of those polled now eat dinner with their family at least 4 times a week! This is an increase of 16% from 5 years ago! Great news.
10. Yep, they're happy - 71% were happy in their personal relationships versus 43% of the general population polled.
So our deduction is they will still spend good money on an EXCELLENT HOLIDAY AND RENTAL!!!
July 26, 2010 Despite some of the commercial revenues declining on St Martin, revenues for tourism to include cruise visitors, stay overs and occupancy rates have increased by approximately 7% during the first 3 months of 2010 compared to that of 2009. Some good news for the hospitality and tourism industry when elsewhere in the world, particularly Greece, Spain and other destinations have lost market share. On a less positive note but not totally off the scale are St Martin timeshare tax revenues, which dropped 2.4% and rental tax revenues contracted by less than a percent. This is still up on 2009!
In addition ,visitors from South America have increased by 51% and 9% from Europe. So it's clear that the South American market as well as the North American has huge potential in terms of rentals and tourism dollars! Happy renting!
July 21, 2010 St Martin is well known by Americans, the Dutch and the French as a fantastic caribbean island. However the British tourists seem less aware of this fact, including myself. I'd only heard of St Martin through Dutch friends before and I stopped off here 18 months ago before I moved here! Even then I only got as far as Phillipsburg and did not savour the sexy beaches! The weather is pretty awful most of the year in the UK and the British hunger for all year round sun - so Caribbean Property Landlords and Agents should be looking at this particular market. There are cheaper flights through Antigua - as there are no direct flights from the UK ( a slight sticking point that I found out when flying here! I had to go via Paris or Amsterdam and a volcano also impeded my journey by 10 days!) Despite this, we have cash and love to go shopping, eat fine food and party - so St Martin should be on our world list of places to go and UK tourist markets should be on the lists of those who want to rent out their properties! We have links to the UK market and look forward to assisting anyone who wants to look at that area. Barbados, Antigua and other British Caribbean Islands do very well on UK tourists so DON'T miss out and give them a holiday to remember!
Music festivals in the Caribbean are synonymous with smooth grooves, soulful artistes, island tranquillity and liming. Book your travel on Liat today and follow the music to St. Lucia and St. Kitts.
In St. Lucia visitors can take in the St. Lucia Jazz Festival this weekend. Music fans flock to the now well- known amphitheatre-style setting on the historic Pigeon Island. The Festival features Grammy Award winning artistes Shaggy, Maxi Priest, Freddie Jackson and headliners Ne-Yo and Corrine Bailey Rae. The breathtaking venue, Pigeon Island, is connected to mainland St. Lucia by a causeway but surrounded by the picturesque Caribbean Sea. For more information visit St. Lucia Jazz.
Visit St. Kitts for the 14th Annual Music Festival, June 24th – 26th and you're sure to enjoy every note. From 8pm each night, Warner's Park will come alive with the sounds of Reggae, R&B and Soca. Featured artistes include Fay Ann Lyons & Bunji Garlin, Kymani Marley, Third World, Tito Jackson and Babyface. The St. Kitts Music Festival is guaranteed to start the summer off with a bang.
Make the most of your trip and catch the cricket action in either island. In St. Lucia you can take in ICC World Twenty20 cricket or travel to St. Kitts early and take in the Test Match action, South Africa v. The West Indies June 18th – 22nd. Visit liat.com to book your travel today.
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, February 03, 2010 – Regional airline LIAT is collaborating with the Leeward Islands Student Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LISATT) in the promotion of the carnivals of the Leeward Islands. The inaugural promotional event is slated for March 12 at the St. Augustine, Trinidad campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). It will feature the music of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis. LIAT and LISATT are hoping to attract not only a large amount of the 15,000 students at the university but also persons from throughout Trinidad and Tobago to the event.
"This is a great occasion for us to show off the Leeward Islands but more so to bring together persons from across the world that are now studying at the UWI or living in Trinidad, in a celebration of the cultures of the Leeward Islands," LISATT President Timoy Titus said.
"Cultural festivals have been too long ignored in Trinidad, the „home‟ of carnival and so we decided to take action. We also hope to foster a greater appreciation of small-island culture and festivals in the Caribbean, while promoting inter-island travel in a spirit of unity and celebration," Mr. Titus added.
He said that the group could think of no one better to help put together the occasion than the long-time supporter of carnivals in the Leeward Islands – LIAT, the Caribbean Airline.
Commissioner of Tourism and Aviation Frans Richardson reached an agreement with GOL Airlines in Brazil on Friday for a year-round weekly flight to St. Maarten. The agreement is seen as a major step in St. Maarten's efforts to establish itself as a year-round tourism destination. While Richardson and Tourist Bureau head Regina Labega were hoping for a twice-weekly flight, the commissioner said he was still ecstatic about the additional airlift. He also noted that the seasonal charter flight would continue. The agreement means that St. Maarten will have two flights out of Brazil in the high season and one in the off season. The GOL flight will be via Bogotá, Colombia, to St. Maarten.
The end of March 2010 has been tentatively identified as the start date of the new service using a 737 or 767 aircraft. Should the weekly flight prove successful for GOL and the destination, Richardson will meet with GOL executives again in an effort to add a second weekly flight. GOL will be seeking assistance from St. Maarten in marketing the flight aggressively to ensure its success. When airlines start servicing an island, Richardson explained, they tend to want to feel secure that the destination will do its share towards the success of the service. Four major Brazilian wholesalers (travel agent firms and tourism-related companies) are now on board to strengthen promotions and representatives of Sonesta Maho Group have shown their commitment by also being present in Brazil to help secure the flight for St. Maarten. Richardson is expected to call on the private sector to do its part on his return to the island.
His week-long itinerary consisted of the launching of St. Maarten's new branding strategy in Brazil, which he said had been "very impressive to the Brazilians," meeting with Brazil's largest tour operator CVC, and a series of other meetings, including those with GOL.
Caribbean Vacation Rentals is your source of finding your luxury dream vacation home you are looking for to rent on your next vacation on one of the beautiful Caribbean Islands. With us you find your individual needs to have the best holiday on one of the islands in either a charming Condo a romantic apartment, a luxury penthouse or high-end villa with an amazing view over the Caribbean blue crystal Waters.
The vacation homes to be found with Caribbean VR are listed by owner. Caribbean VR gives you the opportunity to rent your home away from home direct with the owner, there is no third party in-between! No additional commission will be charged. Discuss your personal needs direct with the owner and find out all details you need to know about the accommodation you are planning to rent on one of the islands on your next vacation. Book direct with the owner.
The Caribbean is a paradise Vacation destination with its hundreds of tropical Islands. Some call it the 'heaven on earth'. There is plenty to enjoy, see and do. Having just a relaxing Vacation, underwater adventure, the Caribbean islands offer you many different attractions from visiting the individual white sands beaches, boating, diving or discovering the tropical nature including coconut-tree-clad mountains, verdant valleys of sugar cane and bananas and seashore galore or the spice Islands, it offers also a lot of individual cultures with museums and verdant valleys. With the Caribbean sun you can make your Vacation as relaxing or as varying and active as you wish.
Our properties are all over the Caribbean from the Bahamas, northern West Indies, including the Greater Antilles and Windward Islands down to the Leeward Islands. All the Islands have its individual charm, find out more about the unique cultures, the white sands beaches, the tropical landscapes and attractions for your individual taste each Island has to offer you and click here.
Renting your own home in the Caribbean makes your holiday individual and independent. Enjoy your privacy in your own luxury Villa. Search around on our listing and look forward to your dream Vacation home in the Caribbean.
The second edition of the Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival took place in World Trade Center Piscadera Bay on September 2 and 3 2011. During the two days of the festival visitors enjoyed a wide range of international artists performing at the festival grounds. Started already in the week preceding the festival, the island submerged itself in jazz, soul, latin, hip hop and r & b, all with a Caribbean touch.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning at 8.am when arriving at Calmos Cafe in Grand Case on the French side of St Martin in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. This was the meeting point for our rendez-vous with the rather large Catamaran and their crew of 'Winner'Touch'. After registering it wasn't long before the majestic 'cat' sailed onto shore and lowered its steps right onto the beach..this was just the beginning of the personal service that was to adorn the whole voyage. Three very pretty, welcoming girl crew smiled and wished us a 'good morning' as we made our way carefully up the wet steps.
to St Martin being offered drinks regularly by the staff. I was quite sad to leave 'Winner Touch' as we almost felt like family! So as a member of staff from Caribbean Vacation Rentals, I fell qualified to suggest, if you and your guests want to have a marvelous, amazing day with great food, superb service, immaculate island views and white sands, with entertainment and activities that suit you. You need to book this one! You won't regret it. HAPPY SAILING.
How would you like to get married in the Caribbean? Do you dream about a beach wedding with beautiful tropical flowers, white sands, barefeet and the azur blue ocean as a backdrop? Every year thousands of couple's come to the Caribbean to tie the knot. The weddings vary from intimate to huge family affairs, they include beach weddings, yacht and villa weddings and of course the 4 or 5 star hotel wedding option.
Celebrate Bastille Day with a Caribbean twist! On the 14th July every year, many of the French Caribbean Islands commemorates the storming of the Bastille at the start of the French Revolution on July 14, 1789. In St Barths for example, this tiny French outpost celebrates France's most important national holiday with a spectacular firework display and dancing on the Quai Général de Gaulle! Other islands like Guadloupe, Martinique and St Martin, also celebrate with fireworks, partying and general public merrymaking! The other great thing about Bastille Day is that it is a public holiday accross all these islands. Enabling you to 'meet the locals' at celebrations, this also involves lots of food stands, outdoor bars, live music and dancing...Not that the French Caribbean needs a reason to party, they are always doing something, so checkout the local events schedule, dont miss out and book your trip to the French Caribbean today! For those of you still in or near France the French overseas territories, such as the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, will be at the heart of this year's Bastille Day Military parade.
A weekend of Yacht & Work Boats Races, enhanced by sporting events, cultural shows, artistic performances, big drum dances and street parties.
Now a days it includes a large number of sporting and cultural activities. The regatta race events focus mainly on locally and regionally built workboats with some twelve different classes of boats, ranging from 14 to 35 feet in length.
summer festival in the region.
By no dispute Anguilla has the biggest 'Caribbean Beach Party' the Anguilla Summer Festival focuses on August Monday, which is the first Monday of August, this Famous day officially began to be celebrated in 1940 with boat-racing. This sport has been merged with the cultural aspects of carnival, which is now known as Summer Festival. August Monday is now a days a of boat-race and sea food - BBQ festivals during the day, and Carnival events at night which fill the air with culture and music. We hope to see you here in Anguilla for a wonderful experience.
Barbados, July 2nd to Aug 1st 2011 — Only the island that has perfected the fine art of living can throw a party like this! Four spectacular sun-drenched weeks filled with dancing, live music, cultural events, and of course, legendary Barbadian rum! For the people of Barbados, it's a cultural celebration that has hallmarked the end of the sugar cane growing season for over 300 years. For visitors like you and us, it's a unique opportunity to become truly immersed in the dynamic culture of the island nation.
meet, and enjoy one another's company. All fueled by generous helpings of Barbados' famed Rum Punch. Heritage fairs, fireworks displays, dances and the fantastic Pic-O-De-Crop calypso music competition will also keep you celebrating and dancing your entire visit long.
In today's market place the choice for the holiday or vacation consumer is huge! So let me ask YOU, what do you most want from an annual vacation? From our initial surveys you want value for money, you want to escape familiar surroundings, you want excellent cuisine and choice of restaurants, culture,almost guaranteed sunshine, clean safe beaches and very comfortable, clean and welcoming accommodations. Let us know what YOU would add to our findings!
both Europe and the USA so we know the differences in what is expected and the wonderful array of activities, and adventures that await you in the beautiful part of the world.
live here and come from London or New York, it takes a lot of getting used to!!!) People are relaxed, they generally have a balance of life between working hard at their jobs then spending a lot of time with their family barbequeing and spending time on the beach. How can you be in paradise and not take the time to enjoy it!!? So plan your vacation well and choose somewhere that fulfils ALL the criteria you want to experience! We know you won't be disappointed, and as always, if you need somewhere to stay..you know where we are!
Yesterday was the annual Around-the-Island Boat Race covering the waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean ocean and sea respectively around the Caribbean island and back to the starting point, Sandy Ground, Road Bay on Anguilla. There were boats taking part and also boats following who took a more relaxed approach with refreshments!
The final countdown to Sol Rally Barbados 2011 is under way, with the entry list once again over-subscribed and no fewer than 22 drivers or co-drivers from overseas heading to the Barbados Rally Club's blue riband event for the first time. There, they will join a host of others who have made this a 'must-do' annual event . . . first-time visitors from Australia and Germany have brought
to 18 the countries outside the Caribbean to be represented in recent years.
Jump Up, which is held four times each year, is a "carnival like" cultural party held in the streets and along the boardwalk of Christiansted. It has become one of the islands favorite social events for both locals and visitors alike.
The Event features the best designers from the Caribbean and around the world. Worlds famous supermodels and top stylists from Europe, North America, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
British Vogue once described CFW as an important new trend in world fashion and the event has been taken to every corner of the globe by Fashion TV Paris. It is also regarded as one of the important fashion weeks in the world and is accepted internationally as the number one platform for the best of Caribbean style, attracting thousands of locals and visitors alike. Its growth in its first decade has been exponential. This year's event is likely to be the biggest and best to date, based on confirmations already received
from designers, celebrities, supermodels and entertainers. The event features six days and nights of activities, including opening and closing events, as well as three nights of shows, an exhibition, after parties and the business forum.
with acts emanating from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe, French, latin and Reggare genres all being representd as well. The shows range from formal performances to intimate late night open air venues and late night club venues to open air picnic style events, which allow Saint Lucia Jazz to offer unparalleled variety and ambience.
The St Eustatius Tourist office have decided to invest in a professional promotion video with two producers from Holland. They spent just under two weeks filming hotels, historical sites, national parks, restaurants, tourist activities and much more. They even went underwater to ensure they got a great perspective of the diving possibilities (I’m sure they are also keen divers..11 times) They already did a 3 minute video 3
years before of one of their previous dives. Appartently this is how the tourist office decided to hire them! 
Arrivals this year are already up 14% on last year according to the St Maarten Harbor Group of Companies. These numbers so far represent a 21.5% increase over 2010 number for the same period. The Group's CEO Mark Mingo puts this down to St Maarten's desirability to both cruise line's and their passengers. As it is positioned in the North Caribbean, it is a more accessible than other islands. Carnival have already committed to 30 additional cruise calls for 2012/13 season so good news for Caribbean Vacation Renters and Owners.
Castaway Cay.
The name of the exhibition is ' Island Reflections' and consists of selected artists from various disciplines including Herman van Bergen, Philippe Zanolino, Ellen Spijklstra, Rita Houwen, Ariadne Faries, Midxy Longuevergne, Tony Monsanto, Carlos Blaaker, Hortence Brown and Yubi Kirindongo. It will take place form August 19th to October 1st. According to Art Historian Susan Wilczak comments that
these artists represent various cultures present on the island from Surinam to France! The disciplines are numerous too – painting, visual arts, photography and sculpture. She also states it could be a HUGE breakthrough for the international career of artists as it will be held in the city Holland's art gallery ' De Pree' and also where 5 of the 413 American Billionaires live. Lets hope 
they see how wonderful the Caribbean is and make a journey down to stay in one of our luxury vacation rentals then! Good luck all.
Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI) - March 2011: Each year, during the last week of March and the beginning of April, there is an annual migration of sailors to the British Virgin Islands and this year, being the fortieth anniversary of the event, even more are expected. Although many of the visitors fly into the BVI, the Caribbean based sailors are most likely to sail, with the trials and tribulations of the delivery being a true test of how much they want to take part in the event. These Caribbean sailors are the backbone of the event, with many of them competing since the early days of the regatta.
St.Barth - March 2011 — The yachting jetset heads to St. Barths this spring with the acclaimed St. Barths Bucket Regatta. Starting on March 25-28, 2010, the top yacht event takes to the Caribbean Sea. This Caribbean Bucket Regatta brings one of the largest yachting fleets together for challenging race and unbeatable party.
At first blush, the idea of celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the Caribbean sounds as incongruous as, say, a tropical shirt in Dublin. But while you'll find nary a green beer in the islands, and you're more likely to find cassava that potatoes, the Caribbean does have a few hot spots of Irish heritage and culture.
Well in St Martin the Heineken Regatta has kicked off quite well. We attended most of the events and ended up volunteering for the Heineken Water Taxi Team. So we got to meet all the sailors and organisers as well as contributing to tourism in the Caribbean! Naturally we were also networking on behalf of all our lovely members and looking forward to creating relationships for some advance bookings for next year if we can!
Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean are the best parties in the world and come from a long and honored tradition. Carnival originated in Italy hundreds of years ago when Catholic Church members participated in costumed festivals before the first day of Lent. The word 'carnivale' originates from a Latin phrase that means 'put away the meat,' indicating that Lent is a time of fasting and sacrifice of material pleasures. Carnival festivals were meant to give the people one last wild fling before the sobering time of reflection and atonement represented by Lent. The practice spread across all the Catholic countries of Europe, and when the French, Spanish, and Portuguese traveled to the Americas, their beliefs and celebrations, including Carnival, came with them.
Crucian Christmas festival, which runs now through January 8. Food, artisan exhibits, and music are on view in St. Croix, with the "j'ouvert" a favorite with the crowds. This celebration features many bands that play on flatbed trucks and roll through the town, attracting participants to dance in the street. Chantal Figueroa, the island's deputy commissioner of tourism, says she has participated since she was eight years old. "During the month-long celebration, we eat traditional dishes to delight our bellies and then wash it all down with old-time drinks," she says. Visit 
Jamaica Be Jammin'
Barbados
The Caribbean brought in the new year just a few days ago...Karakter on Simpson Bay Beach in Saint Martin got off to a fine start with their Unox sponsored water jump! Good to see business is busy at many of the restos including Divino in Maho with a southern French twist and hospitality to match as well as visitor favourites - boat trips! Luckily the Caribbean weather held out, particularly in St Martin for most of the Christmas season…
Deb Andrews tells you in more detail where you can go to get a natural high!
immediately on contact. When the boiling cauldron bursts through the Earth it definitely makes for good sight-seeing but the main attraction point in my mind is the baths of hot water that are created after the water has travelled or been channelled enough distance away to make it suitable for a delicious soak.
I think St Barts must be the coolest, smartest, chicest holiday place on the planet. I'm surprised they let me in, at my age, in my old shorts. Even the waiters and waitresses look like models, which is not surprising as they are chosen from their photographs, not just their CVs, before they come over from France for the season.
On the way back to Eden Rock, we stopped at the local football ground where work was in progress, renovating and laying new artificial turf. One of the builders said the work was being paid for by Mr A - one of some 200 little football stadiums around the world he has helped, without publicity.
Finally a great book for children and tourists alike. Riet Sint and Gerda Heil have written, completed and launched their book 'St Martin in Sight' in the Philipsburg Library. It is an all encompassing book about the history, geography, politics, nature, legends and more about St Martin/St Maarten.
November 2010 - MARIGOT – People lucky enough to see, or even go on board, the massive solar catamaran that pulled into Marigot Bay on Thursday could be forgiven for thinking an alien craft had invaded St.Martin.
November 2010 - PHILIPSBURG - A fabulous event held on Philipsburgs famous Boardwalk. Resorts, restaurants and wineries came together to provide wonderful food, amazing wines and a local singer who could play just about anything on his steel drums.
And only $45 for as much as you can drink or eat. 
November 2010 - MARIGOT - Claro launched their new beer at Palm Beach Club in Orient Bar last week. It is a refreshing beer - a kind of cross between Corona and Heineken. Many of the islands hospitality persons were there to sample the new product and to find out more. Sabine from Baobab Distribution provided a lovely setting to enhance the qualities of this new refreshment (very popular in the US already!)
November 2010 - MARIGOT/PHILIPSBURG - The privileges of dual autonomy and greater expectations of cooperation were overriding themes of St.Martin/St.Maarten Day as the island took a pause from the hustle and bustle of day-today business and politics to reflect on unity, friendship, and family.
As usual a large gathering of dignitaries from both French and Dutch sides, as well as from Curacao, Anguilla, Aruba and Martinique, gathered for the traditional wreath-laying and photo calls at the border monument n Belle Plaine.
November 2010 - Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) and Royal Dutch airline (KLM) will be expanding their existing cooperation as of December 1 on the new DAE destinations and continue their transfer of service to passengers.
all over the world can find a good connection to the mentioned DAE flights.
October 2010 - PHILIPSBURG--The Netherlands Antilles flag was lowered in front of the Courthouse at the stroke of midnight Saturday and the St. Maarten flag was hoisted to mark symbolically the end of one era and the birth of new Country St. Maarten, rounding off a decade of lobbying, negotiations and agreements.
October 2010 - Caribbean VR, La Collectivite and Radio des Iles, amoungst others, attended the Caribbean Tourism Organisation presentation last week that was very encouraging for St Martin investors, tourists and hospitality. My Hugh Riley has invested in numerous initiatives to promote SXM and the caribbean including conferences, new websites and international promotions and PR. Hopefully we will get the lowndown on new initiatives as they happen and anything else that may be able to assist with attracting new tourists and renters and keeping existing ones.
September 2010 - The Worlds largest and newest cruise ships - Oasis of the Sea, Norwegian Epic and Carnival Dreams visited St.Maarten all together on Tuesday 14th. The streets and beaches on the whole Island where flooded by 13,000 passengers and 5,000 crew members. Attracted by good offers of fine jewellery, electronics, souvenirs and the delicious culinary offers St. Maarten is famous for in this region. The unexpected visit from two of the cruise ships was a bonus for the Island, only Epic was scheduled in the beginning but because of the presence of Hurricane Igor in the Atlantic Ocean the other two had to be re-routed to St. Maarten. The Island Harbor Group of Companies CEO Mark Mingo is expecting a furthermore "busy low season" for the Island.
July 2010 - Simpson Bay's Lyzanne Charles' Summer Speaks featured artists such as Peter Lake, Gino Olivacche, Stephen Rodney and others. They wanted to give insights into younger poets on the island. Their events consist of a dinner, followed by poetry readings for around $20. A great way to inspire locals and tourists alike as well as encouraging the community to support this type of event. In addition for those of you that want to grab the chance to share your own poetry. They even let you have an open session in front of the group. What an opportunity for budding artists and visitors alike!
July 2010, How are the wealthy faring in the current economic climate? A survey done recently by a creation of American Express Publishing and the Harrison Group polled about 2,400 people from the richest 10% of U.S. households. They are starting to change their spending habits and it appears their values are changing somewhat!
July 26, 2010 Despite some of the commercial revenues declining on St Martin, revenues for tourism to include cruise visitors, stay overs and occupancy rates have increased by approximately 7% during the first 3 months of 2010 compared to that of 2009. Some good news for the hospitality and tourism industry when elsewhere in the world, particularly Greece, Spain and other destinations have lost market share. On a less positive note but not totally off the scale are St Martin timeshare tax revenues, which dropped 2.4% and rental tax revenues contracted by less than a percent. This is still up on 2009!
Fund Raiser May 29, 2010
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, February 03, 2010 – Regional airline LIAT is collaborating with the Leeward Islands Student Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LISATT) in the promotion of the carnivals of the Leeward Islands.
