A diamond may be a girl’s best friend but a women’s-only getaway is the shiniest way to beat the midwinter blues. Before you buy that fancy car, trade the spouse for a newer model or generally behave badly, consider a girls-only vacation without the husband, the kids and the bills.

Nothing beats a midlife crisis like a day on the blue sea and if you’ve already left the spouse, never had one, might be looking for one or doing just fine solo, a girlfriend’s getaway is a popular winter rite of passage for gaggles of gals worldwide.

Big Girls Don’t Cry

The party kicks off with champagne cocktails at the swishy LaLuna resort in Grenada. With the aptly named  ‘Girlfriends Getaway’ package, gal pals check into side-by-side cottages with plunge pools and cozy porches for a three night/four day escape from the winter winds at home.  Tempting add-ons include yoga sessions for the entire gal gaggle, three spa treatments per person and a cooking class with the resorts handsome Italian chef.   All-inclusive rates, per person, start at $2,785 for travel through April 12. www.laluna.com.

Choice Hotels International is big on low prices with generous discounts at several of their Caribbean properties. A rate slice of up to twenty-five percent with a minimum stay of four nights invite at properties in the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.  “This is the first time we’ve rolled out region-wide promotions like these,” said Bill Clegg, regional vice president, “for those who stay fewer than four nights, they can earn twenty percent off all Caribbean properties once advanced booking requirements are met.”   www.choicehotels.com

Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons Resorts

On the talc sands of Pinney Beach in Nevis, the uber-fabulous Four Seasons is offering a three-night package for ladies in search of the ultimate Caribbean chill-out. Starting in a five-bedroom villa, the package includes a pajama party with popcorn and DVD’s, leisurely massages, gourmet nibbles at the Hideaway Grill and personality testing for a custom blended perfume.  If that isn’t enough, extras include Ladies Tennis Boot Camp, rainforest hike with a real bush doctor and tours to an organic farm with Rasta Farmer Mansa. “Nevis is a place you can truly cocoon and escape the stresses of the modern living,” said Nancy Mitchell, spa director, “a trip with treasured friends is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.” www.fourseasons.com/nevis

Also in Nevis, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is offering Fitness Retreats for gals who put on a few unwanted pounds over the holidays. From yogurt to yoga, the week-long getaway includes nature tours, nutrition counselling and plenty of healthy gourmet cuisine. “We enjoy assisting friends in planning their perfect getaway,” said Jamie Holmes, general manager, “all they have to do when they get here is enjoy quality time together.” www.nisbetplantation.com.

The Big Ticket

Photo Courtesy of GotCountryOn-Line.com

No better way to bond with the girls or make a few new guy pals than at an outdoor music festival under the Caribbean sky. The hottest ticket this spring is the St. Lucia Jazz Festival set for April 30 to May 13 boasting a top-shelf roster of superstars from Lionel Ritchie and Ziggy Marley to South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and gospel king Kirk Franklin. Now in its 21^st year, the popular festival is held at various spots around the island including scenic Pigeon Island Island, Rudy John Beach Park in Laborie and in the quaint village of Fond D’Or in Dennery.

For tickets and island information: www.stluciajazz.org.

Girlfriend Getaways 101

1. Set a date and stick to it.
2. If anyone mentions her husband or kids by name, she puts a dollar in the communal kitty.
3. Bring your own chardonnay and don’t forget the corkscrew and peanuts.
4. Get t-shirts made after the trip, a far more personal souvenir than a magnet or snow globe.

Courtesy: www.girlgetaways.com

Photo Courtesy of Bermuda DOT

Adored as one of the world’s most romantic escapes, love is in full bloom throughout Bermuda with a celebration aptly named the “Feel the Love Month”.  Due to overwhelming popularity, the island-wide festival of discounts has been extended through March 3. Sponsored by the  Department of Tourism, the island invites couples to celebrate Valentine’s Day, or any day, with hotel deals, love cruises, champagne and strawberry fetes and salsa dancing till the sun comes up.

A quick two hours from east coast gateway cities, the sunny sliver stretches twenty-one miles along cerulean waters surrounded by a spectacular coral reef plateau. Beds for heads range from swanky resorts to quaint guest houses and with more than one hundred eateries dotting the island, couples are assured of a getaway worth a million memories. With more ship wreck dives than anywhere else on the planet, golf courses for novices and pros, horseback riding, deep sea fishing and smooth beaches caressed by pink sands, Bermuda aims to please and never disappoints.

Tee for Two & Other Fun Stuff

Photo Courtesy of BMDOT

The Couples’ Golf Tournament lights up the  Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton every Monday and Thursday from 8:30 to noon as twosomes get groovy on the scenic greenways that are home to the PGA Grand Slam.  Green fee discounts up to fifty percent and Department of Tourism gifts seal the deal for couples enjoying a day on the course.

It’s a champagne and strawberry affair on Tuesday afternoons at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art in the Botanical Gardens. After a gratis guided tour of the celebrated museum that is home to collections by such luminaries such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Winslow Homer, lovebirds get cozy listening to performances by Bermuda’s top saxophone players while sipping champagne and nibbling chocolate-covered red ripe strawberries in the Rose Garden.

Get on the Love Train every Wednesday on Front Street in Hamilton for a bird’s eye view of the islands most romantic hotspots with plenty of stops for photo taking. At night, polish the dancing shoes for SalsaMania with spicy two-step lessons, fiery Latin cuisine and potent libations as the band takes Latin dancing to new heights.  Clubs participating include the Moon Lounge and Victoria Grill.

Meet at the Dockyard Glassworks on Maritime Lane in the Royal Naval Dockyard every

Thursday at 2 pm to see talented artists create masterpieces using the process of glass-blowing and flame-working.  Compliments of the Department of Tourism, a unique glass lovebird is given to all the couples in the crowd. Also in Hamilton, the Love Cruise sets sail from Albuoy’s Point on Friday at 2 pm for an afternoon of musical entertainment and complimentary refreshments as the comfy boat glides through Hamilton Harbour’s most romantic hideaways.

Love is in the air on Fridays at the Bermuda National Gallery on Church Street in Hamilton as tourists and locals alike are treated to a serenade of love songs performed by local bands and on Saturday, put on the walking shoes for a leisurely tour of seaside St. George where the

island’s most romantic love stories were born.

Good Luck Moon

Photo Courtesy of BMDOT

Just about everyone with a little romance in her (or his) soul will be intrigued by the many moon gates that dot the island. Walking through these circular stone structures with sloping roofs that represents the half-moon of the summer sky is believed to bring good luck to honeymooners and everyone else in love.

As the story goes, a Bermudian sea captain built the first moon gate in 1860 after seeing one in China. He brought the idea home to Bermuda where it has become a tradition still honored today. Attached to a low wall or free-standing, moon gates are decorated with bright blooms and for couples walking through or photographed smiling in front of one, a long life and a bright future is the sunny forecast.

Make a Date

• March 15 – 18: College Week Reunion. This is the ideal time for baby boomers to take a memorable stroll down memory lane.  Hotel packages start at $597.00 for a three day Bermuda blow-out.
• March 16 – 22: Bermuda International Film Festival. An island-wide celebrate of international and homegrown cinema.
• June 15: Newport Bermuda Race.  More than 2,000 sailors will sail 635 miles from Newport, Rhode Island to St. David’s Lighthouse in Bermuda.

Well Connected

Get up-to-date information on the Discover Bermuda Blog www.gotobermuda.com/blog

Click on Twitter @GoToBermuda or Facebook www.facebook.com/BermudaTourism.

And for tourism suggestions, click on www.gotobermuda.com.

Saluted for endless stretches of sandy beaches, sun-drenched days and sultry sunsets, Jamaica is also a treasure-trove of culinary delights guaranteed to keep lovers in the mood. From a bounty of tropical fruits to fish fresh from the sea, it’s the fine art of jerk that is the island’s tastiest time-honoured tradition and for some, an aphrodisiac par excellence.

Hot food on a hot night adds spice to every vacation and with a platter of spicy jerk chicken before heading to the annual Jazz Festival in January or celebrating Valentine’s Day in February; romance is always in the air. .

Photo Courtesy of Sony Music

Taking the stage this year at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, mega-star Celine Dion will ignite the crowds with her classics like ‘The Power Of Love’, ‘Because You Loved Me’ and her Grammy winner ‘My Heart Will Go On’. “I am looking forward to doing my very first show in the Caribbean,” she told reporters, “what a beautiful way to meet the people of Jamaica on this, my first trip to the island. I just can’t wait.”

Other superstars set to woo fans from January 26 to 28 at the Trelawny Stadium, The Temptations and Jamaica’s home grown heroes Shaggy, Richie Stephens and the perennially popular Yellow Man.

Meat & Greet

Adored for the aromatic coffee beans that grow in the majestic Blue Mountains, the bananas transported down the river and the movies made at the Blue Lagoon, Port Antonio is also the birthplace of jerk or the fine art of grilling meat slowly over a low fire.

Photo Courtesy of JTB

Driving along the highway east from Kingston to Port Antonio, tangy aromas fill the air as the Boston Jerk Centre with a dozen or so open-air huts held up by steel poles comes into view. “It’s the best at Mickey’s”, says Donovan Thompson, grill master at Mickey’s Jerk Pit. “My jerk is good for your health, mon!”  This is no-frills dining with jerk chicken, lobster and pork served on paper plates along with typical Jamaican sides like festivals’ or sweet fried dumplings to mop up the extra sauce and a frosty Red Stripe to cool down the heat.

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Back at Boston Jerk Center, Donovan Thompson wraps a piping hot plate of his pungent jerk for a picnic by the Bay. “My jerk is more-ish, “he says using a cheerful Jamaican Patois expression, “you eat it once and you want more.”

Yes, You can make this at home

Jerk Rub (Courtesy: “Jerk: Barbecue from Jamaica”)

• 1 onion finely chopped
• ½ cup finely chopped scallions
• 2 teaspoons thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground Jamaican pimento (allspice)
• ¼ ground nutmeg
• ½ ground cinnamon
• 4 to 6 scotch bonnet peppers, finely ground
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

(Yields 1 cup)

Combine all ingredients into a food processor with a steel blade. Rub the paste on uncooked meat from chicken and pork to beef and goat. Store in a tightly closed jar in the refrigerator where it will last for up to one month.

www.visitjamaica.com

www.jamaicajazzandblues.com

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

With a smile as wide as the sea and enthusiasm to match, Livingstone Alleyne is thrilled and delighted to wax eloquently about his beloved Barbados.  Driving a taxi for a decade, he’s a gracious rolodex of information from how to navigate the traffic roundabouts to picking a restaurant for a romantic dinner pour deux.  “I’m the driver of choice for guests checking into the Elegant Hotels Group of resorts,” he says with a humble twinkle, “and I can tell you they are the best on the island and exactly where I would take my wife for a special treat.” Operating a quintet of hotels and resorts – The House, Colony Club, Tamarind, Crystal Cove, and Turtle Beach – EHG is a powerhouse portfolio of upscale accommodations offering top-shelf amenities, stellar service and weddings on the beach.

Adults Only

Dinner on the beach at sunset is the big draw at The House, a seashell away from hip Holetown on the gold coast. Catering to the luxury traveler, The House impresses with thirty-four junior and one-bedroom suites overlooking the sea and Ambassadors who cater to every whim from arranging snorkeling and sailing excursions to serving dinner beneath seaside white linen canopies as the sun sinks behind the horizon. “No wish is too big for us,” smiles Marco Pavone, general manager, “our staff takes service seriously and for our guests, just ask and you will receive.”

With a star-studded guestbook that includes homegrown hero Rihanna and Hollywood glitterati like Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Bacon, guests are treated like royalty. “Pampering starts as soon as you arrive,” adds Marco Pavone, general manager, “the property is small, the ambience is sweet and we’re adults-only.”

Romance Rocks

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

At the Tamarind Resort in Paynes Bay, nothing says romance sweeter than a watermelon martini as a saxophonist plays a roster of Lionel Ritchie tunes, a couple’s massage with candles and rose petals and watching the sun set from the balcony of Room 202.  “The romance market is a priority for us with our beachfront to include hammocks, comfy pod chairs and daybeds for two,” says Andy Howard, general manager as he recommends the blackened salmon to a couple dining in the open-air 246 Restaurant, named after the island’s area code.

For a sublime chill-out, the Tamarind spa refreshes with an invigorating scrub with sea salt and aromatic oils, seaweed wrap using uniquely hibiscus-infused seaweed and a gratis jet lag massage ideal for guests arriving from the United States.

All-Inclusive Paradise

Photo Courtesy of EHG

Framing seven acres of verdant gardens at the end of a Casuarina tree-lined driveway, the ninety-six sophisticated suites at the AAA Four-diamond Colony Club ooze comfort while at the Laguna restaurant, blackened red snapper is a show-stopper and a mint mojito poured by bartender extraordinaire Sydney Trotman at the Sunset Bar is refreshment par excellence. “My bar is vacation heaven,” he says chopping fresh mint, and “especially when you take a sip of a frosty mojito at dusk.”  Save room for a scoop of coconut ice cream made by Bico, the famed West Indies company tempting taste buds since 1890. “Our experienced staff can morph a great holiday into a grand holiday,” says Gayle Talma, general manager. On a sunny afternoon, nothing says vacation better than a ride on a ski boat under the watchful eye of skipper Jason Scantelbury. $150.00 buys an hour of bliss on the water with Jason. www.colonyclubhotel.com

Also on the west coast, couples are welcome at the all-inclusive Crystal Cove where the beachfront cliffs are eye candy and flying fish and creamy macaroni pie is delectable at the Bajan buffet. On the spirited south coast, Turtle Beach is a casual all-inclusive with the acclaimed Italian menu at Aiago’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser and surfing lessons the crème de la crème of a vacation in the sun

A Click Away

www.eleganthotels.com, www.daphnesbarbados.com

For an island tour or a pickup from the airport, call Livingstone Alleyne at 246 230 9859.

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Whether you’re with an old flame, igniting sparks with a new one, celebrating Christmas, toasting the New Year or getting a jump on Valentine’s Day, a bouquet of allures tempt in the Caribbean.   Graced with sandy strands, mountain-coddled coves and tie-dyed sunsets, plenty of passion is just a flight away. “With cupid’s arrows pointing toward these islands in the sun,” smiles Hugh Riley, incurable romantic and secretary general of the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization, “the pressure on creativity is heating up with planners thinking of more innovative ways to satisfy the demands of couples from weddings underwater and in palm-fringed gazebos to the always romantic sunset backdrop by the soothing Caribbean Sea.”

From Curacao and Jamaica to St. Kitts and St. Lucia, the Caribbean is paradise found for brides and grooms saying their I Do’s on the beach, honeymooners in search of a hammock for two, anniversary celebrators, vow renewal takers and couples just wanting to get away from the nine-to-five.

Cuddle Up

Photo Courtesy of Marriott Resorts

St. Kitts Marriott is a good bet for couples who like to tempt lady luck in the casino, top off their tan on the candy sand, indulge in a revitalizing massage or a gourmet feast at the Blu Seafood restaurant or the inviting lobby bar. A taxi ride from a slew of funky beach bars, the resort is brand-reliable with air and hotel deals galore throughout the winter months including the ‘Super Sand Dollar’ package that tempts with rates as low as US$164.00, per room and three nights gratis when seven are booked. www.stkittsmarriott.com

Winter is on sale at the iconic Kura Hulanda hotels in Curacao with 40 percent off nightly rates through April 7.  At both the Hotel near Willemstad  and the Lodge on the beach, the ‘Spa Splendor’ package is relaxation-central for three nights and includes spa treatments, sun loungers and dips in the Jacuzzi. For larger groups, the thatched-roof Kalki Villas at the Lodge sleep six in two-storey comfort and come with espresso makers, gourmet kitchen, enormous patios and plunge pool. “Aesthetically stunning, the villas provide both the convenience of a private home and the advantages of a first-class resort,” said Peter Heinen, president, Kura Hulanda.   www.kurahulanda.com.

Something Blue

The only resort in St. Lucia to offer night snorkeling, Jalhousie Plantation entices with an array of romance packages and nocturnal underwater tours where couples use waterproof flashlights to swim with parrot fish as they weave their cocoons and octopus as they venture from their daylight hideaways. www.jalousieplantation.com

Sultry strolls on salmon-colored beaches are a daily ritual in Barbuda.  Sandy sister to Antigua, the sandy sliver boasts one five-star resort, 360 degree panoramic views from the Lighthouse Bay Bar and the largest frigate bird sanctuary in the world.  Welcoming couples (and everyone else), privacy is guaranteed at the plush nine-suite Lighthouse Bay Resort as the only access is via small plane or helicopter.   “Couples who venture to Barbuda, says Terrence Linton, general manager, “may want to stay here forever.” www.LightHouseBayResort.com

Take it to the Top

Photo Courtesy of Mystic Mountain

In Ocho Rios, sky-high weddings are taking off at Rainforest Adventures at Mystic Mountain where the “I Do at 700 Feet” ceremony dares couples to get hitched while flying through the treetops on the Sky Explorer chair lift or on the lawn atop Mystic Mountain. Packages include photographs of the high-octane ceremony and two witnesses if you forgot to bring them with you. www.rainforest-adventures.com.

The recipient of every award imaginable, Jade Mountain is a dramatic six-hundred foot spike above the sea with mesmerizing views of St. Lucia’s iconic Piton Mountains. The creative vision of architect Nick Troubetzkoy, rooms are without a fourth wall giving way to vistas that seem to reach for the sky. www.jademountain.com . At the next door Anse Chastanet resort, a $500.00 certificate for a return anniversary visit is given to couples who book one of several romance packages. www.ansechastanet.com

Wedding Customs in the Caribbean

The High Five

• A shiny dime placed inside the bride’s shoe brings wealth and prosperity.
• If the wedding bouquet falls on the ground, the groom will cheat.
• A sliver of rum-soaked wedding cake kept under the pillow guarantees fertility.
• Bridesmaids wearing white chase away evil spirits. (Kate’s sister Pippa was dressed in white for the Royal Wedding.)
• Shoes tied to the back of a car show the father of the bride that the new husband is financially responsible for his daughter.

Courtesy:  www.marrycaribbean.com

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Authentically American and uniquely Caribbean, USVI is a tropical playground of soft sands and disappearing waves. Radio stations play American oldies and Caribbean calypso, holidays are toasted with a shot of guava berry rum and a Chili Cook Off is as popular as a Caribbean Food Fair.

On the south shore of St. Thomas, the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef and adjacent Morning Star Beach Resort ooze romance around every turn. With 302 rooms and suites, the iconic resort is a stunning showpiece of architectural splendour with sweeping vistas of Charlotte Amalie, one of the Caribbean’s most majestic yacht harbors.  Next door, the beachfront Morning Star impresses with wedding ceremony locales galore and sea views to beat the band.

“For the last forty years,” said Rob Steigerwald, chief operating officer, southern regional Americas, Marriott International, “the resort has been the place to be,  the place to go and  where friends and families gather for a meal, a wedding or a vacation.”

Size Matters

Photo Courtesy of Marriott Resorts

Brand-reliable and fresh from a US$48 million facelift, Frenchman’s Reef sits pretty on a hilltop overlooking sandy strands and aquamarine waters. The largest property in St. Thomas is making quite a splash with refined Caribbean décor in island colors of sand beige, sunset sage and ocean blue, gourmet eateries, funky bars, expansive spa and the Marriott trademarked and oh-so-comfy Revive brand bedding and fluffer pillows. “My recommendation for the most romantic room is #5124,” said Jose Gonzalez, general manager, “the view from the balcony is spectacular and at night, the waves are a lovely romantic lullaby.”

Both properties share restaurant and sports facilities and with shuttle service between the two, the complex is a one-stop-shopping vacation.  Ferries make the five-minute run across the harbor to downtown Charlotte Amalie for meandering, bargain hunting and dining.

Whet Your Appetite

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Wake up with the sun at the Aqua Terra Oceanfront Grill and an all-American breakfast buffet with an omelette station, creamy grits and delectable waffles along with healthy choices like fresh fruit and platters of smoked salmon. For a quick bite, snag one of three open-air tables and enjoy a freshly brewed espresso at the Presto Market where the view from the high back chairs are the perfect perch to watch the boats gracefully glide in the harbor as the winds breeze through the top of the stately coconut palms. For a nightcap with your sweetie, the Rum Bar showcases fine spirits and picturesque views and for 24/7 balcony dining, room service delivers a wide array of treats from apple cinnamon French toast for breakfast to grilled snapper for dinner with a glass of a superb Italian Pinot Grigio. At Coco Joe’s, dinner is a spirited affair with steel drum bands, nachos with grilled jalapenos and if it’s Saturday night, it must be the weekly seafood buffet chockablock with lobster, shrimp, oysters and a host of sides.

Photo Courtesy of Havana Blue

The culinary piece de resistance, Havana Blue is a divine medley of upscale Latin-fusion in an open air restaurant with billowy blue curtains. Described by the owners as ‘experiential dining’, creative cocktails like the Dirty Chica cocktail that mixes vodka with jalapeno-soaked onions and hot pepper-infused olives and  a black cherry mojito are sassy, sweet and sublime. Appetizers from crispy wonton shells stuffed with lobster and roasted corn salsa or Cuban sliders with pulled pork and blueberry-flavored mustard set the stage for a fabulous dinner.  Sexy sides like creamed spinach with hot peppers add zing to a perfectly prepared steak with cilantro mash.

Medley of Massages

From manicures and massages to pedicures and paraffin wax treatments, Lazule Sea Spa is a guilty pleasure that delivers. With eleven treatment rooms, sauna and spa pool with cabanas, relaxation never had it this good. Showstoppers include a Sea Mud massage for tired muscles, Caribbean Sea Scrub for silky smooth skin and an Island Detox Body Wrap to fix everything else that needs fixing.  “Couples can choose their own treatment and we’ll tailor it to a side-by-side experience,” said Garth Hudson, spa director.

Saying I Do

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Five thousand couples over four decades have said “I Do” at the resort and so far in 2011, five hundred couples have taken the plunge. “We can do eight weddings a day on the beach but only two at sunset, “smiles Jessica Klein, wedding coordinator, “the most popular venues are our sea cliff gazebo and barefoot on the beach although we’re happy to accommodate any whim a couple may have.”

A sign of the changing times, an increase in ‘second time around’ and’ third time lucky’ weddings. “We arrange every detail, all couples have to do is pick up their registration papers and say ‘I Do’ as the sun sets,” adds Jessica Klein.

Photo Courtesy of Carol Lee

It’s all about thirty-five square miles, thirty-three spectacular beaches, one hundred restaurants, one championship golf course but no movie theaters, mega cruise ships or shopping malls. A treasured destination for long naps and beach walks, Anguilla’s charm is in her intimate inns, swank resorts, unrivalled natural splendor and warm welcome. With the 2012 Tourism Season just around the corner, the petite isle is moving into high gear as it gets ready to receive visitors to its stunning shores.

“We like to say alphabetically and otherwise we remain #1 in the Caribbean from start to finish,” said Marie Walker, tourism director, North America, “Anguilla is like a natural masseuse, she seeps within you and stays with you and invigorates you so you return relaxed and able to say, I really had that true Caribbean escape that I have always dreamed about.”

Cuddly and Cozy

Photo Courtesy of Anacaona

A few paces from Meads Bay in Anguilla, the Anacaona hotel is a flip-flop-friendly inn and one of the island’s best bets.　With two swimming pools, room service on the beach and gratis snorkeling gear, the 27-room hotel oozes couples appeal. Pronounced An-nah-ky-oh-nah and owned by Robin and Sue Ricketts of Cap Juluca and Malliouhana fame, the boutique hotel is one-stop-shopping for a true island experience. “We aim to be the informal cultural center of Anguilla,” said Robin Ricketts, “our guests will be entertained by the local folklore troupe, Mayoumba who perform in our Firefly restaurant every Thursday evening.” Admission including a bountiful West Indian buffet is USD$45.00 per person with reservations required in advance.  Ask for a bottle of the local Rockfield Pepper sauce for an added zing to the Scrub Island Curry Goat.   Too good to resist, the “Pay for 5 nights, Stay for 7” package is valid for travel through December 16. www.anacaonahotel.com.

Photo Courtesy of Cuisinart Resort

As the tropical backdrop for the hit TV show The Bachelor, romance is big business. With more than ten million viewers who tuned into the popular program, it’s no wonder the resorts are marketing the mojo. “Consumers who had never heard of Anguilla were treated to extraordinary images of the island, like an exhilarating helicopter tour to the picturesque Sandy Island, sunset cruise to the secluded waters of Little Bay and a romantic dinner for two on the white sands of stunning Rendezvous Bay,” said Candis Niles, director of tourism. At the swish and swank CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, ‘The Bachelor’s Journey’ includes a bottle of bubbly,   torch lit dinner on the beach , floral bath soak and car rental. “We invite weddings of all faiths,” says Stephane Zaharia, general manager, “for Jewish couples, the Rabbi from St. Maarten will perform the ceremony as Anguilla is without a synagogue and for the reception; kosher food is flown in from Miami.” A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the five-star property along Rendezvous Bay has the world’s first on-property hydroponic farm and the brand new Tokyo Bay high atop the spa. www.cuisinartresort.com

Bottom’s Up

“Visiting an island or city for the first time is like a date, smiles eternal romantic  Eustace Guishard, chairman, Anguilla Tourist Board, “The first visit is an opportunity to get to know your date by truly finding the heartbeat by sampling the main attractions like our wonderful unspoiled beaches and the warm and welcoming Anguillans.”

White-washed and casual, Dolce Vita on Sandy Ground’s shore is trendy without pretention both inside and on an outdoor deck.  Authentically Italian, the stand-out plate at the islands newest eatery, Linguine Al Tonno is chock-a-block with fresh tuna and green olives. Dessert is worth the caloric splurge with chocolate mousse the crowd pleaser.  www.dolcevitasandyground.com.

After dinner, barefoot as the sun sets is the trademark at Sandy Ground where dart games reign supreme at Ripples, reggae fills the air at The Pumphouse, goat-stuffed tacos and frosty beer are the big draws at Elvis’ Beach Bar and celebrity-spotting and a spirited Jump-Up at Johnno’s keeps the crowd on their feet till the wee hours.

“Personally, I keep going back to Meads Bay with my cigar and my own special rum concoction to experience true bliss as I gaze on that majestic heavenly fire ball slowly descending below the watery horizon,” adds Eustace Guishard, chairman ATB.

A Window Seat

Cape Air will add a new third flight to and from San Juan on December 22. “The Cape Air model of high‐frequency flights and easy connections with the mainland is a needed service on Anguilla,” said Andrew Bonney, vice president of planning, Cape Air.

Cape Air’s partnerships with JetBlue and Continental have increased access from the USA with tourists able to book flights on JetBlue’s website and travel with a codeshare arrangement with Continental. www.capeair.com

Three Easy Steps to Forever After

1. Arrive three days prior to the ceremony via American Airlines, Continental, US AIR, Delta or JetBlue from the USA
2. Register for your wedding
3. Two days later, a wedding on the beach at sunset is legal and forever.

Get in Touch

http://ivisitanguilla.com

www.facebook.com/ivisitanguilla

How to get married in Anguilla, call Toll Free: 1-877-471-2733

Or dial the Magistrate for more details – 264-497-2377

Photo Courtesy of Beaches Resorts

With kids in tow, the challenge of a summer vacation for any couple with children lies in maximizing the fun and minimizing the meltdowns.  Getting away from chicken fingers on the buffet and swimming pools that look like daycare centers is the true test of a family-friendly holiday that can turn romantic when the kids are tucked into bed at night. Yes, you can give the kids a bucket and a shovel and go back to your novel, but there is a wide array of resorts that not only cater to families but make sure parents enjoy quality time on their own.

Any resort worth its tot-sized robe can call itself kid-friendly but a bonafide family-oriented property is also fun for the grown-ups. From splash pools and Big Bird on the beach and adults-only hot tubs, the Caribbean is rolling out the red carpet for families of all sizes and shapes.

Suite Dreams

Photo Courtesy of EHG

In Barbados, the all-inclusive Turtle Beach resort, part of the Elegant Hotels Group, caters to families with a myriad of activities at The Flying Fish Kids’ Club from calypso dancing and steel pan lessons to water sports and kayaking. Open from nine to nine, the Club entertains kids under thirteen years old while their parents enjoy more grown-up activities like topping off their tan and rubdowns in the spa. Teenagers at the Tamarind, also an EHG resort, rave about Club Tamarind where swimming with turtles and watching movies at the Olympus theatre rock the house and at the uber-cool Clubhouse,  a treasure chest of teen toys like Wii consoles and flat screen TV’s keep the groovy set busy till the sun sets.   www.eleganthotels.com.

Crowning a limestone cliff overlooking a pink sand beach, The Reefs in Bermuda is wooing families with spacious suites and three on-site restaurants. “In the winter, The Reefs provides a reprieve from the cold weather with a beachfront setting and ocean views from every room,” says Nagma Walker, general manager, “families have the option to room together either in our cottages or our new two- and three-bedroom condos.”  www.thereefs.com. Island-wide, the “Compliments of Bermuda’ promotion offers shopping and restaurant discounts and one night free when three are booked for travel through March 31.  Hotels participating include The Reefs, Grotto Bay Beach and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and Fairmont Southampton. www.gotobermuda.com

In Grand Cayman, Cotton Tree impresses with a treasure chest of fun from sand castle building and scouting for shells along Barkers Beach to bikes, hikes and plenty of perches for mom and dad to take five. “We love to pamper our guests and watch their stress melt away,” says Heather Lockington, owner. www.caymancottontree.com.

X-Box or Bread Box

While resort game rooms are standard-issue these days, it’s the state-of-the-art stuff that keeps tweens and teens happy. The Xbox 360 Game Garage at Beaches Boscobel and Beaches Negril in Jamaica and Beaches Sandy Bay in Turks & Caicos features the latest and greatest ‘Kinect for Xbox 360’ with its signature voice and motion-activated system. “We are thrilled to be the first within the travel industry to offer the most up-to-date forms of entertainment to our guests and demonstrates that we will continue to raise the bar within the teen and tween market,” said Adam Stewart, CEO Beaches Resorts.

Ratcheting up the family appeal, Scratch DJ Academy, created by hip hop legend Run DMC; Liquid nightclub for teens; Trench Town game room where adults aren’t allowed and the Red Lane Spa Teen Spa keep families busy from sunrise to sunset. Take your family to Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean!

A Family Six-Pack

1. Y-Splitter to hook up two headphones to one jack so two kids can watch the same movie at the same time.
2. Lollipops to fix ear pain on planes.
3. A Nanny, if you can afford one, is the great reliever.
4. Waterproof camera for capturing vacation memories in the pool.
5. A Wikki Stix for an impromptu arts and crafts lesson.
6. An invisible ink pen that leaves no mess to clean up.

Photo Courtesy of SuperClubs

With plenty of flights from the U.S., resort packages galore, infinite perches for a wedding ceremony and a fabulous array of rooms for a honeymoon, Jamaica is red-hot for couples planning an autumn wedding, a seaside soiree or a weekend away from the kids.

With the largest number of attractions in the Caribbean including the brand new Captain Hook Adventures dinner Theatre at the Falmouth Cruise Pier in Trelawny, the sunny island is rolling out the royal romantic red carpet for couples from across the USA.

Buckle Up

Enjoy first-class pampering at the brand new lounge at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. Complimentary to Diner’s Club members and those holding a business class or first class ticket, the lounge offers a fast-track through immigration and customs, gratis cocktails, snacks and Wi-Fi and spa treatments. Day passes are available for US$30.

Rastaman Libations

Now available in the USA and a fine libation for a wedding toast, Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum is the latest offering from Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and the Island Outpost portfolio of properties that includes the flagship GoldenEye recently re-opened in Oracabessa Bay and the unique Caves Resort in Negril. Working with the team at J. Wray & Nephew at Appleton Estate, the luminous dark rum with an alcohol content of forty percent is available to connoisseurs in New York, New Jersey, Florida, California and Illinois. Bottles sell for $29.00 with a portion of sales donated to the Oracabessa Foundation that drives community and environmental sustainability. www.blackwellrum.com

Leather & Lace

Photo Courtesy of SuperClubs

The perennially-popular adults-only Hedonism II Resort in Negril is tempting newlyweds with wicked wedding packages that include rubdowns for two at the Blue Mahoe Spa and risqué red satin bathrobes. For the vampires in the crowd, the ‘Twilight and True Blood’ wedding ceremony entices with blood orange champagne cocktails and bouquets of black roses.  For couples who prefer kinky and not ghoulish, the ‘Leather & Lace’ package invites brides to walk down the aisle in lingerie and stilettos while a dimly lit boudoir draped in white lace is honeymoon-central with a set of handcuffs for the brave and brazen. On a plank decorated with skulls and crossbones, swashbuckling couples can say I Do during a ‘Pirates &Wenches’ ceremony that includes a treasure hunt for happily ever after goodies. At the northern tip of the scenic white sand seven-mile beach, Hedo, as those in the know call the resort, sits on twenty acres and offers non-stop entertainment, water sports, private Jacuzzis and unlimited food and drink.  www.hedonism.com

Herb Your Enthusiasm

Photo Courtesy of Island Outpost

In Treasure Beach, Jake’s hosts Farm Dinners once a month on the Saturday closest to the full moon. Served in the hills of St. Elizabeth, the dinners are served in a working field on tables elegantly set with white linens. Sumptuous meals are prepared table-side from a rotating menu that reflects seasonal local produce like delectable organic lamb with coconut milk and salads peppered with fresh herbs and spices. Dinners will be held on November 19, December 17, January 14, February 11, March 17, and April 14. Rates per person are $95.00 including transfers from the bohemian chic hotel. Too good to miss, the ‘pay for four nights and stay for five’ is valid through December 19 with rates starting at $95.00. A few sandy steps from the Caribbean Sea, the iconic hotel offers an eclectic array of temptations from canoeing lessons to cooking classes and has earned the funky hotel a reputation as the best bets on the beach for couples watching their wallets.  www.jakeshotel.com.

Making Waves

Available to guests at Sandals Negril Beach Resort, the PADI National Geographic Diver program teaches coral reef conservation, fish identification, and underwater photography.  A supplement to PADI Open Water Certification, the program is a four-day intensive course priced at $550 .00 per person.   www.sandals.com

New at Kool Runnings in Negril, the Adventure Tour invites couples to glide down a lazy river on a bamboo raft, go wild on a daring water slide and maneuver a kayak as it snakes through the lakes that border the park. Priced at $50.00 per person, reservations for the tour are required one day in advance.  www.koolrunnings.com.

Make a Date

November 13-20: Restaurant Week salutes the finest eateries in Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios with discounts and special menus.

December 2 – 5: Reggae Marathon in Negril includes the “World’s Best Pasta Party” at Couples Swept Away and a Blackwell Rum Bar soiree at The Caves. A “Reggae, Running & Relaxation “ four-day package for runners and spectators is offered at The Caves for $1,500 , double occupancy including food, drink, race transfers and a Blue Mountain Coffee Scrub at the Aveda Spa. www.reggaemarathon.com.

Stay in Touch

www.visitjamaica.com

Yes, you can make this at home

The GoldenEye

Photo Courtesy of Island Outpost

• 3 shots Blackwell Rum
• 1 shot lime juice
• 1 shot orange juice
• 1 shot pineapple juice
• 2 shots simple syrup
• Ice

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake. For a frostier version, use a blender until smooth.

Garnish with orange or pineapple slices.

Sip slowly and enjoy.

Photo Coutesy of M. Reffes

On the tropical road less traveled, Tobago sits pretty twenty-one miles northeast of Trinidad between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.   Retro-Caribbean with timeless charm, the smaller sibling in the twin island nation of Trinidad & Tobago measures seven miles at its widest and twenty-six miles at its longest.  With no hotels higher than a palm tree, the petite sliver in the shape of a chicken drumstick has a population of 54,000 people, three thousand hotel rooms, five hundred taxis, an endless supply of simply spectacular sunsets and a food festival in October that celebrates the blue dasheen.

Photo Courtesy of J. Stephens

Having changed political hands more than thirty times, historical relics dot the island like the tourist-popular Fort King George built in the 1760′s. The Main Ridge Reserve is the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere, Argyle Waterfalls is the islands highest and Pacolet Bay still looks like it did when ‘Swiss Family Robinson’ was filmed there more than a half century ago.

With a storied past, the island that was also the fabled inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe novel may be green and serene but it’s also a delectable melting pot of flavors from around the world.  Whether it’s stewed, barbecued, wrapped, rolled or curried, Creole cooking is a melange of fusion long before that style was in vogue.  “Many believe our island is just about soft adventure, eco-tourism and destination weddings,” said Jesille Peters, marketing officer, department of tourism, “but tourists who return year after year are also coming back for our food.”

Blue Food Mood

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

Ask Shelly Ann Lewis anything about dasheen and you’ll get an earful about the tasty tuber root which when peeled, sliced and boiled turns blue.  The star attraction at the Blue Food Festival held each fall, the root vegetable, also known as taro, is one of the more versatile starches and with competition fierce, creative cooks like ten-time Festival winner Shelly Ann tweak their recipes year round. “I can make dasheen lasagne, ice cream and wine,” she says in her restaurant on the Esplanade, “and even dasheen cow heel soup that we eat every Saturday. “

A whirling dervish in the kitchen, she takes Festival competition seriously. “This year I will debut a new dish, “she says with a twinkle in her eye, “ I can’t tell you what it is so you’ll have to stop by and see for yourself. The one thing I can say is that it will win the prize again this year because it’s that good.”

Although there is a dizzying array of dasheen delicacies at the Blue Food Festival, dasheen rum punch is the stuff of island lore. “We call this Tobago Viagra,” says Meisha Trims of Miss Trim’s in Store Bay, “it must be the combination of linseed, milk and cinnamon that does the trick.”

Soup’s On

Photo Courtesy of M. Reffes

If it’s Saturday, you can bet more than half the island is enjoying a piping hot bowl of cow heel soup gussied up with dumplings, yam, sweet and white potatoes, herbs and spices.  As Tobagonian as a swig of Swag beer on a hot afternoon, this soupy salute to starch is not for the faint of appetite but a must-try for a true Tobagonian taste treat.

“We’ve been eating cow heel soup on Saturday ever since I knew myself and probably before that,” smiles taxi driver Roger Caesar slurping every savoury spoonful at the After Hours restaurant, “it’s one of those things that no one questions anymore.” Serving nearly two-hundred bowls every Saturday, Carron Quashire, owner of the no-frills eatery, says she never has leftovers because every drop is gone by the afternoon. “My soup is so popular that regulars order it in advance to make sure a bowl is waiting for them when they arrive.”

Amazing Grazing

Photo Couresy of J. Stephens

Tessa Arthur makes crab and dumplins’ like nobody’s business. At Miss Trim’s in Store Bay, the chief cook and bottle washer stirs her potpourri of crab, coconut, curry and ginger with enough love to fill the room. “In Tobago we eat this on a regular basis,” she says checking the taste with a spoon, “in Trinidad it’s more of a treat because Trinis don’t have the time to make this kind of a dish. We’re more laid-back here in Tobago. “Meisha Trims is the manager and daughter of the legendary Miss Trims and says adventure- seekers are keen to try the juicy crab and sticky dumplings. “After a hike in the rainforest or a day at the waterfalls, tourists line up for a plate of our original recipe.”

Dem Der Hills

On a winding road along the eastern end of the island, the Atlantic Ocean is on one side, goats and chickens are in the middle and sleepy villages come and go around every turn. Less than an hour from the town of Scarborough, Breb’s Bakery in Belle Garden invites for an early morning nosh.  Coconut drops for under a dollar are chocked full of dried fruit while piquant tuna and cheese puffs disappear from the trays as quickly as they come out of the oven. “This is a real slice of island life,” observes Jesille Peters, department of tourism, taking another puff from his stash of goodies that are still warm.

Photo Coutesy of M. Reffes

Open for nearly a quarter of a century, Jemma’s Seaview Kitchen is the reward on the drive up the northeast coast.  In the “blink it and you’ll miss it” town of Speyside,  the charming eatery is built around ancient almond trees and looks more like a tree house than a restaurant. Slicing, dicing, shaking and baking in her immaculate kitchen, Jemma shows off her breadfruit pies packed with cheese and butter before she slides them into the oven. “We are always crowded, because the word is out about how great our food is.” Succulent lobsters broiled to perfection are the same price every day regardless of the size and include Jemma’s legendary breadfruit pie, rice and peas and steamed vegetables.

Mark your Calendar

October 16 – The 13^th annual Blue Food Festival will be held at the Bloody Bay Recreation Ground.  www.visittobago.gov.tt

To Go

Four hours from Miami, American Airlines flies twice daily to Port of Spain (POS) in Trinidad. www.aa.com

Caribbean Airlines flies to Tobago (TAB) from Trinidad several times daily. Fares can be as low as $23.00 one way. www.caribbean-airlines.com

A ferry from Port of Spain makes the trip twice daily to Tobago.  Sail is under three hours departing from the port near the Hyatt.  $15.00 buys a round-trip ticket.

Click or Call

www.visittobago.gov.tt

1- 800-816-7541