|
RELAX IN THE CARIBBEAN
Edited by Ronda Parag
 |
|
|
|
Relax in the tropics at Grand Cayman Island.
|
|
|
|
|
The words of ultimate parrot head Jimmy Buffet ring true – Christmas in the Caribbean’s Got Everything but Snow. In Tampa Bay, we don’t have to worry about the snow, but nothing beats the clear blue Caribbean Sea with warm tropical breezes blowing in the palm trees and cool drinks at your side. Yes, Jimmy we do want to make it last! Escape the hustle and bustle with a relaxed trip to the island of St. Kitts, Grand Cayman or Puerto Rico.
ST. KITTS
A kaleidoscope of crystal blue water surrounds the island of St. Kitts in the eastern Caribbean. While herds of goats, cows and chickens line the rural streets, the St. Kitts Marriott Resort provides a sophisticated haven for relaxation and play.
The spacious, open air lobby with West Indies decor provides 513 rooms and suites on Frigate Bay Beach. The variety of activities makes this resort perfect for multi-generations to gather for the holidays. Whether it’s golf, gambling or planned kids’ programs, the St. Kitts Marriott delivers. Activities include a championship golf course and the largest casino in St. Kitts with 34 gaming tables and 350 slot machines.
Relax and recharge with a spa treatment from the Emerald Mist Spa. The signature treatment – Cinnamon Black Rock Therapy – incorporates a blend of cinnamon and sweet orange used with black volcanic rocks to massage and soothe.
The capital city of Basseterre is the oldest in the Caribbean and serves as the social and commercial center of St. Kitts with an eclectic downtown of local shops catering to both tourists and locales. The clock tower in Independence Square serves as a visual landmark for the downtown. A tour of the local Caribelle Batik factory at Romney Manor shows the art of the unique-dyed fashions. A visit to Brimstone Hill Fortress shows one of the best preserved forts, and a hike to Black Rocks on the northern side of the island shows the unique lava formations.
—Ronda M. Parag
American Airlines offers non-stop flights from Miami and American Eagle offers flights from Tampa through Puerto Rico to St. Kitts. St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino is offering a Super Sand Dollar package which
provides three nights free with a four night booking. The package will be available through May 2009 subject to availability. Call 1-800-223-6388 or visit stkittsmarriott.com.
GRAND CAYMAN
The Cayman Islands located in the British West Indies consist of three islands with the largest, Grand Cayman being the most populated and the center for fine shopping and dining. A healthy coral reef surrounds the island creating an ideal location to snorkel, dive and sport fish.
The coral-sand Seven Mile Beach is actually only 5.5 miles long and home to many restaurants and resorts including the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. The Marriott Beach Resort offers 295 rooms and suites, a beachfront pool and several dining options from the casual breakfast place Red Parrott to Solana’s, an oceanfront restaurant open for lunch and dinner, offering international cuisine and spectacular sunsets
The La Mer Spa offers complete pampering with specialized Yon-Ka therapy. Yon-Ka treatments combine aromatherapy and phytotherapy using all the parts of a plant including the fragrant parts, fruit acids and vitamins. Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and special treatments for men and kids are also available.
Send a postcard from Hell to all your friends who will be spending the holiday at home. The post office in Hell postmarks each piece of mail with the name and creates a fun memento of a trip to Grand Cayman. Surrounded by the magnificent sea life, don’t miss the opportunity to cruise aboard a catamaran to Stingray City, where atop a sandbar guests can swim with a herd of rays. Another attraction not to be missed is the Cayman Turtle Farm. The farm provides a unique marine experience whose purpose is to provide local economy with edible turtle meat. George Town is the capital city and the most popular destination for shoppers.
—Ronda M. Parag
For reservations to the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort
call 1-800-223-6388 or visit marriottgrandcayman.com.
PUERTO RICO
With a year-round tropical 82-degree average temperature, Puerto Rico has just what is needed for a holiday island getaway. No passport or customs required–just hop on a plane from Tampa or Orlando and be there in two-and-a-half hours, well on the way to gorgeous crystal clear waters, frozen drinks, and endless recreation far from the hustle and bustle of holiday mayhem.
Home to El Yunque, a 28,000-acre tropical rain forest, Puerto Rico boasts it as the only one of its kind in the U.S. National Forest system, and the island’s most stunning natural wonder. Eco-tours are offered for guests of the Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa, where guests can enjoy the rain forest via ATV or mountain bike.
The Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa is the only resort in Puerto Rico with a rainforest in the front and a mile-long beach in the back. With 600 guest rooms, including 72 suites, all with private balconies, guests will enjoy picturesque views from the 500-acre hideaway resort to the El Yunque rain forest, Atlantic Ocean, and Marbella Gardens.
The island is home to many activities for all ages. For the golf enthusiast, Rio Mar Beach is the Caribbean’s premier golf destination with a total of 36-holes and 13,727 yards of course between the beach’s Ocean and River courses. And for the shopping enthusiast, Old San Juan is the place to be, with designer retailers such as Louis Vuitton and Coach as well as local galleries and jewelry stores. A variety of other activities including bioluminescent nighttime kayaking, sailing on luxury yachts, Latin dance lessons and horseback riding – Puerto Rico is a fun and exciting getaway for the entire family.
—Cara Trump
The resort will be offering special holiday rates. Call the Rio Mar Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, A Wyndham Grand Resort, at 1-800-4RIO MAR
or visit wyndhamriomar.com.
(back to top)
|
