Caribbean Travel

Paradise found: The best of Antigua : "ANTIGUA, West Indies -- Picture perfect. In some places in the world, that phrase isn't a cliche. It's an accurate description. The beaches of Antigua, for example, are picture perfect. Located in the heart of the Lesser Antilles' Leeward Islands, Antigua boasts 365 beaches ('one for every day of the year,' as the saying goes) -- a sandy parallel to lush Dominica, 100 miles south, which claims 365 rivers."

St. Lucia's Jade Mountain Celebrates Mango Fest : "St. Lucia's luxury resort hotel, Jade Mountain Celebrates Mango Fest with James Beard award-winning Chef, Allen Susser and his team. The Mango Festival in St. Lucia, June 19 to 21, is hosted by Jade Mountain's consulting chef, James Beard award-winner Allen Susser and his team. Susser is the author of 'The Great Mango Book.'"

South Florida Caribbean News : "The Saint Lucia Tourist Board is pleased to announce the addition of two new British Airways flights into Hewanorra International Airport this winter, which will further enhance the island’s airlift capacity out of the United Kingdom (UK). The two new British Airways flights from London, are scheduled for Wednesdays and Fridays, adding to the existing three flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays."

mirror.co.uk : "For an all-inclusive, the quality and diversity of food was right at the top. As well as the themed restaurants, the Kimmonos Japanese Teppanyaki with its charismatic chefs cooking at your table was particularly outstanding, as well as busy. But it is the facilities for kids of all ages that won us round to Beaches and, judging by the reaction of all the other holidaying families, they felt the same."

Dallas Morning News : "As the U.S. begins to disarm its economic minefields and travelers step up for hard-earned summer vacations, the Caribbean's less-expensive destinations are in vogue."

Mail Online : "For years, St Lucia seemed happy to be the poorer cousin of glitzy Barbados. Even though it was only a 30-minute flight away, it had few luxury developments or tourists. That's all changed. The island is now home to some of the best hotels and homes in the world and has ambitious plans for more. Many of these new developments are focused on the north of the island, on the beaches and hills surrounding Rodney Bay, the island's glittering yacht marina."

Two new Caribbean routes from British Airways : "British Airways will be launching twice weekly services from London Gatwick to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic this winter, TravelMole reports. The UK flag carrier is adding new connections to Montego Bay and Punta Cana on October 25, with frequencies also increasing on several other Caribbean routes. Gatwick flights to St Lucia and Port of Spain will increase to five a week, while BA will also raise its number of weekly flights to Barbados to ten."

The Press Association "British Airways has announced it will start two new services to the Caribbean this autumn. From October 25, BA will operate twice-weekly services from Gatwick to Montego Bay in Jamaica and to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The airline is also increasing flights from Gatwick to other winter sun hotspots in the region."

travelbite.co.uk : "The event - which takes place from July 10th-19th 2009 - is organised by the Dominica Watersports Association (DWA). Its main aims are to raise awareness about the diving opportunities and unique marine life in Dominica, as well as bringing scuba diving to a wider audience."

Vacation Cruise in the Caribbean : "Finding the perfect Caribbean cruise vacation is easy. Sure, you'll need to do your research, but fortunately you can find plenty of deals."

The Independent : "When's the best time to go to the Caribbean with kids? If you want to take out a second mortgage to pay for it, wait until winter. But if you and your little bounty hunters are partial to a bargain, the secret is to book your trip out of season, when prices are far more family friendly. In fact, departing during the summer months can give you all the fun – at a fraction of the cost."

msnbc.com : "The Real Deal: The Sizzlin' Sampler promotion includes a $300 airfare voucher per reservation, a fourth night free at participating hotels, a $50 dining coupon, $50 off one island attraction, and a coupon booklet worth $500 in savings."

Relax in the Old Caribbean : "The island is situated atop the underwater Bonacca Ridge, stemming from the Cayman trench to the north. Mountains span the island making for breath-taking views of the dense rainforest percolating down to the white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters. Discover the jungle, via 'zip line,' for a bird's-eye view of exotic wildlife like parrots, monkeys and iguanas."

PLI SmartBrief : "Located in the middle of the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, Antigua and its famed beaches are truly picture-perfect. With hourglass-worthy sand and warm and clear turquoise waters, the beaches provide visitors with a place to relax. But there's much more for visitors to discover on this Caribbean island."

cheapflights.com "Get out your bathing suit and crank up the Bob Marley. It’s time for Jamaica, mon! Apple Vacations is offering air and hotel packages at the all-inclusive Grand Palladium and Lady Hamilton on Jamaica’s north coast. For a variety of dates throughout May and June, these five-night Jamaica packages start at merely $599."

PeterGreenberg.com : "There’s a Whitehouse in Jamaica, but it’s got nothing to do with Barack Obama. Surrounded by a wild crocodile reserve and in the shadow of a colonial “great house,” this Whitehouse is perhaps the only high-profile resort on Jamaica’s low-key southwestern coast."

Barbados 'Perfect Weather' Guarantee : "Barbados is one of a handful of Caribbean destinations where you actually have a good variety of rainy-day activities to choose from, but if your concept of a Caribbean vacation includes mandatory sunshine, here's a deal you'll like: the Barbados Perfect Weather Guarantee will pay you $100 for every day of your trip where the average temperature falls below 78 degrees Fahrenheit and the island gets more than a quarter-inch of rain. A special website has been set up so travelers can automatically apply for and receive their rebates."

travelbite.co.uk : "St Lucia’s newest luxury property - Calabash Cove Resort and Spa - is now open making it the first five star boutique inn and spa of its kind on the island. The distinctive range of 26 stylish Balinese suites and cottages take advantage of the stunning Caribbean sea-view, and offer a remote hideaway nestled in the island’s popular Rodney Bay area."

ABC15.com : "Need a vacation? Think you can't afford it? Whether you have been given a pink slip with severance or just plain need to rejuvenate one way or another with your family or significant other, check this out. Elite Island Resorts is helping you find affordable vacations this spring and summer and they are offering a few choices."

chicagotribune.com : "GETTING THERE Antigua lies in the middle of the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies, on the northeastern edge of the Caribbean archipelago. Antigua and the much smaller island of Barbuda form a dual island nation. V.C. Bird International Airport, the island's only airport, is about 5 miles northeast of the capital, St. John's; there are no non-stop flights from Chicago. Mid-May round-trips on a single carrier from O'Hare run about $800, though sporadic deals bring the price tag down to $515."

SF Travel "This just in from the folks who promote tourism in Aruba. The closest I've been to Aruba is to Antigua when I shot and produced a documentary on Antigua Race Week some 25 years ago. But if the Caribbean is on your radar, read on:"

FT.com "The many wonderful things about Jamaica – its extraordinary music-making, its physical beauty, its athletic prowess (six sprinting gold medals at the Beijing Olympics) – contrast harshly with the crime, violence and political corruption. Tourists rarely see anything of the twisted side of island life. Yet almost every Jamaican knows someone who has been threatened with a gun or knife – or murdered. The island’s reputation for violence, however, is only part of the picture. Rural Jamaica especially has an alluring atmosphere that cannot be guessed at behind the walls of the tourist beach resorts. Hardly visited these days is Cinchona, a botanical garden due east of Kingston, the capital. To older Jamaica hands, Cinchona is a place of remarkable charm, and one of the best-kept secrets in the West Indies."

Caribbean As A Classroom : "Surely this would be the quest for the Holy Grail for a four-year-old girl: a journey deep into the tropical forest of a Caribbean island in search of the source of her favourite flavour. For weeks my wife, Isabella, and I had been promising Julia that we were taking her to Grenada to show her where chocolate comes from. But the moment of revelation fell short of life-changing."