Schultz - Perfect Island Getaways from 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: The Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda

The Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda

By Patricia Schultz

Workman Publishing, New York

An Important Note To Readers

Though every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information contained in this book, it may change at any time for many reasons, including market forces, political and economic conditions, and weather. Readers should be sure to call or e-mail ahead for confirmation of information when making any travel plans. The author, editors, and publisher shall not be responsible for any travel conditions experienced by readers resulting from changes in information provided in this book. If you discover any out-of-date or incorrect information in the book, we would appreciate it if you would let us know via our website, www.1000BeforeYouDie.com .

Copyright 2011 by Patricia Schultz

1,000 Places to See Before You Die is a registered trademark of Patricia Schultz and Workman Publishing Company, Inc.

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopyingwithout written permission of the publisher.

Perfect Island Getaways from 1,000 Places to See Before You Die: The Caribbean, Bahamas & Bermuda is an adapted portion of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Revised Edition, which will be published in October 2011.

Cover design: David Matt
Sea Shell photo Rick Lew/Getty Images
Beach photo Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

eISBN 978-0-7611-6506-4

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A special corner of the world for me is the inspiration behind this e-book. The Caribbean was the site of one of my first great adventures, anywhere. I traveled solo at the innocent age of 15 to the Dominican Republic, a region I thought was all about white sandy beaches and flashy megaresorts. Visiting a friend from high school whose family lived in Santo Domingo, I found myself swept up in an exotic world of merengue and salsa, guava picked from backyard trees, and big families who loved to laugh, dance, and live life with gusto on very little means. That trip opened up my world to the culture of a beautiful island and a history that is one of the richest in the Caribbeanuntil then, Columbus had only been a somewhat mythological name in a history book.

I have visited many of the islands since, most recently the lush, volcanic island of St. Lucia and flat-as-a-pancake Anguilla, whose beaches took my breath away. Each island always amazes me with its individuality, the result of its own particular mlange of history, people, topography, and beauty, both on land and offshore. This means you can return time and again and know that every Caribbean adventure will be unique. Spanish heritage permeates the UNESCO-protected colonial heart of Santo Domingo and decadently romantic Old Havana, while Barbados and Bermuda are British through and through (think cricket games and jolly good high tea). For a whiff of the Netherlands, Dutch architecture is a highlight of Curaao, though painted in tropical hues to remind you where you are.

Green-clad Saba is like a gumdrop that disappears right down into the water, where the diving is known as some of the worlds best. Dominica has earned a reputation as the ecotourists island of choice, whereas those in search of celebrity sightings and a quasiFrench Riviera ambience book months in advance for Christmas holidays in St. Barths and Mustique. Theres tiny, gloriously undeveloped Culebra and its sister island Vieques off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. And dont forget Jamaica, whose size and breadth promise a host of possibilitiesfrom biking through the coffee plantations in the dense Blue Mountains to reggae festivals to sunset-filled evenings at Ricks Caf in Negril.

A lot of development means theres no lack of options for filling your days. Untouched and pristine means theres a good chance that the only footprints on the sugary white beach you discover will be your own. That idyllic island where they filmed Pirates of the Caribbean? That wasnt Hollywoods imaginationthat was in the Tobago Cays.

Where cuisine is concerned, islands like Martinique, Guadeloupe, and St. Martin are steeped in French influence. Meanwhile, a gourmand moment can be found at any islands beach shack where the lobster is pulled out of the water just minutes before you sit down and the mango ice cream comes homemade from that mornings pick. Toast the days end with an ice-cold beer brewed down the road or a lovely rum concoctionand watch for the sunsets green flash.

If the world is too much with you, all you may want is a postcard-perfect beach, where the rustle of palm fronds overhead and the impossibly blue palette of the waters lapping at your toes is enough to make you turn off your BlackBerry and drop off the map for just a while. For that there is an embarrassment of choicesvisit them all and cast your vote.

Patricia Schultz

33 Spectacular Beaches

Lesser Antilles

Anguilla is a flat, scrubby island thats light on interior scenery, but take a look at its confectionery 12-mile perimeter: These are some of the most picture-perfect white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters youll find anywhere. Some of the finest of its 33 beaches are anchored by a number of special hotels with celebrated in-house restaurants, making the island an unrivaled choice for an indulgent stay-put vacation. Venture beyond your hotel grounds to explore the island and youll find friendly towns undisturbed by cruise ships, casinos, strip malls, or franchises.

Sensual, romantic Cap Juluca was an early and important property, attracting Hollywood moguls and financiers to Anguilla with whitewashed Moorish turrets, arches, and domes on Maundays Beach, a magical, mile-long crescent of sugary white sand overlooked by all 98 luxurious suites. It manages Anguillas first and only golf course, an 18-hole links-style creation by Greg Norman. The only place guests wear anything more elaborate than a swimsuit and a suntan is in its celebrated Pimms Restaurant, whose menu features Eurobbean cuisinethink Anguillan lobster bisque drizzled with spiced Cognac or green peppercornmarinated swordfish.

Just a few beaches east on Rendezvous Bay, CuisinArt Resort & Spa is another whitewashed Mediterranean vision on a long stretch of perfect beach (some say its the islands most perfect). Lie back in a beach chair and enjoy the dreamy views of the rugged volcanic slopes of St. Martin. Food and wine are a major draw; Santorinis famous johnnycakes and grilled tuna filet are served with herbs and vegetables grown on CuisinArts hydroponic farm. The two-story Venus Spa is one of the biggest and most lavish in the Caribbean.

Stroll down the beach to the Dune Preserve, a fantastical beach bar owned by local reggae legend Bankie Banx, who sometimes performs, especially during the monthly full-moon parties and the four-day music festival in March called Moonsplash.

On the islands northern side, the bluff-top Malliouhana Hotel & Spa on Meads Bay was the first luxury hotel on the island when it opened in 1984, and it wears its age beautifully. It still offers attentive, hands-on involvement by the gracious British owners and staff and a highly regarded spa. Nonguests are welcome to dine at the islands most refined restaurant, which offers classic French dishes with an island accent, as well as one of the most extensive wine lists in the Caribbean. A boutique alternative is the small Mediterranean-style Anacaona Hotel, just paces from Meads Beach. Save an evening for nearby Blanchards, a trailblazer in Anguillas impressive food scene where choices like chunky lobster cakes or warm lemon-buttermilk pound cake with homemade vanilla bean ice cream explain its popularity.