New developments in the Caribbean; St.Kitts, Dominica and Bonaire

Romance in St, Kitts at the St, Kitts Marriott 

St. Kitts

www.stkittstourism.kn, e-mail info@stkittstourism.kn or call the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll-free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 (1-888-395-4887 from Canada).  Follow St. Kitts on Facebook and/or Twitter.

·         NEW AIR SERVICE –

o   Delta the world’s largest airline, will be increasing service to St. Kitts for the peak winter travel season this year, with the addition of a second weekly non-stop flight from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to St. Kitts. The second flight will operate on Wednesdays, beginning on December 23, 2009, complementing Delta’s Saturday non-stop flights to St. Kitts.

·         NEW DEVELOPMENTS NEWS

o   Kittitian Hill – Most recently, Sedona Resorts has signed on to offer development, operations and marketing services support to St. Kitts’ Kittitian Hill. Sedona Resorts has developed and operated the award-winning Enchantment Resort, Mii Amo Spa, the Tides Inn, and a number of other properties regularly acclaimed by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat publications. Kittitian Hill is a contemporary Caribbean community founded on the principles of holistic, sustainable development. Set on a stunning 400-acre hillside site in the Northern part of St. Kitts, it will be a village with a centre for the creative arts. Plans are in place for villas, apartments, a boutique hotel with the look and feel of traditional Kittitian cottages, a destination spa and golf course.

·          NEW RESTAURANTS AND ATTRACTIONS

o   The Spice Mill Restaurant – Situated right on the sands of the island’s picturesque Cockleshell Beach, The Spice Mill Restaurant opened on March 1, 2009 and serves an eclectic menu of West Indian-influenced dishes for lunch daily and for dinner six nights a week. The upscale establishment features a casually elegant décor from local and regional sources, including crayfish baskets woven on Dominica and a canoe replicating the original design from the Carib Indians that has been transformed into a bar on the restaurant’s upper tier. Cushioned couches and lounging chairs scattered throughout the interior and along the beach invite patrons to relax and enjoy the unique surroundings. For the ultimate indulgence, sip a cocktail by the sea in one of the comfortable four-poster beds along the water’s edge. Call 869-469-MILL.

o   La Belle Vie – Meanwhile, just past the roundabout leading to Frigate Bay, the island’s only French restaurant has already begun to build a name for itself. Opened in June 2009, the exquisite La Belle Vie is a nod to St. Kitts’ French heritage with an intricately-planned menu of gourmet cuisine created by blending local ingredients into authentic French recipes. Decorated with an antique European flavor, the restaurant features a cozy lobby leading out to the dining patio amidst the flower garden, an ideal spot for a romantic moonlit supper. La Belle Vie makes its own bread and pastries on the premises and boasts a variety of fine wines and liquors. It is open nightly for dinner from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Call 869-764-6035 for more information and reservations.

o   Sky Safaris St. Kitts Ziplining Tour – Soar above the treetops of St. Kitts’ lush rainforest with St. Kitts’ newest attraction. Officially opened May 9, 2009, it is set on the grounds of the old Winglfield Estate, former home to Thomas Jefferson’s great-great grandfather and site of one of the Caribbean’s last surviving aqueducts. The sugar estate ruins feature original structures, equipment, chimney, aqua duct and other interesting historical elements that are available for viewing and touring by guests. Sky Safari St. Kitts offers ziplining tours on 5 zip lines with magnificent views of the rainforest below. The ziplines vary in length and range from high-speed to slow moving, so the experience is well-rounded. Throughout the tour, guides share their wealth of information about the lush landscape and local Wingfield Estate. Further, the Sky Safari system utilizes the most advanced technology available and is eco-friendly, with all cables rock-anchored (trees are not used as anchors for the cables on the system) and takeoffs and landings all land-based or from towers. Coming soon: Every zipline experience will include a stop at a natural river running pool to cool down and relax after the ride.

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Dominica

Discover Dominica Tourism Authority at 866-522-4057. Or, visit Dominica’s official website: www.discoverdominica.com, or follow Dominica on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nature_island.

 ·         **Beau Rive Dominica – On June 1, this elegant property which is nestled into a hillside of three acres of tropical gardens and forest, celebrated its sixth anniversary with the completion of their 9th and 10th rooms. Both of the rooms are individual cottages set below the main house, where guests will enjoy wonderful ocean views from the verandas. The cottages are the same size and design as the other guestrooms, but offer more privacy. For more information visit www.beaurive.com, call 767-445-8992, or email beaurive@cwdom.com.

·         **Calibishie Cove – Calibishie Cove is proud to announce they now offer daily bicycle and two-person dive kayaks rentals to their guests to explore Dominica’s coastline just downhill from Calibishie Cove. After guests are done exploring “the Nature Island,” Calibishie Cove offers to prepare a romantic candle-lit dinner served right on guests’ balconies. For more information call 813-417-8448, email calibishiecove@gmail.com, visit www.calibishiecove.com or follow Calibishie Cove on Twitter: www.twitter.com/calibishiecove.

·         **Fort Young Hotel – Recognizing the important role the US dive stores play to put Dominica on the scuba diving map, The Fort Young Hotel has teamed up with dive stores to allow dive groups to bank the complimentary rooms earned with groups for up to twelve months, making it easier to sell dive trips to the island. In addition, the property has added a shore dive option its dive program which enables divers to experience the best dive spots in Dominica. The shore dive option is $45 per person and includes a dinner at Dive Dominica’s own restaurant “Barana Breeze” and transportation between the Fort Young Hotel and the dive sites. For more information visit www.fortyounghotel.com, call 1-800-581-2034 or email reservations@fortyounghotel.com.

·         **Jungle Bay Resort & Spa – This month Jungle Bay Resort & Spa’s website, www.junglebaydominica.com, was launched with a language facelift as the site is replicated in both French and German. The French language site can be viewed at www.junglebaydominica.com/index_fr.cfm and the German site is www.junglebaydominica.com/index_de.cfm. Information about Jungle Bay’s renowned adventure and spa services has also been enhanced for French and German speaking guests with printed materials such as menus, daily activity programs and even email communication with the reservations department, all being offered in French and German. This will help ensure both the trip planning and vacation experience is improved for travel agents and tour operators as well as guests. For more information on Jungle Bay Resort & Spa call, 767-446-1789 or email, info@junglebaydominica.com.

·         Comfortel De Champ – Residing in Picard village, 2 miles south of Portsmouth, Comfortel De Champ is proud to announce their property was the recipient of “Accommodation Of The Year 2009 Award,” which was presented at the Dominican Tourism Awards, which was held on May 30, 2009. Offering high quality international hotel rooms, the hotel has 5 double room, with king/queen size beds and an excellent, modern design bathroom. Each room has a private balcony offering a breathtaking view of Prince Rupert Bay and Cabrits National Park. For more information visit www.comforteldechamp.com, call 767-445-4452 or email info@godominica.com.

·         JC Ocean Adventures – Located on the west coast of Dominica, JC Ocean Adventures has introduced a new excursion and now offers their guests customized boat trips including; sport fishing, snorkeling, coastal cruises and whale watching. JC Ocean Adventures was also recently licensed by Fisheries to offer scuba diving tours and teach discover scuba diving. Rates for a two tank boat dive being at $85 per person and discover scuba diving at $110 per person. For further information on these excursions and their rates visit www.jcoceanadventures.com, call 767-449-6975 or email jcoal1960@yahoo.com.

·         Sunset Bay Club – Sunset Bay Club’s, Seaside Dive Resort is now offering sport fishing as an excursion through their independent operator. Also, Seaside Dive Resort’s divemaster has been recently certified to teach Discover Scuba Diving; a great way for people to try scuba diving before committing themselves to advanced open water courses. For more information contact Sales & Marketing Representative, Cindy Gamarrra at 767-446-6522, email sunset@cwdom.dm or visit www.sunsetbayclub.com.

** Indicates all properties have been certified by the Discover Dominica Authority. The Tourism (Regulation and Standard) Act No. 19 of 2005 provides for the creation of standards (known as Nature Island Standards of Excellence – NISE) for the tourism sector and the regulation and certification of certain tourism services. The standards developed and published under the Act are mandatory in relation to all tourism service providers. As such, all persons or entities providing a tourism service must be certified by the Discover Dominica Authority. A certified tourism service provider is a person or entity who has achieved the minimum requirements of the applicable tourism standards of 2005.

Bonaire

For more information contact Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S.: 1-800-BONAIRE, visit www.tourismbonaire.com, Facebook and Twitter. 

 AROUND THE ISLAND

Bonaire Atelier Club is for artists who need set-up supplies and place to paint.  A shaded, open-air garden atelier is available at the JanArt Gallery, located at Kaya Gloria 7.  Artists may work on their own paintings at the club and there’s no need to worry about messing up their hotel room or condo.  Supplies are also available for oil, watercolor, and acrylic painters.  The Bonaire Atelier Club is perfect for the traveler who doesn’t wish to travel with all the equipment needed to paint.  Paint trays are available for a small charge with all the colors needed without having to purchase all the paint tubes.  Easels, tables, accessories are free of charge.  Iguanas and birds sometimes model for free.  Local artist Janice Huckaby is on sight to assist in art coaching and tips upon request.  Participants may also take part in Jan’s Art Workshops designed just for the Bonaire traveler, which can be arranged for “on location” paintings, as well as at the outdoor atelier at her gallery.  These workshops range from two to three hours, and a complete painting can be finished in one session.  This is a great alternate activity for people who want to add something different to their Bonaire experience.  The workshops focus upon Bonaire’s unique nature, both above and below sea level.  For more information, visit www.janartbonaire.com, e-mail, jan@janartbonaire.com, or phone +(599) 717-5246.

Bonaire East Coast Diving has recently increased the number of dive sites they visiton Bonaire’s east coast to a total of five.  Besides Funchie's Reef and the White Hole, they're also organizing trips to Black Rock, Spelonk, and Ramon's Reef.  The diving is spectacular!  On each dive, it’s common to see numerous turtles, tarpon, eagle rays and stingrays, but also sharks and manta rays on occasion.  The virgin corals have not been disturbed by storms or waves. Professional crews and the custom-built Zodiac boat make the east coast accessible to every diver.  However, during periods of high wind or waves, it is recommended for less experienced divers to reschedule for a different day.   For more information, visit www.bonaireeastcoastdiving.com, e-mail info@bonaireeastcoastdiving.com, or phone +(599) 717-5211.

Bonaire Wedding Pros is a consortium of several Bonaire companies who have joined together to assist those getting married on Bonaire. The participating companies are Suze's Wedding Planning, Philip's Cooking, Fish Eye Photo, Barbel's Hair and Make-up, who together will make any wedding day "a dream come true!"  For more information, visit www.BonaireWeddingPros.com.

Bonaire Wellness Connections has launched the Bonaire Mountain Bike Holiday Package, a cycling adventure which offers the perfect opportunity to explore and see the wonders of Bonaire from a mountain bike. Participants can discover numerous single tracks which were, in the past, used by goats and donkeys.  Follow the professional guides to learn more about Bonaire’s flora, fauna, and natural history.  Additionally, BWC will hold its next mountain bike race of the 2009 season on November 1st. For the first time, this race will offer a challenging race with a lot of single-tracks and climbing, plus a technical downhill section. For more information, visit www.bonairewellness.com or e-mail miguel.brito@bonairewellness.com.

Lee’s Bar announces the new Thursday “Easy Listening” Night with a relaxed atmosphere and music, played at a level where one can still enjoy good conversation.  The sports/music bar features NFL and college football, soccer, Formula 1, baseball, and other sports (upon request) easily viewed on three large screens.  It’s at Lee’s where visitors can view the Rock ‘n’ Roll Wall of Fame, where nearly fifty artists of the 1950s are honored.  And for those who want their moment in the spotlight, enjoy karaoke in a variety of languages!  For more information, e-mail leesbarbonaire@hotmail.com, or phone +(599) 700-3188.

RESTUARANTS

Cactus Blue Bar & Restaurant offers a signature dish of Yellow Fin Tuna, slightly blackened with Cajun seasoning, seared on both sides and served sashimi style with coconut rice, freshly sautéed market vegetables, wasabi mayonnaise, and pickled ginger.  Pair that with one of their innovative cocktails, such as the Pink Cactus, and you will find a potion full of Caribbean flavors.  Incidentally, this cocktail happens to be the most popular with the men.  Cactus Blue has live music on Monday and Wednesday evenings with the sounds of the Caribbean, starting at 7:00 PM.  For more information, visit www.cactusbluebonaire.com, e-mail info@cactusbluebonaire.com, or phone +(599) 717-4564.

Hilltop Restaurant & Bar’s signature cocktail offers a smooth, minty concoction of tropical fruit liquors, fruit juice, with just a hint of coconut.  Sip it slowly to savor the subtle blend of flavors, while you wait for the arrival of local stoba (stew) of choice.  Choose from beef, chicken, or goat, as the Hilltop is specially known for stoba!  Each Sunday guests are treated to an expansive “all-you-can-eat” Caribbean BBQ, while those dining on Tuesdays can enjoy the sumptuous Creole buffet, highlighting a wide range of local dishes.  For more information, visit www.caribbeanclubbonaire.com, e-mail info@caribbeanclubbonaire.com, or phone +(599) 717-7901.

Lion’s Den Beach Bar & Restaurant at Buddy Dive Resort offers daily drink specials to keep you cool. Stimulate your senses with their Flamingo Salsa, Minty Rum Mojito, Mango/Guava Margarita, The Green Flash, Passion Fruit Mojito, Lion Queen, or Tropical Smash.  Dine on the daily entrée specials, or enjoy a theme night such as their famous Lobster Night, Tex-Mex, Seafood Lovers, Shrimp Madness, U.S. Burgers in Paradise, Italian Pasta Combos, or Roast Beef Sundays.   For more information, visit www.lionsdenrestaurantbonaire.com, e-mail sunset@telbonet.an, or phone +(599) 700-0892.

Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant offers wonderfully breezy, harbor-side dining with Happy Hour daily from 5 – 6:30 PM with half price drinks!  If you stay for dinner, the fresh “Catch of the Day” is always available, as is a varied vegetarian menu.   You can start the evening with a Bikini Martini, a wonderful mix of coconut rum, vodka, and pineapple Juice—just the right touch to top off a day at the beach!  Then indulge yourself in their Yummy Fish Tacos--crispy fried fish filets served with a cool and creamy avocado dressing, all wrapped up in flour tortillas and served with Caribbean rice and roasted vegetables.    For more information, visit www.paradisebonaire.com, e-mail info@paradisebonaire.com, or phone +(599) 717-5025.

Sense / Eat, Drink, Dance is one of Bonaire’s newest eateries.  You can sit al fresco while you enjoy a Raspberry Mojito, one of their great signature cocktails. The raspberry adds just a touch of tartness to a traditionally sweet drink.  The Sense “shakerboys” are on-site to master all cocktails on your wish list.  You can then feast upon tenderloin with potatoes, pumpkin, and bok choy, served with a mustard-gravy, which is sure to please the palate.  An extra bonus for Sunday diners is the live music.  For more information, visit www.sensebonaire.com, e-mail info@sensebonaire.com, or phone +(599) 717-6666.

Yachtclub Restaurant Bonaire is an intimate restaurant with only seven tables and is operated directly under the watchful eyes of the two owners, Kim and Rick. They will provide you with first class cuisine and exceptional, personal service. They offer European dishes with French and Italian flavors, and also spice them up with ingredients that capture true Caribbean flavor.  You are welcome to stop by, sit back, and experience the food, the wine, and personal service.  For more information, visit www.yachtclubrestaurantbonaire.com, e-mail restaurant@yachtclubbonaire.com, or phone +(599)-9-517-8228.

HOTEL SCENE

Blachi Koko Apartments introduces affordable Caribbean luxury with the new Koko House.  A new extension of the popular Blachi Koko Apartments, the Koko House is located approximately 200 yards north from the Apartments, ideally situated for easy walking into Kralendijk’s main shopping area.  The new property provides the same look and feel, giving one the impression of staying in an colonial Antillean home.  It’s an ideal location for spending quality time in a relaxed atmosphere, and Koko House can accommodate up to six persons, with a minimum six-night stay.  The house features two bedrooms with king size beds, complete with large safes, one bedroom with twin size beds (can be made into a king), ceiling fans and air conditioning in every bedroom, hot and cold water, fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, cable TV and wireless Internet, colonial windows and shutters with mosquito screens, private spacious patio area with large teak garden dining set, hammocks, chaise lounges, seating area, and a brick BBQ.  For more information, visit www.blachikokobonaire.com, e-mail info@blachikokobonaire.com, or call cellular phone: +(599) 786-5466 or office phone: +(599) 717-2255.

Captain Don’s Habitat’s new dive center and new airlift on Insel Air are the latest causes for celebration at the Home of Diving Freedom on Bonaire. The newly built, state-of-the-art dive operation, rental, and retail center are receiving high praises from divers. This new, larger facility also boasts more spacious and modern conference area and classrooms, furnished with upgraded audio and visual equipment, and wireless Internet service. Conveniently located next to the restaurant and bar, it is just a few steps from the dock and shore diving areas. The dive operation is a SDI/TDI Professional Development Center and a PADI, NAUI and SSI training facility.  For more information, visit www.HabitatBonaire.com, e-mail captaindon@maduro.com, or phone 1-800-327-6709.

Dive Flamingo Beach Resort reports that the Flamingo Balashi Beach Bar is bigger and better than ever, now that it sports an expanded bar and sitting area. The bar, which overlooks the Caribbean Sea, can now seat over thirty people and includes a drink rail.  The Flamingo Balashi Beach Bar is also Bonaire’s best Happy Hour spot with two-for-one specials from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM daily with live music.  Fridays at Balashi feature a free Flamingo Rum Smash from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  The Flamingo Balashi Beach Bar is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and also offers beach chair service for drinks, a light lunch, or snacks.  Additionally, renovations on twenty new studio rooms were just completed, and construction on the next twenty units is planned for mid-August, 2009.  The resort also plans special coral spawning packages for August 9-16, September 6-13 and October 6-13.  For more information, visit www.diviflamingo.com/DiviFlamingo/.

Perla Boneriano is a brand new dive resort, consisting of seven luxurious Caribbean-style villas, divided into 12 apartments. All the villas are situated around a beautiful pool and lush garden and are within easy walking distance of the incredibly blue Caribbean Sea. Four of the villas are already finished and the other units will be available shortly. The spa and gym next door has just opened! Everything else you need for your vacation is within close range: a tennis court, various shops, dive operations, dive sites, Internet cafe, supermarket, restaurants, (beach) bars, a bank and much more. It's also an incredible investment opportunity!  All the villas of Perla Boneriano have several ecological features: solar hot water panels, LED-lights for the pool, solar-powered evening lights, and septic tanks for re-usable water for the garden. For those looking for a vacation without the crowds of large resorts, Perla Boneriano offers luxury, privacy, and quality.  For more information, visit www.perlaboneriano.com/rentals, e-mail info@perlaboneriano.com, or phone +(599) 717-6955.

DEALS ON WHEELS

In search of the most recent developments in the field of eco-cars, AB Car Rental came across the latest generation of electric cars, which are equipped with the latest technology and are therefore very suitable for rental purposes.  AB Car Rental has received a supply of these innovative and eco-friendly cars, and an August 2009 launching is in the works.  The electric car seats two persons and their diving equipment, and can be driven about 60 miles before having to recharge the batteries, which makes it perfectly suitable for a clean, quiet, and inexpensive trip around Bonaire.  For more information, visit www.solarcarcaribbean.com, e-mail info@ABcarrental.com, or phone +(599) 717-8980.

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