St. Maarten Named to Top 10 ‘Best Romantic Caribbean Island’ List

 

The romantic island of St. Maarten/St. Martin has been named in the Top 10 of the “Best Romantic Caribbean Island” by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

The romantic island of St. Maarten/St. Martin (www.VacationStMaarten.com) has been named in the Top 10 of the “Best Romantic Caribbean Island” by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

The full list of winners can be seen here: http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-romantic-caribbean-island/St. Maarten/

Couples visiting St. Maarten/St. Martin enjoy a natural, picturesque backdrop of swaying palm trees, turquoise blue water and white-sand beaches. The destination offers countless activities and attractions for romantic outings including sunset catamaran cruises, horseback riding, beach-side couples massages, intimate meals and more.

Those wishing to get married in St. Maarten/St. Martin can engage the services of on-island wedding planners, who can assist with making the necessary arrangements for a ceremony, and caterers who can plan the perfect reception for the couple. Many of the destination’s hotels and resorts offer complete wedding packages inclusive of an abundance of special amenities for the big day.

St. Maarten/St. Martin is home to 37 square miles of breathtaking beaches and boasts numerous historical and romance-oriented attractions. During the day, watersport enthusiasts can take full advantage of the island’s scuba diving and snorkeling facilities, while the capital of Philipsburg offers duty-free shopping with a lovely city atmosphere, 14 world-class, Vegas-style casinos and many nightclubs that provide endless entertainment.

With the widest variety of dining experiences of any other island in the Caribbean, the Dutch nation of St. Maarten and the French overseas collectivity of St. Martin offer a wide range of  cuisines served in  365 restaurants – one for every day of the year.

St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two nations, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France, creating a European-influenced vibe with a Caribbean flair.  As “the culinary capital of the Caribbean,” St. Maarten offers an eclectic array of cuisine fusion for food lovers with more than 365 restaurants, one for each day of the year to satisfy the tastes of every palate and pocketbook.

Accommodations are varied and include elegant private villas, family oriented resorts, quaint cottages and luxury spa resorts.  Air service is available to Princess Juliana International Airport from numerous U.S. and Canadian cities as well as from Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

Find St. Maarten on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VacationStMaarten and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/StMaartenTravel.  For more information, visit www.VacationStMaarten.com.

 

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

New: Moral Compass: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

moralcompasstravel.info

Check out our newest travel site for special deals, insiders’ tips at tidbitts.com: http://www.tidbitts.com/karen-rubin/where-in-the-world

Dromoland Castle Celebrates 50th anniversary as Luxury Destination Resort as Ireland Hosts the Gathering

Dromoland Castle is celebrating its 50^th anniversary as a luxury destination resort this year, and doing it in grand style. With Ireland’s year-long spectacular The Gathering, also scheduled for 2013, visitors can now join in the celebration with two uniquely Irish, but decidedly different experiences with one short flight across the pond.

With Dromoland as their perfect base camp visitors can enjoy the resort’s special hospitality, complete with commemorative activities, as well as The Gathering’s educational, inspirational and family friendly festivities and events.

To commemorate this historic occasion, Dromoland Castle has

· created a new logo

· crafted a celebratory lager

· commissioned a tartan by an historical local mill

· renovated the Presidential Suite

· redesigned the Fig Tree Restaurant and

· launched The Shop at Dromoland, selling artisanal and locally sourced goodies

Dromoland Castle, located in Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, was built in the 16^th century. Majestically set on the shores of Lough Dromoland, it is surrounded by over 450 acres of breathtaking scenery, including a championship parkland golf course. Lavish interiors, fine food and superb wines complement the deluxe accommodations of the Castle’s 99 guest rooms, while Dromoland Castle Golf and Country Club, an intimate spa and traditional outdoor recreational opportunities ensure a unique guest experience.

Dromoland recently acquired the Clare Inn, a 181-room, three star hotel located on 21 acres adjacent to the resort. A major renovation is planned this year upgrading it to a four star hotel. Now both hotels can offer a wider range of activities and amenities to guests during their stays. (It’s a delightful amenity when planning a big celebration, like a destination wedding, in particular.)

Visit www.dromoland.ie.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Say ‘I Do’ in Tropical Paradise with New Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All-Inclusive Wedding, Honeymoon Packages

Whether looking for a picturesque sandy beach on which to exchange vows or a complete retreat for their first escape as husband and wife, couples will enjoy saying “I do” to the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Wedding and Honeymoon packages.

Brides and grooms who choose either the Divi Aruba All Inclusive or Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive for their marriage ceremony will also receive an added gift of savings. Once their wedding party books a minimum of 10 double occupancy rooms for at least five nights through participating vendors at the Divi Aruba, the newlyweds will receive a FREE honeymoon stay with an Oceanview room for up to 7 nights including:

• · Accommodations for two with a spacious patio or balcony in an Oceanview room with a king- or queen-sized bed
• · Candlelight dinner for two
• · Complimentary bottle of champagne
• · Free night first anniversary certificate
• · Remembrance gift

Newlyweds whose wedding party books at least 20 double occupancy rooms for at least five nights at the Divi Aruba will also receive a free honeymoon stay of up to 7 nights with all of the above inclusions plus their choice of either a $1,000 credit toward the wedding package or a complimentary Essential Wedding Package. For the ultimate tropical Aruba wedding, the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Extravagant Wedding Package delivers one-stop shopping for all the couple’s matrimonial necessities. Planning the big day has never been easier with the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba’s new wedding and honeymoon microsite in the navigation bar of the properties’ homepages, which provides details about options at both properties and a “look book” of wedding photos plus a link to on-site wedding planners, Aruba Weddings For You.

In addition to all the features included in the packages, honeymooners staying at either the Divi Aruba or the Tamarijn Aruba have all inclusive use of all facilities and services of both adjacent, oceanfront resorts, which offer numerous activities to entertain the happy couple when they are not simply enjoying the beach and each other. The Honeymoon Package is value-added with prices based on seasonal nightly rates and is available year-round.

Located just thirty minutes from the airport and five minutes from Aruba’s capital city, Oranjestad, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba resorts are set on beautiful Druif Beach, with a shopping arcade and the Alhambra Casino nearby. Guests staying at either the AAA 3-Diamond Divi Aruba or the adjacent, oceanfront Tamarijn Aruba have use of all facilities and services of both properties. All stays at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba include all meals and snacks at a choice of nine dining options, unlimited beverages at seven bars, the use of three freshwater pools and a wide range of activities including non-motorized water sports and nightly entertainment. In addition, all guests may use the well-equipped Divi Winds Sports Center, which features a 30-foot outdoor rock climbing wall on the beach. The chic pool deck at Divi Aruba has become a central gathering place for guests of both properties to relax. The resorts also offer family and golf packages.

In 2012 alone, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba won a Travelocity Excellence Award, a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, an Apple Vacations Golden Apple Award and an MLT Vacations Quality Assurance Award. In previous years, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba resorts have received accolades from Caribbean Travel + Life magazine and were named among the 10 Best Affordable All-Inclusives in an article on Travel + Leisure’s website. Both properties received silver Earthcheck Certification in February 2011.

To book Wedding and Honeymoon Packages, visit http://www.diviaruba.com/weddings or www.arubaweddingsforyou.com. For reservations and more information about Divi & Tamarijn Aruba, contact your travel professional or 1-800-554-2008, 207-594-7888, visit the resorts’ websites at www.diviaruba.com or www.tamarijnaruba.com, read the news blog or follow the resorts on Facebook and/or Twitter.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Blue Horizons Garden Resort in Grenada offers Wedding, Honeymoon Packages

Blue Horizons Garden Resort in Grenada offers couples the seven-night Tropical Garden Wedding package or the Discover Our Romance Honeymoon package.

Blue Horizons Garden Resort in Grenada (http://www.GrenadaBlueHorizons.com) offers couples the seven-night Tropical Garden Wedding package or the Discover Our Romance Honeymoon package to say ‘I Do’ or jetset for their honeymoon, complete with essentials to begin their journey.

Guests looking to tie-the-knot can opt for the Tropical Garden Wedding package where they will be surrounded by a lush, intimate setting. Package rates are $2,528 per couple for travel through Dec. 15, 2012 or $3,162 per couple for travel Dec. 16, 2012 – April 15, 2013 and include the following:

© Accommodations in a one-bedroom suite

© Tropical ceremony arch

© Garden ceremony

© Minister fee

© Marriage license fee

© Transfers to the document signing

© Grooms boutonniere

© Bridal bouquet

© Bottle of champagne

© Photographs (36 exposures plus CD)

© Hors d’oeuvres

© One-tier wedding cake

© Wedding coordinator services

© Half-day adventure romance tour

© Dinner for two at La Belle Creole

© Flowers in the hotel room upon arrival

© Honeymoon gift kit

Travelers looking to celebrate after the big day are offered the Discover Our Romance Honeymoon package. Package rates are $1,608 per couple for travel through Dec. 15, 2012 or $2,237 for travel Dec. 16, 2012 – April 15, 2013 and include the following amenities:

© Deluxe accommodations in a one-bedroom suite

© Welcome drink

© Honeymoon kit

© Daily American breakfast

© Dinner for two at La Belle Creole

© Complimentary in-pool scuba lesson

© Adventure romance tour

© Greens fees at Grenada Golf Club

© Complimentary beach chaise and lounges

© Unlimited use of non-motorized watersports (kayaks, hobie cats and snorkel equipment)

Known for its lush tropical setting and truly world-class fine dining, the Green Globe Certified Blue Horizons Garden Resort offers a charming, informal vacation that lets guests return to the softer side of nature in a delightful Caribbean paradise.

Blue Horizons Garden Resort features 32 spacious accommodations in superior studio and deluxe one-bedroom suite categories, La Belle Creole gourmet restaurant, a freshwater swimming pool, activities lounge and centrally-located poolside bar.

Blue Horizons Garden Resort and Grenada are an excellent combination for travelers interested in ecotourism. Mix Blue’s on-site aviary featuring over 21 species of birds and 49 species of moths with Grenada’s lush interior, hiking trails of varying degree, waterfalls, and the Grand Étang National Park, for a unique Grenadian adventure.

For extra value, guests can enjoy various daytime pursuits 300 yards across the road on Grand Anse Beach such as snorkeling, sailing with Hobie cats, kayaking (free equipment available) or relaxing beachside with complimentary chaise lounges. A full-service watersports facility on the beach also provides scuba diving.

Blue Horizons is located four miles north of the airport and less than five miles from the colorful capital city of St. George’s.

For more information, contact Blue Horizons Garden Resort at 473-444-4316, e-mail: blue@grenadabluehorizons.com or visit http://www.GrenadaBlueHorizons.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

All-Inclusive Mango Bay Barbados Offers Free Wedding on 14-Night Bookings by April 15

Couples who tie-the-knot at Mango Bay Barbados can get a free wedding package with a 14 night vacation at the all-inclusive resort; guests booking 7 nights are given 50% off the 'Nuptials Package.' Reservations must be made directly with the hotel by April 15 for travel June 1 - Oct. 31, 2012.

Couples looking to tie-the-knot at the boutique Mango Bay (www.MangoBayBarbados.com), Barbados, will receive a FREE wedding package (valued at US$1,025) with a two-week (14 nights) vacation at the all-inclusive, 76-room, property. Additionally, guests booking a minimum of seven nights are given 50% off the resorts ‘Nuptials Package.’ This offer is valid on new reservations made directly with the hotel by April 15, 2012 for travel June 1 – Oct. 31, 2012.

The soon-to-be-betrothed can say ‘I Do’ amidst a picture-perfect setting with the help of a personalized wedding coordinator to make the big day extra special.

Every little girl has an idea of her dream wedding and the staff at Mango Bay will see the vision to the end. The resort offers the bride and groom a Nuptials Package that includes the following:

© Wedding arch with decorations

© Boutonniere for the groom

© Wedding bouquet for the bride

© One bottle of sparkling wine

© One-tier 12″ sponge cake

© Services of a clergymen to perform the ceremony

© Administration and marriage license fees

© Roundtrip transfers to obtain the marriage license

In addition, couples can include the following services for an added cost to the package (all prices given are a guide only and are subject to change):

© Photo album with 24 photos (US$475)

© Photo album with 24 photos and 40 digital images (US$675)

© One hour of live steel pan music (US$300)

© Champagne (US$100 per bottle)

© Video (US$750)

© Boutonniere for groomsmen (US$25)

© Additional bouquets for bridesmaids (US$55)

© Hair accessories (US$30)

© Hair stylist services (starting at US$75)

Setting Mango Bay apart from other wedding destinations is that the resort understands that each wedding is as unique as each couple. Each ceremony is personally arranged so that the idyllic vision of the couple is met and carried out to perfection.

“Mango Bay guarantees that each wedding receives the utmost in attention and detail and only allows two weddings per week allowing the resort to focus solely on those two and those couples,” said Peter Odle, Chairman.

All-inclusive nightly rates start at US$535 per room, per night, based on double occupancy and include hotel accommodations, all meals, afternoon tea, all local and brand name drinks including wine with dinner, use of the resort’s gym, watersports (waterskiing, hobiecat sailing, kayaking and snorkeling) and nightly entertainment. Spa treatments are available for an additional fee at Elements Spa located at the resort.

Couples who want to marry in Barbados must have valid passports or birth certificates (original or certified), death certificates if widowed, marriage certificate if previously married, and decree absolute or certified copy of the final judgment if either party was divorced. All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. For Jewish weddings, the couple must arrange for a Rabbi to perform the ceremony.

Located in the historic Holetown area on the famed Gold Coast of Barbados, the 76-room Mango Bay is known for its casual sophistication and all-inclusive value. This beachfront, boutique-style property is the ideal tropical retreat for travelers seeking an escape from the everyday hustle and bustle – an oasis where warm breezes, delightful Caribbean sunshine, and picturesque beaches are refreshing and revitalizing. Spacious accommodations, a centrally-located swimming pool, delicious dining and tremendous all-inclusive value make Mango Bay a truly exceptional “Uncomplicated, Unencumbered, Unforgettable” vacation paradise.

For more information on Mango Bay, Barbados call 246-432-1384; fax: 246-432-5297; e-mail reservations@MangoBayBarbados.com; or visit www.MangoBayBarbados.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

 

Conrad Bali Celebrates 8th Anniversary with Special Events

The Infinity Wedding Chapel at Conrad Bali. The resort is celebrating its 8th anniversary.

The Conrad Bali is celebrating its 8th anniversary year with a series of events and promotions aptly themed with lucky number eight.

“Heading into our eighth year anniversary festivities Conrad Bali continues to impress with its classic contemporary design, refined hospitality, lush gardens and scenic beachfront,” said General Manager, Michael Burchett. “This year, our guests will have that much more to look forward to with our auspicious number eight promotions.”

In line with the strong feng shui element incorporated within the property’s gardens, pools and interior spaces, its three restaurants too have been carefully designed with balance, each offering not only unique atmosphere, but also great food. Honoring eight years of fine, authentic Balinese and Asian cuisine, Suku toasts the anniversary with a complimentary eight distinct “sambal”. Sambal is traditional Indonesian chili-based sauce, which varies in taste depending on its origin in the archipelago.

Romantic eight-course degustation dinners are well suited for Eight Degrees South, one of Bali’s celebrated seaside bistros with indoor and alfresco seating. RIN, the resort’s Japanese specialty restaurant, will showcase eight varieties of noodle dishes. Known as yi mein and traditionally served on birthdays in Chinese culture, the noodle represents longevity and good fortune.

The property’s events team has its own fortune to give in the form of a tiered reward program that offers greater benefits with higher spend. “Our Beyond Infinity wedding program offers the best price points you’ll find anywhere on the island for those tying the knot along with some wonderful gifts,” said Burchett. “Couples can select from a range of gifts such as a complimentary two-tier wedding cake, dinner in an open beach pavilion or even room upgrades and likely the most popular, the couple massage in a private Spa Garden Pavilion.”

At Jiwa Spa anniversary treatments are anything but ordinary. Treatments have been redefined extending massage sessions to 88 minutes and with celebration packages that include a glass of wine or, even a coconut and chocolate scrub and martini.

Furthermore, the resort’s corporate meeting programs, “Smart Meetings – Reward Me,” promise an array of gift initiatives to clients who are booking company functions. Rewards range from spa treatments and Deluxe Ocean room accommodation on the first tier to iPads and the top prize of a Conrad Suite accommodation.

“It’s been a fantastic eight years,” said Burchett. “We have also been blessed with a great location, superb staff and a brand that supports the quality we wish to deliver.”

Conrad Bali is a luxury beachfront resort located on the southern coast of Bali, an island in the Indonesian archipelago with an alluring blend of natural beauty and timeless traditions. Contemporary in design, the resort boasts panoramic views to the ocean, pools and gardens and features 353 guest rooms and suites, inspired dining options, extensive meeting, event, and leisure facilities including the Jiwa Spa. The resort is also home to a beachfront wedding venue, Infinity. The exclusive Conrad Suites is located on a private wing and offers enhanced privacy with personalized service.

CONRAD® HOTELS & RESORTS is Hilton Worldwide’s global luxury brand and the choice for today’s modern, sophisticated traveler. By focusing on the individual, Conrad offers guests genuine and personalized experience and a world of style, service and connection. Each Conrad is a dynamic reflection of its city and culture, as well as a showcase for striking design and distinct surroundings. Across five continents, in the world’s gateway cities and most sought-after resort destinations, Conrad invites each guest to enjoy The Luxury Of Being Yourself®.
For information on Conrad, visit www.conradhotels.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

Lighthouse Bay, Barbuda Offers Celebrity-Style Weddings in a Luxurious Caribbean Hideaway

Couples arrive at Lighthouse Bay Resort on Barbuda, a luxurious Caribbean hideaway, by helicopter, and are personally greeted by the entire staff.

The upscale and exclusive Lighthouse Bay Resort (www.LightHouseBayResort.com) on Barbuda gives new meaning to the term “destination wedding” with a celebrity-style celebration truly unique from beginning to end.  From a private helicopter ride from Antigua to Barbuda and the intimacy of being on a private island to couples exchanging vows beachside with 12 of their closest friends and family, the resort’s “Signature Champagne Cocktail Yes I do” package offers an unforgettable real-life fairytale experience.

“We offer the caliber of a celebrity wedding but without the celebrity price tag,” said Terrence Linton, general manager of Lighthouse Bay.  “Brides, grooms and all the loved ones who celebrate with them at our private paradise take home monumental memories of beachside elegance and pristine perfection.”

The “Signature Champagne Cocktail Yes I do” package offers:

• Six nights in the Grand Suite for the bride and groom
• Three nights for up to 12 people, including two Junior Suites and two Master Suites
• All meals and beverages for all guests during their stay
• One roundtrip helicopter transfer for the bride and groom to and from Antigua
• One way transfer for the extended party to or from Antigua via a private plane
• Arrival welcome champagne for all guests
• White Nights Party, where everyone wears white, on the beach for a rehearsal dinner
• Wedding ceremony on the beach or at the Club House
• Wedding dinner with choice of location – the Lagoon Restaurant, dining under the stars on the upper deck of the Club House, or romantic dining on the beach under the stars
• Wedding cake
• Two bottles of Moet & Chandon Star Champagne

In addition, the bride and groom also can enjoy the following:

• Wedding night romantic turndown service with Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne, Bougainville flowers petals scattered on bed and floating gently in warm bath water with glows of flickering candle lights
• Bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne
• One tour of the Frigate Bird Sanctuary
• An evening of one hour romantic sunset horseback riding
• One 60-minute couple’s full-body massage
• One night stargazing with champagne tasting on the beach

The “Signature Champagne Cocktail Yes I Do” package rates start at $52,999.

Exclusivity and seclusion take on new heights at Barbuda’s five-star Lighthouse Bay Resort.  Situated on its own private island upon a narrow stretch of land between 17 miles of unspoiled pink sand beach and the clear turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea to the front and the blue-green serenity of the Codrington Lagoon to the rear, privacy is guaranteed as the property is only accessible via S.V.G. (St. Vincent and The Grenadines) Airlines or helicopter.  With only nine beautifully appointed suites, guests enjoy unparalleled pampering and comfort with virtually no interruptions.

Each room’s amenities and technology allow guests to feel “plugged in” despite their remote location with flat screen satellite televisions, iPod alarm clock CD players, complimentary international telephone calls, personal laptops and iPads for guests’ use while on property, and Wi-Fi Internet connection.  For added convenience, complimentary laundry service is available for all guests.

Gastronomic pleasures are unrivaled at Lighthouse Bay as fresh, innovative cuisine and personalized daily menus include homemade breads and pastas, seafood and seasonal foods, all combined by the resort’s highly-trained executive chef to create a truly inspired dining experience at each meal.

Lighthouse Bay’s location on a private island is ideal for relaxing and renewing at the beach or by the freshwater pool while taking in the spectacular scenery.  Guests who want to venture off-property can visit the world’s largest frigate bird sanctuary or enjoy sailing, fishing, horseback riding and other active pursuits arranged by the hotel staff.

For more information about Lighthouse Bay, call 1-888-214-8552 or 1-646-688-2903 or contact the resort’s USA Representative, Wendy Friese, at 212-616-5032, visit www.LightHouseBayResort.com and www.facebook.com/lighthousebayresort, or e-mail: info@lighthousebarbuda.com.

For more travel features, visit:

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin