Daily Archives: April 11, 2022

The beaches in Providenciales are some of the best in the world. Turks and Caicos tourism board

Text size

Ask any artist to paint the perfect beach scene, and most would lay bands of white and gold, alongside bright turquoise and deep blues This is also the image of Grace Bay Beachvoted the worlds best beach in 2021 on Trip Advisor.

Grace Bay is clearly one of the greatest draws of ProvidencialesProvo, as its known locallythe most populous island in the Turks and Caicos island chain. Though thats not saying much: the British territorys 50,000-person population is spread out across nine inhabited islands and cays.

Some never leave the picturesque shoreline, rotating between a lounge chair on the fine sand to a distant seat at the pools swim-up bar. But if sitting beside a quiet body of water for more than 15 minutes leaves a person antsy, adventurers can experience the thrills of Provo, too.

STAY

The Grace Bay Clubs three pools, its abundance of beach and pool lounge chairs, and its large selection of complimentary Hobie catamarans, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks are just a few ways to spend the day. Some of the best places to break from the sun are on the expansive terraces attached to each gorgeous room, or at Just Tacos, the resorts on-the-beach taco shack, where a gregarious local named Garth plays country music and makes strong cocktails with recipes that he claims are secret.

Point Grace, with only 35 cottages and seaside suites, is much quieter. Its location on the point removes from view many resorts along Grace Bay Beach, creating a deep illusion of isolation on the island. The stand-alone treatment huts at the spa allow guests to experience massages with that added stroke from the island breeze.

If removing oneself from the already quiet collection of resorts is the goal, try the lovely Wymara, a boutique hotel at the far end of Grace Bay Beach. For even more isolation, the leeward side of the island is home to the Shore Club. Their property features beautiful rooms, Sui-Rena sushi grill that pairs Asian and Peruvian cuisineand more endless stretches of turquoise and blue.

FOOD & DRINK

After a day of adventure, or just extreme sun-tanning, sample the cuisine of the islands. Two top restaurants are around the corner from one another. Coyabas seafood is spectacular, and its pork bellycomplemented by cubes of watermelon and a mild fetais one of the tastiest bites on the island. Round out dinner with apple pie for two. Its baked right in the bowl and the top crust is so subtle and sweet that it mimics the caramelized sugar atop crme brulee. Coco Bistro sets its white tablecloth service in a gorgeous palm grove. From conch to tuna, the restaurant does everything with grace.

For breakfast or a midday snack, enjoy Lemon 2 Go, a lovely caf and flower shop on Grace Bays quiet, main thoroughfare. Besides fresh juices and good coffee, they serve spicy Trinidadian samosas and tasty Jamaican beef patties.

On the southside of the island sits Omars Beach Hut, where turquoise picnic tables meet the turquoise sea. Add to that an order of whole snapper and a Down Da RoadTurks Head Brewerys light-drinking IPAand life is sweet. Nearer to the airport is a local favorite: Sweet Ts, a pink-tiled, octagonal hut in a parking lot. The only thing on their menu is fried chicken and French fries. A bucket of that on the beach is a wonderful contrast to a week of resort dining.

Head to Graces Cottage for after-dinner drinks. The dark courtyard sits in wonderful juxtaposition to the well-lit bar where a floral mosaic behind the well-dressed Whiskeythe bartendermakes the room feel like an art gallery that pays tribute to a single work. But here, the true encomium is to Caribbean rum. Graces Cottages extensive Caribbean and Latin American rum menu features spirits from Appleton to Zacapa. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, a musician brings even more intimacy to the courtyard.

For a livelier scene, head to Infiniti, home of the longest bar in the entire Caribbean. The 2-sided black bar stretches 90 feet from a thatched-roof serving area and out toward the sand. Daily entertainment invites a sophisticated crowd and on weekends, hundreds of revelers.

EXPERIENCE

Providenciales is a difficult island to travel without a rental car. And taxis get pricey. But since the island can be driven around in a couple hours, one of the best ways to journey is with Marvelous Marvin and his sidekick, Niko Paliko. The pair runs Island Style Tours TCIs buggy adventures. Part comedy show and part driving tour, Marvelous Marvin narrates as guests, who possess moxie and a healthy dose of trust in the process, speed across the island in single file. It stops at Thomas Stubbs Cheshire Plantation, where cotton plants, ruins of the main house, former slave quarters and two-century-old artifacts tell a story of colonial rule, and then over to Da Conch Shack for delicious conch and fish served in a variety of fried forms.

One of the best ways to experience the waters around the Turks and Caicos is by boat. Voyages whisk visitors over to private islands. Other boats visit the second largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere for snorkeling expeditions. Then there are those party boat tours. For a combination of all three, Island Vibes Tours runs half-day boat rides that comprise an hour at a reef teeming with fish and coral; an hour on the remote Half Moon Bay, empty, but for the myriad rock iguanas scampering between beaches; and an hour of strong rum punch and high diving from the roof of the boat.

For something stronger, swim over to the Tiki Bar, a no frills establishment built on the water and owned by a former Turks and Caicos prime minister.

To snorkel from the shores of Providenciales, walk to the Bight Reef, also known as the Coral Gardens, and swim with reef fish and turtles. The reef is one part of the greater Princess Alexandra National Park.

The writer was a guest of Grace Bay Resorts.

Continue reading here:

Great Escapes: The Easy Life in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos - Barron's

Royal Isabela may just be the best golf course you can play in the Caribbean - but it is just one of ... [+] eighteen great choices around Puerto Rico.

When it comes to planning an island vacation in the Caribbean, there are tons of choices, big and small, with arguments to be made for just about every spot. But if you are a golfer, the options thin out dramatically. There are several smaller islands with one or two good courses, but when it comes to critical mass, the kind of assortment that makes places like Scottsdale or Pinehurst golf destinations, there are really only two contenders, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

For the traveling golfer who likes variety and wants to play multiple courses rather than the same one over and over again, the win goes to Puerto Rico. I love the DR and it has some standout golf resorts, but they tend to be isolated as most Americans dont want to drive around, so the vast majority of golf travelers here just go to one place to stay and play. While there are multiple courses at different locales, this variety goes underutilized. But when you compare how easy it is to rent a car, drive around Puerto Rico and hit multiple spots, the appeal grows significantly, and in addition all, of Puerto Ricos courses are accessible to the public, while the single best golf course in the DR, Playa Grande, once a resort course, went totally private and no longer allows any non-members. Even famed golf resort Casa de Campo includes a private layout its hotel visitors cannot access.

The East Course at TPC Dorado beach is the island's most famous layout, known for hugging the ocean ... [+] at the start and finish.

Puerto Rico is easy to navigate and very easy to get to, with lots of non-stops to San Juan, whereas many travelers to other Caribbean destinations have to fly here anyway and then make another connection. That means many travelers can arrive in time to play golf the same afternoon, or play a final morning round before heading to the airport, a much more efficient way to vacation. It is especially user-friendly in the age of COVID as it requires no testing to go to or return home from (no risk of getting stuck there in quarantine, unlike every other Caribbean golf destination except the US Virgin Islands) and it has the highest vaccination rate of any place in the U.S.

Ive been to Puerto Rico several times and just visited again, and it was a stark reminder of how good and varied the lodging, entertainment and especially food is on top of the golf, with something for every taste and budget - there are more than 4,000 restaurants here and I didnt have a less than standout meal my entire trip. In addition, there are tons of non-golf attractions, from the historic to the worlds largest rum distillery (Bacardi) to the natural wonders, most notably the only rainforest within the U.S. Forest Service (El Yunque), rare bioluminescent bays, and of course, beaches.

Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club has 27-holes, but its signature island green is the most famous.

But when it comes to golf the island has a whopping 18 courses, many of them on the ocean, while El Yunque, the spectacular rain forest, can be seen from several top layouts. Designers read like a Whos Who of great golf architects, including Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Robert Trent Jones Jr., Chi Chi Rodriguez, Tom Fazio, Tom Kite, Rees Jones, and Gary Player. Here are some highlights:

Historically the biggest golf resort on the island used to be the Dorado Beach resort complex, originally built by Laurance Rockefeller as part of his Rockresorts brand, and for a long time it was home to two sibling Hyatt resorts and four 18-hole courses. It has been reborn in recent years as the only Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in the U.S., Reserve being the luxury brands highest tier with just five locations worldwide. Today the Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is an exceptional luxury resort that is home to two courses comprising the 36-hole TPC Dorado Beach, the only member of the PGA Tours TPC network in the entire Caribbean. A radical growth in residents and members (including several Major League Baseball stars) has forced the resort to limit play to its overnight guests, so you have to stay here to play these. If you can swing that its worth doing, because the East Course, always the most famous of the original four, has one of the most memorable starts in all of golf with a long oceanfront drive in the cart to the first tee, and wonderful ocean vistas from the get-go, whereas many coastal designs wait three plus hours to reach the sea. It also returns to the same great views at the finish. TPC Dorado Beach is a first-rate operation with forecaddies and excellent conditions, and construction is under way on a third eighteen here, which will put it in a tie as the largest golf resort slate in the Caribbean.

In my informed opinion, the single best course on the island is the stunning Royal Isabela, part of a boutique resort on the less visited northwestern shore. This is wonderful resort with its own farm growing produce for the restaurant, and all lodging in standalone casitas with private plunge pools and terraces. The golf course is as close as you can get to a links in the region, exquisite with many dramatic clifftop holes hugging the ocean, you can walk it with caddies which is rare, and when it opened a decade ago I wrote about it in detail here at Forbes (which may be dated). I said then that is like Pebble Beach Golf Links transported to an even more scenic setting, and I stand by that assessment - no matter how much golf you have played around the globe, you will find this an exceptional course.

Major winner and former World Number One golfer Jason Day is one of many stars who have played in ... [+] the PGA TOUR's Puerto Rico Open. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The PGA Tours Puerto Rico Open (historically held in late February/early March) has brought superstars such as Jason Day, Bryson DeChambeau, Jordan Speith, and Tony Finau to the island, and is held on the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserves Championship Course. The Hyatt is a step down in price from the Ritz-Carlton and neighboring St. Regis Bahia Beach, but is an excellent full-service resort with great dining options, first rate lodging, a huge lagoon style pool complex with cabanas, and a stunning beach - so stunning that the new version of TV show Fantasy Island was filmed here. Ive stayed at the property and would be quite happy to return. The Hyatt has two of Puerto Ricos better golf courses, both designed by Tom Kite. These are a little more Florida-style with lots of water within the courses, sometimes on both sides of the fairway, in addition to ocean views.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach is the other top-tier luxury golf resort here, and like the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, part of Marriotts industry leading Bonvoy rewards programs. Many golfers are familiar with the Audubon International Sanctuary program that certifies eco-friendly golf courses that use less chemicals, protect wildlife and meet many other standards. But the group has expanded to certify entire communities and resorts as well, and Bahia Beach was one of the first to earn this, and it is evident in the lush greenery and tropical flowers at every turn through the attractive property. About 65% of the nearly 500 acres are preserved as green areas, sanctuaries or nature trails, and there is a very extensive trail network throughout. The golf course is much different from its neighbors, winding through thick jungle-like foliage with some tight fairways when it strays away from the two-mile long beach, set at the foothills of the 28,00-acre El Yunque National Rain Forest.

The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar's Tom Fazio-designed Ocean Course is aptly named.

I have not stayed myself, but another top pick for a Puerto Rico golf vacation is the more affordable Wyndham Grand Rio Mar, a very full-service resort with two standout courses. The Wyndham is big with about 400-rooms, multiple restaurants, a full casino, and is set on two-miles of uncrowded beach. It is has the most going on under one roof in Puerto Rico, and the golf is especially varied, featuring the Tom Fazio-designed Ocean Course with is famed coastal 16th hole, and the Greg Norman-designed River course, which has deceptively wide fairways, a plus given that the river is well utilized throughout, and it has stunning El Yunque views. I had one of my favorite meals on the island in the clubhouse here, and the Ocean Course also has a beloved open-air bar/eatery, Hole in One, in its center, overlooking one and ten.

There are many other options, and I havent gotten to all of them yet. El Conquistador is another well-known golf resort with an Arthur Hills course (and private island and waterpark). Punta Borinquen is Puerto Ricos oldest full-sized golf course, built by the Army in 1940 as part of a base and said to be a favorite of President Eisenhowers. When the base closed in 1973 it became an accessible public course and is perched atop dramatic seaside cliffs near Royal Isabela. There are many other standalone courses including the 27-hole Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club with its signature island green. While I regret not playing some of these, its nice to have reasons to go back to this tropical golf paradise again.

Discover Puerto Rico, the islands visitor bureau, has several helpful articles about golf grouped by subject such as near San Juan, most affordable and individual resort profiles, all of which can be found here.

Read more:

The Best Caribbean Island Destination For Your Perfect Golf Vacation - Forbes

After two years of constant travel restrictions, we are finally daring to dream again. Travel lovers across the globe are desperate to book a flight to their next destination and to start to make up for the lost time. But which destinations should be at the top of our bucket list?

Holidu, the search engine for holiday rentals, has put together a list of the must-visit countries for 2022. After analysing Google searches from the past 12 months, this ranking reveals the countries that people are most eager to visit.

1. Turkey - 102,100 searches per monthIts official! Turkey is the most popular country for travellers this year. With a combined number of searches of more than 102k, this makes Turkey a clear favourite. Whether you fancy a beach trip to Antalya, a weekend city break to Istanbul, or a romantic escape to Cappadocia - Turkey has it all. The Turkish cuisine offers delicious specialities including meze boards and sweet treats like baklava. Yum!

2. Greece - 89,800 searches per monthIts time to live out your greatest Mamma Mia fantasies! Greece is the second most searched for country when it comes to people planning their holidays. This country has an incredible offering of all things archaeology, history, art and philosophy, as well as some lovely beaches and crystal clear water - so everyone will be satisfied on holiday here! If that wasnt enough, the Greek food is to die for. Souvlaki, anyone?

3. Maldives - 83,700 searches per monthIn third place, we have the Maldives. Undoubtedly our most luxurious option on this list, the popularity of these stunning islands in the Indian Ocean has skyrocketed in recent years. White sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, and a vibrant underwater world its no surprise why influencers flock to these stunning islands for their holidays. The country is home to over 100 resorts with their own private island, all of which boast their own incredible beaches, so you will be satisfied with whichever island you choose to visit.

4. Spain - 74,320 searches per monthThe land of tapas, paella and sangria secures the fourth place position! Spain has always been an absolute favourite for British travellers, and 2022 is no different. Boasting some of the best beaches and most captivating mountain ranges in Europe, Spain has such a diverse landscape just waiting to be explored. Spain truly lives up to its stereotype of being full of people looking to enjoy life, be prepared to enjoy a fiesta or two whilst there.

5. Thailand - 57,200 searches per monthWith Bangkok being revealed in 2021 as being the Best City in the World for a Workation, its no surprise that Thailand comes out near the top of the list of countries travellers are rushing to go to! Organise your itinerary wisely, as there is simply so much to see and do in this fantastic country. Go island hopping and marvel at the beaches of Thailands over 1400 islands! Ride a tuk tuk through the chaotic streets of Bangkok at night, indulge in some Thai street food, and visit some of the stunning temples the country is home to.

6. Cyprus - 53,600 searches per monthCyprus is the sixth most popular country this year! Whether thats due to its compelling culture and history, sun-soaked sandy beaches, or tasty local cuisine - well leave that up to you to decide. A popular choice for families as well as groups of friends, Cyprus has plenty of activities to keep travellers entertained. Every water sport you can think of can be enjoyed, from water skiing to scuba diving. Food-wise, expect to enjoy some creamy hummus, mouth- watering halloumi, and typical kebabs.

7. Malta - 48,500 searches per monthMalta might be small but there is an abundance of reasons why its a favourite for travellers this year! This small archipelago is home to prehistoric temples, stunning landscapes, and fascinating history. Scuba diving enthusiasts will be in heaven, as the underwater world here is a vibrant one and the diving locations also feature many caves, crags, and wrecks. Valletta, the countrys capital, was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018, meaning it is a vibrant centre of art, design, and architecture.

8. Mexico - 48,400 searches per monthIn eighth place, we have Mexico! This country has so much more to offer than the typical party destination of Cancun. Head to Merida or Tulum to spend a day exploring the incredible cenotes. Visit Guanajuato to marvel at the beauty of a city made up of colourful buildings. Nature lovers will enjoy a trip to La Huasteca Potosina, a region that is dominated by breath- taking rivers and waterfalls. Foodies will rejoice while on holiday here! Treat yourself to some mouth-watering chilaquiles for breakfast, enjoy some classic quesadillas for lunch and tuck into some unbeatable tacos at a local taqueria in the evening.

9. Italy - 45,400 searches per monthArguably most popular for its world-famous cuisine, Italy is a dream destination for any foodies out there! Try some pizza in Naples, carbonara in Rome, and bruschetta in Tuscany. Thirsty? Head to Venice for an authentic Aperol Spritz! Cuisine aside, Italy is the country with more World Heritage cultural sites than any other country in the world, so its a true gem for travellers interested in exploring these legendary places.

10. Iceland - 44,600 searches per monthLast but not least, Iceland secures its place as the 10th most popular country in the world for travel in 2022. If youre a lover of dramatic landscapes made up of volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields, then Iceland is the destination for you! Spending a day at the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is not to be missed, and if youre interested in Icelands Viking history, visit the National and Saga museums in Reykjavik.

See more here:

These are the 10 most popular countries in the world to travel to in 2022 - Travel Daily News International

All-inclusive resorts have come a long way since Belgian entrepreneur Gerard Blitz introduced Club Med resorts to the world in the 1950s.

Today's all-inclusive resorts span the globe and offer more than ever before in terms of services, accommodations, culinary options, beverage choices, entertainment and activities geared to specific audiences.

Today, for instance, the Club Med brand has grown to include resorts from Florida to the Caribbean, from Mexico to Brazil, the Alps, Europe and the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Another pioneer in the category, Sandals Resorts International founder Butch Stewart, opened Sandals Montego Bay in 1981, the first of the Sandals brand and the first all-inclusive couples' resort in Jamaica.

As he opened more resorts, Stewart continued to raise the bar with new features: soaking tubs, overwater bungalows, butler service, free scuba and diving ... the list goes on and on.

Sandals now totals 15 adults-only resorts on six islands; three family-friendly Beaches resorts on two islands; and Fowl Cay, a private island resort in the Bahamas with six villas.

The Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau is one of Sandals' 15 all-inclusive, adults-only resorts. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Sandals Resorts International

The all-inclusive model evolved over the years, and eventually most of the major hotel companies introduced properties of their own, attracted by the popularity and success of brands like Club Med and Sandals.

Independent hotels, too, have become part of the mix, including Elite Island Resorts' nine properties on four islands and in Panama; Ocean Hotels Group's O2 Beach Club & Spa and Sea Breeze Beach House in Barbados; Jumby Bay in Antigua and Barbuda; and Serenity at Coconut Bay in St. Lucia.

So how does a travel advisor sift through all these offerings to pick the perfect resort for a particular client? After all, what is a perfect fit for a couples getaway might not work for a destination wedding or a family reunion.

"All-inclusives are not one size fits all; you need to match the right brand and experience to the right client," said Helen Papa of Travel Boutique Hub Travel. "With the increase in travel requests, we're seeing many more requests across all options. For the all-inclusive brands, the increase is primarily for multiple families traveling together."

Nikki Miller of Travel With Nikki said, "I let my customers know that all-inclusives are great to sit and flop. I make it clear that not all resorts are the same, which is why there are so many and different price points. All-inclusives have increased in appeal to my clients who are not ready to cruise or are not vaccinated.

"Clients aren't ready for Europe or Asia but are tired of being trapped at home," she added. "They want to get away to recharge and be with others, but not too many others."

The pool area at the Club Med Turkoise in Turks and Caicos. The all-inclusive model originated with the Club Med brand in the 1950s. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Club Med

All-inclusive bookings are 75% of the business at Susan Peavey Travel.

"I'm getting more requests for all-inclusives, because they are a convenient and cost-effective way to travel, especially with Covid protocols," said the agency's owner, Susan Peavey, who encourages clients to leave the property and explore a bit.

"I suggest that the guest book excursions and tours," she said. "It's important to get out and see what the destination has to offer. Support the locals, shop local."

"The hardest part is choosing between so many fabulous resorts, so we work to narrow down the options to match clients with the resort that best fits their personality and preferences," said Becky Schulze, Accent Travel Agency. "Of the vacations we sell to Mexico and the Caribbean, all-inclusives account for 80% to 85% of those trips."

Schulze said that the agency never stopped getting requests for all-inclusives during the past two years.

"It was one of the consistent requests throughout the pandemic. People were comforted knowing they would have consistent quality of service, health and safety options," she said.

The Royal Uno All Inclusive Resort & Spa opens in Cancun this summer. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Royal Resorts

AwayBug Travel's Angie Fanning said, "I usually tell clients who are budget conscious that the top three [all-inclusive] destinations are the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico. If a client has a bigger budget, wants something more off the beaten path or has already been to those destinations, we will explore others."

Close to 30% of her bookings are for all-inclusives. The agency is still getting requests, "but now they are ready to start planning their bigger bucket-list trips to places like Europe," Fanning said.

Avoya Network advisor Mary Smith said all-inclusive bookings make up 65% of her business.

"My clients like the ease of having everything booked under one vendor and that most everything is paid up front," she said. "It's very important to prequalify the customer, as each hotel brand has a different vibe."

Allison Amos of In the Know Experiences said, "My clients are looking to stay within a specific budget, want to relax without the fuss of planning or making decisions. My advice is geared to the clients' goals and budget."

Caryn Strayer Coomer of Calyco Travel said advisors need to do their homework before recommending an all-inclusive. But clients need to do their homework, as well, she added.

"Not only should agents qualify their clients, but clients should qualify their agent," Coomer said. "Make sure you choose an agent who travels frequently and continues to educate themselves, is able to compare and contrast destinations and resorts easily and communicates the difference between two or three resorts in the same budget range."

Link:

All-inclusive resorts come in all shapes and sizes. How do you find the right one? - Travel Weekly