Magazine Beach, Grenada
Under the Radar Caribbean Islands You Need to Visit
If you’re looking to the Caribbean to take the chill out of your bones this winter, go exploring beyond the usual haunts of the jet set – you’re guaranteed a much richer experience. The thrill of discovering a new favorite island is half the fun. So if you’re ready to branch out, here are a few islands to kick-start your imagination.
Grenada
Spice Island Beach Resort, St. George's, Grenada
Breathe in the sweet and spicy air from all the nutmeg and cocoa farms on this gorgeous West Indies island where English and Grenadian Creole are spoken. Visitors can wander over 40 white beaches, including the famous two miles of creamy sands along Grand Anse, or sample the wares at three rum distilleries and discover how cocoa beans are processed at “chocolate farms” while nibbling on artisanal treats. Day trips to explore nearby islands are also a must – Petite Martinique and Carriacou are short ferry rides or puddle-jumper flights away and provide an authentic taste of local cultures and foods.
Curaçao
Baoase Luxury Resort, Willemstad, Curaçao
Once you figure out how to pronounce it (kur-uh-sau), you’ll start to feel at home on this laid-back paradise. Curaçao is one of the three westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea – it’s part of the ABC islands (Aruba and Bonaire are the other two). In Curaçao’s capital of Willemstad, recognized as a historical area by UNESCO, you can admire the Dutch colonial architecture. There’s much to enjoy among these pastel-colored buildings, but make sure to walk through the incredible street art of the nearby Scharloo District. While beach delights are easy to find in Curaçao, adventurous types can hike up for grand views atop Christoffelberg, also known as Mount Saint Christoffel.
Dominica
Here’s another Caribbean gem, just a little off the beachy beaten path. Dominica is a lush tropical island found between Martinique and Guadeloupe. The island’s vibrant coral reefs just offshore are a diver’s paradise where volcanic subsea terrain and hot springs create a welcoming environment for many fascinating marine life. Snorkeling at Champagne reef – among all those little bubbles escaping the volcanic rock – might just tickle your fancy, too. Several top-end luxury resorts have opened in the last few years, making this small island packed with natural beauty an even more enticing destination.
Eleuthera
Pink Sands Resort, Dunmore Town, Eleuthera
This outer island in the Bahamian archipelago moves at a deliciously slow pace. Its name comes from the Greek word for “freedom,” which is apt because Eleuthera – while lined with gorgeous pink sandy beaches – is free from crowds or cruise ships or casinos. This thin island – no more than two miles wide – gives visitors views of both the roiling Atlantic Ocean and the calmer Caribbean Sea. Visitors who drive along the Glass Window Bridge – a causeway that connects the north and south and dubbed the narrowest point on Earth – can see both at once from their car. Eleuthera simply hopes its visitors slip into island time and escape normal life for a while.
This year, let’s find you a new Caribbean hideaway.
Here’s How To Make Air Travel Less Stressful
Many are quite taken by the baggage tracking company BlueRibbonBags. This service keeps an eye on your bag every step of the way to ensure it doesn’t get completely lost – and pays out $1,000 if it does.
Another favorite is Ship Sticks, a courier service created to deliver golf clubs worry-free, but it’s also great for sending skis and luggage to your destination – making sure they arrive at the same time you do. Even better, this white-glove service picks up your bags so you don’t need to drag them through the airport or worry that your airline or airport might mislay them on the journey.
If you’d rather DIY it, check out the Apple AirTag. These keychain-style tags are about $40 and use Bluetooth signals that sync up with your iPhone’s Find My app so you can follow along in real-time.
We know how to smooth out the bumps of air travel.
Keukenhof Botanical Garden, Lisse, Netherlands
Thinking Ahead For Spring Break and Beyond
After months of gray winter weather, there is something special about spring break vacations. Imagine getting out into sunshine and warmth and wandering the bright tulip fields of Lisse in the Netherlands; discovering delightful spring ski conditions in Sestrière, high in the Italian Dolomites, or heading off-piste in Andermatt, Switzerland. Maybe it’s time for one last multigenerational gathering in Tuscany or Lisbon before the kids get busy with their own schedules.
Top Left: Lisse | Top Right: Sestrière | Bottom Left: Andermatt | Bottom Right: Tuscany
No matter how you envision that escape, the best time to plan is now. Planning early has always been a good idea, but there’s never been a more advantageous time to secure an advanced booking in this economic climate.
If you know where you want to go, or if you just want to get a few ideas on where to mark a big birthday or anniversary, reach out to us. This gives us time to find the most convenient flights that work for you, and the best accommodations and experiences for your family. Give yourself and your family a destination to look forward to; we are great at making your dream trips come true.
