Recommend April 2014 - (Page 38)
Falls, quite a sight in the middle of the rainforest (one can get a
close-up look by crossing a bamboo bridge), and the pool beneath
is splendid for splashing around. Beaches here are a mix of white
and volcanic black sand; top strands include Indian Bay and Villa
beaches, not far from Kingstown (though they can get crowded on
weekends).
Highlight: The pinnacle (literally) is of course La Soufriere, a
4,049-ft. volcano in the north of the island where the hike to the
still-steaming crater is in itself a dramatic eco-experience, on a trail
taking one through dense, exotic tropical forests.
yachtie hangout
2
We also spent some time on the second-largest island, Bequia,
an hour from St. Vincent by ferry and with something of a following
among international yachties. Just seven sq. miles and a population of just under 5,000, this also hilly bit of real estate is so sleepy
it makes St. Vincent seem downright hectic (it does perk up quite a
bit during the annual Easter Regatta, though). The attractions of the
main town, Port Elizabeth, include the Belmont Walkway, a cement
sidewalk along a stretch of Admiralty Bay passing an engaging
string of bars and small properties including, most prominently, the
Whaleboner, the Fig Tree, and the Frangipani Inn. The other
main activity of interest is a wee spot of specialized shopping,
for model boats from Mauvin's and nearby Sargeant Brothers, or
intricate scrimshaw knicknacks by Sam McDowell at the Bequia
Bookshop. There's also a little whaling museum on the road out to
the airport (whaling was big here historically, and locals are still
allowed to hunt four whales per year using only traditional
methods), not to mention some glorious beaches such as Princess
Margaret and Lower Bay strands south of Port Elizabeth.
Highlight: Quite charming is retired fisherman Orton King's labor of
love, the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary, a modest collection of pools
under a roof that since 1995 has saved thousands of hawksbill marine turtles-it's a unique and moving experience.
●
private oases
3
The handful of other Grenadines where folks go to get away from
it all include the private island of Mustique, made a byword for
exclusivity when Queen Elizabeth's sister built an estate there and
was followed by a parade of the rich and famous that continues
to this day (Basil's Bar and Cotton House resort are the marquis
names here). There's also Canouan, with the Canouan Resort
and the Trump International Golf Club; tiny Mayreau, with only a
guest house (though a villa development is on the way); the single-
●
The St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Specialist Program is an in-depth
program highlighting these diverse islands and their natural
and cultural history; sailing and soft adventure opportunities; upscale escapes and other accommodation choices;
and wedding and honeymoon options. Benefits include 3
continuing education credits from The Travel Institute or
2 from the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies; listing
on St. Vincent and The Grenadines Specialist Finder;
and a personalized full color, printable certificate.
Go to edu.recommend.com/st-vincent-grenadines
38 april 2014
37-41 CB SVG.indd 38
For the full interview
with Glen Beache, CEO of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines Tourism Authority,
visit recommend.com.
resort isle Petit St. Vincent; and Union Island, which thanks to its
cragginess is dubbed the "Tahiti of the West Indies" and has some
guesthouses.
Reachable by a short ferry hop from Union, there's also the
paradisiacal, 135-acre Palm Island, home to just a single eponymous resort, along with a handful of vacation homes. It's an idyllic
place, fringed on almost all sides by some of the yummiest Caribbean beaches we've ever lolled upon. Apart from activities such
as snorkeling and Hobie Cat sailing, this island is just big (and flat)
enough to make it great to explore with the complimentary bicycles
provided, hopping off for a dip at a deserted strip of sand or a hike
up a cactus trail. A touch of Anglo "exoticism" is lent by a weekly
staff cricket match in which guests are invited to participate.
Highlight: Five-hour catamaran trip out for some snorkeling off the
beach in Mayreau and over the reefs and lagoons between the five
Tobago Cays; the latter in particular an absolutely incredible experience because of the chance to float in the crystalline waters mere
feet away from large, majestic sea turtles.
hotel picks
■ Young Island Resort, located on its own 13-acre island just
200 yards offshore and about 20 minutes from Kingstown (a little
motor ferry crosses back and forth every few minutes, day and
night). This classic resort has 29 mostly freestanding cottages
(four categories) scattered across a lush hillside, with facilities at
beach level including a lagoon-style pool; a good restaurant spread
among a series of mini thatch-roofed pavilions; a bar area; and just
off the beach itself, a floating bar you can wade out to during the
day. A variety of non-motorized watersports equipment is included,
and apart from some hilly hiking trails, there's a Har-Tru tennis court
uphill (lit for night play). The units themselves sport an appealingly
old-fashioned island flavor, with wicker, tile floors, and vertical-louvered windows that do a dandy job of bringing the breezes in (but
lack amenities such as TV). Depending on season and category,
unit rates range from $472 to $1,222. Agent rates are $99 pp dbl.
■ The larger, all-inclusive Buccament Bay Resort offers a more
contemporary luxury feel and is located some 45 minutes up the
coast from Kingstown. It consists of two pools and 100 1-, 2- and
4-bedroom villas, each with a plunge pool and the full panoply
of amenities including flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Dining
includes international, sushi, Indian, steakhouse, and beachside
buffet, and there's a bevy of activities on offer, from a well-equipped
fitness center and spa to a kids' club, tennis courts, diving, and
evening entertainment. There are also onsite performing arts
and sports programs that bring in some pretty big names (tennis
champs Lee Childs and Pat Cash, to name just two). Rates range
from $630 in low season for a 1-bedroom villa sleeping two to
$2,482 in peak season for a 4-bedroom villa sleeping eight.
■ The elegant, historic Grenadine House is ideal for clients who
would like to be able to stroll around Kingstown. They might
consider spending a day or two of their stay at the 18th century
one-time residence of the islands' British governor, whose 20
continued on page 40
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2014
The Islands of Tahiti Travel Planner
Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Commune Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Collette
What's New In Mexico
Fiji: Fantasy Islands
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
RCI’s Vision of the Seas
Florida Keys
Oahu, Aston-Style
3 Isles: The Azores, Canary Islands & Gotland, Sweden
Sun-Kissed Islands: Belize & Peru
Afloat on the Indian Ocean: Zanzibar & Madagascar
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