Recommend April 2011 - (Page 46)

Island ESCAPES continued from page C18 ﬁsh and local arts and crafts. Try a black sand beach on the west coast at WALLILABOU, CUMBERLAND BAY and RICHMOND BEACH. Hike to TRINITY FALLS through rainforest or on the Windward side, challenge the 3-mail trail to the rim of LA SOUFRIERE. YOUNG ISLAND, meanwhile, is a 35-acre private resort. + THE GRENADINES, best known as a yachting mecca, reach over 40 miles across the waters south of St. Vincent. Only seven are inhabited, but even these are barely developed. BEQUIA, nine miles from St. Vincent, is the largest at seven sq. miles. Its charm is in its age-old building, whaling and ﬁshing traditions that are still prevalent. More island gems include MUSTIQUE, CANOUAN, MAYREAU, UNION ISLAND, PALM ISLAND, PETIT ST. VINCENT and the TOBAGO CAYS. HOTEL HIGHS: On St. Vincent, BEACHCOMBERS HOTEL and BUCCAMENT BAY BEACH RESORT. Properties on individual islands include PALM ISLAND RESORT, PETIT ST. VINCENT, YOUNG ISLAND, FIREFLY PLANTATION BEQUIA, SALTWHISTLE BAY CLUB on Mayreau, and TAMARIND BEACH HOTEL & YACHT CLUB on Canouan. + Within an area of 38 sq. miles, PROVO retains its feel as a place FAST FACTS: GETTING THERE: U.S. travelers connect in Barbados, San Juan, Puerto Rico or Grenada before connecting to SVD. Look for nonstop service from the U.S. with the opening of the Argyle International Airport on the eastern coast of St. Vincent in 2013 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passport BEST TIME TO GO: November to April Turks & Caicos There are 40 diverse islands and cays that make up Turks & Caicos. Only eight are inhabited, with PROVIDENCIALES (Provo) as the most developed and main tourist center. Tranquility is the main allure of the islands of NORTH AND MIDDLE CAICOS, while GRAND TURK is the place to discover the history of the islands. Divers and snorkelers ﬂock to the waters surrounding the islands to explore its extensive coral reef at 65 miles across and 200 miles long, and visibility of up to 200 ft. Most ﬂights from the U.S. arrive at Providenciales International Airport (PLS). Hopping to any of the other islands is a 10- to 25-minute ﬂight, or there is boat service to Middle Caicos or regular ferry service to North Caicos. to escape while it is home to luxury hotels, villas and condos, restaurants, spas and shopping. The 12-mile GRACE BAY beach, on the north shore of the island, is one of the world’s most beautiful and is where you’ll ﬁnd most of the resorts. The coral reef sits on this side of the island as well. Watersports abound including diving, deep-sea ﬁshing and more. The PRINCESS ALEXANDRA MARINE PARK is a top spot for snorkeling and the CAICOS CONCH FARM shows visitors how to grow conch. Explore plantation house ruins at CHESHIRE HALL and RICHMOND HILL. Shoppers should head for TURTLE COVE along Grace Bay Road and downtown. + While on GRAND TURK, COCKBURN TOWN is the historical center with colonial-style buildings and ruins and the TURKS AND CAICOS NATIONAL MUSEUM, which offers a glimpse into the islands’ past. When done with the history, visitors can dive into the water and explore the coral reef, which drops 7,000 ft. and is close enough for beach dives. Head to Grand Turk to catch a glimpse of humpback whales from December to April. Grand Turk is also a major cruise port stop. + More white sand beaches await on the NORTH AND MIDDLE CAICOS. Pink ﬂamingos have claimed North Caicos as their home, with ﬂocks at FLAMINGO POND and MUD HOLE POND. Bird lovers will ﬁnd lots to see at THREE MARY CAYS and numerous nature reserves and sanctuaries. Middle Caicos is the largest of the islands at 48 sq. miles and has an impressive cave network. MUDJIN HARBOUR, with its half-moon lagoon and lovely beach, has limestone caves ﬁlled with stalactites, stalagmites, bats and owls. HOTEL HIGHS: Five-star properties on the islands include AMANYARA RESORT, GRACE BAY CLUB, REGENT PALMS, REGENT GRAND, THE SOMERSET, SEVEN STARS RESORT, POINT GRACE and TURKS AND CAICOS CLUB on Providenciales, as well as PARROT CAY on the island of Parrot Cay. All-inclusive resorts include BEACHES TURKS & CAICOS RESORT & SPA, THE VERANDA and CLUB MED on Providenciales. FAST FACTS: GETTING THERE: From the U.S., nonstop and direct service to PLS ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Valid passport; valid six months from time of entry BEST TIME TO GO: December to May ● C20 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Hurtigruten's Trollfjord
Savoring Adventure on Small Ship Cruises
Turkey Beyond Istanbul
Stepping Out in Eastern Europe: Go Escorted
2011 Guide to The Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda
Heading Down Under
India's New Gems
Show-Stoppers on Stage—and on the Plate
Two Sides of a Hawaiian Vacation
Little Palm Island & Ocean Key Resort, Florida
Key West Fun Pass
RIU Panama
Tea Time for Swingers

Recommend April 2011