Recommend January 2014 - (Page 55)

Providenciales FACTS TURKS & CAICOS To begin, the diving and snorkeling at Providenciales (aka Provo) are top-drawer, as are the whale-watching, ﬁshing, nature walks, kayaking, and Olympic-level celebrity-spotting. This former salt-mine island-it was too dry for a plantation economy-in the Turks and Caicos has exquisite beaches, especially Seven Mile Beach, dotted with resorts. Most of these resorts were built within the past 20 years, and most are high-end. Dizzyingly high. BEST PLACE TO STAY They're all swell, but Amanyara doesn't just make "Caribbean Top Ten" lists, it often tops them. Amanyara's romantic, Balinese-style accommodations are unlike anything else in the region, and the cuisine, spa, and service also reﬂect Asian inﬂuences. Adjoining Northwest Point Marine National Park, Amanyara offers extraordinary diving, snorkeling and whale-watching. BEST NATURE EXPERIENCE About that whale-watching: Atlantic humpback whales cruise near Provo between January and April on their 25,000-mile journey between the North Atlantic and their breeding grounds, and they're big enough to see from shore. BEST CULTURAL EXPERIENCE The Fish Fry on Thursdays features jerk chicken and conch fritters, crackerjack bands, and formidable rum punches. The crowd includes both Provo residents and visitors, and even Hollywood stars and locals mix well here. BEST SPORTING LIFE Most Provo resorts have substantial watersports programs, but if there's anything missing, Big Blue Unlimited ﬁlls the gap. Big Blue offers rentals, instruction, and tours for kayakers, snorkelers, divers, kite boarders, and stand-up paddleboarders, not to mention bicyclists and birders. BEST KEPT SECRET Sundays at Ricky's Flamingo Cafe, on the beach by the Cultural Market Place, feature home cooking so good that Ricky often breaks out into song. He might even let you help out in the kitchen, where you'll try to learn another best kept secret: Ricky's cracked conch SAN 11099 Recommend:SAN 11099 Recommend 1/31/12 3:08 PM Page 1 recipe. BEST TIME TO GO: November through June FUN FACT: The Turks & Caicos and Canada have seriously discussed making these islands a Canadian province GETTING THERE: Delta ﬂies from Atlanta, Boston and New York (JFK) to Providenciales CURRENCY: U.S. Dollar MUST-TRY NATIVE FOOD: Chef Kingrey's very own Caicos rum butter lobster with mango-chili glaze served at the Seven Stars Resort BEST BUYS: Jewelry, straw crafts, and paintings at the Cultural Market Place INFORMATION PLEASE: Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board- turksandcaicostourism.com WHERE EVEN THE SOPHISTICATION IS LAID BACK A leisurely swim in sparkling azure waters. A soothing massage on your own private balcony. An afternoon spent gazing at the sun-splashed Atlantic with not a cruise ship or a care in sight. The Sands at Grace Bay offers a soul-satisfying tranquility along with inspired cuisine, considerate service and as much - or as little - activity as you choose. U N S P O I L E D. U N C O M M O N. For reservations, see your travel professional or call 1.877.77.SANDS (72637) thesandstc.com U N P R E T E N T I O U S. Providenciales * Turks & Caicos an exceptional all suite beachfront resort 33 D28-D35.indd 33 12/20/13 9:02 AM http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com http://www.thesandstc.com http://www.thesandstc.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2014

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Aloft Hotels
Tour Talk: Swain Destinations
Uniworld's Queen Isabel
Disney Magic
Delta Air Lines Travel Guide 2014
Macau
Egypt Update
Scandinavia Exposed
B Hotels & Resorts
What's New in Las Vegas

Recommend January 2014