Jetsettersblog

at Port de Plaisance, Thursday March 1st, 2012!

Simpson Bay, St. Maarten – These young energetic musicians are no strangers to the island, they actually made their debut on this same stage in 2010 for St. Maarten’s ChildFest. Their funky mix of music seemed an obvious choice to bring back to the island for the 2012 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

NexCyx began in 2004 as a musical experiment on the University of West Indies campus in Barbados. Since then, it has evolved into a celebrated entertainment outfit, with a repertoire of original hit music, and a solid—and growing—fan base.

The Barbadian pop band is an artistic mishmash of a self-taught pianist turned producer (André), a drumming prodigy (Chad), an accidental bass guitarist (Kris), a one-woman dancer-singer-rapper (Mahalia) and a hardcore rocker (Russell).

NexCyx exudes an unmistakable energy—it’s fresh, upbeat, bold and unmistakable.

In 2010, when they welcomed Chad, the drumming wonderchild, to their lineup, they dished out an extra serving of youthful swagger. Together, they’re just what the music industry ordered, it seems. And the fans are eating the group up!!

In under a decade, NexCyx has played at a range of venues throughout North America and the Caribbean region, while holding down a demanding gig schedule in Barbados, where their singles are in heavy rotation at local stations.

“Gossip Girl,” released in 2009, became the band’s breakout single and instantly landed as a fan favorite. Hits like “Queen,” “OnThe Floor” and the socially conscious “Take A Minute,” also followed, etching a place for NexCyx on the international music stage—and ushering in a new era of fandom.

The Band’s favorite memories are: A high school auditorium filled with screaming students belting out the band’s hits word for word tops the cake for Russ, opening for Erykah Badu and Angie Stone to wild applause, hopping on to the SXSW stage two years in a row, and performing to rave reviews at a concert headlined by Jamaican musical duo, Brick and Lace are some other great memories..

NexCyx defines their music as follows:” if it were an icecream, it would be loaded with nuts (lots of them), chocolate, gummi worms and tequila—with a cherry on top.”

That said, there is a distinctive camaraderie that the band shares, which musical groups the world over struggle to achieve.

That NexCyx is on the right track is obvious. There’s an MTV Artist of the Week accolade in their history already—and an Artist of the Month title from Rockwired.com. And now they can add performing at the prestigious St. Maarten Heineken Regatta to their resume.

Be there, Thursday March 1st to experience Nexcyx kick of the 32nd edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

All the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta parties are free and open to the public. Food and drinks are available each night. Parking at Port de Plaisance is easy, safe and free.

For full information on the 2012 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, including entry information, the Notice of Race, photos, videos, party and band information, and much, much more, visit www.heinekenregatta.com

BOZEMAN, Mont.–Be a ‘Caribbean Queen’ this spring break and set sail in the Caribbean’s British Virgin Islands on this women-only sailing adventure that includes plenty of sun, sand, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sailing.

On this trip by AdventureWomen, Inc., guests cruise the British Virgin Islands on a marvelous luxury yacht, the Cuan Law, the world’s largest trimaran sailboat that’s equipped with every amenity. Women can soak up the sun and scenery while choosing from adventures like sea kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling, dining on decadent cuisine, or enjoying the views from the canopy deck onboard the boat. $2995 pp ($800 deposit). Departure date: March 4, 2012. Learn more about AdventureWomen’s 30th anniversary trips in 2012 at www.adventurewomen.com

Discover the contrasting scenery of Oman’s Wahiba Sands, Hajar Mountains and Muscat’s dramatic coastline on a new camping and private yachting adventure with luxury travel specialists, Scott Dunn.

Brand new for 2012, this new itinerary begins with a night at each of the new luxury tented camps in Wahiba Sands and in the Hajar Mountains, followed by a night on a private yacht, dropping anchor at uninhabited islands with powder white sand beaches.

The first part of the adventure begins by visiting the old domed mosque at Jalan Bani Bu Ali near the town of Al Kamil before exploring the depths of the Wadi Bani Khalid, clambering over giant boulders or swimming in the crystal clear waters of the wadi. Guests can climb the lonely mountain tracks where they will find no signs of civilisation other than a distant Bedouin tending his camels.

Whilst at the new Wahiba Sands camp, guests can watch the setting sun from the stylish Majlis or ‘meeting’ tent which is luxuriously furnished with low hand-carved Arabic furniture, cushions and traditional hand woven rugs. Lamps and candles are lit in preparation for nightfall when binoculars and maps of the night sky are provided for budding stargazers.

Following the desert, the adventure continues northwards into the Hajar Mountains. Stopping en route at the old settlement at Mizfa near Ibra, guests can make the rest of the journey into the mountains on foot. This journey takes in the deserted village of Birkat Al Mawz and ruins of Tanuf before finishing the ascent at the new Tanuf Mountain camp located at 1,000m with views towards Oman’s highest peak, Jebel Shams.

The next day, guests will set sail on their very own private yacht. Sailing highlights include the islands of Sawadi, the world-class Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, turtle-shaped Fahal Island and the picture-perfect Damaniyat Islands, offering a treasure trove of secluded bays and shallow reefs of vibrant colours where guests can snorkel with tropical fish, rays and even turtles. The itinerary concludes at Shangri-La Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa for three final nights of luxury.

Guests can also extend their holiday with a few nights relaxing in the Maldives with easy connections with Oman Air from Muscat to Male.

Luxury travel specialists, Scott Dunn can arrange seven-night tailor made itinerary including one night at the Chedi Muscat on arrival, one night luxury camping in Wahiba Sands, one night in the Hajar Mountains, one night on a private yacht charter and three nights at the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa from £2,245 per person including Oman Air flights and transfers.

For more information on Scott Dunn’s tailor-made holidays to Oman call 020 8682 5075 or visit www.scottdunn.com

Today marks six months to go until the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and host venues across the country are preparing to welcome athletes across a whole range of sporting disciplines. Worldwide, Olympic spectators are anticipated to be inspired to take up a new sport themselves, in what is being called ‘the Olympics effect.’ But for those that don’t own any sports equipment, don’t have the skill or aren’t ready to commit to the training required to succeed in Olympic disciplines, England has plenty of less conventional competitive activities on offer.

VisitEngland’s Chairman Lady Cobham says: “This year is a fantastic time to be in England, and not just for Olympic and Paralympic sports enthusiasts. The range of alternative sports taking place across the country is evidence of this – there is something for everyone and these unusual events really bring to the fore some of our country’s quirkier heritage and culture. In addition to these annual competitions, there will be hundreds of events and festivals taking place in a jam-packed cultural and sporting calendar. There’s really no better time to take a vacation in England!”

So grab some galoshes, gravy-proof clothing and a pea shooter and get involved in some of England’s alternative sporting events. Here, VisitEngland, the country’s national tourism body, describes ten of the best…

1. Pancake Dashing
February 21, 2012 (Shrove Tuesday), Olney, Buckinghamshire
The unique Olney Pancake Race literally stops traffic as, once a year, energetic local ladies in traditional housewife attire (including skirt, apron and scarf), run through the streets of Olney. The 415-yard dash is started by the church warden at 11.55am prompt using a large bronze ‘Pancake Bell.’ Pancakes are tossed at the start of the race and the winner is required to toss her pancake again at the finish. The race has been run since around 1445 and since 1950, the contest has been an international event between Olney and the town of Liberal, Kansas in the US. The race is run on a timed basis and the winner is declared after times are compared during a transatlantic telephone call. www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/events/olney-pancake-race-p692671

2. Coal Carrying
April 9, 2012, Ossett, West Yorkshire

Held each year on Easter Monday, the World Coal Carrying Contest is a great test of strength and stamina in which participants carry 50kg (men) or 20kg (women) of coal over a mile-long uphill course. The World Coal Carrying Contest dates back to 1963 when a local coal merchant and the president of the Maypole Committee were enjoying a pint together. A friend burst into the pub and bet that he could race them with a bag of coal on their backs. Not to let a good idea go to waste, the secretary of the Maypole Committee decided to set the race for Easter Monday. The current world record, held by David Jones of Meltham, is 4 mins 6 secs. But will he hold onto it? www.gawthorpe.ndo.co.uk/coal.htm

3. Shin-Kicking
June 1, 2012, Dover’s Hill, near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
Started by local barrister Captain Robert Dover in 1612, the annual Cotswold Olimpicks attracts thousands of spectators and features some well-known countryside games such as tug-of-war, obstacle races and wrestling as well as a few stranger events – including shin-kicking. The two contestants first fill their trouser legs with straw – to help reduce the pain – before holding one another’s arms and kicking each other wearing steel toe-capped boots. The loser is the competitor that gives in to the pain and bruising first. 2012 marks the Olimpicks’ 400th anniversary, so expect some special celebrations this year.

www.olimpickgames.co.uk

4. Cheese Rolling
June 4, 2012, Brockworth, Gloucestershire
A passion for cheese is a must for this annual event, which involves daredevils hurling themselves down the steep, grassy slopes in pursuit of Double Gloucester cheeses. The race starts with the master of ceremonies rolling a 4kg Double Gloucester cheese down the hill. On the whistle, competitors run, roll and somersault down the hill after it. It’s impossible not to fall over due to the rough uneven nature of the slope, which has a dizzying 1:2 gradient. The winners take home the cheeses as well as a few cuts and bruises. The event dates back to medieval times and is popular with international competitors.
www.cheese-rolling.co.uk

5. Egg Throwing
June 24, 2012, between Helpringham & Swaton, Lincolnshire
In the annual World Egg Throwing Championships, contestants must construct a gravity-powered egg-hurling device to launch an egg to a waiting team member. To achieve points, the team member must either catch the egg unbroken or get struck by the egg. As the egg can be traveling at speeds of up to 120 mph this is particularly tricky and can be painful. Distances to be achieved start at 30 meters but can be extended up to 150 in the knock out competition. Event competitions include basic throwing, catching relays and egg roulette.www.eggthrowing.com

6. Pea Shooting
July 14, 2012, Witcham, Cambridgeshire

This international event brings challengers from as far as New Zealand and the US to compete for the World Pea Shooting trophy. Accuracy, not distance, is the aim of this competition, with contestants shooting a pea through a 12-inch tube, 12 feet towards a 12-inch target. Competition is fierce and laser-guided shooters for specialists are not uncommon. Pea shooters and peas can be bought at the event.

www.eastcambs.gov.uk/tourism

7. Toe Wrestling
August 25, 2012, Fenny Bentley, Ashbourne
Each August the Bentley Brook Inn in Derbyshire hosts the Ben & Jerry’s World Toe Wrestling Championship. The event was conceived in 1976 in a pub in Wetton, when the locals of ‘Ye Olde Royal Oak Inn’ thought it would be a great idea to hold a toe wrestling competition. Competitors locked their big toes together, and attempted to force their opponent’s foot to the ground. The organisers have big intentions for the sport, and applied in 1997 for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. Unfortunately for fans, it was not accepted. www.bentleybrookinn.co.uk/page14.html

8. Gravy Wrestling
August 27, 2012, the Rose & Bowl Inn, Bacup, Rossendale.
The World Gravy Wrestling Championships take place annually as part of the Pennine Lancashire Festival of Food & Culture and celebrate their 5th anniversary in 2012. In this saucy challenge, teams slide around in lukewarm gravy and attempt to wrestle on another to the ground. Team members win points for pinning the opposition down in the gravy. www.worldgravywrestling.com

9. Black Pudding Throwing

September 9, 2012, Royal Oak, Bridge Street, Ramsbottom, Lancashire
Lancashire is famous for the production of this regional delicacy – along with tripe (cow’s stomach) and elder (steamed cows’ udder) – and so is a fitting home for the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships. The aim is to throw a black pudding that has been wrapped in a pair of ladies tights at a collection of Yorkshire puddings on a plinth 20 feet up a tower built in the middle of the main street in Ramsbottom. Whoever knocks down the most, wins! www.ramsbottomonline.com/tag/the-world-black-pudding-throwing-championship/

10. Conker Knockout
October 14, 2012, Ashton, near Oundle, Peterborough
The game of conkers has been a popular pastime for British schoolchildren for decades. The rules are simple. Each player is given a conker (horse chestnut) attached to a piece of string and they take turns to swing their conker at their opponent’s and try to break it. The World Conker Championships are held each year on the village green in Ashton, Peterborough and attract over 300 competitors attempting to become the King or Queen of Conkers. There are various categories for the knockout competition – ladies, men, teenagers and children. The world tournament came about after a group of local friends had to cancel their annual fishing trip one year. From the pub, they saw conkers falling from the trees onto the village green. They went out and had a game… www.worldconkerchampionships.com

People charter windjammers for all different reasons – weddings, family reunions, team building and school trips, to name a few. This month, we spoke with Martha Riddle who organized a charter for her local sailing club and found that they had the time of their lives.

MAINE WINDJAMMER ASSOCIATION: Why were you looking for a charter? What kind of group was it?

MARTHA RIDDLE: We had been on the Timberwind before and thought it would be a trip our friends would enjoy, so we asked members of our local sailing club, Kentucky Lake Sailing Club if they’d like to go to Maine for Schooner Race week, and filled the boat quickly.

MWA: Why did you choose a windjammer?

MR: Our group was all sailors, and we felt everyone would enjoy being on an active sailing vacation.

MWA: Was it the right choice for you and your group? Why?

MR: It was a great trip, we were lucky to be there for Race Week, and everyone had a great time. Seeing all of those beautiful schooners spread out across Penobscot Bay was amazing.

MWA: What did you enjoy most about the trip?

MR: I couldn’t pick just one thing – sailing was great, the crew was wonderful, the food was unbeatable, and we did very well in the race.

MWA: Any advice for people looking to book a charter?

MR: Look for a boat that meets the needs of your group. The Timberwind has a great deck layout, lots of room for people to be together and visit, but also space for you to have a little quiet time. Also, pick your time of the season, Spring and Fall are more likely to be breezy, with crisp nights. Summer as a rule has less breeze, but beautiful sun-drenched days.

MWA: What were the highlights of your trip?

MR: Once again, hard to choose. Our friend coming up on deck every morning in her pink bunny house shoes, the excitement of the race, and the beautiful starry nights anchored in a bay. Oh, and did I mention the wonderful food and you have to eat lots of lobster!!!

MWA: How involved did the group get sailing?

MR: Our group was very involved, of course it was a sailing club and we were there for Race Week. We’ve been there before when some people were very active and others preferred to sit back and watch. Your participation is always welcome, but not required.

MWA: Did this trip appeal to everyone but in lots of different ways? For example, maybe some of your folks totally got into the sailing, while others just hung out and enjoyed the scenery? Maybe some were avid birders?

MR: Everyone enjoyed the sailing, but we had an active knitting group, in fact we knitted Capt. Bob a pair of socks. Lots of reading went on and everyone came home with great photos.

We’ve been on the Timberwind many times and have always had a great experience. Capt. Bob is a wonderful captain and a great friend. He and his crew do such an amazing job – sailing is a work-intensive activity, but they are always kind and thoughtful to the passengers and make sure everyone has a great time.

For more information about chartering the Timberwind or another vessel in the fleet, visit the Maine Windjammer Association website. We’re happy to guide you to the cruise that’s best for you and yours.

Discover the difference that gulets in Croatia can make for your next vacation, by checking out our website at www.mastercharter.com.

Mini cruiser Luna offers discriminating traveler all the style of a motor yacht together with the romance of a sailing ship

ZADAR, CROATIA– Come and join our Croatian sailing charter, and discover the charm and luxury of the Mediterranean for yourself. We can provide you with a number of Gulets in Croatia that are sure to suit every taste, budget and family size. Regardless of whether you are looking for a small, romantic gulet for two, or a large party of 20 guests or more, we can accommodate you at our Croatia sailing charter. Here at Master Charter, we encourage you to enjoy the wondrous breezes, and discover the beauty and richness that is Croatia. We can provide you with a number of gulets, catamarans, luxury yachts, sailboats and much more. Regardless of your taste or your budget, we can accommodate you and your every need on your holiday with us.

Our Master Charter Best Gulet suggestions for 2012 are the Gulet Linda, Gulet Andjeo and the Gulet Libra. These three gulets have been voted by our past visitors as the best Gulets in Croatia. They provide comfort, pleasure and the ultimate in satisfaction, for every guest. With innumerable comforts and recreational activities, these three gulets can provide you with Internet, music, TV, kitchen, windsurfing, snorkeling and much more.

Master Charter also provides two of our best mini cruisers, the Romanca and Luna. These mini cruisers offer a unique and romantic adventure. With numerous amenities, including a sundeck, fine dining, fully equipped cabins and much more, the Romanca and Luna are sure to provide you and yours with a spectacular vacation. We are also proud to announce our newest gulet available, which is called the Sea Comet. This incredible vessel is available in Croatia and Montenegro. It proffers Alcantara ceilings, rich, mahogany flooring, and the interior furniture is made of stunning beech wood. With a comfortable setting for up to 10 guests, it provides an exquisite dining area, bar, living room, and a wide variety of comfort and recreational activities for guests of all ages.

We are also very proud to announce that we are providing all of our customers the opportunity to take advantage of an early booking discount. This discount will provide you with 5% to 15% savings, on all of our sailing boats, catamarans and gulets in Croatia. This incredible deal has been extended until January 31, 2012. In addition, we are also extremely proud to present an incredible savings opportunity on our Gulets in Croatia, on the My San, which has room for 12 guests, the Nostalgia, with room for 10 guests and our stunning gulet Krila 7, that provides room for 12 guests.

All three of these Croatia sailing charter’s are available at an early booking discount of up to 10%, which is valid until February 29,2012.

These three Gulets in Croatia are truly our best deal, particularly if you are looking for a vacation on a budget, as these Gulets in Croatia are available at less than EUR15,000 per week. We encourage you to take advantage of these excellent opportunities before time runs out, by contacting us on the Internet at www.mastercharter.com , or calling us directly at 00385-(0)98-1769-305.

E-mail: info@mastercharter.com

Carnival (20 – 21 February)

Carnival, or ‘The Real Mas’, is a pre-Lenten festival, and is unquestionably the most festive season in Dominica. From January and into February, Dominicans and visitors alike are invited to join in Carnival activities taking place across the Nature Island including parades, Calypso, Junior Monarch, Teen and Queen Pageant, carnivals and much more, climaxing on 20-21 February.

Tourism Awareness Month (May)

The Tourism Awareness Month is organised in an effort to increase awareness of the tourism and hospitality industry’s economic, cultural and social contributions to Dominica. It will be celebrated for the fifth consecutive year in 2012, under the theme, ‘Tourism is Everybody’s Business, Let’s Play Our Part’. Many activities are planned throughout the month including clean up and beautification projects, a Health & Wellness Expo and Paint-a-Thon to revive some of the older buildings.

Hike Fest (12, 19, 26 May)

Lace up your boots! Hike Fest celebrates some of the best hiking the island has to offer and welcomes hiking enthusiasts from across the globe.

This year, Hike Fest will focus on the newly launched Waitukubuli National Trail, the first and only long distance walking trail in the Caribbean, running for 115 miles from the south to the north of the island, traversing forest reserves, national parks, old slave routes, ruins of plantations, small farms and country villages.

Dive Fest (6-15 July)

Dominica boasts one of the most fascinating diving experiences in the region, and fans of the underwater world are invited to take part in the Caribbean’s longest running dive festival.

Experienced and beginner divers are invited to take part, with a number of taster sessions available throughout the week for both adults and children. Other activities include whale watching, a children’s treasure hunt, the annual and hotly contested Kubuli Carib canoe race, and the climax to Dive Fest, the Soufriere Kubuli beach party on July 15 – one not to miss!

World Creole Music Festival (26-28 October)

This year Dominica will host the 16th annual World Creole Music Festival, one of Dominica’s most popular events. The World Creole Music Festival started life in 1997, providing a platform for Creole music and culture and to showcase the island’s own talent. Local acts are now joined by performers from across the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the US, as the festival has grown in reputation; expect three nights of pulsating rhythm.

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-ee-ka) is a spectacular green island of rugged mountains, lush rainforests and rushing rivers in the Eastern Caribbean, lying south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique.

For more information about Dominica please call 0800 0121 467 or visit www.discoverdominica.com  and www.youtube.com/discoverdominica

A selection of short video guides about the island can be downloaded for free on www.iTunes.com and you can keep up to date with the latest news on Facebook www.facebook.com/discoverdominica  and Twitter www.twitter.com/nature_island

Simpson Bay, St. Maarten – There’s more than one way to enjoy the legendary “Serious Fun” that’s become the trademark for the annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, the 32nd edition of which is scheduled for March 1-4. Thanks to a website that links sailors looking for boats and skippers searching for crew (www.gocrew.net), as well as the pay-to-play opportunities from Ondeck ocean racing (www.ondeck.co.uk), all you really need is a pair of boat shoes and a plane ticket to sunny St. Maarten.

Ondeck offers a couple of different ways to get on the racecourse. You can charter one of the yachts – with a skipper or as a bareboat – from their race-ready fleet that includes a Santa Cruz 37, a Beneteau First 40, Beneteau 40.7s and Farr 65s. Or, you can sign up for a slot on one of Ondeck’s official entries.

No experience necessary!

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta crew forum at gocrew.net is another great option for sailors to get out on the water and in the middle of the action. Registering is free and easy. Log on to the website, check off your experience (beginner, medium, good, expert or pro), note your preferred crew position, and even jot down a note.

The active site is not only for sailors looking for rides, but also for skippers with space onboard for an extra hand or two.

The 48-footer Scarlet Oyster is one of the latter. “We have one crew vacancy left,” reads their note on the forum. “Scarlet Oyster is a very successful UK-based Oyster Lightwave 48 that’s been recently refurbished to optimize her racing rating and is fully equipped with top racing sails. Our skipper Tim Thurbron is also highly accomplished, and won his St. Maarten Heineken Regatta class in 2011. He is an excellent skipper, incredibly knowledgeable and with a ‘non-shouty’ coaching approach.”

“Sailor Stuart,” on the other hand, is an experienced sailor looking for a hot boat. “Looking for a ride on a serious racing boat,” he writes. “I own and campaign a Figaro and have experience in all areas. Have done foredeck on J/105s, Beneteau 36.7s and J/24s. Thousands of miles double and singlehanded. Very easy going and laid back but competitive and very capable with 30 years sailing experience.”

The crew forum is most definitely not just for guys, though. “I am a 26-year-old female who is interested in sailing the Heineken Regatta this year to expand my sailing experience,” writes Carly Meyer. “I have been racing in Southern California for over three years. I have done many major local regattas on boats including the Farr 30, Farr 40, Express 37, and have sailed from Honolulu to Kauai on a Peterson 68. Feel free to email me and I can provide a sailing resume.”

While many of the listings are free, there are also some individual boats with space available on a cost basis, including a Jeanneau 49 with a professional skipper.

The slots, which cost a little over a thousand dollars, “include race entry, berthing and food while racing.” On the other hand, there’s “Captain Ron,” who has a “competitive Grand Soleil 50, (and is) looking for fun crew with experience.” Yes, there’s something for just about everyone.

But the most intriguing note of all might be this one: “Looking for a boat to crew on. It will be a big surprise for my husband. Please make his dream come true!!!!!”

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta: For doers and dreamers. Is this the year your wish will come true?

For full information on the 2012 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, including entry information, the Notice of Race, photos, videos, party and band information, and much, much more, visit www.heinekenregatta.com

Enjoy refreshing cocktails or a crisp glass of rosé, taste exquisite Caribbean flavours and fresh barbequed seafood, feel the sand at your feet and the hear the waves lapping at the shore. Petit St Vincent’s new beach bar and restaurant is the perfect paradise setting, welcoming both guests of the island and those sailing the local seas wishing to enjoy a relaxed drink, lunch, dinner or just a delicious snack.

The beach restaurant’s Head Chef Sean Kuylen has created a selection of mouth-watering Caribbean inspired tapas dishes including conch fritters with tartar sauce, creole crab back with chipotle pineapple dip and shrimp and scallop ceviche with nacho chips ideal for sharing or as a light bite.

For a more substantial culinary treat, diners can enjoy freshly made salads, sandwiches, pasta or pizza… Chef Kuylen’s lobster pizza offers a tropical take on the classic Italian dish!

The restaurants’ ‘piece de resistance’ however, is its outside barbeque style grill from which guests can enjoy high quality meat or fresh fish cooked right in front of them with a choice of split whole Cornish hen, guava glazed pork ribs, catch of the day and grilled sirloin steak.

The beach restaurant is also home to its very own stone built lobster pot, housing live lobsters caught from the island’s surrounding waters.

From here, restaurant staff, or guests if they so wish, will hand pick only the finest and fattest of lobsters to grill and serve. With an island rule that no lobster with a carapace under 3” long should be taken from the pot and a serving time of just twenty minutes from water to plate, the lobster at Petit St Vincent is a reason to visit in itself.

The wine selection at Petit St Vincent is also a notable luxury, with a purpose built wine cellar in the island’s main pavilion restaurant ensuring that the exquisite collection, which includes bottles of vintage Laurent Perrier champagne and Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, is stored at the perfect temperature and unaffected by the tropical climate. Beach restaurant guests can enjoy a fine selection from the wine list, including Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon, Chateau Leoube rosé and Mont Redon Chateauneuf du Pape, all of which have been carefully selected to compliment the exquisite flavours and freshness of the food served.

The beach bar and restaurant at Petit St. Vincent not only offers an exquisite taste experience, guests will also fall in love with the relaxed barefoot atmosphere.

Background chill out music echoes throughout the day and local acts from neighbouring islands, including steel drummers and saxophonists, play live modern classics on selected evenings, encouraging guests to let their hair down and discover their inner Caribbean rhythm.

In addition to the new beach bar and restaurant at Petit St Vincent, the island has also recently introduced 22 newly renovated cottages and a brand new open air spa as part of a major refurbishment project that was completed in November 2011.

A 7 night stay at Petit St Vincent starts at US$6,300 per cottage, including 3 meals per day, all non-alcoholic beverages, early morning coffee and tea and use of  all non-motorized water sports and facilities  on Petit St. Vincent, based on double occupancy.

British Airways (www.ba.com) and Virgin Atlantic (www.virgin-atlantic.com) fly to Barbados direct from London Gatwick. From Barbados, guests fly to Union Island (a 55 minute flight) and from there take a short boat ride to Petit St Vincent.

www.petitstvincent.com

FLORIDA KEYS — With balmy temperatures even in the winter months, the Florida Keys & Key West offer visitors a warm welcome and a wealth of new and enhanced accommodations, land and water attractions, and culinary and creative experiences. Explore the highlights here.

Keys Accommodations

The property that was once Islamorada’s iconic Holiday Isle Beach Resort and Marina, located at mile marker (MM) 84 oceanside, has completed an $11.6 million renovation. Now known as the Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina at Holiday Isle, the landmark has been transformed into a lushly landscaped, modern tropical oceanfront resort.

The Postcard Inn at Holiday Isle’s evolution includes renovations to its guestrooms, meeting space, main lobby and swimming pool area. Extensive landscaping improvements have been made to highlight natural scenic views, while technology upgrades include comprehensive resort-wide Wi-Fi access and flat-screen televisions at the on-site bars as well as in all guestrooms.

The resort’s main restaurant facility, formerly the Sport Fish Grill, has been transformed into the first Shula Burger. Named for legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, the restaurant offers a full-service bar and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Holiday Isle’s famed Tiki Bar, with its hand-carved wood floor, is expected to remain — along with the resort’s claim to have invented the frozen rumrunner cocktail.

For more information, visit www.holidayisle.com.

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Marathon’s luxurious Hawks Cay Resort, located on Duck Key at MM 61 oceanside, has begun a $1 million renovation to enhance the culinary options available to guests at the 60-acre island getaway.

Much of the renovation will be focused on the main kitchen to allow several menu enhancements. Terrace, the pool area breakfast eatery, will expand its menu to include lunch items.

The Beach Grill at Hawks Cay and the surrounding beach area are to transition into a designated adults-only area renamed Sand Bar. The Sand Bar menu is to feature more adult-oriented opulent light fare.

The resort’s gift shop, soon to be known as Island Time, will expand to include a coffee bar serving a full Starbucks menu.
Resort renovations are slated for completion by March 2012.

For more information visit www.hawkscay.com.

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Albury Court Hotel, one of five properties in the Historic Key West Inns collection, has completed room renovations that marry historic architecture with modern amenities and décor.

All of the boutique hotel’s 38 rooms were transformed at a cost of approximately $100,000.

Located at 1030 Eaton St., Albury Court offers rooms in five adjacent historic buildings whose Key West–style architectural features include clapboard siding, open porches, metal roofs and picket fences. The buildings share a courtyard, lobby and heated pool with waterfall.

Continental breakfast is included with all guest stays.

For more information, visit www.historickeywestinns.com/the-inns/albury-court.

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The poolside Lighthouse Court Café & Mojito Bar recently debuted at the Lighthouse Court Hotel, located at 902 Whitehead St. beside the historic Key West Lighthouse and across the street from the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.

The café and bar provide an ideal venue for hotel guests and walk-in visitors seeking a few drinks or a quick lunch in the island’s historic district. Menu items at the café include fresh salads, wraps, homemade Key lime pie and personal-sized flatbread pizzas. The full bar provides specialty cocktails like Not Quite Hemingway’s Mojitos and Adalina’s Key Lime Margaritas.

The café features seating for 23 people, with space for about 200 people in the adjacent courtyard.

Lighthouse Court is one of five boutique hotels in the Historic Key West Inns collection. The property features 40 guestrooms in 10 “conch” buildings dating from 1890 to the 1920s. A large central pool, tropical landscaping and decked courtyards enhance the spacious environment.

Continental breakfast is included with all guest stays.

For more information, visit www.historickeywestinns.com/the-inns/lighthouse-court/lighthouse-court-cafe-bar.

Keys Experiences

Classic historic elegance meets modern luxury aboard Key West’s newest sailing cruise vessel, the Schooner America 2.0.

Modeled after the maritime icon Schooner America, the original 1851 winner of the prestigious sailing competition named for the vessel — the America’s Cup — the America 2.0 is a 105-foot tribute ship built with lightweight modern materials that enable it to navigate with speed, efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

The Schooner America 2.0 is to spend the winter months through April berthed at Key West and sailing with the Classic Harbour Line Fleet from Key West’s Historic Seaport.

The modern schooner sails twice daily. The 90-minute Key West Day Sail departs at 1:30 p.m. for a voyage around Key West highlighting the island’s maritime sights. The two-hour Champagne Sunset Sail in Key West waters emphasizes the island’s famed sunset as a backdrop to its natural beauty.

Day sails are priced at $49 per guest and sunset sails are priced at $75 per guest. Both excursions feature complimentary beer, wine, champagne, soda and water, and guests can bring aboard their own picnic.

For more information, call 305-293-7245 or visit www.sail-keywest.com.

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Visitors to the Florida Keys can try their luck aboard the Tropical Breeze Casino, the island chain’s newest casino cruise ship.

The 10,000-square-foot casino area is a gamers’ dream, offering blackjack and craps tables with buy-ins as low as $5, poker and mini-baccarat tables as well as several slot machines.

The floating casino also features two full bars, a restaurant and a top viewing deck perfect for stargazing, dolphin watching or simply enjoying the ride.

The Tropical Breeze Casino cruises Keys waters Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. departing from Key West Harbour Yacht Club, 6000 Peninsular Ave. on Stock Island. Tickets are $20 and reservations are required. Patrons must be at least 18 years old.

Key West’s Old Town Trolley will transport casino patrons from four of its centrally located stops to the Key West Harbour Yacht Club.

For more information, visit www.tropicalbreezecasino.com  or call 305-294-3990.

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Key West’s well-known Subtropic Dive Center recently changed ownership to become Seaduction Key West.

Now managed by a group of dive veterans, the shop at 1605 N. Roosevelt Blvd. is poised to restore Key West’s former reputation as a technical diving capital.

With a focus on technical dives —deeper than 130 feet using mixed gases — Seaduction Key West plans to offer daily dive trips to the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg artificial reef and to lesser-known deep-dive sites like the USS Curb and USS Wilkes-Barre. The shop also will offer dive training and equipment rentals including Nitrox and Trimix gas tanks.

For further information, visit www.seaduction.com/keywest  or call 1-800-853-DIVE (1-800-853-3483).

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Active travelers now have a new way of seeing the Florida Keys. Key Largo Bike and Adventure Tours provides guided bicycle tours of the islands.

The Pigeon Key Biking and Kayaking Tour is a six-hour excursion that includes transportation, active gear, entrance fees and lunch. In addition to biking and kayaking, participants can choose between snorkeling on the beach or taking a 1.5-mile hiking trail.

The Century Rides to Key West are for experienced cyclists who are used to riding along the road. The tour starts at MM 100 and ends at the southernmost point in the continental United States. Participants can choose to explore Key West for the afternoon, or spend the night for an additional charge. These tours take place on the second Saturday of every month.

For a shorter trip focused on history and local culture, the company provides historical trips in Islamorada. The three-mile tours, which last approximately two hours and take place every weekend, proceed at an easy pace and include 10 stops around the island.

For details and tour availability, visit www.keylargobike.com  or call 305-395-1551.

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Visitors to Key Largo, known as the dive capital of the world, now can experience the majesty of the sea without getting their feet wet aboard a 128-passenger paddlewheel boat. Island Time Cruise Co. specializes in 2.5-hour island cruises for lunch, brunch or sunset dinner with food prepared by Steamers Restaurant.

The paddlewheel boat features an all-wood dining room and two bars, and offers spectacular views of Keys waters and wildlife. The company also plans to offer Sunday brunch, murder mystery dinners, wine tastings and live island music aboard the boat.

The Island Time Cruise Co. paddlewheel boat is available for private charters for weddings, seminars and other special events.

The ship departs from Steamers Restaurant, located next to Gilbert’s Resort at MM 107 on Blackwater Sound. Tickets are available at Keys Diver, MM 99.6 bayside.

For more information, visit www.islandtimecruises.com  or call 305-453-0001.

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Tavernier’s Florida Keys Dive Center is the newest dive operator to join Blue Star, a voluntary conservation recognition program started in 2010 by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Ten Keys dive operators are participants, recognized for their dedication to coral reef education and conservation.

Blue Star’s mission is to help reduce the impact of divers and snorkelers on the coral reef system that parallels the Florida Keys — the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.

Dive operators who participate in the program are evaluated yearly, and must be involved in conservation-related activities such as reef cleanups or fish counts. They also must have trained staff committed to promoting responsible tourism and teaching divers and snorkelers in-water etiquette.

Florida Keys Dive Center, located at MM 90.5 oceanside, offers several dive charter and equipment rental packages including seasonal coral reef restoration dives.

For more information, visit www.floridakeysdivectr.com  or call 1-800-433-8946.

For Blue Star details, visit www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/bluestar/operators.html

Keys Flavors

The Lower Keys has a new sweet spot with the opening of Fruitcakes! Tasty Vegan Bites, an almost entirely organic vegan bakery.

Fruitcakes! Tasty Vegan Bites serves up vegan made-to-order baked goods that are friendly to people with allergies. Bakery specialties include flour-free macaroons, double chocolate brownies, oatmeal raisin cookies, cakes, dairy-free cheesecakes, biscotti, baked donuts and more.

Ready-made baked goods are available in the Fruitcakes! Tasty Vegan Bites baking case at Good Food Conspiracy, located on Big Pine Key at MM 30.2. In addition, custom orders can be placed by phone and picked up at Deer Run Bed & Breakfast, also on Big Pine Key at 1997 Long Beach Road.

Treats from Fruitcakes! Tasty Vegan Bites are available for small-order catering for private parties and small-scale events, with the debut of large-volume catering for weddings and large parties planned for early spring 2012.

For information, call Jennifer DeMaria at 305-872-2015.

Keys Artistry

Visitors and residents traveling the Florida Keys Overseas Highway have a new outdoor art mural to view at MM 95 bayside in Key Largo. The mural was created for the centennial anniversary of the completion of Henry Flagler’s Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad.

The hand-painted mural, measuring 60 feet long and 11.5 feet high, depicts a train similar to a Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad passenger train steaming across an arched bridge much like the Long Key Viaduct. Above the bridge is a full moon adorned with the face of the railroad’s creator, Henry Flagler.

The mural was a collaborative effort between the Art Guild of the Purple Isles, lead artist Cris Sandifer and high school art club students at Islamorada’s Island Christian School. It covers the southwest exterior wall of the Atlantic Title building.

Creation of the mural is one of a number of Keys events commemorating the 1912 arrival of Flagler’s first train from the U.S. mainland through the Florida Keys to Key West.

For information on the railroad and its centennial, visit www.FlaglerKeys100.com.  For information on the Art Guild of the Purple Isles, visit www.purpleislesartguild.com.

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Since opening a year ago, Islamorada’s Gallery 84 has evolved into an eclectic one-stop shop for art lovers, a co-op art gallery combined with island-style inspirations and design. Located at MM 84.7, it features displays from five local artists, an interactive artisan workshop and a menu of new creative offerings for first-time and repeat patrons.

Shop guests can discover custom-filled gift baskets such as the Welcome to the Keys, I Do and Beach Basket that feature artistic items and gourmet foods, and displays of hand-painted shoulder bags, pillows and other cause-based sustainable tourism gift items.

Artist-owners Liz Queeny and Meeja Ritchie-Smith also have developed the Design Center @ 84, offering hand-created wedding, shower and event invitations and cards for special occasions. In addition, Queeny and Smith can create gallery-wrap canvases from digital images captured by Keys vacationers, with a turnaround time of as little as 24 hours.

For more information, call 305-735-4596, email G84@gmail.com  or visit www.facebook.com/whid1211.

Keys Historic Sites

The historic and architecturally unique Casa Antigua was the first place Ernest Hemingway resided in Key West, where he worked on “A Farewell to Arms” in 1928. Recently, the building’s ground level and open-air garden atrium has become available to the public for wedding and private event rentals.

Located at 314 Simonton St., Casa Antigua was once the Trev-Mor Ford dealership. Hemingway meant Key West to be a stopping-off point when he arrived in 1928 by sea from Paris, but the Ford car that should have been waiting at the docks was delayed — so the car dealer persuaded Hemingway and his wife Pauline to stay at the Trev-Mor Hotel above the dealership.

Their extended stay sparked Hemingway’s fascination with Key West and led to his decade-long sojourn on the island.

Today, the property is fully restored to feature the Pelican Poop Shoppe, offering Caribbean gifts, and a luxuriant atrium garden. Its attractions include 80 orchids, star fruit, palm trees and other foliage, a pool and fountain — all surrounded by the brickwork of the building whose private rooms, hugging the exterior walls but leaving the center open to the sky, make up the most unusual home in Key West.

Casa Antigua can be booked 365 days a year for afternoon and early evening events serving up to 200 guests.

For more information, call Lee at 305-849-3473 or email lee@conchcolor.com.

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Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com  or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)
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