Saturday, April 16, 2011

Top 5 Things to Do in St. Lucia

Blogger's note: We are thrilled to announce our first guest blogger - Katie. She may be writing some articles for Beach Junkies from time to time.

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Before you embark on your next Caribbean vacation, you may want to do some investigation about the activities and attractions located in St. Lucia. The options may seem endless, but compiled below you will find a list of the best things to do during a trip to exquisite St. Lucia. From sunning by the seaside to partying with locals, there are many exciting ways to spend your time visiting this popular Caribbean destination.

Worship the sun at a St. Lucia beach. Many travelers flock to the Caribbean solely take it easy on the soft sand and bask in the warm water that laps smoothly against St. Lucia beaches. Some of the best stretches of coastline in St. Lucia can be found along the areas of Marigot Bay that are solely accessible via water craft. Unlike many Caribbean destinations, a large portion of St. Lucia’s beaches feature black sand created by volcanic sediments. Some beaches, like Anse Couchon, boast sandbanks with naturally intermingling patches of white and black sand. 

Celebrate the Rose Festival in August. A yearly tradition in St. Lucia, the Rose Festival pays homage to the event’s namesake flower with an entire month of music, dancing and street parties. The celebration climaxes on August 30th, when the island hosts the Feast of St. Rose de Lima. Each Saturday leading up to the feast includes all-night dance and musical fundraisers to raise funds for festival costumes. If you’re fortunate enough to be in St. Lucia during the month of August, be sure to partake in some of the rosy rituals.

Try your luck at a St. Lucia casino. Many tourists are enchanted by the bright lights and bustling sounds of casinos during a Caribbean vacation, and St. Lucia has finally opened up their first gambling establishment. The island has historically outlawed all gambling, but the opening of the Treasure Bay Casino has changed everything for this small island. From slot machines and placing bets on sporting events to Caribbean stud poker and everything in between, the newly opened Treasure Bay of St. Lucia offers it all.

Get a taste of local cuisine. While traveling to foreign countries, travelers will inevitably encounter exotic food that may not be like anything you've eaten before. Although many travelers may prefer to order more familiar dishes, people with daring tastes are encouraged to consider testing out fare from authentic, local restaurants. If you want to get a true taste of St. Lucia cuisine, check out pepperpot soup or blood sausage. Additional exceptional treats include local produce like breadfruit, tamarind tree beans and tropical love apples.

Put on your dancing shoes. The nightlife of St. Lucia provides endless outlets for drinking and entertainment. From crowded dance clubs to themed cruises, there is a wide selection of ways to spend your evenings. If you're interested in dancing the night away, you should think about heading to a popular night club in St. Lucia, like Upper Level Night Club in Rodney Bay. For a less crowded experience, travelers may prefer a leisurely bar, such as the themed Xanadu Lounge in Gros Islet. Some other suggestions for alternative nighttime experiences include taking an evening ride of the Marigot Bay Ferry or attending an open-air performance at the Derek Walcott Center Theatre.

When organizing your itinerary for your vacation in St. Lucia, contemplate these five excellent activities. Each offers a unique peek into the culture of St. Lucia, and will provide you with memories to last a lifetime. Whether your lifestyle is better suited for snorkeling through crystal clear waters or shopping for trinkets in a charming market, St. Lucia has plenty of attractions to keep you captivated throughout your travels.

About the Author: Katie Boue is a Cuban-American student who studied at Florida State University’s Creative Writing program before diving into the world of travel. An avid rock climber and photographer, Ms. Boue has a true passion for adventure. She currently writes for a series of Caribbean guide sites, including stlucia-guide.info. Feel free to contact Ms. Boue at kboue@iiwinc.com.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Best Beaches of 2011?

Playa Megano - Santa Clara, Cuba
Most recently Tripadvisor released its survey results from the best beaches around the world. I was STUNNED to see that only 1 of Cuba's beaches were on the list. Santa Clara made it to 21.  I realized that a lot of US travelers cannot go visit the country, but let me tell you, Cuba has some of the best beaches in the world. To be fair though, I have never been to 5 out of the top 10 they listed in the Caribbean but it's also fair assessment to say that some beaches in Cuba are far more superior that the 5 I have been to.

Take a look at the list here Do you agree?

Friday, March 4, 2011

I ♥ the beach by Steph S-C-O

{Montego Bay, Jamaica}

Best Resort. It's a tie between the Bavaro Princess (for beachjunkie's wedding) and Iberostar Paraiso Beach (for A&E's wedding)

Worst Resort. Marea de Portillo in Manzanillo, Cuba -- it was my very first all-inclusive getaway and I didn't do much research!

Tropical Cocktail of choice. Usually something sour or a beer.

Favourite Sunblock. Ombrelle -- have used it for years!

Beach tunes. I don't listen to music much when I'm on the beach...I like to hear the waves and the noise the people make. But, in the even that I do, I like Jack Johnson.

One magazine to bring.
I usually bring a book or crosswords, but, I do carry a Women's Health Mag.

Best Tour Operator. I'm not sure but I know I don't like Sunwing.

Go to travel agent/company. We've booked with itravel2000 mostly, but, we have also used Bev Chin from Travel Kiosk.

Travel Essentials.
Sunblock, lip balm, sunglasses, lotion, flip flops, bikini, UNDERWEAR!!!

Steph
stephsolchai.wordpress.com

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I ♥ the beach by Aileen

{Waikiki Beach, HI}

Best resort. Iberostar Paraiso Beach. We got married at this resort in the company of our friends and family. One of our most memorable vacations!

Worst resort. I haven't found one yet, but there were resorts that were not as comfortable but they always had other amenities to make up for it.

Tropical cocktail of choice. Margarita

Favorite sunblock. L'oreal Ombrelle Sport. This sunblock goes on easily and doesn't leave a sticky residue.

Beach tunes. Bob Marley, Blue Crush Soundtrack and of course, the local music.

One magazine to bring. Women's Health.

Best tour operator. Apple vacations

Go-to travel agent/company. Allison's Travel Agency, orbitz.com

Travel essentials. Ipod with external speakers, Magazines, a couple of books, bikini, slippas, cover up, hat, aloe gel and sunscreen.

Aileen
Our Bump Adventures

Monday, February 21, 2011

Melia Cayo Santa Maria

We have booked our next vacation!  We won a trip to Melia Cayo Santa Maria courtesy of Air Transat Vacations and Sol Melia Cuba last year and we finally decided to book it.  This will be our second time in Santa Clara, Cuba.  The beaches in this part of Cuba are absolutely beautiful and we can't wait to go!  Stay tuned for our review.

Friday, February 11, 2011

I ♥ the beach by Steph

{Ashwem Beach, Goa, India}

Best resort. Yab Yum Resort at Ashwem Beach, Goa, India

Worst resort. I have not been to enough resorts to fairly say that there is a worst on my list. I can rank them, but I can't say that there is one resort that I had such a negative experience at that I can classify it that way.

Tropical cocktail of choice. Mojito

Favorite sunblock. I love the Neutrogena products because they feel the cleanest.

Beach tunes.
Something acoustic.

One magazine to bring.
InStyle, because it's nice and thick and easy to flip through.

Best tour operator.
Not sure, so I will say SunWing

Go-to travel agent/company. I do my research for pricing on redtag.ca, itravel2000.com and Expedia. Then I get in touch with Beatrice at travelbee.ca and she usually gets me the best deals

Travel essentials. iPod, a couple of books, sunscreen, snacks, cameras, flip flops, magazines, mosquito repellant.

Steph
stingaling.wordpress.com

Monday, February 7, 2011

I ♥ the beach by Leeann

{Tulum ruins, Riviera Maya}

Best resort. Iberostar, Riviera Maya

Worst resort. RIU, Dominican Republic

Tropical cocktail of choice. Miami Vice

Favorite sunblock. Blue Lizard

Beach tunes. 311

One magazine to bring. US Weekly

Best tour operator. Depends on resort

Go-to travel agent/company. n/a

Travel essentials. camera, sunglasses, iPod, several bathing suits and coverups, sun block, lip balm that contains SPF, and most important, an all-inclusive resort!

Leeann
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