Tropical Tidbits

by Sue C Travel

Finally, travel is on the rebound and many of us are itching to head to exotic holidays in the sand and surf, even if it’s still summer in our own necks of the woods. It’s been a challenging year to say the least for the travel industry, especially for Caribbean places that heavily depend on visitors for their economy. But most islands and resorts have reopened and are eager to welcome guests back with all kinds of new enticements and specials. And new attractions, too! So, let’s look at what’s new and cool in tropical hot spots.

Why not work from the paradise?

So many of us have been working from home this past year, going back to a stuffy office is not very appealing. But what if your office was on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world? Would that change your mind? Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba has you covered with new “workcation” stations right on famed Palm Beach. Enjoy free WIFI, cooling fans, a comfortable desk under a shade palapa, and food and beverage service while you work right on the edge of the serene aqua sea. Boardwalk staff can also turn your “casita” (their rooms are more like little cottages) into a workcation station by supplying extras like a computer screen, keyboard, mouse, extra table/desk and more. Ideal for extended stays.

Visit: www.boardwalkaruba.com

A daredevil’s bicycle built-for-two

Puerto’s Rico’s newest aerial thrill is also a Guinness World Record holder for being the longest bicycle zip line on the planet! You’ll find it at ToroVerde which is touted as the largest adventure park in the Caribbean and Americas. The new attraction called Toro Bike enables riders to pedal over a thousand feet of taught cable – stopping and starting as they please- to take in the incredible views below. The daring new ride joins the park’s other exciting aerial adventures like “The Monster” that can have you zipping over two miles of line at speeds of up to almost 100 mph!

Visit: https://www.toroverdepr.com/

Babymoons are back

For those expecting the stork and desiring some last chance alone time as a couple, these two resorts in paradise are sweetening the deal with enticing new babymoon specials. Anguilla’s Zemi Beach House has it all wrapped up with their New Moon Over Shoal package offering 25% off 12 nights or more, complimentary welcome toast, amenity basket with organic skin products, sunscreen, beach bag and robe, and a sunset, candlelit dinner on Anguilla’s most glorious beach and a romantic beachfront couple’s massage. And Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau has launched their Baha-Mama Babymoon Package that includes all kinds of thoughtful amenities including a prenatal massage at their spa, a private poolside deluxe cabana with mocktails, tapas, and a mini-fridge stocked with eucalyptus-infused cooling towels. They will also have a “bath butler” on-call to create specialty soak experiences for the two of you.

Visit: www.zemibeach.com and
https://bahamar.com/hotels/grand-hyatt

Barbuda rebounds with NOBU & Robert DeNiro

Robert De Niro fell in love with Antigua’s pristine little sister island Barbuda many years ago and decided he wanted to open a resort there. So far, the first step has been completed with the opening of a famous brand NOBU restaurant on what is one of my favorite pink sand beaches on the planet. But this isn’t the tiny remote island’s first brush with celebrity. The beach that NOBU was built on was a favorite of Princess Diana. She often bought out the old resort to spend quality family time away from the paparazzi with her boys. In fact, the beach was officially named after her on what would have been her 50th birthday had she still been alive. But though this little slice of paradise on Princess Diana Beach has an aristocratic pedigree, the island is best known for barefoot laid-back luxury. For now, the new NOBU is only open daytime and attracting day tripping yachties and well-heeled foodies who pop over by helicopter from Antigua. To follow will be De Niro’s “Nobu Beach Inn” to accompany it, a collection of one-to-four bedroom villas on Princess Diana Beach slated to open by 2023.

The best beach read is on a beach where it’s set

I don’t know about you, but I love to read a good book on the beach on the island where the story takes place. And this is one meant to be read on a beach in the lovely little island of Nevis, or before you travel there. The story also travels to the Scottish Highlands. And I am Scottish by heritage, so that’s a bonus. It has a ghost (jumbie) too. Even better! I won’t give away the plot, but it’s a rollicking, riveting read told with great research, imagination, and style. It’s called The Moon Always Rising by Alice C. Early, and it clearly shows how much the author knows and loves this island. And this great beach read has already won numerous literary awards.

Visit: https://aliceearly.com/product/the-moon-always-rising

The Airbnb of boats?

Here’s an idea whose time has come for those who love seafaring of every kind. GetMyBoat is an app and web portal that literally helps you get your boat. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a newbie landlubber seeking a fully crewed trip, they have the number one app for boating experiences in the Caribbean. They project to send over one million people boating in 2021 by offering a way to easily find and book boats with a variety of options at different price points. They are also helping local boat operators find more customers to build their businesses, so it’s a win-win. You can book everything from luxury yachts and houseboats to budget kayak and paddleboard rentals. If it goes on the water, there’s a good chance you can rent it on GetMyBoat. They also have a 24/7 customer service team to help ensure your boat day is nothing but smooth sailing.

Visit: https://www.getmyboat.com