New Flights to Montserrat

Montserrat-based airline Fly Montserrat has announced that it is expanding its schedule, adding new daily flights to the neighboring islands of Antigua and Nevis.

Right now, Montserrat is not a tourism hub in the Caribbean, which makes it such a wonderful and untouched place to visit with no big box resorts, no chains and now crowds. this helps guarantee that your visit to a villa Montserrat is as relaxing and peaceful as you are dreaming about!

Montserrat isn’t a difficult island to get to, and it just got a little easier. Before the change, Montserrat was only accessible by air through Antigua. There were no direct flights into Montserrat, so anyone visiting the island first flew to Antigua, and then hopped a 15-minute connector over to Montserrat.

Now, the new daily flights from Antigua and Nevis make travel here even easier.  The new service began in June 2012 on Fly Montserrat.

The company opened operations three years ago, and has already carried nearly 25,000 people to and from this gorgeous island.  It recently bought a fourth aircraft, and this expansion should mean more visitors can find an easy route to the Caribbean’s Emerald Isle.

The other way onto Montserrat is through charter flights from SVG Airline which also operates out of Antigua, with two flights to Montserrat every day.

It’s worth noting that Fly Montserrat also offers charters to Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Tortola and elsewhere if you’re interested in arranging for a day trips while here in the Caribbean.

The best part of tropical retreats to Montserrat is its pristine Caribbean beauty.  You can get away from everything here, at your own Montserrat villa in the lush mountain jungles of this pretty unspoiled island.

How to Vacation like a Rock Star? Come to Virgin Gorda!

At the recent 2012 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, the world’s biggest music stars gathered to celebrate the best of the industry.  At that star-studded event, award winners Adele, Justin Bieber and the guys from Coldplay went home with a lot more than just a statuette and the accolades from their musical colleagues.

They also took home a spectacular gift bag which was given to every nominee, presenter and performer on the televised show.

What was in it that one-of-a-kind gift bag?  It was a Sports Sac weekender bag full of clothing, shoes, gift certificates for a de-cluttering service, speakers, headphones, and jewelry, as well as hair and skincare products.

Also in that gift bag was a coupon for a free trip for two to our very own Virgin Gorda and unlimited use of the boats moored at the Bitter End Yacht Club at the island.

While you may not be one of the world’s biggest rock stars, you are also more than welcome here in the British Virgin Islands, and it seems it might be a great place to do a little star-gazing over the next few months!

If you’re into star watching, you know that Virgin Gorda may be the place to come spot Justin Bieber and his girlfriend Selena Gomez going for a sail, or Beyoncé and Jay-Z out for a drink on the yacht club deck.

If the stars can enjoy British Virgin Islands holidays, you can too!  Book a villa Virgin Gorda, and see if you can find some stars on the beach, as well as in the sky.

Either that or you’ll have to head to Abu Dhabi and wait for music’s biggest stars to cash in on their gift certificate for a camel ride in the dessert

Steel Drums in the Sun: Plan a Trip to Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest

If you love the Caribbean and its distinctive sound of the steel drums, why not consider planning a trip to Montego Bay in July, so you can take part in the world’s best Caribbean music festival;  the annual Reggae Sumfest.

Reggae music was invented here in the green mountains of Jamaica.  Mixing the musical traditions of Mento and rocksteady with the American sounds of soul in the 1970s, Jamaica’s gift to the world has been the reggae greats of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff.

Every summer, Montego Bay plays hosts to a truly incredible celebration of its rich musical legacy. Reggae Sumfest is the largest music festival in Jamaica, and it is one of the largest celebrations of reggae music in the entire world.

The festival started in the early 1990s and has attracted some of the biggest names in music since that time, from reggae greats such as Damien Marley to international superstars including Usher and Rihanna.

Every day of Reggae Sumfest features a different style of music, from dancehall to rap. There are beach parties, great food and lots and lots of dancing.

Book a Jamaica villa rental for July so you can be part of the festivities.  The Tryall Club is a gorgeous private retreat located on one of the island’s best golf courses.  It’s also just 12 miles west of Montego Bay, where you can hear the world’s best reggae music here on the island that inspired its soothing sounds and incredible rhythms.

A Boost for BVI Tourism

With the announcement of a new port of entry at Gun Creek a few weeks ago, there is a new push on by the BVI government to make visiting the British Virgin Islands holidays even easier.

At a recent press conference, the island’s Premier and Minister of Tourism, Dr. D. Orlando Smith, set out new priorities to boost BVI tourism, with a focus on air access, yachting, weddings and honeymoons.

Tourism is the biggest part of the economy here on BVI and with the new announcements; it’s going to get even easier to access an incredible vacation and a beautiful Caribbean villa rental on Tortola or Virgin Gorda.

The first priority is air access to all of the islands in BVI.  The Premier announced plans to extend the runway at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport in Tortola, which will allow for direct flights from all over America.  Right now, you have to connect through another Caribbean airport, such as Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, or Antigua.

For yachters, the development of Gun Creek on Virgin Gorda is a wonderful development, offering direct access to the beautiful North Sound without having to clear access in Road Town or Spanish Town first.  The government’s plans also include more support for events including the Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous.

If you’re planning a destination wedding, add a villa Virgin Gorda or Tortola villas to the list of places to consider.  The government will amend its Marriage Act to reduce the waiting period from three days to one day, making it even easier to tie the knot on these gorgeous islands.

Finally, there is no better place for a honeymoon than a stunning BVI villa rental with a view on Tortola or Virgin Gorda.  Imagine all the luxury and amenities of a five-star resort, with all the privacy that a newlywed couple craves!

 

Why You Should Visit Montserrat Soon

While the island of Montserrat continues its remarkable rebuilding after the 1995 eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano, the island’s tourist board is giving the world a list of reasons to come and visit now.

beachfront vacation rentals

Top of their list of reasons for considering Montserrat villas, presented to the world this past summer, is the unspoiled nature of the Caribbean’s Emerald Isle.  Describing it as “the way the Caribbean used to be”, tourist officials in Montserrat point out that the island has no chain restaurants.   There will be no fast-food standards at Montserrat villas. Instead, you can expect local dishes, such as goat water stew and grilled fish, all freshly prepared.

Also on the list of reasons to visit Montserrat is the island’s flavorful rum, which most restaurants serve freely, leaving the bottle on the table, so you can serve yourself.

No cruise ships visit Montserrat, so you won’t be battling massive crowds when you head into town to visit the market or go shopping.

Also on the list of reasons to visit Montserrat for your family vacation – pristine and uncrowded beaches, lush landscapes not disturbed by massive resorts and high rise hotels, and endless adventures to be had, including snorkeling, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, horseback riding and hiking.

Still need reasons to come?  Check out the island’s festivals, including the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Caribbean, which pays tribute to the island’s Irish heritage.  You can also check out the Volcano Half Marathon, run every year in November.

Don’t you think it might be time to consider a villa Montserrat for your next family adventure, so you can experience a taste of old-fashioned Caribbean glory?

A New Way to Get to Virgin Gorda

One of the joys of a villa Virgin Gorda is the feeling of escaping everything, and drifting into the lap of luxury on your own private Caribbean island. Because British Virin Island holidays are somewhat isolated, it means fewer crowds, more chance to unwind on a deserted beach, and more chance to blend in with the locals and live like an islander.  However, it doesn’t mean that Virgin Gorda is hard to get to. In fact, it’s quite easy to access, and now, it’s about to get even easier.

The Premier of the British Virgin Islands has just declared Gun Creek, on Virgin Gorda’s North Sound, as a new Sea Port of Entry for the island. That opens the way for ferry boat service into Gun Creek, as well as seaplane service from Tortola.

The North Sound is a popular spot for anyone who has booked a villa Virgin Gorda, for its shopping, restaurants, and as a perfect spot for sailing and yachting.

Right now, you can get to Virgin Gorda on the ferry from Road Town in nearby Tortola.  There are at least four ferries a day from Monday to Saturday, three on Sundays.  The ferry is roughly $20 one way, $30 round trip. There is also a ferry to Virgin Gorda from St. Thomas three times a week, at a cost of $70 round trip.  There are also helicopter charters and charter flights to Virgin Gorda available at the Beef Island Airport on Tortola.

Charter flights land at the small Virgin Gorda airport at Little Dix Bay, which has just one landing strip for smaller planes.

Opening Gun Creek as a Port of Entry makes a huge difference to easy access to the fabled North Sound. With the new yacht club Costa Smerelda anchoring the plethora of restaurants, shops, abundant sailing and snorkeling in the North Sound, it is just one more reason to want to visit Virgin Gorda.

The World’s Next Great Adventure in the British Virgin Islands

With the recent news that famous film director James Cameron ventured into the depths of the Mariana Trench, the lowest point on the face of the planet, many adventure seekers are now asking “what’s next”?

Cameron travelled seven miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean in a specialized submarine, and many are saying this will open a new world of adventure tourism at the bottom of the seas.

World famous entrepreneur Richard Branson is already on the case.  His Five Dives project aims to send manned submarines into the lowest reaches of each of the world’s five oceans. Of course, Branson owns Necker Island, here in the British Virgin Islands, which is conveniently close to the Puerto Rico Trench, the deepest point of the Atlantic Ocean.

Branson’s Virgin Oceanic company claims it will be ready to dive nearly 28,500 feet down into the Puerto Rico Trench within the next six months, on board a special submarine called Challenger Deep.  After that, the company plans to dives in the South Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.

British Virgin Island holidays are already very popular with scuba divers. People come from around the world to dive to the wreck of the RMS Rhone, which was the setting for the 1977 film classic “The Deep”.  The RMS Rhone sank in 1867, but today you can still dive around the intact bow second and see the engine box and gears, not to mention moray eels and octopi.

So today, you can plan for an incredible scuba adventure in the British Virgin Islands, and you can enjoy a villa Virgin Gorda. However, there may be one day in the future where you can come experience a Tortola villa, and plan to hop on a submarine into the depths of the astounding Puerto Rico Trench.

Holidays in Tortola 2012

The gorgeous British Virgin Island of Tortola takes celebrating seriously, so you can always be guaranteed that there’s something fun happening on your visit to lovely Tortola villas.  In fact, you can be guaranteed at least one major party every month here, as Tortola throws a party every time there is a full moon!

Bomba Full Moon Parties

Every time there is a full moon, the place to be is at Bomba’s Shack in Cappoon’s Bay on Tortola.  It’s an actual shack, run by an actual guy named Bomba, and it is the most popular spot in the British Virgin Islands to hang out.  Bomba started his full moon parties back in the late 1980s, and his parties just keep getting better and bigger.  It’s a wonderful time on Tortola, but you should be warned that it’s not a family event, so make sure to arrange for babysitting at your BVI villa rental!

The BVI Music Festival

The BVI Music Festival is fun for the whole family, with lots of live music right on the beach and dancing all night long. The event happens every May in Cane Garden Bay. The final lineup of musicians is announced in April, but you can be guaranteed some lively local acts, perhaps a Grammy winner or two, some reggae, some salsa, and lots and lots of fresh food to eat.  There’s even a regular shuttle from Road Town to Cane Garden Bay to make life even easier!

BVI Emancipation Festival Days

The biggest party of the year on Tortola comes in the summer for BVI Emancipation Festival Days.  The Festival runs from July through to early August, commemorating the 1834 law that abolished slavery in the British West Indes.  There are festivities on every island, and here on Tortola you can expect parties, street parades, dancing, live music and lots and lots of Caribbean barbeque. Because Tortola is such a great place for sailing, there are also many regattas and races all around the island. There will also be a Fiesta Village set up selling locally made crafts and treats.

Christmas on Main Street

In early December, the business owners of Tortola get you into the festive season by hosting Christmas on Main Street.  This is two nights where the store owners all along Main Street provide steep discounts, as well as live music, Christmas carols, and lots of fun food and drink.  It’s a great time to get out and mix with the local people, as well as get a bit of Christmas shopping done!

Gustav Wilmerding Annual Memorial Challenge Regatta

In early December, the West End Yacht Club on Tortola holds an annual pirate race, to commemorate the legendary pirate Gustav Wilmerding.  He was a Danish pirate who actually managed to retire from the pirating life, finishing out his days here in the British Virgin Islands. He was also known to throw fantastic parties, and so, in his honor, this regatta is definitely one you don’t want to miss on your holidays in Tortola.

Take Part in Jamaica’s Olympic Success on the Track

As the world heads towards the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, Jamaica is looking forward to making history again in track and field.  Since 2000 in Sydney, Jamaicans have won 15 gold medals in the sport.  Of the top seven world records in men’s 100-metre, five of those records are held by Jamaicans.

The world has been asking; is speed embedded in Jamaican DNA?  Is it really the yams? Jamaican coaches and experts say it is all because the country is dedicated to this sport.  Canada is dedicated to ice hockey.  The United States heavily backs its skiers, skaters, baseball and basketball players, and here in Jamaica, the country stands behind its runners and jumpers.

From the moment they can walk, Jamaican kids long to run.  They work hard, and the government and industry support them with lottery funds and sponsorship money.

This year, it seems as if the whole country is gearing up for London. Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt already has three medals under his belt, but he is vowing now to “amaze the world” by setting a new world record for the men’s 100 and 200 meters.

When the Summer Games begin at the end of July, there will be nowhere better to be than here in Jamaica.  Sure, London would be fun too. However, every television set in Jamaica will be tuned to London’s Olympic Stadium to watch Jamaica go for the gold again.

Instead of fighting the crowds in London, why not plan for a Jamaica villa rental where you can get caught up in the island’s excitement.  The Tryall Club Jamaica is the perfect place to stay, so you can share in the moment when their golden boy Usain Bolt, and their country, grab the world’s attention and make Olympic history!

The New Costa Smeralda Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda

British Virgin Island holidays have always been a big draw for the world’s sailing community, and now a new world class yacht club on Virgin Gorda is taking that to the next level.

The world famous Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has just announced the completion of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Virgin Gorda clubhouse, which is the final chapter in the development of YCCS Virgin Gorda.  This brand new state-of-the-art marina and yacht club is a new chapter for Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, one of the world’s most prestigious yacht clubs, founded by the Aga Khan in Porto Cervo in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia.

For a generation, Costa Smeralda has been famous in the international sailing and yachting worlds for its top level of sailing events and its unparalleled dedication to services and amenities.  The company is hoping that the brand new Costa Smeralda Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda will be the yacht club of choice for anyone sailing or yachting in the Caribbean.

The new YCCS Virgin Gorda is located on the gorgeous North Sound, with nearly 40 slips to accommodate yachts up to 100 meters in length, and nine meters in draft.  The harbor is perfect for a yacht club, protected from ocean swells and strong winds.  The clubhouse features a fantastic outdoor bar, a wine bar, a classic restaurant, as well as a gym and boutiques.

It celebrated its grand opening by hosting the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous in mid-March, 2012.  Nearly 30 of the world’s most fabulous sailboats and super yachts took part in four days of events on the water, and their owners enjoyed some of the best parties in the Caribbean this year.

Now, when you’re enjoying your villa Virgin Gorda, make plans to enjoy dinner at this world famous yacht club, and watch the world’s biggest and most breath-taking sailboats and yachts, as they bob in the sparkling turquoise harbour before you.