At the luxe Cayo Levantado Resort, strolling to the private beach at sunrise is a must-do experience.
The private beach is an idyllic location for sunning, swimming and snacking.
Adventures in Travel, Food, Wine, Design and Architecture
At the luxe Cayo Levantado Resort, strolling to the private beach at sunrise is a must-do experience.
The private beach is an idyllic location for sunning, swimming and snacking.
This private beach at Cayo Levantado Resort is a serene spot for sipping a chilled glass of verdejo.
The abundant lush foliage, creative wellness classes and chill vibe make it easy to truly get into a Zen state at the luxe Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic. This is the area where the offerings include the most awesome Sound Healing.
Divers and non-divers alike gravitate to the luxe Harbour Village Beach Club in Bonaire that’s just a few minutes from buzzy downtown Kalendijk. Yet, it seems world’s away, given the serene vibe on a property that feels like a botanical garden. Their restaurant is especially enticing, given their culinary offerings as well as the scenic waterfront venue with prime sunset views. This is my lastest for ForbesLife on this resort.
With spectacular sunsets and fine, creative cuisine, La Balandra, the al fresco restaurant at the Harbour Village Beach Club on Bonaire, is a must dining experience.
With its dramatic stained glass, St. Bernard Church is a serene retreat from the buzzing capital of Kralendijk.
On Bonaire, the Harbour Village Beach Club is just a five-minute drive from the buzzing capital city of Kralendijk, yet the vibe couldn’t be more bucolic. With a private sandy beach and colorfully landscaped gardens, it’s easy to relax and connect with nature. In addition, you won’t tire of the stellar sunsets, whether from the beach or the al fresco restaurant, La Balandra.
On the south coast of Bonaire, this is an example of the huts made of coral stone that remain as reminders of where the enslaved people slept after toiling in the salt pans all day. The slave huts were open to the air, housed multiple people, and were barely five feet high.
In the busy capital city of Kralendijk, it seems that St. Bernard Church was the only place where I found myself delightfully all alone.
If you told anyone you were headed to St. Eustatius, you might be met with quizzical looks. After all, this small Caribbean island that’s a short flight from St. Maarten, isn’t all that well known . Well, in fact, the only group that seems to be tuned into this island and its treasures are divers who delight in the pristine protected waters, the uncrowded dive sites and the underwater thrills to be discovered. Now, visitors can treat themselves to the recently opened luxury Golden Rock Resort that’s perfect for the whole family. The property is blanketed with colorful blooms, a pair of pools and a lagoon are perfect for cooling off, and the accommodations are varied enough to fit all needs. Check out my latest article for ForbesLife on this resort.
On Saint Eustatius, I found many reminders of times gone by, including the ruins of this 18th century Dutch Reformed church, located in the Upper Town of Orangetown, the capitol. Also nearby is a dirt path leading to the ruins of a centuries-old synagogue.
I couldn’t resist lounging beside the asymmetric pool at the new Golden Rock Resort on St. Eustatius (Statia), a tiny Caribbean island that’s a short flight from St. Maarten.
At this resort, Breeze, an aptly named restaurant, has plenty to see inside with its stellar interiors, and outside with the abundant floral landscaping and ocean views beyond.
As you know, I have a fondness for under-the-radar locales. And though St. Croix is hardly undiscovered, the eastern end of the island has a more remote vibe that I found quite attractive. Unlike the rest of the island that has lush foliage, the east side is quite arid. But the vistas are expansive and the vibe is low-key. And that’s why I chose the Grapetree Bay Hotel and Villas that’s located on the island’s eastern end as my favorite accommodation. I recently wrote about this hotel for Forbes Life.
When I met artist Barbara Gelardi in St. Croix, I fell in love with her vibrant paintings. So, I was thrilled to see she was commissioned to do most if not all the art at the lovely Grape Tree Bay Hotel on the island’s East End. Next time I visit, I intend to stay at this contemporary, low-key accommodation.
Whether driving, walking or biking, you’re bound to discovery myriad examples of St. Croix’s vibrant street art.
Among the many street murals on St. Croix, “Change the Cycle” by Taj Francis depicts how the goddess of the seas protects sharks, which are sadly killed for their fins. This dramatic work of art embellishes an apartment complex in Frederiksted.
This striking mural by artist Kelly Spencer is aptly named “A Beautiful Death.” Though the coral displays vibrant purple hues, it’s their last gasp. Already bleached, the fragile coral produces these vivid pigment as a desperate attempt to protect themselves from the sun.
This Millennium Monument — a sundial of sorts — designed to celebrate the new millennium in the U.S. is sited on Point Udall, the easternmost part of St. Croix, my favorite part of this island, and it’s also the easternmost part of the U.S. territories. With waves crashing below, coral reefs visible, and a nearby hiking trail down to a peaceful cove, it’s worth driving out here and staying a while, especially if you have the place all to yourself.
It’s easy to spend hours soaking up the bucolic vibe at the St. George Village Botanical Garden in St. Croix. I didn’t run into a soul as I explored the myriad specimens, including the Egyptian lotus floating in this lovely pond.
On St. Croix, I found the vibrant street art, whether murals or sculptures, captivating. These pepper building facades, sea walls and even garbage receptacles, especially in Frederiksted and also Christensted.
Strolling through 18th century Fort Frederik (including the art gallery) first thing in the morning is an atmospheric experience when you have the place all to yourself. This fort is located on the waterfront of Frederiksted in St. Croix.
The Fort Frederik Museum is hosting an art exhibition until mid September. “The Revolution Is Not A One Time Act” honors Emancipation Day on St. Croix.
On St. Croix, USVI, by far, my favorite place to hang out in Frederiksted was Polly’s At The Pier. I could linger for hours at their atmospheric courtyard in the rear with a slice of lemon cake and an iced latte.
With twinkling lights strung about, tiki torches flickering, and carved walls dripping with foliage and inset with lighted niches, the outdoor courtyard at Savant, a St. Croix restaurant that has a romantic vibe.
When I travel, I prefer hotels and resorts that have a chill vibe — as opposed to being a scene — and that are nature-infused. On the Caribbean island of St. Martin, I spent almost a week staying at two different accommodations that I fell in love with because of their vibrancy. Find out the details of these two hotels in my latest article for ForbesLife.
St. Martin is peppered with colorful murals, including those by artist Jimmy Sheik. As you drive the roads on the French side, it’s worth doing so slowly and pulling over to check out the many pieces of vibrant art that celebrates the island’s energy and creativity.
On the French side of St. Martin, the Karibuni Boutique Hotel with its half dozen stylish rooms offers this to-die-for view of Cul-de-Sac Bay.
Also on St. Martin’s French side, the Palm Court Residence in Orient Bay is a colorful, boutique property with lush gardens and numerous stylish objects from Morocco.
All content ©2008 Jeanine Barone. All rights reserved.