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 Visitors to St. Kitts can enjoy beautiful sun, sand, surf and free nights at particpating hotels. (St. Kitts & Nevis Tourism Photo) |
There's more to the Caribbean than sun and sand (although that's reason enough to visit).
When Caribbean tourism representatives came to town last week for events at Yonge- Dundas Square and elsewhere, they revealed a host of new attractions, deals and details on upcoming festivals. Here's a sample:
FAST BOAT AROUND ANTIGUA
If the sensation of an offshore powerboat race sounds appealing then Antigua's newest tour -- Xtreme Circumnav -- is for you! A high performance 13.7 metre power boat takes visitors on a thrilling high-speed Miami Vice-style run around the island.
Offered by Eli Fuller of Adventure Antigua (who also runs the popular but slower paced Eco-Tour), the 80 km tour, with top cruise speeds of 64 km per hour includes five stops along the way.
Among them: Stingray City Marine Park where you can swim with the rays; Green Island for a Robinson Crusoe-style buffet lunch; and historic Nelson's Dockyard for a tour.
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There's also a guided snorkel trip at the Pillars of Hercules with its volcanic boulders below the surface, and time for swimming at secluded Rendezvous Bay. Between stops you'll zip past the island's 365 beaches.
See adventureantigua.com.
MYSTIC MOUNTAIN
Three new exhilarating attractions have opened at Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. They include the Rainforest Sky Explorer which transports visitors on a chairlift up to the 213-metre-high mountain top where you can take the thrilling Bobsled Jamaica roller coaster. The custom-designed bobsleds on stainless steel rails take passengers on a 1,000-metre gravity driven ride through the forest, evoking the glory of the world-famous Jamaican Olympic bobsled team.
Another adventure is the Rainforest Zipline Tranopy Tour with its tree to tree platforms that allow riders to glide through the coastal forest on a zipline canopy tour.
CULINARY CAPERS
Foodies take note. The fourth-annual Nevis International Culinary Heritage Exposition takes place Oct. 17-19 featuring top chefs from Nevis and throughout the Caribbean. It will showcase farm-to-table demonstrations, a tropical beach barbecue, wine and cheese pairings, elaborate gourmet tasting menus and more. Check nevis-niche.com.
If you miss that event, aim to be at the first "Cayman Cookout," which takes place in January. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has teamed with the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman and the U.S.-based Food & Wine magazine to launch the event featuring renowned NYC chef Eric Ripert (who owns two restaurants in Grand Cayman) and his celebrity friends including Anthony Bourdain, Ingrid Hoffman, Ray Isle, Joy Spence and more for a culinary event celebrating food, wine and the barefoot elegance of Cayman.
See caymanislands.ky/cayman_cookout/default.aspx.
SWEET SOUNDS
Grammy award-winning artist Sean Paul will be the headline act at the 12th-annual Dominica World Creole Music Festival. The three-day event, which runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 will also include top Creole and world music artists such as Oliver N'goma, Kassav, and Tabou Combo. Check discoverdominica.com.
The 5th annual Cayman jazz fest in Grand Cayman, takes place Dec. 4-6, with internationally renowned recording artists including Anita Baker, Michael Bolton, Robin Thicke, Angie Stone and more. Visit caymanislands.ky. While in Grand Cayman check out the new $400-million Town Centre, which includes luxury retail shops, a six screen cinema, restaurants, bookstore and access to Seven Mile Beach.
It's part of Camana Bay, a new development that will eventually include homes, hotels, a marina, entertainment centre and more. See camanabay.com.
CULTURE, OCEAN RALLY
October is Creole Heritage Month with a variety of events culminating on Oct. 26 with a day-long celebration filled with local food, music, entertainment and other activities throughout the island. Check stlucia.org.
Then, next month St. Lucia plays host to the 2008 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Billed as the largest trans ocean sailing event in the world, more than 150 yachts from around the world will depart from the Canary Islands on Nov. 23 and finish the race in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia in a race that lasts 14-21 days. Check worldcruising.com/arc.
WINGED BEAUTIES
A butterfly farm is the newest attraction in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Located on the cruise ship dock at Havensight Mall in St. Thomas, visitors will encounter tropical landscaped gardens, exotic flowers and pools and 30 unique species of butterflies from around the world flying freely through the air. Open daily, 25-minute tours are offered. Visit thebutterflyfarm.com
FREE NIGHTS
The "Fall in Love with St. Kitts & Nevis" offer is designed to make your dollar stretch further. Stay four nights, pay for three, or stay seven nights and pay for five at participating hotels and inns plus get a complimentary breakfast. Reservations must be made by Dec. 12, for travel before Dec. 14, 2008. Check stkittstourism.kn.
The U.S. Virgin Islands has a winter escape promotion on now. Book a five night stay at one of more than 15 participating hotels between now and Oct. 31 and receive the fifth night free (applies to travel between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2009). Plus receive $300 in travellers cheques and a coupon book with savings on activities and attractions. Check usvitourism.vi.
A NEW REGATTA
Calling all sailors. A new regatta -- the Heineken Regatta Curacao 2008 -- will be held Nov. 7-9. Races and events will take place around the harbour of Willemstad, Curacao's historical capital.
Water activities include sailing races, fishing derbies, jet ski races, a stunt show, surfing contests, and a boat parade. On land there will be live concerts and open air discos.
For more information, visit heinekenregattacuracao.com.
NEED TO KNOW
For more on planning a Caribbean vacation, log onto caribbeantravel.com, a new website that includes links to various tourism office websites and special deals for Canadian travellers.