25 Reasons to visit Antigua and Barbuda

1. 365 white and pink sand beaches.
2. A hop, skip and jump from the USA – only four hours from the eastern seaboard. Travel is easily arranged on major carriers such as American, Continental, Delta and US Airways.
3. Romance -- named the best island for a destination wedding for the past two years.
4. Historic sites such as Betty’s Hope sugar mill, St. John’s Cathedral and Nelson’s Dockyard.
5. Sailing Week: Take part in this world-renowned regatta! Sign up to be a deck hand or merely an observer and enjoy sailing at its very best.
6. Soft adventures — scuba, snorkeling, boating, fishing, and much, much more.
7. It’s an English-speaking island, so there are no communication barriers.
8. Authentic, mouth-watering Caribbean cuisine.
9. Natural wonders including the rainforest, Frigate Bird Sanctuary and Devil’s Bridge.
10. Crystal clear turquoise water.
11. Sunny and warm all year with soothing trade winds.
12. Accommodations ranging from intimate boutique hotels to all-inclusive resorts with pricing to suit every budget.
13. Two islands in one – Barbuda is just 15-minute flight or 90-minute ferry ride from Antigua.
14. Revel in the warmth and hospitality of Antiguans and Barbudans, long considered some of the friendliest people on the planet!
15. Ranked as Best Island for Celeb Spotting by Caribbean Travel & Life magazine.
16. Wile the night away at Paradise Casino – the largest Casino in the Eastern Caribbean.
17. Exploring underground caves at Indian Town in Antigua, rumored to stretch all the way to Guadeloupe.
18. A 17-mile pristine and untouched pink shell beach in Barbuda.
19. Cultural heritage that includes an annual Carnival celebration and a fierce devotion to cricket.
20. Refreshing tropical concoctions using Antigua’s own Cavalier rum and the famous sweet, black pineapple.
21. Relaxation nirvana – unique Caribbean treatments at luxury spas will help guide guests on the path to ultimate rejuvenation.
22. Family-friendly accommodations with special activities to keep the little ones occupied while parents escape on their own excursions.
23. A new zip line eco-tour that is sure to stimulate and excite.
24. Three words – duty free shopping.
25. Did we mention, 365 white and pink sand beaches?

Best kept secret beaches around the world

Ibo Island 

Even for die-hard swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers, sometimes a day at the beach is anything but. You know the drill: too many people, too much noise, not nearly enough serenity to enjoy the majesty of blue skies and white-crested waves.

The good news is that there are still undiscovered beaches out there—blissful hideaways where tourism hasn’t yet eclipsed the local culture and there’s more to do, for those so inspired, than loll on the sand. T+L went scouting for such secret beaches and turned up everything from a quaint, affordable fishing village in Portugal to world-class surfing waves in Todos Santos, a cliff-side artist colony in Mexico.

Ibo Island, Mozambique

The 32 coral islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago—which have been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for biodiversity and cultural harmony—beckon with mangrove forests and sandbank beaches (accessed by African dhow sailboats). Sparkling turquoise waters filled with marine life are superb for shipwreck snorkeling and deep-sea diving. Once the trading outpost of Mozambique, Ibo Island is the most accessible and historic isle in the Quirimbas, filled with stone architecture bearing the polyglot influences of Arab, Indian, and Portuguese settlers.


Grand Haven

Trolley cars, a 2.5-mile harbor-front boardwalk, and two 19th-century red lighthouses give a sweet, old-time feel to this Lake Michigan town. Boaters and fishermen flock here, and hikers like the short-but-strenuous climb to Rosy Mound that includes 1,000 feet of stairs up and down the sand dunes to the shore of Lake Michigan. There are warm shallows for swimming, and the soft sand of two public beaches squeaks when you walk on it. After sunset, the local restaurants, ice cream parlors, and shops come alive. Retire to a Victorian B&B like the 1873 Khardomah Lodge


Lord Howe Island 

Lord Howe Island, Australia

A close-kept secret among Sydney cognoscenti, this tiny Pacific Ocean island—where tourists are capped at 400, streetlights are a rarity, and most people get around on bicycles—is an easy two-hour flight from the city. Born from a volcanic eruption 7 million years ago, the verdant UNESCO World Heritage site is home to brooding basalt-stack mountains that plunge directly into the sea; guide Jack Shick leads challenging climbs up the 2,870-foot Mount Gower for jaw-dropping views. Down below, snorkelers have the run of a long and vibrant coral-reef lagoon. At Ned’s Beach, you can hand-feed kingfish—the Lord Howe specialty—while at Old Settlement Beach, turtles are known to laze on the sand. Book a room at the chic, nine-room Capella Lodge (doubles from $670 per person, all-inclusive), which sits atop Lover’s Bay. Owned by James and Hayley Baillie, whose other property is Kangaroo Island’s celebrated Southern Ocean Lodge, it’s known for its spa. For a room with a bit of history, check in to the low-key Pinetrees Lodge (011-61-2-9262-6585; from $300 per person, all-inclusive), which has been run by the same family since 1848.


Pyla-sur-Mer

Pyla-sur-Mer, France

Across the bay from buzzy Cap Ferret, on the southern Côte d’Argent, stands the 350-foot Dune of Pyla, a draw for avid hikers and beach lovers. Now there’s another reason to go: Philippe Starck’s La Co(o)rniche (46 Ave. Louis Gaume; 011-33-5-56-22-72-11; doubles from $345), a renovated hunting lodge with 12 white-on-white rooms, all but one of which face the ocean. At night, crowds gather on the hotel’s breezy restaurant terrace for seafood dishes such as cod in a coconut-and-lime emulsion and scallops with glazed beets; there’s also a lively bar that whips up Catalan-inspired tapas and mango mojitos. If you prefer oyster platters and heaping plates of moules frites, take the ferry to Chez Hortense (Ave. Sémaphore; 011-33-5-56-60-62-56), in the historic Quartier Ostréicole on the southern end of Cap Ferret.


Phu Quoc Island

 Vietnam

The largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is nearer to Cambodia than mainland Vietnam. As a result, there is a sizable military force in this still underdeveloped tourist destination of less than 100,000 residents, known for uncluttered beaches and the country’s best fish sauce—a key Vietnamese ingredient. There are vanilla-white beaches with guesthouses lining the shore in small villages, which can be visited by motorbike, the most common vehicle on the island. But for the widest variety of lodging and entertainment options, most folks choose the east coast’s palm-lined Bai Truong (Long Beach) a 12-mile stretch with seaside resorts and cafés—tableside grilled squid is a local specialty—and the 43-room La Veranda Resort & Spa (doubles from $265).


Salema

Salema, Portugal

Located three hours south of Lisbon near Cape Sagres, Salema is a small fishing village known for its gentle Atlantic shore break on a wide beach between two steep cliffs. While much of Portugal’s scenic Algarve Coast has been engulfed by new high-rises and resorts, Salema remains admirably authentic, with one main street, white stucco houses, an outdoor market providing staples for picnics, and just a dozen places to eat and drink.

Bethany Beach Bethany Beach, DE

A boardwalk with a bandstand and a frozen custard shop, a landmark carved totem pole, and a sophisticated miniature golf course add up to an all-American destination—and one of T+L’s Favorite Family Beaches. Known as the Quiet Resorts, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island offer seven miles of Atlantic Ocean for swimming as well as a sheltered bay for boating and fishing, minus the hubbub of nearby towns Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Ocean City, MD. Lodgings and dining in Bethany Beach cater to the kid crowd, so if you’re seeking solitude, try a rental home

Koh Lanta

 Thailand

Far from the maddening crowds in Phuket and Phi Phi, Koh Lanta is about an hour’s van or speedboat ride from Krabi airport. The island’s western side offers nine sunset-drenched beaches on the warm Andaman Sea (mid-80-degrees year-round) with pristine sands and coral snorkeling reefs. Named one of T+L’s Sexiest Affordable Destinations, Koh Lanta has blossomed as a favorite among in-the-know travelers thanks to its authenticity (fishing villages and a community who live in stilt houses) and range of accommodations. The further south you go, the more secluded it gets. Don’t miss Time for Lime (dinner for two $25), an open-air restaurant where you can also take Thai cooking classes.


Cirali Beach 

 Turkey

The endangered loggerhead sea turtles that nest on these pebbly sands have helped Cirali keep development at bay. Situated on the Turkish Mediterranean between protected sites—a nature preserve and the ruins of Olimpos—Cirali is known for natural beauty and the orchard-to-table cuisine at its small family-run guesthouses. For full-service lodgings with pools and Wi-Fi, the Canada Hotel (doubles from $75) is a seven-minute walk to the warm azure sea. There’s much here for the adventurous and open-minded: a restaurant amid a waterfall and a 250-year-old mill; a hippie village with treehouses and shacks selling feta-and-herb pancakes; and the Chimaera, a natural gas flame that emanates from the hilltop rocks of Olimpos National Park.



Palm Beach 

Palm Beach, Barbuda

Named one of the World’s Most Romantic Islands by T+L, Barbuda is, above all, for solitude-seekers. While her sister island, Antigua, flaunts bustling hotels and yacht races, Barbuda, a 20-minute flight away, has quiet beaches with pink sands, the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, containing more than 170 species, and only a handful of resorts. Two of the best are all-inclusive: Coco Point Lodge all-inclusive stay from $1,200) on an arced peninsula beach over two miles long, and Lighthouse Bay on its own private island (from $1,299).

Holland America unveils a new itinerary

 

Holland America has unveiled plans for an epic cruise from Florida to South America's Amazon River and back.
The 49-day sailing, on the 1,258-passenger Maasdam, will kick off in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 18, 2013 and include calls at 25 ports in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
Dubbed the "Amazon and Carnival Explorer Voyage," the trip will feature 14 stops in Brazil, including a multiday stay in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival in early February and several stops along the Amazon River. Caribbean islands on the schedule include Aruba, Bonaire, Barbados, Dominica, Trinidad, Tobago and Curaçao.
The sailing ends March 8 in Fort Lauderdale

Costa Rica's hot springs

The Springs Resort & Spa was the host hotel for ABC's "The Bachelor" in Costa Rica.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Costa Rica's rich landscape is dotted with hot springs where visitors can unwind
• Thermal hot springs vary in size and level of luxury
• Many hot springs are located in the La Fortuna area and Rincon de La Vieja

(CNN) -- Ziplining through tropical rain forests, rappelling down steep waterfall cliffs and whitewater rafting satisfy the rugged outdoor cravings of Costa Rica's tourists.

But after a day of wear and tear on the body, a long soak in a natural hot spring can provide much-needed relief and relaxation for adventure travelers. Visitors to Costa Rica seeking a low-key, laid-back vacation will appreciate the hot springs, too.

Costa Rica's rich landscape is dotted with these pools. CNN.com explored five locations that vary in size, luxury and tranquility.

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort

The spa is located at the base of the Arenal Volcano.

 

This tropical eco-friendly spa places its emphasis on making the guest experience "a close encounter with nature."

Tabacón's thermal hot springs are surrounded by lush gardens, with the Arenal Volcano and rain forest as a dramatic backdrop as you soak in the all-natural waters flowing throughout the property. Five springs, fueled and heated by the nearby volcano, range in temperature from 77 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tabacón was the first public hot spring resort in the Arenal Volcano area and is accompanied by a 102-room luxury hotel for guests seeking an extended visit.

In addition to the hot springs, guests can be pampered with massages, hydrotherapy, facials and a full range of indigenous treatments.

Many couples have celebrated their weddings and honeymoons at this peaceful oasis -- and can now share private time at the resort's new Shangri-La Gardens area, a space intended only for adults.

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal

The Springs Resort & Spa offers guests 18 landscaped pools to enjoy.

 

The Springs Resort in La Fortuna near the Arenal Volcano boasts 18 hot springs spanning four acres of lush gardens. Tucked next to the springs is the resort's five-star hotel, a 14,000-square-foot full-service spa, and a wildlife preserve with rescued jungle cats, monkeys, sloths, wild turkeys and a variety of birds.

The resort provides every guest with plenty of options for finding the hot spring that best suits his or her mood and personality. Some pools have raging waterfalls, while others provide a tranquil rain-forest experience and close-up views of the volcano. Temperatures in the pools range from 83 to 103 F. Some pools are all-natural, while others are chlorinated.

Day passes for guests not registered at the hotel are available for $40. These passes include entry to the hot springs and the wildlife preserve and access to four restaurants and five bars on the property. Hotel and day visitors can also reserve kayaking, horseback riding and ATV tours.

Baldi Hot Springs Hotel and Spa

This resort boasts 25 natural mineral pure water pools.

 

Located in the heart of the rain forest, this large resort boasts 25 pure water pools and takes pride in a its family-friendly atmosphere. Unique to Baldi is the resort's three large water slides, ranging from 104 to 325 feet long. The slides cater to children and adults alike.

Numerous waterfalls pour into the pools, which reach temperatures up to 104 F. The temperatures in the waters increase as you walk higher up in elevation along a path to reach the various pools.

The resort complex, which opened to the public in 2000 under the vision of businessman Alberto Rodriguez Baldi, is located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano and includes two restaurants, three swim-up bars, a sauna, 8 acres of colorful tropical gardens, and 32 nonsmoking rooms for overnight guests. Guests seeking total relaxation can retreat to the spa, where full-body volcanic mud wraps, massages and facials top the menu.

Eco Termales Hot Springs

This spa is the smallest hot springs in the Arenal Volcano area.

 

Eco Termales in the La Fortuna area does not accept more than 100 visitors at a time and is geared toward privacy. It's one of the smallest hot springs in the Arenal Volcano area, and many guests consider this one of its main selling points, since the crowds are small.

This retreat, surrounded by lush green gardens, has been a labor of love for the Manolo Hidalgo family, which has spent years building and caring for the resort.

There are seven relaxing hot spring pools, including one with a waterfall reaching temperatures up to 105 F. A restaurant serves authentic family-style Costa Rican dishes.

"I like this resort because of the lack of crowds -- and feel I can really escape from the world here," said Pablo Brenes, a local resident and manager of Anywhere Costa Rica, a travel agency certified by the Costa Rica Tourism Board.

Blue River Resort & Hot Springs

"Our guests say they feel as though they have stepped into paradise when they visit our resort," said Blue River Resort owner Daniel Apelboim. "We aim to make visitors feel invigorated, relaxed and pampered."

Blue River Resort & Hot Springs is located on the north side of the scenic Rincon de la Vieja volcano and across from the blue volcanic river, Rio Celeste.

This resort is near Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

 

It features four pools fed from the hot springs bubbling up nearby and is landscaped with rain-forest foliage, flowers and waterfalls. Each pool has a unique theme -- including a pool designed for children. There is also a freshwater pool with a 98-foot slide for both adults and children to enjoy.

In addition to the springs, guests may want to explore the resort's botanical gardens and butterfly gardens, relax at the spa, or enjoy a cool refreshment at the tiki bar.

Experience Villa rental in St. Lucia

Here is a video featuring a villa experience on the beautiful island of St. Lucia.

http://www.travelvideo.com/saintlucia/akasha&ckey=AK001&d=04&c=10&auto

Fun on the water in St. Lucia video

This video shows you some great things to do on the water in St. Lucia.

http://www.travelvideo.com/saintlucia/destination_03&ckey=DE005&d=04&c=10&auto

Anse Chantet Resort in St. Lucia

Watch this video on this beautiful resort in St. Lucia!

http://www.travelvideo.com/saintlucia/ansechastanet&ckey=AC001&d=04&c=10&auto

Give us a week and we will give you a peace of mind

Watch this great video on The Body Holiday resort in St. Lucia

http://www.travelvideo.com/saintlucia/bodyholiday&ckey=BH001&d=04&c=10&auto