Caribbean Living Winter 2015 - 2016

This is such an exciting time of year! With snow on the ground for some and sand between the toes for others, everyone is enjoying themselves…we hope. If you need some vacation inspiration, it’s all inside this issue. I’m not going to spoil it for you, so turn the page and dive into the delicious stories that await. On another note, our team is launching a new international travel magazine. We’ve named it Swanky Retreats... and with good reason. Everything you’ll need to know about how to travel, shop, dine and stay swanky will be in this magazine. Taking you to the Caribbean will continue to be our focus here at CL, but if you want to see the rest of the world as well, head over to www.SwankyRetreats.com and…

Director of Photography Andrew Innerarity It's all about triggering emotion via imagery. When I convey the very essence of a situation with a single photograph, then I am complete, because the viewer understands more than the moment, they know the situation. Editor Jordan Simon Closing the bar down with the Lupis and co. over rhum vieux or rosé at The Hermitage. Savoring the world's finest mango French toast at Ottley's with a clutch of Keusches. Spa sojourning with Nature at the Four Seasons Nevis. That's just one island nation: Vive la Caribbean! Contributor Jeff Sobel For me the Caribbean is a lifestyle, best enjoyed with a drink in one hand and a good book in the other. Contributor Heidi Putman “The world is a book and those that do not…

JANUARY Vibrant colors, painted faces, big smiles, drums, whistles, and sheer jubilee could only mean the Junkanoo are coming. This is the Bahamian tradition where art and culture collide to produce a kaleidoscope of must-see characters. What a vibrant way to start the year, The Bahamas New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade, January 1 https://junkanootix.com Blue skies above and tropical temptations are no distractions for the determined runner, as later in the month contenders navigate a course filled with scenic views of clear teal waters in the Bahamas. Perhaps, this is that little inspiration needed to coax runners to the finish line, so one can take an enticing plunge to cool and soothe some well-worked muscles at Marathon Bahamas, January 16-17 marathonbahamas.com Around Barbados, there is a different kind of race…

St. Barths With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Le Guanahani melts the madness away with the resort’s special anniversary commemoration that introduces a new wellness weekend program. Guests will be revitalized and re-engaged – mind and body – by renowned yogi and meditation expert Dave Romanelli. This is not your ordinary wellness experience. As warm sea breezes blow gently across the body, sand, sea and soul-searching meditation offer enlightenment that elevates the weariest of spirits. A glass of wine in one hand and chocolate in the other is sure to appeal to all senses. Appetites appreciate chef-created culinary creations such as warm Caribbean dark chocolate with a gingerbread – and – foie gras lollipop and organic wine tastings with an expert sommelier. The resort’s signature restaurants…

In 1969, Dominican businessman and hotelier Frank R. Rainieri purchased 26 square miles of wilderness on the easternmost tip of Hispaniola with a vision that would unroll over the following decades, along with co-founder Theodore W. Kheel, and later with Julio Iglesias and Oscar de la Renta, who all collaborated to turn their ecofriendly dream of Punta Cana into a reality. With new direct flights on the Brazilian-based GOL Airlines from both Orlando and Miami, I decided to make my first trip to this Dominican paradise. It’s a seamless two-hour flight to Punta Cana’s airport – one of the few such privately-owned international facilities in the world. This is no small outpost, but rather a modern, sizeable airport that greets millions of visitors every year, making it one of the…

Cancún can conjure up images that some would sooner not have visualized, but a new set of properties have taken the big “C” and made it über sexy and all grownup. On a recent stay, one of those properties took my breath away on quite a few levels, with ocean suites, residence suites, and private villas spread out along its 29-acre stretch of seclusion. NIZUC is a true oasis away from the rest of Mexico, yet there’s a tangible nod to things Mayan infused in every greeting. NIZUC has the “hand-to-heart” salute, as I call it, that every employee respectfully gives to one another and to every guest. It’s a subtle touch of class that welcomes you in one smooth motion. By my third day at the resort, I found…