Travel Bulletin Caribbean Supplement 2014

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Caribbean All About the

April 2014

Your one-stop guide to all the latest news and developments in the Caribbean

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www.travelbulletin.co.uk

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All About the

Caribbean T

he year has certainly started off on a really positive note for the Caribbean with the fantastic news that the British Government has agreed to switch to a two band Air Passenger Duty. After a very long period of lobbying we are delighted that the banding for APD will become much fairer in 2015 and puts the Caribbean on a level playing field with other long haul destinations.

The CTO is a unique organisation, working with more than 30 Caribbean destinations and a variety of other private travel and tourism partners.

Working in partnership with members, the CTO incorporates a huge bank of resources and knowledge to promote the region to as wide an audience as possible.

Whilst there is no doubt the last few years have been challenging we are now seeing a growing interest and demand for the Caribbean from Europe as a whole, with Italy, Russia and Scandinavia growing.

We are very keen to develop our relationships with the travel trade and also to raise our profile in Europe by exhibiting at targeted events. To provide the trade with as many tools as possible to sell the Caribbean we recently launched our new agent training programme - Caribbean Travel Guru, which is a fundamental part of our campaign. The training tool is a great resource for agents and will not only bring all Caribbean training together, but again also allows for instant sharing of Caribbean wide news.

In 2014 we are keen to lead the way as a family destination with year round appeal; there are some great deals available in the summer, which is traditionally seen as “low” season for the Caribbean but ideal for those looking for guaranteed sunshine. For example, a family of four can get away for as little as £593 per person.

We are particularly interested in developing our appeal to targeted niche markets and dive, adventure, eco-tourism, honeymoons and luxury travel continue to be very important areas for us. We have a huge amount to offer all special interest sectors and new product is coming on-line all the time.

We are also keen to develop our links with the cruise industry to ensure that we showcase our destinations in the best possible light to the growing numbers of cruise passengers and offer onshore experiences in line with demand and expectations.

In addition to this, airlines are boosting their flight frequency to the Caribbean this year, making it easier to reach more destinations and discover hidden gems across the region. For example, this year British Airways will be increasing flights to St Lucia, Jamaica and Antigua, whilst last year saw Virgin Atlantic resume flights to Trinidad and Tobago, increasing accessibility and encouraging tourism to the destination.

I thank you all in advance for your support and interest in our beautiful region – we rely very heavily on the tourism industry and are working hard all the time to ensure we provide holidaymakers with the best possible experience.

Carol Hay, Director of marketing UK and Europe, Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO)

All About the Caribbean

CONTENTS What’s new - 4

Hotel hotline - 7

Family holidays - 10

Weddings and honeymoons - 16

Question Time - 20

Holidays for less than... - 22

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Resort round-up

What’s new The Caribbean has a lot to shout about this year, in particular the news that air passenger duty on flights to the region is being reduced from 2015

he crippling cost of air passenger duty on flights to the Caribbean has made selling the region very challenging for agents over recent years.

So the news from last month’s budget that APD will be reformed to a twoband system, reducing the amount travellers will have to pay on their air fares has been warmly welcomed by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation as it will mean that, for example, a family of four travelling to the Caribbean will pay £56 on their air fares.

This will help to give the region a slightly more competitive edge, in particular for agents trying to sell the region to clients, who need to make sure every penny counts. And where savings can be made on getting to the Caribbean, visitors are likely to spend the money on the APD reduction in resort, so hopefully this will be a win-win situation for the region.

CTO chairwoman Beverly NicholsonDoty says: “This is a complete victory for the Caribbean, which, led by the CTO, has been lobbying against the unfair

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Boutique hotel True Blue Bay on the Spice Island of Grenada is expanding its health and wellbeing offering with the launch of a new yoga studio and fitness centre

system which charged a higher rate of APD on flights to Barbados than Hawaii and placed the US at a competitive advantage.”

This news will serve to inject a new sense of enthusiasm and vigour for agents selling the region, and with this in mind, we have pulled together a collection of new openings and activities in the region so that you are in the know when it comes to sealing the deal.

Grenada A boutique resort in Grenada will be hosting the island’s first Chocolate Fest from 18-24 August.

True Blue Bay will be celebrating chocolate in all its forms from cocoa beans and cocoa tea to a wide range of chocolates. Guests will even have the chance to get hands on experience of making truffles.

With Grenada being one of the few places in the world where cocoa is grown and turned into chocolate, the Fest includes a chance to see the whole process from the cocoa tree to delicious chocolate bar.

True Blue Bay is also opening a yoga studio and fitness centre and relaunching its spa.

A new purpose-built building houses the Cyclops fitness centre on the ground floor with the Sankalpa yoga studio above.

The Blue Haven Spa offers a choice of massages and scrubs using fresh local ingredients such as coconut oil, honey, papaya, noni juice, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate and mint.

Mount Cinnamon Resort and Beach Club has launched a seven-day adventure and fitness experiences.

The activities available include deepsea fishing, scuba diving around shipwrecks, daily yoga and challenging hikes through mountainous topography.

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All About the Caribbean

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Resort round-up Seven nights with breakfast in a Hacienda Suite costs from £991 per person including a one-day, deep-sea fishing trip, two escorted PADI dives to see Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park, one day’s guided hike to Seven Sisters waterfalls, two massages at Beach Cabana, and daily yoga classes.

The five-star Calabash Grenada Hotel Resort and Spa has launched a range of tailor-made packages, which include cookery weeks, health, activity and romance breaks.

The hotel, which features Gary Rhodes’ restaurant and Bash Restaurant

by Mark B, is holding a series of culinary weeks from June 1 - July 31. Guests will get the chance to explore the source of the island’s produce with afternoon tea and a Grenada Chocolate and Belmont Plantation Tour which includes a threecourse lunch, as well as a morning visit to the local market with Rhodes’ restaurant’s chef, Dexter Burris.

There will also be demonstrations by the Rhodes restaurant’s two top chefs, while chef Mark B will lead the Grenadian tapas demonstration which will be followed by his specially designed lunch tasting menu.

Just Grenada features the cookery weeks with prices leading in at £1,645 per person and include flights and private transfers in Grenada.

Jamaica The Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and is giving guests the chance to join in the celebrations by winning treats ranging from private dinners to excursions and all-inclusive stays.

The resort opened on 27 February, 1954 and the Open Me promotion will run on the 27th day of each month.

Special envelopes containing details of special treats will be placed throughout the property giving everyone the chance to win.

In addition, travellers who book a fivenight stay to include the 27th day of any particular month will pay only £35 per room, for the night of the 27th.

Half Moon is also opening three luxurious cottages this year with prices starting at £3,160 per night on a room All About the Caribbean

Double Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Becky Adlington OBE will be extolling the health and therapeutic benefits of sea swimming at a free workshop from 4-7 May on Palm Island Resort

only basis, based in Cottage 4 which sleeps 12. www.halfmoon.com Barbados The Caribbean island is hosting the Top Gear Festival at the newly renovated Bushy Park Circuit on 17-18 May, 2014.

Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, Top Gear Festival Barbados will feature a line-up of cars and driving talent including The Stig, the Top Gear Stunt Team and guest drivers from the world of motorsport and entertainment.

Top Gear Festival Barbados is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors and will include high-speed motor stunts, extreme driving and races.

Bushy Park is a short drive from the island’s capital Bridgetown and from the international airport. The official event website and online ticket sales is now live at topgearfestivalbarbados.com

Aruba Three major international hotel chains have unveiled plans to invest millions in new hotel developments in the Dutch Caribbean island.

Hyatt Hotels and Resorts is to operate a new hotel in capital Oranjestad, with a new Hard Rock Hotel also opening close by, while Riu is to buy and rebrand the existing Westin Aruba Resort.

Hyatt’s plans are to operate an executive hotel under its Hyatt Place brand. This is a new generation of hotels, which is designed to offer casual hospitality in a smartly-designed, hi-tech modern environment.

Located near the capital Oranjestad, the new Hard Rock Hotel is due to open later this year. which will featuring a number of restaurants and a casino.

Meanwhile, Riu will close the Westin Aruba Resort on February 27 for a $60 million refurbishment. The property will reopen in 2015 under the Riu flag,

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Resort round-up Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay in Jamaica is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year with giveaways to guests, which include private dinners, excursions and all-inclusive stays

becoming a sister property to the Hotel Riu Palace Aruba, the all-inclusive resort on Palm Beach.

Dominican Republic British Aiways is increasing its number of non-stop flights to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

Colm Lacy, British Airways’ Gatwick commercial director, said: “The twiceweekly service builds on the extra flights we introduced for our Summer 2014 season, thanks to adding an extra Boeing 777 to our long-haul Gatwick fleet making our flying schedule to top leisure destinations even better.”

Return flights from Gatwick to Punta Cana cost from £592, including all taxes, fees and charges.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Elite Island Resorts has teamed up with

double Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Becky Adlington OBE and Virgin Holidays to launch a swim workshop for guests at the Palm Island resort.

The free workshop, which takes from 4-7 May 2014, will offer guests the chance to learn about the health and therapeutic benefits of sea swimming.

Virgin Holidays is offering the Swim Palm Island with Becky Adlington package from £1,899 per person, including seven nights in Palm Island with scheduled flights departing on 2 May 2014 direct to Barbados, transfers and accommodation at the Palm Island on an all-inclusive basis.

Offers from the CTO The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has a series of offers for a number of destinations in the region.

Anguilla Viceroy Hotel in Anguilla is offering couples the chance to save up to £1,400 per couple when staying in an ocean-view Viceroy Studio room which features an outdoor sundeck and a private plunge pool.

Booked through Elegant Resorts, prices start at £2,285 per person and include breakfast, flights from London, interisland flights and private car transfers. This offer is valid for travel between 27 April and 24 August or 18 October and 15 December 2014 when booked by 10 August 2014. elegantresorts.co.uk Western and Oriental is offering couples the chance to enjoy two free nights and save £740 on a seven-night stay at Anguilla’s CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa. Set on Rendezvous Bay Beach, this four star resort has 93 rooms, two restaurants, the Mediterraneo and the Santorini.

Prices start at £1,685 per person and include flights to Anguilla via Antigua, private airport transfers and seven nights’ bed and breakfast. This offer is valid for travel between 1 May and 19 December 2014, when booked before 12 December 2014. westernoriental.com Dominica Rosalie Bay Resort is offering guests staying four nights or more the chance to save 33% on some bookings made by 18 December 2014.

The eco-boutique hotel located near the UNESCO World

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Heritage Site of Morne Trois Pitons, features 28 rooms and a spa.

Prices start at £720 for four nights in a garden view superior room and include breakfast, yoga classes, guided nature walks, use of the fitness centre and saltwater pool. rosaliebay.com Mustique Elegant Resorts is offering eight nights for the price of seven at Mustique’s Cotton House along with complimentary private flights from Barbados Located in Endeavour Bay, Cotton House estate boasts a tennis court, gym facilities, dive shop and an ice cream parlour.

Prices start at £2,365 per person on stays from 17 March 2014. This offer includes an eight-night stay in a West Indian-styled Cottage on a B&B basis, flights from Gatwick to Bridgetown and complimentary return private flights from Bridgetown to Mustique. elegantresorts.co.uk Cruises Carnival has a 10-night return fly-cruise on board Splendor from New York to the Caribbean for £1,139 per person.

The cruise starts in New York before before heading to Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos, Half Moon Cay and Nassau in the Bahamas.

Prices start at £1,139 per person including flights from London, departing on 11 May 2014. carnival.co.uk For more offers from the CTO, go to www.caribbean.co.uk/specials/ All About the Caribbean

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The new Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort and Spa on Pink Gin beach

Hotel hotline

From the opening of boutique hotels in Anguilla to the launch of a $3.5 billion, multi-hotel resort in the Bahamas, here is a small flavour of what to expect in the Caribbean in 2014 and 2015 Grenada All-inclusive hotel group Sandals opened a new property on the island of Grenada at the end of last year.

Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort and Spa on Pink Gin beach has 225 rooms, including: Skypool suites in the Italian Village that feature infinity-edge plunge pools, and Rondovals and ultra-luxurious Millionaire suites housed in the South Seas Village.

The resort also has the Sandals’ signature Red Lane Spa and the group’s first-ever steakhouse, called Butch’s Chophouse, named after chairman Butch Stewart.

How much? Seven nights staying at Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort and Spa on an all-inclusive basis costs from £1,665 per person saving £821per person for travel between 24 September – 15 October 2014. Return flights and resort transfers are included.

To book: sellingsandals.co.uk Dominican Republic Small Luxury Hotels of the World opened a new boutique resort in the heart of the historic Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic.

All About the Caribbean

Casas Del XVI is a collection of three restored colonial homes (casas) dating back to the 16th century, which maintain original architectural features and include local works of art, ancient Dominican artefacts and carved wood furniture to reflect the area’s historical and cultural importance.

Two of the casas have a central courtyard, suitable for outdoor dining, while Casa de los Mapas has a courtyard pool, and all properties have a butler at their service and access to the on-site library and art gallery.

How much? Five nights’ bed and breakfast from 2-7 October costs £1,476 per person including one complimentary night and return flights with American Airlines.

To book: agents can book stays at the property through the dedicated Small Luxury Hotels of the World travel agents website, http://agents.slh.com/. The GDS code is LUX. Bahamas A new all-inclusive resort has opened on Grand Bahama Resort.

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World has opened the colonial-style Casa Del XVI in Santo Domingo

Memories occupies a half mile of beach just outside of the bustling town of Freeport, and has a casino, a full service health complex, a pool built around a stone sugar mill and water slide and has a golf course nearby.

The resort offers four restaurants and six themed bars, and unlimited free green fees at the Reef Club Golf Course and

an on-site splash pad with slides for kids, and a teens club.

For more info: memoriesresorts.com Baha Mar Nassau in the Bahamas is gearing up for the December opening of a $3.5 billion luxury resort on the island, which will feature five hotels private residences, casinos, entertainment venues, private, shopping and natural attractions that reflect an authentic Bahamian experience.

The 1,000-room Baha Mar Casino and Hotel is the centerpiece of the resort, and includes a 100,000sq ft Las Vegas-style casino, which will be the largest in the Caribbean region.

The Baha Mar hotel will be joined by a 700-room Grand Hyatt, a 300-room Mondrian, a 200- room Rosewood Hotels and Resorts and the 694-room Meliá at Baha Mar. Amenities will include an 18-hole, 72-par championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, convention facilities including a 2,000-seat performing arts centre and an art gallery with the largest curated collection of Bahamian art; more than 30 restaurants, nightclubs and bars; two spas; designer retail boutiques, a beachfront sanctuary with native Bahamian flora and fauna,14 distinctive pool experiences and a private island.

For more info: bahamar.com Anguilla A new luxury, boutique villa hotel has opened in the hills surrounding Crocus Bay in Anguilla.

CeBlue has eight private villas, ranging from one to five bedrooms, each spaciously arranged along the hills.

All the villas’ have outdoor and indoor dining and living space, a kitchen, a pool, and each bedroom has its own bathroom.

Each villa also has a golf cart which can be used to access Crocus Bay below, water sports, and the five-star restaurant DaVida, where guests have signing privileges.

How much? Prices start at £297 per night, with a minimum stay of three nights.

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All About the Caribbean

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Hotel update To book: ceblueanguilla.com

The Colony Club in Barbados has undergone a refurbishment with new culinary offerings and an organic garden

Dominica The all-inclusive Atlantique View Resort and Spa has opened in the lush, green hillsides of Anse De Mai on the small island of Dominica.

Boasting 35 rooms, the resort is an ideal destination for divers, trekkers, honeymooners and eco-adventurers who are drawn to Dominica’s natural beauty and wilderness, as it has great access to secluded bays and the Dominican rainforest.

How much? Prices start at $150 per room on a bed-andbreakfast basis.

To book: atlantiqueview.com

Rooms with a view In this section, we look at some of the hotels that have undergone refurbishments recently Aruba The Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino has completed the renovation of its adult-only Renaissance Marina rooms to offer their guests a more Caribbean experience.

In addition to restyling the rooms, the Marina Hotel pool deck, BLUE bar, LG Smith’s Steak & Chop House and Papagayo have been given a new-look.

During 2014, the 259 guest rooms at the Renaissance Ocean Suites will also be refurbished, with work scheduled for completion by mid-November.

Amsterdam Manor has made a number of changes at the property and introduced new facilities in preparation for the summer season.

All guest room beds have been replaced and larger new flat screen TVs installed.

New fridges have also being provided.

Around the pool and on room balconies and terraces, new sun umbrellas and pillows have been provided.The former Sunset Upper Deck Bar above the pool has been changed to the Horizons Bar, with the area extended and additional seating provided.

Turks and Caicos Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Village and Spa has reopened following a wideranging enhancement programme.

The new additions include: Key West Luxury Village, the resort’s fourth village; a new Sky Slide at Pirates Island Waterpark; All About the Caribbean

newly appointed butler cabanas circling the pool of the French Village; enhanced golf cart transfer service between the resort’s four villages; and Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch will be bringing his Trash to Treasure arts and crafts activity, and Grouchy Sing-A-Long as the opening act for the Seasame Street Stage Show.

Cuba The Capri Hotel in the central area of Vedado in the Cuban capital of Havana has reopened after a major refurbishment programme.The renovation has added a few contemporary twists while still retaining the hotel’s 1950 charm.

Dominican Republic Meliá Hotels International has launched The Level and the Level Adults Only at Meliá Caribe Tropical in Punta Cana.

The newly launched Level offers a private check-in/out lounge for registration and assistance, access to the VIP Lounge offering daily breakfast, free Internet access, premium beverages, liquors, hors d’oeuvres, hot beverages and access to Gabi beach club.

Guests at The Level can also take part in health and wellbeing activities such as Body Balance and try out the new Experiences Menu, featuring special workshops, dinners on the beach, romantic private breakfasts and in-room dining experiences.

Barbados Elegant Hotels Group has made some changes to its culinary offering at its allinclusive resort Turtle Beach, which is

located on the south coast of the island.

The menus at the hotel’s three restaurants have been improved, while the Waterfront dining area has been redesigned to give it a nautical feel, while Chelonia, the resort’s main restaurant, and Asiago, the resort’s Italian restaurant, has been given a facelift.

The main pool has been resurfaced and new lounge furniture has been added to both pool deck areas.

The fitness centre now features new cardio equipment.

Meanwhile, the hotel group’s west coast property Colony Club has undergone a refurbishment, including the addition of an organic garden, redesigned Laguna restaurant serving local cuisine and new family offerings.

Sandals Barbados closed earlier this month as the resort prepares to undergo an extensive refurbishment, which will see the introduction of seven new restaurants, two new tennis courts, eight new lifts, faster wifi and the refurbishment of the resort’s 280 rooms.

The Bahamas Sandals Resorts has recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation of Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort and Offshore Island’s Windsor building that includes new swim-up river suites.

The hotel’s 174 luxurious suites have been completely refurbishment, and 14 swim-up suites have also been created, with the addition of a river pool on the ground floor. A Zen Garden has also been introduced.

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Young cruisers will be able to meet much-loved kids characters Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two, and Sam-I-Am as part of Carnival Splendour’s Suess at Sea programme

The great escape rom puppet shows to kayaking, from steel band lessons to beach Olympics, from cookery classes to treasure hunts... the list of activities that resorts in the Caribbean are offering families these days is endless.

And while the kids are learning to knock up a Caribbean dish or hunt for buried treasure, parents can get some well-deserved R&R around the hotel pool, or get some TLC for their mind, body and soul at some of the in-resort, award-winning spas.

We talk to some of the Caribbean experts to give you some recommendations for some of the most family-friendly resorts in the Caribbean.

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What type of holiday will £6,000 get you for a family of four in the Caribbean? We talked to the operators to find out what’s around for your “save or spend” clients 10

Under £6,000 for a family of four Punta Cana, Dominican Republic The five-star Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe ticks all the boxes on the family checklist as it offers an all-inclusive dining concept, which is great for fussy eaters, kids’ clubs, teens’ club, piratethemed waterpark, kids’ swimming

pools, a disco for teenagers, water sports and drinks and snacks available 24 hours a day.

The accommodation is roomy, and on arrival, children are treated to the Barceló Kids’ beach-kits, which include a beach bag, mini suntan lotion and Barcy T-shirt.

The hotel also arranges local excursions for all the family, which can include anything from helicopter trips, jeep safaris and island excursions, to cultural visits to traditional villages and ancient cities.

In resort for parents, there’s a well-being and fitness areas, as well as a kaleidoscope of water sports activities.

How much? The Holiday Place offers seven nights’ all-inclusive from £3,499 based on two adults and two children sharing a deluxe room. The price includes flights To book: holidayplace.co.uk Tobago Golden Holidays recommends families get away this Easter for an all-inclusive

All About the Caribbean

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Children can find their sea legs with some sailing excursions at Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe in the Dominican Republic resort of Punta Cana

stay at Turtle Beach by Rex Resorts The hotel has a Rexplorer’s kids’ club for four to 12-year-olds, with a wide range of activites for the children to get involved in. There are also babysitting facilities available for parents with children under four.

Watersports and activities for the grown-ups include sunfish sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, deepsea fishing, golf, tennis and cycling.

For families that venture outside the resort, there are lots of experiences to enjoy including: paddle boarding; zipwiring; taking part in a turtle-hatching programme; taking a dip in one of Tobago’s many waterfalls; going on an off-road jeep safari and mountain biking How much? Prices lead in at £3,440 based on two adults and two children for seven nights’ all-inclusive including flights and transfers.

To book: golden-holidays.co.uk Nevis Set up in the lush green hills of Nevis, Cox & Kings says the Montpelier Plantation and Beach is the perfect place for a family break as there is the option to relax and soak up the sun in one of the new cabanas dotted around the resort’s freshwater pool or take part in one of the many activities that the resort offers.

These include tennis, kayaking along the coastline off the private beach, snorkelling, horse riding, or hiking and mountain biking through the rainforest As well as the catered options at the resort’s three restaurants, there is also a self-catering option. The Little House, which dates back to the 1800s, has been restored and transformed into a chic

All About the Caribbean

and stylish haven, and is the perfect option for families as it can sleep up to six people and has a kitchen.

How much? Seven nights’ bed and breakfast starts at £1,795 per person, including flights and transfers.

To book: coxandkings.co.uk Jamaica Located in the parish of St James on the north coast of Jamaica, Half Moon, a RockResort, is located among a private estate of 400 acres.

Half Moon, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is popular with families because of the facilities it offers for children of all ages.

The five-star resort has a programme of supervised daily activities at the Anancy Children’s Village, which are suitable for children aged three to 12 years.

In the village, there is a play area that includes a wading pool, and the staff at the kids’ club engage children with a wide range of arts, crafts and activities such as steel pan playing, puppet shows, cookery and the opportunity to learn more about Anancy the Spiderman and his friends.

Teenagers in resort are encouraged to check into the Hype Zone, which features a games room with table football, air hockey, table tennis and pool table, video game room, cyber lounge and a mini spa services area. The Hype Zone also hosts sports events, karaoke, movie and disco nights.

As well as the two kids clubs, younger guests can play golf and tennis, go horseriding, swim with dolphin and enjoy a number of water sports.

For the youngest of guests, Half Moon

also offers a nanny and babysitting service, which parents can take advantage of while they enjoy the resort’s spa, fitness centre, spinning studio, golf academy, shopping village, bars and restaurants.

How much? Carrier offers a 14-night family stay on a room-only basis at Half Moon from £5,330 for two adults and two children. The price includes seven free nights, which represents a saving of up to £3,310 flights from Gatwick to Montego Bay and transfers. The package must be booked by 30 April for travel between 21 April and 19 December.

To book: carrier.co.uk St Vincent and the Grenadines For families who like that paradise-lost experience from their holiday, then a holiday on the private island resort of Petit St Vincent in St Vincent and the Grenadines will give them that castaway feeling – in a good way.

The 115-acre private island resort has 22 oceanfront beaches which are surrounded by swaying palms and frangipani, hummingbirds and just the right amount of isolation.

The villas have their own butlers, so if guests need room service, they just raise the yellow flag on the driftwood pole just outside your door of the villa.

The waters surrounding the island are safe for kids to splash around in, but for the more adventurous types, there’s the opportunity to go snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving or even deepsea fishing.

How much? Chic Collection offers seven nights’ all-inclusive for the price of five which leads in at £5,650 based on a family of four staying in a two-

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Family holidays Villa RockStar on St Barths is the perfect property for large groups, who like to indulge themselves and have a big budget for their holiday

bedroom cottage. The offer is valid from 1 June-31 July.

To book: chiccollection.com Saint Lucia Located in Rodney Bay overlooking Piegon Island, The Landings five-star resort pulls out all the stops to make parents and children welcome.

Its location Rodney Bay is a great selling point as the bay’s calm waters ensure it is a safe place for children to paddle and even try their hand at some water sports, such as windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling without the worry of strong currents.

In resort, there is a daily kids’ club that runs from 9am to 5pm for children aged three years and above with activities that include: beach games, Caribbean dance lessons, Creole classes, arts and crafts, cookery classes, sports and a treasure hunt through the nearby Pigeon Island National Park.

The hotel can also arrange excursions for families including a trip to the rainforest for a zipwire experience, horse-riding and Segway tours of Rodney Bay. While the kids are busy, parents can check out The Landings tennis club or golf course, or for a more sedate pasttime, they can check into the resort’s spa.

How much? Caribtours is offering seven nights’ B&B from £5,129 for two adults and two children sharing including flights, transfers, kids’ club activities, three hours’ evening babysitting, one glass of Adult’s Time wine/cocktail, one hour massage per parent and a weekly picnic treasure hunt on Pigeon Island.

This offer is valid for travel in August and represents a saving of £1,350 per family.

To book: caribtours.co.uk Over £6,000 for a family of four Curtain Bluff has its eyes fixed firmly on catering for its British clients with the launch of a Centered around a shaded basecamp down on the calm-water beach, the Ceebee kids’ club caters for three to 10-year-olds with a wide range of activities, including design your own Tshirt, chocolate making, crab races, mocktail lessons at the bar, designing wind chimes and movie time to name but a few Parents will be interested to know that

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the hotel has an “exclusive all-inclusive” nightly rate, which means that as well as the dining experience and all bar drinks, a number of activities are also included in the price.

This includes watersports such as scuba diving, deep sea fishing, waterskiing with tuition, snorkelling trips, the use of the tennis and squash courts, and the gym with fitness classes.

How much? Tropic Breeze offers seven nights’ all-inclusive for the price of five from £6,190 for a family of three sharing a Junior Suite. The price includes flights and transfers and is based on an August departure.

To book: tropicbreeze.co.uk The cruise option Gone are the days when cruises were considered only to appeal to the grey market. Cruises in 2014 are all about the family market during the peak summer months with clubs, activities and lots of sights in different countries to see along the way.

Of particular interest is Carnival Cruises, which is guaranteed to give parents a bang for their buck this year as a result of its exclusive partnership with the much-loved children’s character Dr Seuss, which will feature on board Carnival Splendor.

The Seus at Sea programme includes the first-ever green eggs and ham breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends, where kids can tuck into food straight from the Cat in the Hat book.

Also debuting on Carnival Splendor is Seuss-a-palooza Story Time, an interactive reading event for kids of all ages, hosted in a tailor-made tent on the stage of the main show lounge. There

will also be the Seuss-a-palooza Character Parade where guests join Dr Seuss characters in a swirly conga line along Carnival Splendor’s promenade.

As well as the new Seuss at Sea programme, there’s the Camp Carnival kids clubs, which are divided into three groups with age-appropriate activities.

And when the kids aren’t in the clubs, they are guaranteed to be making the most of the ship’s pools with two-storey water slides or its sports facilities.

For the parents, there’s a gym, spa, library and a number of bars and restaurants to explore, while the ship cruises from one Caribbean island to another. What’s not to love about this type of holiday?

How much? An eight-night flycruise costs from £7,459 for two adults and two children including flights. Carnival Splendour starts off in New York before heading to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, then Nassau and returning to New York.

To book: carnival.co.uk Cuba Adventure specialist Explore has an action-packed 15-day tour of Cuba which is guaranteed to appeal to families who want an active break.

There’s the opportunity to swim in jungle pools, shower in waterfalls, hike along forest trails, camp out at traditional haciendas in the mountains, zip-wire through the tree tops, cruise around the capital city of Havana in a 1950s American car and snorkel in the warm waters by Trinidad.

How much? Prices start at £7,042 for a family of four on this 15-day tour. The price includes flights; 12 nights’ hotel and All About the Caribbean

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Explore has a 15-day Viva Cuba tour that gives mini-adventurers the chance to really explore this fascinating Caribbean island

two nights’ camping all with breakfast; 10 other meals; transport; and the service of a driver, tour leader and local guides.

To book: explore.co.uk St Barths For families who have a passion for music – and where money is no object – may be keen to hear all about Villa Rockstar.

Part of the Eden Rock-St Barths resort in the French West Indies island, this three-storey villa is guaranteed to give you some holiday bragging rights.

It has four master suites, each named after a music icon such as Lennon, Marley, Dylan and Mercury, two cabins, 24-hour butler service, a cinema room, a gym, an office, a pool table, roulette, card and games table, dining for 12 people, fully-fitted kitchen, a swimming pool, spa pool and its own garden.

The villa also includes a garage with two cars for guests’ use as well as an array of other land and water sports toys including paddle boards, mountain bikes and surf boards.

All About the Caribbean

The property is also home to a fully equipped recording studio which was used by John Lennon to record Imagine in 1973. Guests can record their own souvenir soundtrack during their stay as a result of Eden Rock’s partnership with Ocean Way Recording Studios of Hollywood.

How much? Carrier features seven nights at the Villa Rockstar from £10,990 per person based on 10 sharing Villa Rockstar, including flights and transfers.

To book: carrier.co.uk Anguilla The 165-room luxury resort of Viceroy Anguilla on the British Virgin Island has a jam-packed schedule of activities to keep kids busy with its Generation V club.

Children aged four to 11 can take part in a wide range of pastimes including: cookie and cupcake decorating classes; treasure and scavenger hunts; beach Olympics such as sack races, three legged races, tugs of war on Meads Bay Beach; nature walks; jewellery making/beading classes; face painting and

Sand Art... the list just goes on and on.

For teenagers, who are frankly way too cool for such arts and crafts, Viceroy's teen programme offers a lowkey clubroom with a media centre, magazine library, plus the opportunity to sign up to teen-only trips, games and parties. These include: cooking classes; steel pan drum lessons; bicycle tours; beach volleyball; sailing; tennis; cricket; tai chi; and yoga.

During the evening, teens can enjoy their own cinema experience.

The resort also has a Sea Centre for parents to enjoy complimentary nonmotorised watersports as well as diving and sailing; an NBA basketball court and tennis pavilion; and a range of yoga programmes.

How much? ITC Luxury Travel offers seven from £16,999 per family based on two adults and two children sharing a two-bedroom residence ocean view. The price includes flights from Gatwick and inter-island flights with Liat and transfers.

To book: itcluxurytravel.co.uk

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S04 TB Caribbean Supp 2014 Weddings & Honeymoons - Question Time_Layout 1 4/7/2014 4:24 PM Page 16

Mr and Mrs...

Start married life in a sanctuary at Jade Mountain

From intimate ceremonies to exclusive resort hire for a big wedding party, resorts and their teams of wedding planners are on standby to make sure couples’ big days run smoothly

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ccording to a survey carried out

by Sheilas’ Wheels home insurance last year, the average cost of a wedding in the UK was £18,244.

So many couples are starting their married life together still paying off the bill for the big day, months and sometimes years after walking down the aisle.

Weddings overseas have always been a more affordable option, but some couples are concerned that to make more money, hotels cram in as many weddings as possible.

This may have been the case many, many years ago, but things have really changed and resorts have raised the bar to ensure couples’ special day remains special without the expensive price tag.

Karen Cooper, wedding specialist for Hayes and Jarvis, said: “Many hotels such as the Rendezvous in St Lucia strictly limit the number of weddings each day to protect the sense of individuality for

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each couple. This helps to dispel the myth that all overseas weddings are like a conveyor belt which could dissuade some couples from choosing the Caribbean as their wedding destination.

“Consequently, weddings in the Caribbean continue to be a popular choice for our couples due to the great weather, extensive choice of wedding venues and stunning accommodation. In fact, we are even finding some couples are returning to the same hotel they got married in to renew their wedding vows on a special anniversary.”

So here we look at a range of hotels and wedding packages so you have an idea of what’s available for your clients on a budget, or for ones who have a little bit more to spend.

Weddings on a shoestring Nevis Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is offering couples the chance to walk down the aisle at its resort for free.

All About the Caribbean

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Weddings and honeymoons The boutique resort in Nevis is offering free wedding ceremonies, worth more than £900 for couples booking a minimum seven-night stay in a suite until 19 December.

The wedding package includes a decorated venue at the resort, bride’s bouquet and buttonhole for the groom, a two-tier wedding cake, champagne for the wedding toast and a champagne breakfast the day after the ceremony.

How much? Caribtours offers seven nights’ at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis from £1,625 per person with breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner, including flights and transfers.

To book: caribtours.co.uk St Lucia Rendezvous was the Caribbean’s first couples-only resort, and is well known for its fabulous location on a sevenacre tropical garden on St Lucia’s northwest coast on the island’s longest white sand beach.

Couples looking to get married here and opt to stay for seven nights or more get the basic Rendezvous Romance wedding package for free, but there are a number of options available too, including new for 2014, Ever After

Weddings Collection.

This new offering customises the wedding day based on a choice of five themes, which include Exotic Oasis, which has a Middle Eastern theme; Island Romance, which gives couples the chance to celebrate on a private island; and Elope is an intimate hideaway for couples to enjoy a romantic dinner or picnic.

The collections build upon the Rendezvous Romance package and include a pre-planning wedding consultant, on-site wedding planner and dedicated resort wedding team, champagne breakfast, couples massage, VIP arrival and check-in experience.

Earlier this year, the resort launched an online facility to allow guests to customise their wedding ceremony and arrange details prior to their arrival.

How much? Hayes & Jarvis offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Rendezvous from £1,299 per person, including flights and transfers.

To book: hayesandjarvis.co.uk Antigua For couples watching the pennies, the Grand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort has a Tropical Wedding Package, which allows

the bride and the groom to exchange their vows in the resort’s Deep Bay. Alternatively, if they don’t want to feel the sand between their toes as they say “I do”, they can opt for the more intimate setting of the tropical garden at the Lagoon-side Pavilion’s Resort.

How much? Prices start at £1,479 for 14 nights in a Deluxe Double Room.

Flights are not included, but wedding packages are free on 13 nights or over.

To book: grandroyalantiguan.com Jamaica Couples looking to get married in Jamaica are spoilt for choice when it comes to venues.

If your clients want top bragging rights on a spectacular venue, then suggest they consider getting hitched at the GoldenEye retreat, the home of Ian Fleming, author of the Bond novels.

Owned by Island Record’s Chris Blackwell, it’s a great location for a small to medium-sized private wedding.

However, for more budget-conscious clients, there are a number of other options to consider.

The very hip, musically-orientated Geejam Hotel founded by music producer Jon Baker, is an exclusive retreat.With just

Couples at Jumby Bay can choose to say “I do” on the resort’s stunning beach

All About the Caribbean

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Weddings and honeymoons five villas – the signature suite has a recording studio – Geejam offers a number of wedding packages which can be tailored to suit couples’ needs.

The No Ordinary Love package includes the services of a marriage officer, all marriage certificates and fees, on-site wedding coordinator, wedding ceremony in a choice of locations including the beach, wedding cake, a romantic breakfast in bed, chocolatecovered treats, special honeymoon night turndown service, bridal bouquet, groom boutonniere, two pedestals with tropical floral arrangements at the altar and onehour professional photography.

The Just Us package includes all of the above but some added extras such as a boat trip around San San Bay and the Blue Lagoon, with lunch at Winnifred Beach, a three-course dinner for two, with a bottle of wine, a bottle of champagne to end the night and Geejam complimentary wedding gifts.

Meanwhile there is the Do it Again experience for couples who are looking to renew their vows, which offers the same as the No Ordinary Love package but without the need for a marriage officer or certificates.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,200 for No Ordinary Love, Just Us costs from £1,800 and Do it Again is from £960.

These prices are for up to four people.

To book: geejam.com Blow the budget British Virgin Islands Located on Virgin Gorda on the BVI, Rosewood Little Dix Bay offers couples a choice of ceremony location, which include the resort’s Bougainvillea Point with Caribbean Sea views or a beach ceremony. Reception options range from a private, torch-lit dinner on the beach to a catered cocktail hour or dinner reception at one of the resort’s restaurants.

Wedding and banquet menus can be designed for groups of 12 or more guests and there is a whole wedding planning team on hand to advice couples.

There are three wedding packages to choose from, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

The Silver includes a marriage license local officiate of choice, ceremony location, bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, wedding cake, champagne toast for bride and groom,

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Rendezvous has launched an online facility to allow guests to customise their wedding ceremony and arrange details prior to their arrival

complimentary room upgrade for bride and groom and late check-out for bride and groom.

Meanwhile, the Gold tier includes all the services and amenities included in the Silver wedding programme plus two hours of colour photography, couples’ massage, including champagne and fruit, classic manicure and pedicure for the bride, bride make-up and hairstyling on day of ceremony and live music during ceremony.

Finally, Platinum includes all of the services and amenities included in Gold, corsages for bridal party, champagne toast for all attending (up to 40 people), video of ceremony, classic manicure and pedicure for bridal party (up to five people), bride/bridal party makeup application and hairstyling on day of ceremony, tiki torches, arch and chairs (for up to 40 guests) and rose petal turndown service for bride and groom on the night of ceremony.

How much? Silver starts at £1,500, Gold from £3,000 and Platinum from £6,138. A seven-night Pure Romance honeymoon package starts at £4,875 and includes chilled champagne on arrival, a day trip to a nearby island, an afternoon picnic in Spring Bay, a sunset cocktail cruise, a 60-minute massage for two and airport transfers.

To book: rosewoodhotels.com/en/littledix-bay-virgin-gorda St Lucia For couples who desire complete resort

exclusivity for their big day, then the sumptuous resort of Cap Maison nestled on the beach a short distance from Smugglers Cove, Reduit Beach, and Pigeon Island National Park is the place to consider.

The resort can be hired out in its entirety with private access to the resort’s 49 rooms, full use of all facilities and a one-day charter of the 46-foot Cap Maison I luxury yacht for a minimum of three days, although the cost will set you back £45,000.

Alternatively, there are more affordable wedding packages that include a choice of locations such as the Smuggler’s Cove Gazebo in the gardens on the cliff's edge, or the beach at Smuggler’s Cove.

Receptions can be held at the resort’s fine dining restaurant Cliff at Cap, or at the more laidback, newlyopened Naked Fisherman Bar and Grill.

Alternatively, couples can get married on their villa suite’s rooftop terrace, or at Rock Maison – a wooden deck built on a rocky outcropping above the ocean, which makes for a really romantic setting.

The happy couple are appointed their own wedding planner who takes care of arranging services such as photography, videography, pre-wedding spa packages, post-wedding private sunset sailing trips and live entertainment.

How much? Cox & Kings offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast in a garden All About the Caribbean

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Weddings and honeymoons view suite from £1,646 including flights and transfers. The wedding package includes 25% off standard rates for accommodation in a Villa Suite, one candlelit, three-course dinner for two on Rock Maison, a sunset cruise with drinks on Cap Maison 1, one-hour couple’s massage at Spa Maison, bottle of champagne on arrival and a full champagne breakfast served in-suite on the first morning.

Located high on the hills overlooking the Piton Mountains, Jade Mountain resort really has a location that is hard to beat.

With rooms that are called infinity pool sanctuaries because they all have small infinity pools carved into what would be the fourth wall of the rooms, the resort really does have a unique offering.

For couples looking to get married in resort, Jade Mountain has the Ultimate Escape wedding package, which is designed to create a hassle-free, unconditional and all-inclusive wedding.

Once the couple arrive, they are taken to their “sanctuary”, which as well as the infinity pools with views to die for, there’s four-poster beds, inside and outside seating areas, his and hers sinks and a two person Jacuzzi bath complete with ‘in tub’ mood lighting.

The Ultimate Escape also offers couples a wedding photographer, videographer, private champagne sunset cruise, head-to-toe spa treatments for both the bride and groom, live-music entertainment during the ceremony and embroidered bed linen for the wedding night.

How much? The Ultimate Escape Package at Jade Mountain costs from £2,452 per couple. Nightly rates at Jade

All About the Caribbean

Mountain start at £817 in a Sky sanctuary.

To book: jademountain.com Antigua Think of luxury resorts in Antigua, and Carlisle Bay is likely to appear in the top five resorts of choice.

Located on the undeveloped south coast of Antigua, set in a sweeping bay with rolling hills and tropical rainforests forming the backdrop, Carlisle Bay’s setting alone is romantic enough.

But the five-star resort has a lot of experience in organising weddings in paradise with couples’ every whim catered for; from intimate 10-guest weddings to the exclusive hire of the entire resort, Carlisle Bay will make sure all the bride and groom’s wishes are fulfilled.

Just-married couples will also savour the opportunity to stay in an ocean suite, use the spa and a private candlelit dinner on the jetty accompanied by champagne, which will make the special day even more memorable.

How much? Carlisle Bay ‘wedding with friends’ packages starts from £9,087 in summer and autumn and from £15,055 in winter to Easter.

To book: campbellgrayhotels.com Rosewood Jumby Bay This Antiguan resort offers three locations for couples to walk down the aisle.

There’s the beach, of course, then there’s the Estate House and Sugar Mill, The Point on the beach or the Englishstyle Manor House.

The resort can tailor-make weddings for intimate groups or big 200-guest

Couples who get married at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club can plant a wedding palm tree after the ceremony

parties.

There are two packages to choose from. These are the Wedding Ceremony Package, which includes a dedicated wedding specialist to assist with wedding arrangements, a ceremony and reception location on the island, bridal bouquet, boutonniere, eight-inch wedding cake and bottle of champagne, pressing of the wedding dress and tuxedo or suit, a romantic turndown for the wedding couple and one 50-minute couple’s massage.

The Run to the Altar Getaway features three nights’ accommodation for up to 20 people, a Pool Suite for the wedding couple, cocktail reception at the Pool Grille, white night beach party/rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony on Jumby Bay Beach, champagne reception on Jumby Bay Beach, dinner at the Estate House, wedding cake and wedding night romantic turndown.

How much? A wedding package that includes 20 guests costs £2,110. This price does not include accommodation.

To book: rosewoodhotels.com

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Funway Holidays is hosting two fam trips to Barbados and Saint Lucia

Question Time Travel Counsellor Jack Leaf knows a thing or two about selling holidays to the Caribbean. We put some questions to Jack about the impact of the reduction in APD and what’s trending in the region this year.

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Do you think the reduction in APD is going to help selling the Caribbean easier for agents?

Well it can’t make it harder but I’m not sure what impact it’ll really have on highend bookings. It would be more helpful to see airlines provide inclusive tour air fares that are significantly lower than published fares to permit agents and operators who promote them to achieve reasonable margin and remain competitive, just how it was when I joined the industry in the last century.

In the last year, have you noticed any trends towards certain destinations in the Caribbean or certain types of holidays?

Yes, my clients want excellent food and a combination of hotel experiences.

They’re certainly veering towards all-

inclusive, which is a great shame for the local population and a missed experience for my clients too. I’m finding St Lucia is becoming more and more popular and it will be interesting to see how the new British Airways flights to Dominican Republic do. Grenada has rebranded itself Pure Grenada, rather than just the Spice Island, so that might drive more business too.

Are there certain destinations that are easier to sell in the Caribbean than others? If yes, why is that?

The islands with direct flights are, of course, easier to sell than those reached by an additional local connection such as St Barth’s or Nevis. I’d love to be selling more holidays to Anguilla for instance, the product is gorgeous, but why does my client want to fly to Antigua and then All About the Caribbean

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Question Time hang around waiting for an onward flight, when they can go to Rosewood’s Jumby Bay in Antigua for the same money?

Have you seen a trend away from people simply wanting a sun, sea and sand holiday and more towards a more active, or perhaps niche, experience No, not really. My clients want an excellent beach in a safe environment. I don’t think the Caribbean is perceived as active. The most active is going from one hotel to another.

Are there any new openings in the Caribbean that you are particularly excited about?

Malliouhana in Anguilla is back. It’s been closed for some years and now under new ownership and renovated – but what won’t change is the stunning beach on which it’s located, arguably the best in the Caribbean. So that is exciting. And Viceroy launched in Anguilla a couple of years ago, which has increased the overall awareness of the island.

Caribtours and Western & Oriental are excellent at keeping me informed about the Caribbean, as are marketing companies such as Essential Detail and

tourist offices such as Anguilla Tourist Board. I also provide holidays to my clients by way of dynamic packaging through Travel Counsellors’ in-house Phenix / Suitcase system – and in February I booked clients just six days before departure to the Grand Palladium Resort & Spa in Lucea outside Montego Bay and they said it was the best holiday I’d ever sent them on. Pink Sands on Canouan Island [formerly Raffles Hotel] is coming online later this year – owned by the same people as Sandy Lane, hopefully it’ll be a success – I made my biggest ever booking there when I first joined Travel Counsellors.

Are multi-destination holidays becoming more popular, and if so which ones?

Multi-destination holidays are definitely on the increase. St Lucia or Jamaica are examples whereby clients can enjoy a mountain and beach combo, so simply just two different beach experiences. For example in St Lucia, BA and Virgin fly into the international airport in the south so a stay at Viceroy’s Sugar Beach combined with a second centre up north around Rodney Bay with its wonderful marina, shops and restaurants. Or

‘It would be more helpful to see airlines provide inclusive tour air fares,’ says Jack

evening combining Sugar Beach with Ladera or Boucan by Hotel Chocolat for something more adult, boutiquey and mountainous. Or combine St Lucia with St Vincent and The Grenadines – I’d recommend Buccament Bay. Recently I offered honeymooners Boucan by Hotel Chocolat then a hopper flight from the domestic airport to St Vincent for their main stay at Buccament Bay, then a hopper flight to Barbados and a threenight stay at Fairmont Royal Pavilion.

The best of the rest Funway Holidays has teamed up with Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines and British Airways to offer agents the chance to experience Barbados and Saint Lucia on fam trips in June and July.

There will be two fam trips to Barbados in June and two in June and July combining Barbados and St Lucia.

These educationals are part of Funway’s increase in investment in fam trips. “Educationals are by far the best learning tool we could give our agents, resulting in a great return on investment for us – lots of new business! This year our target is to double the number of agents on our FAMs to 400,” said Nick Talbot, marketing manager for Funway Holidays.

For more information, go to funway4agents.co.uk Saint Lucia Saint Lucia Tourist Board has joined forces with The Travel Foundation as part of a new initiative to aid the development of small and medium enterprises, with a specific focus on excursion and attraction providers.

The programme is called "Are you ready for business?" and it is a training manual to help improve the ways companies engage with the UK market.

All About the Caribbean

Dominica The small island nation of Dominica has seen a steady increase in yachting arrivals into the ports of Roseau and Portsmouth, acccoding to Hubert J Winston, owner and managing director of Dominica Yacht Services.

Known as ‘Nature’s Island’, Dominica’s tropical rainforests, one of which is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, cover two thirds of the island and are home to 1,200 plant species.

Hubert continued, “We focus on eco-tours because just travelling two minutes inland from the coast, you will find nature at its best. Dominica is truly a unique island.

Visitors can take a high-energy hike up to our famous boiling lake and see a host of remote waterfalls including Victoria Falls, or opt for a more leisurely journey to the Trafalgar Falls or the Emerald Pool.”

Dominica sits midway between Guadeloupe and Martinique, it is the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity, as evidenced by the world's second-largest hot spring, Boiling Lake. Dominica is the only country in the world with a count of 365 rivers.

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Holiday offers

Holidays for less than...

From hotel stays in the Jamaican capital of Kingston to long-term villa rentals in private island resorts in the British Virgin Islands, here is a round-up of some of the best package offers on the market at the moment

Cox & Kings features seven nights at the Cap Maison in Saint Lucia from £1,646 per person

£1,000 British Airways Holidays features seven nights at Dreams Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

How much? Prices lead in at £749 per person on an all-inclusive basis, including flights.Travel is between September 1 and October 31 and must be booked by 30 April 2014.

To book: baholidays.co.uk Caribbean Warehouse features seven nights’ all-inclusive at The Club Barbados Resort and Spa (formerly Almond Beach Club). It is the island's only adults-only, allinclusive resort and is located on Barbados's west coast.

How much? Prices lead in at £899 per person for seven nights’ all-inclusive in a Garden View Room, which represents a saving of £501 per person.The price includes return flights from Manchester, is available for departures on 12 and 19 June, and must be booked by 30 April.

To book: caribbeanwarehouse.co.uk/ hotels/barbados £1,500 British Airways offers seven nights at the

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four-star Melia Nassau Beach in the Bahamas.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,079 per person for selected departure dates in June and include return flights and roomonly accommodation.

To book: ba.com/bahamas

four-star Bougainvillea Beach Resort in Christ Church on the south coast of Barbados.

How much? The price leads in at £1,029 per person and includes return flights and transfers.

To book: funway4agents.co.uk

Bahamas Flavour offers seven nights at the Atlantis, Paradise Island in Nassau.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,299 per person and include flights, transfers and accommodation in a terrace view room in Beach Towers. Bookings must be made before 20 December.

To book: bahamasflavour.co.uk/specialoffers

SN Travel offers seven nights at the Jamaica Pegasus, which is located in the financial and business district of Kingston and is just a five-minute drive from the Bob Marley Museum.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,314 per person for seven nights in a deluxe room, including flights.The price is based on travel between 6 June and 13 June.

To book: sntravel.co.uk

Virgin Holidays features the three-star Grand Pineapple Beach Resort located on the eastern coast of Antigua.

How much? Prices lead in at seven nights’ all-inclusive from £1,089 per person, representing a saving of £508 per person.The price includes direct flights and transfers.

To book: virginholidays.co.uk

Caribtours features the luxury Tamarind

by Elegant Resorts on the west coast of Barbados.

How much? Prices lead in at seven nights from £1,145 per person for a pool/garden view room including breakfast, flights and transfers.

To book: caribtours.co.uk

Funway Holidays features the 138-room,

Princess Cruises has a nine-night itinerary All About the Caribbean

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British Airways features seven nights at Dreams Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for £749

on board Caribbean Princess that sets sail from Fort Lauderdale in Florida and heads to Grand Cayman, Island of Cozumel in Mexico, back to Fort Lauderdale before heading to Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos and returning to Fort Lauderdale.

How much? Prices start at £1,484 per person and includes all accommodation, all main meals, on board entertainment and flights.This cruise departs on 23 August.

To book: princess.com £2,000 Cox & Kings features seven nights at the 49-suite boutique hotel Cap Maison, which is located on the northernmost tip of Saint Lucia in the Cap Estate.The hotel’s signature attraction is its on-site restaurant The Cliff at Cap.The hotel runs a market tour to the Castries local market for guests where they can stock up on local produce and then return to the hotel for a private cooking lesson using the local produce they had purchased at the market.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,646 per person for seven nights’ bed and breakfast in a garden view suite including return flights and private transfers.

All About the Caribbean

To book: coxandkings.co.uk Caribtours offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados based on two adults and children under 12 years sharing two oceanfront deluxe rooms.

How much? Prices lead in at £1,620 per person (£6,482 for a family of four) including flights and transfers.The offer includes 50% off a second room for children when staying between 15 March and 31 October 2014.

To book: caribtours.co.uk Sackville Travel features the adults-only, spa resort of Couples San Souci, Ocho Rios near the popular resort of Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

How much? Seven-nights’ all-inclusive costs from £1,525 per person and includes flights and transfers.The price is for travel in May. To book: sackvilletravel.com £5,000 ITC Luxury Travel offers the five-star Viceroy Anguilla, which has 166 luxury rooms in a 35-acre beachfront resort.

How much? Seven nights leads in at £3,125 per person, including international and inter-island flights and transfers.

To book: itcluxurytravel.co.uk Silversea has a 10-day round trip on Silver Spirit that departs from Fort Lauderdale on 24 November 2014 and calls at: Key West; Ponce, Puerto Rico; Gustavia, St. Barts; Samana, Dominican Republic; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands and arrives back in Fort Lauderdale on 4 December 2014.

How much? Prices start at £2,550 per person in a Vista Suite.

To book: silversea.com Peter Island Resort and Spa in the British Virgin Islands, the luxury private island, is offering a 28-day villa estate only rental for six guests from available 1 June31 October as part of its summer villa rental programme.

How much? Prices for a villa that sleeps six for 28 days costs £20,000, which works out at £3,333 per person. A fully staffed villa rental with all meals for six guests costs from £26,184, which works out at £4,364 per person.

To book: peterisland.com

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