The Caribbean, aka the West Indies, is made up of more than 7,000 islands. These beautiful islands provide a wide array of island options from a small uninhabited piece of land to an exclusive private island retreat. These islands can be categorized into three main groups: the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. One thing that all the islands have is an escape to blue water We have been traveling to the Caribbean for over twenty years and still look forward to every escape to blue water adventure. We have been fortunate enough to visit several islands in the Bahamas and the Lesser Antilles. For us, it’s the relaxed atmosphere known as “island time” and crystal clear azure water that keep us heading back. You can pack light and just relax when you’re on island time. Although each island has its own vibe, we have enjoyed every visit. Here are some of our favorite destinations: Cape Santa Maria on Long Island – a quiet laid-back retreat Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda – a romantic getaway The Ritz-Carlton on St. Thomas – a luxury escape The Firefly Sunset Resort in the Abaco’s – a family fishing/diving adventure The Cove, Eleuthera in the Bahamas– a secluded enclave Chub Cay in the Berry Islands – a boaters paradise If you’re looking for an island getaway, the Caribbean islands offer a wide array of idyllic experiences for every beach lover.
Adventures/Travel
Spring Break Whirlwind…
This year, spring break was split into two separate trips. The boys headed to Ireland for a wild ride across the country. We, chose to stay a little closer to home. Our adventure started and ended with golf; then we added some sand, shopping, and school visits in the middle. The week began with a trip to Augusta to watch the Masters and concluded at the Ocean Course on Kiawah. In the days between, we took a quick trip down to Greenville. There, we enjoyed one of our favorite walks on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, explored the campus of Furman University and enjoyed a fun meal at the Whistle Stop Cafe in Travelers Rest. I’m sure that I have recommended this before, but if you find yourself in Greenville, South Carolina, enjoy the charm of the downtown area including Falls Park. If time allows, I also recommend either biking or walking the trail out to Travelers Rest. The next destination on our whirlwind spring break tour was Charleston and the surrounding area. We started in the city and made our way through the beautiful streets that surround the battery before touring the College of Charleston. Our jaunt around the school gave us a much better appreciation for this lush urban campus. We also took the opportunity to try a few new restaurants in this city, brimming with southern charm. We tried three establishments that we hadn’t been to before Indaco, Bourbon & Bubbles, and Chubby Fish. We would go back to all three. However, the culinary highlight of the week for us was having the entire courtyard to ourselves at Frannie and the Fox in the Emeline Hotel. We booked a table in the courtyard, which we highly recommend. Due to rain showers in the area, we were the only group seated in the courtyard before a passing shower closed their outdoor space. What an absolute treat it was to enjoy that typically bubbling venue in serene, rain-washed quiet. It was like being in a scene from a movie. The next few days were spent exploring the city, its galleries, cafes, and bookstores, as well as participating in some retail therapy on King Street (mostly window shopping). From there, we branched out to explore the surrounding area. We soaked in the sun and sand on the Isle of Palms, learned about the history of Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, and toured the beautiful new community of Kiawah River on John’s Island. Our last stop was Kiawah Island. If you enjoy the serenity of a private beach, Kiawah offers a pristine and quiet refuge. We also took the opportunity to enjoy a delightful cocktail at the Sanctuary hotel lounge, which is like taking a step back in time to an elegant seaside mansion. It may seem simple, but a delicious cocktail paired with delicate sweet and savory snacks was another lovely high point. It was the perfect pre-dinner treat before heading down to the Ryder Cup Bar. There we were dazzled by a magnificent sunset over the golf course. Just in case you are wondering, this trip did start and end with golf, but we were only spectators at both venues this time around. What a Spring Break whirlwind.
