New United Nonstops from Newark to St. Lucia
United Airlines will begin weekly non-stop service between Newark International Airport(EWR) and Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in St. Lucia on Saturday, July 13. Flights will depart Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturdays at 8:55 a.m., arriving at Hewanorra at 1:48 p.m.; return flights on Saturdays will depart St. Lucia at 2:38 p.m. and will arrive in Newark at 7:33 p.m.
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'Great Gatsby' Package at Westin Aruba
The Westin Aruba has a new package inspired by the release of the latest Great Gatsby movie, and you don't need to be a millionaire to get your Roaring Twenties on in the Caribbean this year. The package includes nightly rates starting at $192, and you can impress your beau or flapper with upgrades for just $19.20.
The "Gatsby Getaway" offer is available now through Dec. 19, 2013. For more information or reservations, please visit www.westinaruba.com/gatsby-getaway or call (877) 782-0149 and mention rate plan GATSBY.
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This Memorial Day, Honor Your Vet with a Vacation
As the nation pauses this weekend to remember its fallen heroes, the all-inclusive Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica is saluting veterans by extending a 60 percent discount and some other perks to U.S. military members (active duty and retired) and their families.
Book by Dec. 20, 2013 and you'll receive deeply discounted room rates plus:
- Free one room upgrade (from standard to superior), based on availability
- $5 match play casino credit
- 10 percent savings on spa services at the new Sol-Mer Spa & Beauty Salon
A two-night minimum stay is required, but there are no blackout dates. Civil servants also qualify for this deal. The offer is valid on stays between April 8 and Dec. 22, 2013.
Proper U.S. military or government identification must be presented at check-in order to receive savings.
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New Profile: The Hotel LeVillage St. Barth
Hotel prices in tony St. Barth are such that anything under $200 is pretty much a bargain. The family owned Hotel LeVillage hits this wallet-friendly mark well -- the hotel doesn't have an abundance of frills, but you'll still get a nice, recently renovated room, a pool to cool off in, a fitness center, and a pretty garden setting. Remember, every dollar (or euro) you save here you can use to sample the offerings at St. Barth's renowned restaurants and boutiques!
Profile: The Hotel LeVillage St. Barth
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(Photo © Hotel LeVillage St. Barth)
Gone Fishin' ... In the Florida Keys
We focus a lot of our Florida Keys coverage on Key West and its history and fun-loving people, but there are many people who travel to the Keys who are more interested in how many fish they can catch than the number of shots they can drink.
The Keys are actually considered by some to be the sportsfishing and diving capitals of the world, and its reefs, flats and deep waters are home to a number of desirable sports fish, notably the tarpon that were so beloved by Hemingway. So pack your poles and head south to some of the Top Fishing Spots in the Florida Keys, as recommended by the folks at Takemefishing.org.
Top Fishing Spots in the Florida Keys
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(Photo © Oscalito via Flickr)
The St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival
The 22nd annual St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival just wrapped up, and I could not have picked a better time for a first-time visit to this beautiful island, which was hopping with excitement all week as some of the world's best jazz, R&B, and even hiphop artists flew in to perform at a variety of concert venues. It was a great opportunity not only to see jazz played in some historic venues (and local bars) but also to experience the welcoming culture and friendly people of St. Lucia, who embrace this annual festival with as much joy as they do their annual Carnival celebration!
Learn more about the St. Lucia Jazz Fest and start planning your trip to the 2014 show ...
The St. Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival
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(Photo of The Jacksons performing at the 2013 St. Lucia Jazz Festival © St. Lucia Tourist Board)
Batabano: Carnival in the Cayman Islands
Travel writer (and Carnival fanatic) Baz Dreisinger is back from the Cayman Islands with a fresh new report on Batabano, the islands' lively and growing Carnival celebration that's held each May. Traditionally tied to the egg-laying season of native sea turtles, the Cayman Carnival takes place on Grand Cayman Island and is just one of the many Caribbean Carnivals that take place year-round, not just during Easter season ...
Batabano: Carnival in the Cayman Islands
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Memorial Day Military Discounts from Starwood Caribbean
As Memorial Day draws closer, Starwood Caribbean Hotels & Resorts are offering military members discounts of up to 60 percent at hotels in Puerto Rico, St. John, and the Bahamas:
The Westin St. John Resort & Villas has rates as low as $165 per night. Book online at www.westinresortstjohn.com by selecting "Government Employee" under the rate preferences, or by calling 1-800-734-7345 and mentioning the "GO" rate plan. Guests must present a valid government ID upon check-in.
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The Westin Resort & Casino Aruba special military rate starts at $179 nightly and includes a complimentary upgrade to an ocean-view room (based on availability). Book online at www.westinaruba.com by selecting "Government Employee" under the rate preferences, or by calling (877) 782-0149 and mentioning the "GO" rate plan. Guests must present a valid government ID upon check-in.
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Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort & Casino military rates start as low as $190 and include daily breakfast for one.Book online at www.sheratonnassau.com by selecting "Government Employee" under the rate preferences, or by calling 1-866-716-8106 and mentioning the "GO" rate plan.
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Puerto Rico:
Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino: rooms as low as $195 can be booked online at www.sheratonpuertoricohotelcasino.com by selecting "Government Employee" under the rate preferences, or by calling 1-877-822-0000 and mentioning the "GO" rate plan.
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort: rooms as low as $299 can be booked online at www.stregisbahiabeach.com by selecting "Government Employee" under the rate preferences, or by calling 1-877-782-0106 and mentioning the "GO" rate plan.
Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa - as low as $139 for ocean view rooms through Dec. 23, 2013.To book, visit www.wyndhamriomar.com or call (800)4RioMar.
W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island: Rates as low as $254 nightly can be booked online at www.wvieques.com by selecting "Government Employee" under the rate preferences, or by calling 1-877-822-0000 and mentioning the "GOFLOAT" rate plan.
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(Photo of Sheraton Nassau Resort © Starwood Hotels and Resorts)
JW Marriott Coming to Provo
Marriott International has announced plans to open a 380-room JW Marriott Hotel and Casino in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, in 2016. The high-rise hotel will be built on an 11-acre site on Grace Bay Beach and will feature a gourmet specialty restaurant, a full-service eatery, a lobby bar and lounge, and a pool bar & grill, as well as a ballroom and meeting rooms, a spa, fitness center, kids/teen club, three swimming pools, and a casino.
"We are proud to announce our second world class JW Marriott luxury brand hotel project in the Caribbean and our first in Turks and Caicos. This beautiful hotel will offer the highest levels of accommodations and service to our guests," says Craig S. Smith, Marriott's president for the Caribbean and Latin America.
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Radisson Opens First Barbados Hotel
Another familiar hotel brand has come to Barbados with the opening of the Radisson Aquatica Resort on Carlisle Bay, the closest major hotel to downtown Bridgetown. Formerly the Barbados Grand Resort, the Aquatica retains the property's historic Victorian pier but has been spruced up with a $8-million renovation. The hotel has 124 rooms, two pools, and a meetings center.
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