Quote of the Week: Travel Your Own Distance….
“We all need our own time to travel our own distance.” ~Unknown.
Destination Spotlight: Paradise Found…..Anguilla
It’s been a very long time since I took the time to write a post. It’s 2014. New Year. Suitcases packed and I’ve been on the road again to the Caribbean. Anguilla, a small magical island in the Eastern Caribbean, has stolen my heart. The island is tranquility wrapped in blue, and every time I travel to Anguilla, the place feeds my soul. What makes it so special to me?
So many things, I cannot put into words. All I can say is Anguilla is a magical place where you can just relax and “be” rather than a place where you have to “do” something to have an amazing vacation. If you go, you will meet meet new friends and you will not return home the same. Here’s the recap:
Where is Anguilla: Caribbean, Latitude 28 degrees, Longitude 63 degrees
What Anguilla Is: Chic, Hot, Very Private, Ultra Exclusive, Paradise
What Anguilla is Not: No duty-free shopping, no chain hotels, no casinos, no cruise ships, no fast food chains
Size: 16 miles long, 3 miles wide (tiny)
Beaches: 33 totally fabulous beaches
How to Get There:
Option 1: Fly to St. Maarten (SXM). Nonstops from Atlanta, New York, Newark and Miami (American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Jetblue, and United). Take a 12 minute public ferry from Marigot or private charter boats from Princess Juliana Airport.
Option 2: Fly directly to Anguilla (AXA) Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport via Cape Air, Liat, or private jet. Limited flights via San Juan and St. Thomas.
High Season: December 15 thru Mid-April.
Hotels: Viceroy Anguilla, Cuisinart, and Cap Juluca are top luxury resorts. Lots of private villa options.
Golf Course: Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa
Nightlife: Elvis Beach Bar, Pumphouse, The Dune Preserve, Johnno’s, and Dad’s are all top spots for dancing and reggae bands on Friday and Saturday nights.
What I enjoyed most about Anguilla:
Beaches (Rendevous Bay is my personal favorite)
Sunsets (Mead’s Bay is spectacular)
Food (Fantastic roadside BBQ, Delicious grilled Seafood, and french bakeries)
Fruity drinks (The BBC – Bailey’s Banana Colada and Rum Punch are my favorites)
Spas (Viceroy Anguilla is my favorite)
Music – Sunday afternoons at Gwen’s Reggae Grill with the Scratch Band on Shoal Bay East
Eateries: The Sunshine Shack (Rendevous Bay), Blanchard’s on the Beach (Mead’s Bay), Elvis Beach Bar (Sandy Ground), and Geraud’s
Helpful Tips:
- Rental car is a must (taxis are outrageously expensive)
- Driving is on the left
- Roaming with US cellphones is expensive, texting and internet are more affordable options to stay in touch.
- Most bars and restaurants now offer free Wifi, service can be spotty (:
- Anguilla has a 20% government tax on hotel and restaurant charges
- Anguilla has an additional 15% service charge added to restaurant bills, service charge = gratuity
- Carry sufficient cash to cover ferry rides ($15 per person each way) , departure taxes ($22 per person), and gratuities
- Be prepared with all over the counter medications, sunscreen, and toiletries you may need, these items tend to be very pricey
- Water is a very precious commodity on Anguilla, you are encouraged to limit showers and water usage
The secret to Anguilla: Hidden paradise….ultimate place to relax and rejuvenate.
I highly recommend Anguilla for an unforgettable vacation. Just GO!
Miami: Second Time Around
Happy New Year to all…..It’s been too long, but I’m back. I started this year with a desire to escape the Artic Blast. Atlanta is traditionally in the 30’s and 40’s during winter months, this year is colder than most. Single digits. So I ended up in Miami for a short escape. I visited over 10 years ago. While Miami is fun, it has never been one of my favorite destinations. I decided to give it another try in 2014.
Travel time: 1 hour, 27 minutes (nonstop from Atlanta)
Arrival airport: Miami International Airport
Hotel: The Clinton (South Beach)
Reason for travel: Beach escape
Temperatures: High 60 degrees
What I liked: People watching, nightlife, variety of things to do, The Clinton (great location and price), cultural diversity
What I didn’t:
- Hotels are pricey
- Boutique South Beach hotels are more affordable option, but often are aged
- Taxis to/from MIA airport are expensive (~$40 and up one-way)
- South Beach restaurants offer pretty much the same menus
- Seafood options limited (this was a big surprise!)
- Miami Airport facilities are old and restaurants are really unclean
Would I recommend Miami? Yes. For a girl’s or guys trip. Spring break. Quick weekend getaways. For those who enjoy drinking and partying.
Will I go back? Sure, but not during winter season:)
the travelpreneur 