Articles by: Caribbean Travel & Leisure

Sexy walks a fine line between being genuinely attractive and being just plain cheap. Even slits have a limit when it comes to good taste. Remember Elizabeth Hurley’s crotch-revealing gown when she went to a wedding? And she wasn’t even the bride! She got away with it but, as beautiful as Ms. Hurley is, the antic left many of the guests with a bad memory of the affair.

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Sexy is about showing your curves, all your good parts and still keeping enough from plain view to keep everyone guessing. And that is something you can do with your beach wedding dress. So which areas of the body should you expose and better yet, how much?

One thing to remember when picking your sexy beach wedding dress is to consider which parts of your body you are most proud of. If you have curves like a guitar, a fitting bodice can show them off nicely. If your legs are to-die for, a short dress or a slit that goes halfway up your thighs is a great way to wear a sexy beach wedding dress. The trick is finding one or two areas you can emphasize and allowing the rest of your body to play up your best asset.

Beach wedding dresses also require your arms to go uncovered. That enough is already sexy. If you’re wearing a long beach wedding dress, show off your neck and shoulders by tying back your hair in an upswept hairdo and wearing a strapless or off-the-shoulder gown. Or go for minimal yet sexy skin exposure with a halter neck. A halter neck will show off toned shoulders and some skin on the front torso and upper back.

A sexy beach wedding dress can also work well with a low-cut back. If your back looks as sexy as Hilary Swank’s or Nicole Kidman’s, wear a sleeveless, scoop neck and a plunging back. Any style will do – the wide V-cut to reveal nice shoulder blades and just skim your lower back or a shy slit that can run straight from the nape of your neck to the small of your back, revealing your skin only when a breeze blows it slightly open.

And what’s a sexy beach wedding dress without the cleavage? Maximize your curves with a midriff-skimming bustier or if you’re a little shy, wear a demure beach wedding dress with a little peep hole in front.

Author: Anthony Lee

Discover a Caribbean treasure many know, but want to keep for themselves. . .

Blue skies, gentle trade winds, pristine beaches, dozens of little secrets, miles of diving, and some of the best sailing in the world makes Tortola and British Virgin Islands a popular destination for those seeking an alternative choice to bigger cities and attractions in the Caribbean.

Here you’ll find no high-rises, crowded beaches, or a hectic and fast-paced atmosphere. You will find top notch restaurants, quaint downtowns and villages, art galleries, yacht clubs, and other travelers who found the BVI years ago, who want to keep the secret to themselves.

Tortola is a destination where you can be as active as you wish, or as quiet and relaxed as you desire. Outdoor enthusiasts have a treasure chest of choices: world-class sailing, power boating, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and bird watching to name a few. Looking for something a little quieter? Scattered in an aquamarine sea, the British Virgin Islands flank the broad Sir Francis Drake Channel, which has beguiled sailors for centuries — only accessible by water, miles of beach coastline, coves, calm, clean and un-crowded beaches await you. Visitors can explore the islands on foot and observe the extraordinary variety of exotic plants and birds.

And, did we mention the sunny skies and the mild temperatures? Daytime temperatures are averaging in the 70’s; lows are running from the mid to upper 60’s, what can get better than this?

Situated between the deep waters of the Atlantic and the glittering Caribbean Sea, just east of Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands are accessible by flights routed through San Juan, Puerto Rico – connecting service to the BVI offered by American Eagle, Cape Air, and Liat. Visitors flying into St. Thomas in the USVI have the option of either arranging a charter flight to the BVI or by taking the ferry between St. Thomas and Tortola. Ferry service can be accessed by taking a taxi from the St. Thomas airport to the ferry dock.

Tortola and the British Virgin Islands offer a wide array of lodging options and adventures for couples, families or groups. Accommodations range from quaint bed-and-breakfast inns, beachside cottages, deluxe boutique hotels, garden villas and apartments.

To plan your British Virgin Island getaway or to learn more about the BVI, visit Caribbean Travel & Leisure’s online guide at www.caribbeantl.com

Christopher Columbus was just 14 years old when he started navigating, and 41 years old when he set out on his first voyage to the new world. For many years he had honed the art of navigation on European seas, while at the same time learning the disciplines of geography and cartography. For this explorer born in Genoa, Italy, one thing was certain: the world was round. By setting sail on the ocean to the west of Europe, and following the setting sun, he thought he would eventually get to the East Indies. To make his voyage possible, he needed patrons. His search took him to Spain where he presented his project to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabelle. On August 3, 1492, his three ships set sail… these European sovereigns had given him the support he needed.

Navigating toward the unknown, in the midst of a tempest at sea, he eventually discovered the Bahamas, Haiti, and Santo Domingo before returning home to Europe. During his second voyage in 1493, he discovered the Lesser Antilles chain of islands, including Ouanalao, a small, scrubby island frequented by the Carib Indians. Christopher Columbus renamed this tiny island with the name of his brother, Bartholoméo. The island proved of no interest to those early colonists who were in search of new continents rich with gold and other treasures, so Columbus left the island behind and went on to other discoveries.

Several different ethnic groups, the Amerindians, Caribs, Arawaks, and Tanios, tried to defend their small territories, but faced with the European colonists, the battle could only be lost. Modern weapons of the period quickly crushed their primitive war clubs and small hatchets made from conch shells. It wasn’t until 1648 that Monsieur de Longvilliers de Poincy decided to colonize the island of Saint Barthélemy. He sent Sir Jacques Gente with 40 or 50 men to establish a settlement. This small colony grew with the addition of some residents from Saint Kitts, most notably a certain Lord Bonhomme. But after the bloody massacre of these first European inhabitants by the Carib Indians in 1656 (they frequently visited the island), Saint Barthélemy was abandoned. Those who were able to escape the terror of these attacks had no desire to return. In 1659, peace was made, and Monsieur de Poincy once again sent a group of 30 men. By 1664, the colony had grown to a population o! f 100.

Saint Barthélemy was made a possession of The Order of Malta by the West Indies Company in 1665, but in 1666 all of the inhabitants were sent to Saint Kitts against their wishes, as a new Irish colony was established. This attempt was a failure as the inhabitants of Saint Barth quickly returned to claim their lands.

By 1674, the island was under the rule of the French crown, and attached to the Colony of Guadeloupe. Corsairs, thieves, and pirates made the island their refuge, and in 1744 a British invasion plundered the island. Certain residents fled to islands in the southern Caribbean, yet Saint Barthélemy remained a French possession and settlers returned by 1764, at which time Descoudrelle was in command. His administration proved to be excellent and the population once again displayed its legendary joie de vivre. But history continued to take its course, and in France a curious arrangement was taking place between King Louis XVI and King Gustav III that would forever change the destiny of this little island… France traded the island to Sweden in exchange for a warehouse in Gothenburg.

In 1784 Saint Barthélemy became a Swedish possession. At 11:00am on March 7, 1785, the island was official ceded to Sweden. And thus an era of uncharted prosperity began. King Gustav made intelligent economic decisions and Saint Barthélemy expanded considerably. Around the small, sheltered port, the town of Gustavia began to take shape, with its paved streets and three forts for protection: Gustav, Karl, and Oscar, named after Swedish kings. Buildings took on a harmonious blend of wood and stone such as can still be seen today, from the former town hall, to the Swedish bell tower, the Brigantine, the Prefecture, and the museum/library in the former Wall House. The port was named Gustav after the king and developed as a duty-free port.

By 1800, the population had grown to 6,000 people. Several years of war would perturb the island as well as a series of natural catastrophes: repeated periods of drought, hurricanes, torrential rains, and the terrible fire of 1852, which destroyed the southern sector of Gustavia. King Oscar II quite embarrassed that this island didn’t produce much more than problems that continually cost him dearly, finally decided to retrocede the island to France.

On March 16, 1878, after a popular referendum, the nationality of the island was once again French. Saint Barthélemy retreated into an era of sleepy calm. In fact, life on the island continued in its own little way, difficult but peaceful, with attention paid to virtue, family, and work. Hurricanes, periods of drought, sickness, social problems, invasions by the British flotilla, and slave revolts were part of the daily regime, but the island never lost its will to survive:

- Harvesting salt
- Family agriculture
- Fishing, sailing
- Weaving of straw
- Itinerant commerce
- Raising and breeding of animals

In spite of all these efforts, the local economy was unable to provide a decent quality of life for the population. The men left to look for work on neighboring island. Whole families immigrated to the American Virgin Islands, in particular Saint Thomas. Yet progress began to creep onto the island, and in spite of the misery created by the effects of the Second World War and the lack of water, life began to improve. Communal cisterns were built in each neighborhood, the first schools opened their doors, and the first roads were traced through the mountains and into the countryside.

In 1945, Remy de Haënen opened Saint Barth to the rest of the world by landing the first airplane on the savanna in Saint Jean. At the same time, the Port of Gustavia saw more and more activity.

By 1960, school children no longer had to leave the island to go to school elsewhere at the age of 11 on schooners, as a junior high had just opened in Gustavia, and they could remain! with their families another four or five years. And slowly but surely, creature comforts also began to appear.

By the time the 1980s rolled around, life on the island had evolved in almost every way. Tourism had become the motor driving the economy. The conditions in the schools were much improved. Sports became quite popular and changed the habits of the population. An electric plant was built to produce electricity and wires carried the power to all corners of the island. The airport expanded and continued to expand through its most recent renovation. Other important projects would modernize the island as well. The island has continued to evolve and new projects are on the table. Environmental protection has become a hot topic of conversation and an important issue as the population continues to grow: from 2,491 residents in 1974, there are close to 9,000 inhabitants today. A Coat Of Arms For Saint Barthélemy

LIVE IT UP N’ DIVE is an event for scuba divers who like to vacation in paradise, dine in world-class restaurants and enjoy premium-brand beverages, plus hang out with friends and family while diving in the world’s most beautiful destinations!

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There’s no additional charge for divers to participate in these events. All guests who book through this promotion will be invited to participate. Each of the resorts listed above will plan the days and times for the LIVE IT UP N’ DIVE activities, and may vary at each resort. Guests must enter Promotion Code DIVE10 to receive this offer.

Bequia is one of the largest in the chain of 32 islands and cays that form the island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Sailors have known about the Grenadines for much longer than most. The area is a favourite spot for yachties and considered one of the best sailing grounds in the world. As tourists increasingly search for authentic travel experiences word is slowly getting out about this beautiful tropical paradise.

Bequia is a little known vacation retreat. It has remained off the beaten track, a dot in the ocean, too out of the way for main stream tourism. Little changed by time, it is an island on which life is completely oriented to the sea. Its seclusion has ensured it retained its age-old traditions of boat building and fishing. Isolated enough to remain relatively unspoiled, yet lively enough to be stimulating and entertaining, it provides a blend of the old and new that many find perfect.

It is a beautiful lush island with some of the friendliest people in the Caribbean. It is also a great place to go on a day sail, go hiking, laze on the beach, or just “lime” under a coconut tree with your favourite beverage.  Lazy days can be spent on one of the many beaches under the sunny skies of the West Indies.

Bequia tends to attract the more adventurous type of visitor who prefers the tropical delights and ambiance of the smaller, more informal islands, where the beaches are secluded and high rise hotels do not mar the scenery. Regularly
featuring in travel writers top ten picks of the Caribbean yet unheard of by most. Many travel agents would be hard pressed to pinpoint the island on a map, probably why it has remained so unspoilt. To get there you have to travel by ferry from St Vincent or a tiny island hopper service from Barbados.

The island is encircled by gold-sand beaches, many of which disappear into coves, excellent for sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling. The centre of the island is hilly and forested, providing a dramatic backdrop to the bays and beaches. Admiralty Bay, the island’s natural harbour, is a favourite anchoring spot for yachtsmen from all over the world.

Belmont walkway separates a narrow strip of sand and the sparkling Caribbean ocean from a handful of restaurants, bars and hotels along the main town of Port Elizabeth. Often described as the prettiest harbour in the Caribbean this
quant port provides a number waterfront bars to enjoy the scenery and admire the sunsets.

Ideally situated amongst the Genadines a number of excursions are available to neighbouring islands. An hour ferry ride away is St. Vincent, the mainland. This island features an awe inspiring Volcano that you reach by hiking through
rain forest. A historic fort and lush tropical botanical gardens. A popular day trip is a sail boat journey to Mustique, home to the rich and famous, with idyllic beaches and luxury homes.

One trip absolutely not to be missed is a sail to the Tobago Cays national marine park, one of the most stunning areas in the entire Caribbean. Deserted islands, a huge coral reef and dazzling turquoise sea of un-imaginary hues.

If you are looking for something a little different for your vacation this year. An authentic taste of West Indian culture and life you be hard pressed to find an island that would suite your needs better than Bequia in the Grenadines.

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There are many places to see when you decide to go on a Caribbean cruise vacation. After all, the area itself comprises more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs and cays. You just have to rent a boat or tell the skipper that this is where you want to go. By choosing to rent a bare boat or a chartering a crewed vessel, you will be able to practice your sailing skills.

The sailing capital of the Caribbean is the British Virgin Islands. With consistent trade winds blowing from the northeast at 10 to 25 knots, clear water and about 60 islands and cays to explore in an area that’s 32 miles long and 15 miles wide.

If you want to start your vacation here, go to Tortola that happens to be the largest island where many vendors are available to rent bareboat craft or crewed yachts, depending on your skills and interests.

But to get here, it is best to book with a private plane charter to avoid several connections in order to get there. One event you shouldn’t miss when you are here is the BVI Spring Regatta where 100 yachts compete as part of the events in the three-day festival.

There is also St. Vincent and the Grenadine Islands. Here, the wind comes from the northeast and blows at 10 to 25 knots. Most of the islands here are undeveloped so you can drop anchor and do some sunbathing while the rest can go and have a picnic. You can also do some shopping in town where spice market is known for its pervasive fragrances.

Another group of islands that is worth seeing is the Bahamas just 100 miles of the coast of Florida. Here, you are surrounded by turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. Abaco is the major centre here for yacht charters and from here, you can check out Andros Island, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Long Island, Mayaguana San Salvador Island or Nassau that are make up just a few of the 700 islands.

Don’t forget the islands of the French West Indies which includes Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Martin and St. Barts. The winds here are between 10 to 20 knots and the best time to sail in these parts is between December and April which also happens to be the dry season.

Fort-de-France in Martinique is one of the Caribbean’s loveliest bays, and of the island’s several marinas, Le Marin’s Port de Plaisance is the island’s biggest and best-equipped.

If you think about it, any of these places is a good starting point to start your Caribbean sailing vacation given that millions of tourists visit this place every year.

This makes this island paradise is ideal for everyone as there are packages available for couples, honeymooners and adult only so you just have to mention which one you want to avail of. These are often posted in magazines and a lot of them are available online which means it won’t be long before you find a package that suits your budget.

But apart from the different places you can go, don’t forget to indulge yourself in some of the activities that you can do. These include snorkeling, board water sports, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking and scuba diving.

You will just have to borrow the equipment if you don’t happen to have any of these as part of your luggage.

If you don’t like large crowds, never plan your Caribbean cruise vacation during the peak months. This will also save you money as the rates will also go down.

So get planning and have a great time in the Caribbean!