Elegance and Gourmet Cuisine In Belize

Long considered the hidden jewel of Belize, Matachica Resort and Spa, the exquisite, award-winning beach resort is the ideal location for a romantic rendezvous with someone special.  Heralded as the anti-generic beach resort, Matachica Resort and Spa now offers an even more spectacular Caribbean getaway with their signature relaxed attitude and barefoot elegance.

Matachica Resort and Spa’s exotic location is evident at every turn, particularly at the resort’s award-winning Mambo restaurant. Here the highest-quality local ingredients lend an authentic Belizean flare to the dining experience. Inspired by the lush atmosphere and flavors of Belize.

http://matachica.com/

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Chef Reynaldo has crafted a menu that offers sumptuous dishes such as Curried Island Shrimp, Spicy Gazpacho, Mango-Glazed Pork and Banana Coconut Rum Foster, to name a few. Chef Reynaldo places top priority on the details by hand-picking herbs and spices and featuring house made pastas and breads. Paired with an extensive wine list and romantic ambience—candelabras, handcrafted local art and mahogany furniture—Mambo elevates the island’s dining scene on every level.

If you opt to explore the island of Ambergris Caye during your stay, you might indulge in a private picnic prepared by the restaurant. From scuba diving and snorkeling, to fishing, historic site excursions and journeying to the world’s second-largest barrier reef, there are countless options to experience island life. You may very well choose to simply find a secluded hammock together to soak in the relaxing island rays. A gourmet meal set against Matachica Resort and Spa’s breathtaking backdrop perfectly compliments whichever of the many activities you embark on.


Filed under: Belize, Caribbean, Travel Tagged: Belize, Caribbean, resort, Travel

Time is running outfor your clients to reserve a spot at the hottest concert serious of the season, the highly-anticipated second annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, September 2-3, 2011!This year, the star-studded line-up already has many hotels across the island almost completely booked, but some limited rooms and packages are still available at hotels, including the Plaza Hotel Curaçao & Casino, Atlantis Diving & Apartments, Royal Sea Aquarium Resort and Breezes Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino.

Acclaimed Jazz musician Branford Marsalis and his quartet have been added to the A-list line-up of musicians performing this year. Marsalis will join16-time Grammy award-winner Sting and 25-time Grammy award-winner Stevie Wonder, who are headlining the sizzling, soulful event.

Copyright 2011 By Punch In International. All Rights Reserved

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Marsalis, a three-time Grammy award-winner and brother of famed jazz artist Wynton Marsalis, will bring his world-renowned sounds to the World Trade Center Curaçao in Piscadera Bay, where the event will be held. Two of the Branford Marsalis Quartet albums, Braggtown and Eternal, have been nominated for Grammys.
“Our incredible line-up of iconic award-winning artists, including Stevie Wonder, Sting and now the Branford Marsalis Quartet, will be a huge draw for this year’s Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival,” says Curaçao Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America André Rojer. “Building on the success of last year’s Festival, this year’s event is sure to heighten awareness of Curaçao as the hottest island in the Caribbean, as evidenced by the many hotels that are already fully booked for the Festival dates.”
Having recently been named one of the ‘Best Islands in the Caribbean for Bar-Hoppers’ by The Huffington Post, it is no surprise that Curacao and its Festival have attracted so many followers. Living up to its title, the island’s popular party spot Mambo Beach will transform into a week-long music-inspired, social extravaganza, with pop-up concerts and events happening every day until the kickoff of the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival.

The first-class jazz and blues concert series will also incorporate soul, rock and Latin music this year with performers including Dionne Warwick, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ruben Blades, Roberto Fonseca, Juan Luis Guerra, Terence Blanchard, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers, Poncho Sanchez, Danilo Perez Trio, Levi Silvanie, Chucho Valdes Afro Cuban & Messengers and Ronchi Matthew.
Day passes for this year’s event are priced at $185 and may be ordered online at www.curacaonorthseajazz.com. For more information on Curaçao or to book a trip for your clients to the 2011 Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit Curacao.com.

About Curaçao
Selected as one of the ‘Top 21 Places We’re Going in 2011’ by Fodor’s, one of the ‘Hottest Destinations for 2011’by AOL Travel and one of the ‘Destinations to Watch in 2011’ by SmarterTravel, Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35 uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and world-class shopping. Indulge in Curaçao’s vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines. Discover Curaçao’s abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches – including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011’ by SmarterTravel. Curaçao offers idyllic weather, situated on the fringe of the Hurricane Belt. To learn more about the island of Curaçao visit Curacao.com. To request a FREE Curaçao information package click here or call toll free 1.800.328.7222


Filed under: Caribbean, Travel

jade mountain

Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia are announcing their summer promotion. The cool trade winds are in the travelers favor for an exceptional summer experience in either Anse Chastanet or Jade Mountain both in the shadow of the majestic Pitons in St. Lucia. Here are the details:

Jade Mountain:

Take advantage of a 4th and 7th night (7 for 5) FREE at Jade Mountain in our Sky Jacuzzi suites and our Star and Moon infinity pool sanctuaries. If you prebook any of the meal plans (breakfast and dinner or all inclusive), then the free night will have same meal plan free of charge.
There is limited availability and must be booked by April 20. Travel dates must be between July 15 and September 30.
The daily rates per couple in the Sky, Star, Moon categories respectively are:
US $950 / $1,250 / $1,500 from June 1 – October 31, 2011.
To add breakfast and dinner, please add US$ 180 per couple per day. You can also add an all-inclusive meals and drinks package to your room rate. This would be US$ 330 per couple daily.

Anse Chastanet:

Take advantage of a 4th and 7th night (7 for 5) FREE in Standard, Superior and Beachside Deluxe accommodation. If you prebook any of the meal plans (breakfast and dinner or all inclusive), then the free night will have same meal plan free of charge. There is limited availability and must be booked by April 20. Travel dates must be between July 15 and September 30.
Our daily rates per couple from June 1 – October 31, 2011 in Standard, Superior, Beachside Deluxe accommodation respectively are: US 330 / US 420 / US 525. To add breakfast and dinner, please add US 160 per couple per day. You can also add an all-inclusive meals and drinks package to your room rate. This would be US 310 per couple daily. All above rates – rooms and meals – are subject to 8% tax and 10% service.

Reservations can be made online at www.ansechastanet.com or www.jademountainstlucia.com or call Tel 1-800-223-1108. Book by April 30, 2011

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Filed under: Caribbean, Travel


Relax and Renew Body and Soul at St. Lucia’s Calabash Cove Resort & Spa
After the hectic holiday season, start the new year relaxed and fresh at a tranquil, beachfront boutique resort on the idyllic island of St. Lucia.

 



St. Lucia, West Indies — Recharge after the hectic holidays with a rejuvenating escape to peaceful, picturesque Calabash Cove Resort & Spa. At this beachfront boutique resort on the stunning Caribbean island of St. Lucia, where temperatures this winter will average a balmy 80 degrees with soothing trade breezes and the Pitons World Heritage Site provides a stunning backdrop, relaxation and renewal rises to a new heights.
Luxurious accommodations include the 1,000-square-foot Water’s Edge Cottages with secluded plunge pools, outdoor rain showers and private hammocks, as well as unique Swim-Up, Sunset and Oceanview Jr. Suites. All of the resort’s accommodations offer unparalleled views from the luxury of your balcony and are beautifully appointed, making use of natural materials such as Balinese mahogany wherever possible. Relax in Whispers, the resort’s music and reading library overlooking the ocean, or roam the quiet walkways of Cove Gardens, an enchanting labyrinth of groves, ponds and terraces alive with fragrant local flora and fauna and the soothing sounds of birds and wind chimes.
Nourish and indulge the senses while rejuvenating body and mind at Calabash Cove’s own Ti Spa, Fitness Centre and Beauty Parlour, located next to Sweetwaters, the resort’s 100-foot, infinity-edge designer pool. The spa features private treatment rooms, staffed by knowledgeable and skilled associates, and an array of offerings designed to relieve the body of stress, including:
Island Romance A candlelit aromatherapy massage for two using specially blended essential oils. Rekindle your fire at the boardwalk or the gazebo, as the waves caress your soul.
- Mineral Mud Body Mask A nutrient-rich body mask gently but effectively cleanses, tightens and purifies, leaving your whole body refreshed and radiant. Step into the Caribbean Sea to allow the ripples of the waves rinse you before enjoying a soothing massage.
- Sea Salt Scrub The water’s edge of this serene resort is the perfect setting for this exhilarating scrub. As you savor the sounds of the sea, your body will be exfoliated using natural sea salts with a blend of ginger, lime, cucumber and almond oil. A dip in the ocean followed by a light massage will relax your mind and body.
- Island Fruit Body Scrub A blend of island fruit, natural oils and sugar is used to create this tropical fruit scrub, uniquely formulated to enhance skin tone, detoxify the body and to help restore skin’s youthfulness.
- Seaweed Body Wrap Seaweed captures the richness of the sea with its potent antioxidants and cell-regeneration properties that help rejuvenate skin. This body wrap will gently purify and detoxify while improving circulation and toning.
Continue the feast of the senses at the onsite Windsong Restaurant, which offers unobstructed views across the Caribbean Sea and seasonally inspired dishes made from the freshest local ingredients—so fresh that you might just see fishermen dropping their catch for our chefs right on our beach as they return from sea! Complementing Windsong’s elegant milieu is the convivial C-bar, which serves international cocktails and fine wines from the Calabash Cove Cellars amid lively island music. Choose from the European Plan (EP), featuring a daily island breakfast buffet, or the Luxury Gourmet Plan (LGP), a convenient, all-inclusive option that includes all meals and beverages throughout your stay.
Soak up the island’s beauty at the resort or choose from a plethora of land and sea excursions offered. Glide through a rainforest canopy on a zip line, for example, try your hand at deep-sea fishing or enjoy a romantic champagne sunset cruise while glimpsing the green flash at the most magical hour of the day. Kick off your New Year’s resolutions by dusting off your wintertime exercise routine and taking it outdoors in the sultry island tropics—snorkel or dive in the Caribbean’s translucent blue waters, hike to the summit of a breathtaking Piton, or jog barefoot on a powder-white sand beach. Then cool off under a waterfall. Calabash Cove’s concierge service will help you assemble a perfect lineup of active fun.
Room rates at Calabash Cove Resort & Spa begin at $425 per night from Jan. 3 to April 10, 2011, based on double occupancy. To make reservations, contact your preferred travel agent or e-mail reservations@calabashcove.com or Tammy@LMPInternational.com. Calabash Cove can also be booked through leading tour operators, including Travel Impressions, Vacation Express and the Mark Travel Company. For more information, visit www.CalabashCove.com

About Calabash Cove

Calabash Cove Resort is a luxurious boutique resort located on the island of St. Lucia. St. Lucia’s beauty continues to attract worldwide attention as its landmark Pitons, side-by-side volcanic summits, were designated a World Heritage Site, Oprah Winfrey listed the island as one of “Five Places to See in Your Lifetime” and ABC-TV’s “The Bachelor” filmed its last season finale on the island. For more information on Calabash Cove or to book a visit, visit Calabash Cove’s website at www.calabashcove.com or its Facebook or Twitter pages.


stkits 

Development to Feature the First Park Hyatt Branded Hotel in the Caribbean

St. Kitts is pleased to welcome the Cockleshell Bay Resort development, which will be set on 150 acres in the island’s picturesque southeast peninsula and will feature a Park Hyatt hotel and residences as well as a 160-berth Camper & Nicholson’s managed yacht marina, a casino and a selection of world-class restaurants.

In a small but impressive ceremony in Basseterre on Thursday, September 17th, 2009 an agreement was signed between project developer Chris Kanhai of St. Michael’s Foundation Ltd. of Canada, and Rakesh Sarna, Chief Operating Officer–International, of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts to manage the Park Hyatt St. Kitts at Cockleshell Bay. It will be the first Park Hyatt hotel in the Caribbean and will feature 125 guestrooms plus a state-of-the-art luxury spa with eight treatment rooms. 100 Park Hyatt-branded residential townhouses and condominiums and 86 estate villas will also be included in the Cockleshell Bay development, which is scheduled for completion in 2013.

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