It’s cold outside so who isn’t ready about now to think about a Caribbean trip.  Many people from North America vacation in the Caribbean during these last few brutal months of winter, so all you have to do is pick the perfect destination.  If you don’t already have a favorite spot here are two of our recommendations.  The only requirement your bathing suit and a good book.

St. Lucia

A part of the Windward Island chain, which is a sub-group of islands within the West Indies, St. Lucia is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide and in the shape of a mango.  Its nearest neighbor is just 21 miles away; Martinique, and it is also located 24 miles from St. Vincent and 100 miles northwest of Barbados.  Said to possess some of the best harbors in the Caribbean it was both the French and British who fought over the island in years past leaving the language English, but a French-based Creole is also spoken.

Whether you want to get out and hit the island to explore or just hang out and be lazy, two exceptional considerations for where to spend your time are Calabash Cove (www.calabashcove) or Cotton Bay Village (www.cottonbayvillage).  Calabash Cove is a chic, boutique property tucked into the beachfront on the northwest coast of the island.  Get in harmony with nature at Calabash Cove where gardens coupled with ocean views and breezes are the main attraction.  There is also a comfortable lobby, the Windsong Restaurant (fusions of Indian and Asian cuisines), a 40-foot infinity pool with a waterfall and swim-up bar and a great spa to spend at least some hours of every day.  You can choose from the cottages sitting right on the water’s edge and surrounded by gardens and of course, with private pools and an outdoor shower or, the manor house suites have Jacuzzis and no room is without a great view.

The Ti Spa at Calabash Cove is eastern-influenced with all the treatments and amenities you can ask for as well as a beauty parlor and fitness center.  Try your hand at horseback riding, diving, windsurfing, mountain climbing, sailing, kayaking and ziplining and then head into the Ti Spa for some relaxation time before dinner or a drink at the C Bar where you can watch the sunset each evening.

Cotton Bay Village, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World is a cross between a private villa and a destination resort.  Complete with kitchens and bedrooms that range in size, the resort is still nearby busy Rodney Bay if you’re in need of some nightlife. Inside Cotton Bay, the Village offers just about everything from restaurants to convenience stores to a kid’s club.

As for the restaurants onsite, there is the Beach Club where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner and also Piano Piano.  This latter option is billed as an “elegant dining experience” and considered locally to be one of the hot “tables” around the area. 

Outdoor activities just off Cotton Bay’s beach are as diverse as kayaking, windsurfing or kiteboarding and sailing.  There is an 18-hole championship  golf course nearby too, so really, you can have it all as you take in the beautiful villas, nearby ocean and a walk in the pale sand every morning.

The spa at Cotton Bay Village, called Heaven is just that. Heaven actually boasts the only Rasul chamber in the Caribbean used for mud therapies to sooth muscles while the steam alleviates respiratory problems.  There are also other signature treatment choices and the spa uses the Elemis skincare line while the salon carries Essie products as well as Redken.  There is a 25-metre pool and deck just to lounge so take a few days to unwind in Heaven.

Bahamas

A little closer to home perhaps, the Bahamas (www.bahamas.com) consists of 700 islands covering over 100,000 square miles of ocean and starting just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. The archipelago is an ecological oasis and with some of the clearest water in the area there is a visibility of over 200 feet.

While it might be hard to pick just one place to stay, the Our Lucaya property (www.ourlucaya.com) is a good option since there is something for everyone.  Located in the Freeport area, Our Lucaya offers a variety of packages for any type of traveler so you can have a package where all your meals are paid as well as activities or just a few each day. 

If you’ve never done it before the Bahamas Mama Booze Cruise is a must and you can get a chance to see the sunset from a boat while dancing the night away.  Of course there are many ways to discover the Bahamas from scuba diving to swimming with sharks to snorkeling, kayaking, boat excursions, horsebacking riding to nature tours – you can stay as busy as you want. Or, just relax on the beach in the sun.

Depending on how experienced a swimmer or diver you are, diving with sharks and watching them being fed are a must, but only for those who want an extreme thrill.  Quite safe, according to master divers at UNEXSO where you can book your dive, otherwise there is a chance to swim in the open sea with the dolphins.  

Kayak Nature Tours will take you around the island with an environmental bend that includes kayaking, snorkeling or a jeep tour also including lunch and a few stops for shopping along the way.  You can also see the oldest lighthouse on the island and walk across the Fern Gully Boardwalk.

Finally, for the ultimate in pampering Our Lucaya’s spa, called Senses is a good place to have your tired muscles massaged or choose from one of the many facials.  The signature treatments are diverse like the Sense of Peace Wrap, the Sense of Joy Wrap and the Bahamian Wrapsody to name a few, but you can’t go wrong with any choice you make.

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