If you are itching to sneak away and stay warm during the holidays, visit these hot destinations.

There’s a point during the holiday season when you feel downright exhausted. The point when you have decorated all you can decorate, you’ve shopped for all the gifts on the list and you have gobbled up one too many candy canes. What if you could skip all of that and escape to a tropical destination? Here are four excellent choices where you can easily join in with the locals as they celebrate the holidays (and kick up your feet while you’re at it).

Montego Bay, Jamaica
Christmas in Montego Bay is generally a mixture of longstanding family traditions. “Typically, families join together to enjoy the day and take in individuals who are alone,” says Michelle Patterson, a wedding manager at Hummingbird Hall, a boutique wedding venue in Jamaica.

“The run up to Christmas in Jamaica is treated with much excitement,” Patterson says. “The external signs that Christmas is coming include: reggae versions of traditional Christmas carols; Christmas lights being erected by town councils, shopping plazas and hotels; and goats and pigs being fattened (curried goat is a year-round Jamaican favourite, but especially prized during Christmas).”

The night before Christmas is especially important in Jamaica. “Most Jamaicans do not purchase gifts until December 24, and thoroughly enjoy purchasing gifts at the Grand Market,” she explains. “During Grand Market, shops remain open all night, shoppers dress in new clothes, carol singers entertain shoppers and families shop together. ”

In the evenings there are Junkanoo parades, which are masquerades meant to entertain and “frighten” people into giving to worthy causes. Religious concerts abound during this season, as do pantomimes (in patois) for children and adults. Christian Jamaicans attend a Watch Night Service, where the tradition is for individuals to wait in church until midnight to watch for the coming of Christ.

As for Christmas day, it tends to begin with a huge cooked breakfast. “Families breakfast together and may then go to the beach to enjoy the water,” Patterson says. Children are sometimes given noisy toys, firecrackers and sparklers to enjoy while at the beach.

After that, the feasting begins at home. The emphasis is on meats, fish and seafood, and homemade drinks such as carrot juice punch and sorrel (handmade from a Jamaican flower and mixed with rum and ginger) help complement the meal. Ackee and saltfish — Jamaica’s national dish — is common, as well as liver, boiled dumplings, yam, porridge and curried chicken. Also popular are milo and porridge; mannish water, a soup made using the entrails, head and bones of a goat; and Christmas cake, which includes rum-soaked fruits.

The special day is also marked by weddings galore. “Many couples choose to get married on Christmas day because of the number of visitors from overseas who are likely to attend; and the fact that warm weather is almost guaranteed,” she says. “To marry on Christmas Day in Jamaica holds special significance. A Christmas wedding signifies affluence and excess, as it is often more costly to marry on this public holiday. Often couples pick up on the Christmas colour of red, which also symbolises romance and love. The next best thing to marrying on Christmas Day is to get engaged on that day. This signifies in the minds of Jamaicans uniqueness and exclusivity.”

Havana, Cuba
Since the Pope’s visit to Havana in 1998, Cubans seem to be embracing Christmas celebrations more than ever. “Nativity scenes [appeared] in churches and public homes, and even Christmas trees imported from China went on sale,” says journalist Christopher Baker, who has been writing about Cuba for decades.

One of his favourite things about Cuba during the holidays is the elaborate nativity scenes many devout Christians set up in their living rooms. “The doors and windows of Cuban homes are typically left open to the street, so that passersby can view the nativity scenes,” he says.

And don’t forget about the feasting. No holiday meal is complete without roasting a pig. “The pork is typically served with rice and black beans; starch veggies, such as yucca and malanga; and fried plantains,” Baker explains. “There will be ropa vieja (braised beef), and flan for dessert.”

There is very little gift giving or exchange in Cuba, he says, so Christmas is not marked by shopping frenzies or marketing hype. Christmas feels more like another reason for Cubans to get together and crank up the music and dance.

La Ceiba, Honduras
If you’re looking for some unique holiday celebrations, head down to the city of La Ceiba in Honduras. When planning your getaway, keep in mind that Christmas is celebrated on December 24 rather than the 25. “This is the time when families gather together at midnight and throw firecrackers,” says Shary Juárez, marketing coordinator at the Honduran Tourism Institute. “At midnight, there is a tradition of throwing firecrackers and a gift exchange called cuchumbo.”

This is also the time when families get together for a traditional meal of pork leg, ham, stuffed chicken, and rice and beans with coconut, pork and potatoes. For dessert it’s torrejas, rosquillas and mapled sugar cane pumpkin. Rompopo (eggnog) is popular, too.

And, it wouldn’t be a traditional Christmas meal without tamales. These delicious treats are typically filled with chicken, pork and some combination of rice, potatoes, garbanzos, peas and green olives, all wrapped in banana leaves. You’ll see women selling tamales to friends and neighbours. Other times they are exchanging them as if they were cookies.

Miami, Florida
“Miami is a diverse community that celebrates not only American Christmas holiday traditions, but also traditions that reflect the varied and rich heritage of our residents,” says William D. Talbert, III, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). “From holiday extravaganzas to parades and holiday celebrations, Miami’s calendar is packed with holiday traditions.”

Kwanzaa celebrations are held throughout Miami’s African-American community, and Santa Claus is called “Papa Nwel” in Miami’s Little Haiti neighbourhood. Better yet, the Christmas holiday season extends into January, with events that include an alternative to traditional parades, such as the King Mango Strut Parade, Coconut Grove’s zany spoof of events and people in the news, and the Three Kings parade in the heart of Little Havana.

For Cubans, Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) features the traditional Cuban feast: Cuban-style roast pork, black beans and rice, yucca, maduros (fried plantains) and flan. The pig is roasted in a special grill called a Caja China. Throughout Miami, restaurants tout a vast variety of holiday cuisine and culinary delights that reflects the community’s international connections.

“Miamians take great pride in decorating our lush tropical landscape in holiday lights,” says Talbert. “Decorated palm trees are as much a holiday tradition as Christmas trees.”

One of Talbert’s favourite family traditions is eating stone crabs on New Year’s Day. “And Christmas brunch by the swimming pool [is a] family tradition,” says Talbert. “December weather is always beautiful in Miami!”

Getting There: Cayman Airways offers daily flights to Miami and multiple flights weekly to Montego Bay, La Cieba and Havana from Grand Cayman.

Source: caymanairwaysmagazine.com

Not expecting to see castles on the remote isle of Grand Cayman? Take another look — there are many to be found.

Take a drive along South Sound Road and you will find some showpiece castle-like homes, including one currently on the market for only $39.9 million! The Castillo Caribe is known as one of the finest beachfront estate homes in the world.

Offering endless indulgences, the 48,000-square-foot property offers pretty much any luxury, comfort and convenience that you could want. For those who truly want to live like royalty — and for whom money is no object — Castillo Caribe is second-to-none. It’s the most expensive single-family home listed here, and while it may seem like a king’s ransom to some, this lavish three-story, eight-bedroom and 14.5-bathroom home is definitely unparalleled.

“Castillo Caribe is unique in every sense of the word,” says Sheena Conolly, owner/broker of Cayman Islands Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s a masterpiece. Every room in this house is completely different, and each one is a Rembrandt.”

From a helipad, banquet room and resort-style spa to a 400-bottle wine room, Cuban-style courtyard and a hot tub room made to look like the inside of a grotto, this is a place with panache. The kids can run wild in its 4,000-square-foot children’s playroom, which comes complete with a bouncy castle, swing set, slide, ball pit, seesaw, sofas and bean bags. Sitting on approximately 250 feet of pristine beachfront property, the mansion also incorporates cutting-edge home automation technology.

Its 5,000-square-foot Great Room, the heart of this magnificent home by the sea, was recently featured in HGTV’s “Million Dollar Rooms.” Included among the features of this extravagant living space, which soars up through three levels of the house, are indoor trees and flowers, a dramatic woven wood ceiling, stone walls, polished and honed Jerusalem Gold stone flooring and two grand staircases.

The home is being marketed worldwide through the Sotheby’s brand, which reaches 80 percent of the world’s billionaires. Conolly says it has been drawing phenomenal interest from potential buyers, namely high-net-worth and high-profile individuals, including those in the sports and entertainment industries. (There was quite a buzz when pop sensation Justin Bieber was reportedly looking to buy, but that was merely a rumour.)

“It is one of the most expensive beach homes in the world, and justifiably so,” says Conolly. “Just try looking for beachfront homes anywhere in the world over 25,000 square feet, and you’ll see how unique this property is.”

For those who desire the exclusivity of owning a luxurious property, but want to be near all the action of George Town, then the Beacon Point South Sound home is the answer to their prayers. Currently listed at nearly $6.5 million, this stunning property is part of the prestigious beachfront community of South Sound and is located minutes away from Seven Mile Beach, which was voted best beach by the readers of Caribbean Travel + Life.

James Bovell, broker/owner with RE/MAX Cayman Islands, states: “For an estate located so close to amenities, it is rare to find one that has over 200 feet of beach and unobstructed ocean views. Beacon Point South Sound home sits on 230 feet of beach… is flanked on either side by other high-end residences and spills out onto the beach, making it a very private setting [that is] still close to the action.”

Aside from its exciting location, Beacon Point South Sound home boasts six bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, rich wood detailing, travertine and wood flooring, a gym, a three-car garage and an amazing beach deck with half-moon pool and spa. The separate pool house includes a bar and a full bathroom.

In the tranquil district of East End is Twin Cove Estate, listed at $17.9 million. It is perched on a bluff with steps leading down to two white-sand swimming coves — another rarity in Grand Cayman. There are eight bedrooms and 11 baths, and among its eye-catching features are a hand-carved alabaster stone fireplace, onyx mosaic floor inlay and a glass elevator.

Brisas del Mar is a spectacular mansion in Savannah. This sprawling oceanfront estate is also set atop a bluff offering breathtaking views. Calm and peaceful, the main residence has five bedrooms with vast terraces overlooking a huge infinity pool, and the sea beyond. There is a caretaker cottage, and guest apartment. It’s priced at $9.375 million.

Market Upswing
Bovell says Cayman offers good value for those seeking to invest in property, particularly compared with sun and resort destination communities akin to Hawaii, St. Barths or Monte Carlo where prices for similar properties would be significantly higher. “People are seeing that Cayman has a stable environment and a proven track record and they are looking to secure an asset for the long-term.”

He says the luxury market is heating up in Cayman. “In the last two years we’ve had more transactions over $5 million than in the previous five years. The market has greatly changed. Before we didn’t have houses of that kind – they were a rarity. Over the last few years we’ve been introducing more luxury properties, and clients are more prepared to invest that kind of money.”

Among the developments that are raising the bar on luxury living is Vista del Mar, an exclusive gated community featuring world-class marina estates set along the North Sound. The 52-acre site is a sanctuary of privacy, peace and privilege, with great care taken to preserve the natural environment. Salt Creek is another high-end development on the secluded shores of the North Sound. Surrounded by scenic waterways, it is ideal for the boating lifestyle, offering the ultimate in luxury waterfront living. Both communities are just minutes away from the world famous Seven Mile Beach and its numerous shops, bars and restaurants as well as the upscale new town centre at Camana Bay.

Those seeking one of the most prestigious addresses on the island — and prefer the ease of condo living — will want to check out the latest development on Seven Mile Beach, The WaterColours. Currently under construction, it is designed for seamless luxury living, indoors and out. It offers a range of services associated with the most glamorous five-star resorts, spanning from valet parking and concierge services to a beachfront infinity pool and outdoor conservatory complete with a chef’s kitchen. There are 60 residences in the nine-storey building, among them the select “Grand Residences,” one-of-a-kind double units. At more than 7,000 square feet, these residences offer lavish living spaces rarely found on such a prime beachfront address.

In Grand Cayman, platinum living comes with the territory: a winning combination of lifestyle, luxury and location.

Why live in the Cayman Islands?
Among the appeal of this U.K. overseas territory is its tax-free status. There are no property, capital gains or local taxes, and there are no restrictions on foreign investment and ownership.

“It’s very attractive right now as taxes are going up everywhere,” says Sheena Conolly. “Cayman is very good value. It’s a very nice place for a primary residence — or a second or third home.”

While the Cayman Islands are laid-back, they offer a cosmopolitan feel with world-class cuisine, shopping, hotels and top-flight services as well as sophisticated communications technology and infrastructure.

Conolly also notes that the three-island chain enjoys a high standard of living, and offers a safe, family-friendly environment. While there are gated communities here, they are the exception.

“In Cayman, some of the most amazing properties are open to the road,” she says. “We are lucky we can live this way.”

Source:  caymanairwaysmagazine.com 

In “A Chocolate Tour of the Caribbean,” Baz Dreisinger speaks about being steeped in chocolate for days on end on the island of St. Lucia and the wonders of a “chocolate tourism” of sorts, or “choco-tourism.” The author waxes poetic on the excitement and luxuriousness of exploring the world of cocoa production on four islands: Trinidad, Tobago, St. Lucia, and Martinique. Here are just a few excerpts of a long, detailed, and mouth-watering article:

For three decadent days, I had been eating chocolate-stuffed liver pâté, cocoa-encrusted kingfish and, for breakfast, cocoa-and-cashew granola. At night I drank cocoa Bellinis. I indulged in a cocoa oil massage, hiked through cocoa fields and created my own chocolate bar. Dawn consistently carried the pungent aroma of cocoa trees, because I was staying on a verdant cocoa estate — and sleeping in a cocoa pod.

Well, sort of: Hotel Chocolat, a boutique property in St. Lucia, features not rooms but “luxe pods,” where even the magnificently minimalist décor (rich mahogany floors, ivory-colored bathroom with open-air shower) evokes the essence of chocolate. Hotel Chocolat’s union of tourism and agricultural development, specifically its devotion to all things cocoa, is part of a budding movement across the Caribbean. You might call it choco-tourism.

From Tobago to Dominica, Grenada to St. Vincent, the Caribbean cocoa industry, which has roots in colonial times, is being revitalized. This is excellent news economically: With free trade having all but destroyed the islands’ banana and sugar industries, fair-trade farming initiatives are a welcome boon.

And it’s hardly small-change news; the world price of cocoa nearly doubled from 2004 to 2008, with an even greater increase for the rare genre of bean the Caribbean is feted for: fine-flavored cocoa, which makes up just 5 percent of the global market. What grows in the Caribbean is the Champagne of cocoa. It even has its own promotional team: the two-year-oldCaribbean Fine Cocoa Forum, a European Union-financed networking vehicle working to bolster production and exports in nine countries. And then there is the tourism connection. Aficionados flock to Napa or the Loire Valley for wine tasting; why not go to stunning island locales to indulge in sun, sand, sea — and chocolate?

There is already, after all, a chocolate-themed Caribbean holiday offered by Silversea Cruises. In Belize, the annual Toledo Cacao Festival celebrates the cocoa-driven culture of the Mayan, Garifuna, East Indian and Creole people from the Toledo district. In Dominica, visitors can stay in the boutique Cocoa Cottage hotel; they can tour the Agapey Chocolate Factory in Barbados. The Grenada Chocolate Company pioneered the trend in 1999, offering tours of its factory, farm and Bon Bon Shop in the island’s rain forest.

Earlier this year I followed the cocoa trail across four islands and three languages. Not only did it forever spoil Hershey’s for me, my tour also proved to be an eye-opening journey through settings both rustic and grand. It carried me beyond umbrella-studded beaches to far-flung fields, untouched island landscapes and a local culture with a legacy well worth witnessing.

For full article, see travel.nytimes.com

Source: Repeating Islands

They are two of the richest and most famous men in Britain. But it appears that Sir Richard Branson and Sir Paul McCartney may be about to have a falling out with each other, as Anthony Bond reports in this article for London’s Daily Mail.

The pair are at loggerheads over a farm in the Caribbean which breeds turtles for food.

Last month Sir Paul threw his weight behind a campaign to end the breeding of sea turtles at The Cayman Turtle Farm in the Cayman Islands.

But after visiting the islands Sir Richard has now controversially said that he backs the turtle farm.

A World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) investigation has accused the facility of cruelty and former Beatle Sir Paul believes there is no humane way to farm turtles.

But Sir Richard has now come out in favour of the farm despite saying that his view will attract criticism from the Oceanic Elders group which looks at addressing world problems.

In an interview with Cayman 27 news channel Sir Richard said: ‘I haven’t actually visited the farm but I have asked an awful lot of questions while I have been here.

‘From afar I was against the farm. I have listened to people locally and I personally think the farm is a good idea and the reason I think that is you are one of the few countries that ban the killing of the turtles in the ocean so turtles are protected in the ocean.

‘In the Virgin Islands you can catch turtles and drag them out of the sea and the turtle farm avoids that having to happen.

‘The second thing is the turtle farm is one of your biggest tourist attractions. It does supply a little bit of food for the people who traditionally have liked to eat turtle meat and I think there are some improvements that can be made to the farm but all in all I think it serves a positive need rather than a negative need.

‘I am sure I will get some criticism from the Oceanic Elders when I go back for taking that stance but that is what I believe from being here.’

On his blog he added: ‘What I’ve learnt from my visit is that unlike many other islands in the Caribbean, the Government have banned the hunting and killing of turtles in the sea.

‘By breeding the turtles on land, they’ve created the biggest tourist attraction in the Cayman Islands and satisfied the few locals who continue to eat turtles as part of their age-old tradition.

‘Obviously for many of us around the world we’d prefer that didn’t happen but in my opinion it’s certainly better than taking them from the sea.

‘I’ve met the Chief Minister about the farm and he agrees there are some improvements that need to be made.

‘There are still too many kept in one tank at a time and the farm needs to ensure there are regular checks of the water quality and also monitor the health of the turtles.

‘The local experts assured me changes were happening and the farm also releases a lot into the ocean which is building up the numbers in the wild.

‘All in all I believe the Cayman Islands do a fine job protecting their oceans, as well as the turtles and other species in them. There is still more to do but there are many bigger battles for the OceanElders and WSPA to fight.’

Last month Sir Paul McCartney threw his support behind a campaign to end the breeding of sea turtles for food.

The facility in the Cayman Islands was identified by officials at the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) as the world’s last surviving commercial turtle farm.

Staff at the base breed the endangered marine reptiles for human consumption, and The Beatles star joined the WSPA’s campaign to end the trade.

In a post on his official website, McCartney wrote: ‘The Cayman Turtle Farm is the last place on Earth that breeds endangered sea turtles for food. On Twitter, he added:  ‘There is no humane way to farm sea turtles. Support WSPA campaign to stop sea turtle farming.’

A WSPA spokesman said: ‘To have Sir Paul McCartney’s support for this campaign is tremendous and we hope that people will join him and WSPA in helping to save the Cayman Islands’ green sea turtles.’

Source: repeatingislands.com

The Cayman Islands is the third-best location for expatriates in the world, according to a recently-released survey from Jersey-based HSBC Expat.

Cayman finished third behind Singapore and Thailand, and just ahead of Bermuda and Hong Kong, and finished with the top rankings for overall experience, setting up and quality of life.

“The HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2012 really only confirms what we in the Cayman Islands already know: that the Cayman Islands is indeed an excellent location in which to live and work,” said Richard Coles, chairman of Cayman Finance. “We are delighted that this fact has been officially recognized by this in-depth study.”

The survey examined all aspects of expat life, from how well they integrate to local communities and their quality of life.

“To reach the top spot in so many criteria is a huge achievement for the Cayman Islands, especially as the jurisdiction beat some of the choice location for expatriates around the world,” Coles said.

The survey ran from May 11 to July 3, with expats from 97 countries taking part.

Source: caribjournal.com