Some Luxury Caribbean Holiday Ideas
By Kieron Sellens
Have you ever heard people saying that they’re planning on
taking a holiday in the Caribbean, but then unsure as to where
in the region they’re going? It’s a common dilemma – the
Caribbean is a great draw to tourists, with its 10 hours a day
of sunshine and pristine beaches, but actually picking which
island is right for you can be tricky. It would take more space
than I have here to write a guide to each of the islands, so
I’ve decided to list a handful of family Caribbean holiday
suggestions to give you an idea of what to expect from this
beautiful and relaxed area of the globe:
Barbados Sports Camp
If you’re planning on taking a family Caribbean holiday in
August, then the free Barbados Sports Camp is a must for your
children – allowing you to enjoy the sun and the sand in peace!
Families may book up to four children between the ages of 9 and
17 for 1 to 5 days at the camp, where up to 100 children can get
tuition from former professional players of Netball, Football
and Cricket. Dividing the kids up by age group, and with the
emphasis placed squarely on fun, this year’s coaches included
Alan Hanson, Mark Bright, David Seaman, Sir Geoff Hurst, Mike
Gatting, Olivia Murphy and Fiona Murtagh. With that pedigree of
coaching it’s sure to not only be fun, but educational as well!
Explore Revolutionary Havana
The infamous Cuban revolution is still felt in every aspect of
Cuba, from the attitude of the locals, to the propaganda and the
statues. No more is this felt than in Havana, where Castro
delivered many a memorable (if very long!) speech, and where
there’s a monument to the failed revolutionary hero of the 19th
century – Jose Marti. The Plaza de la Revolution is the place to
go to get a feel for the vibe, where the iconic picture of Che
Guevara is a truly imposing presence. Aside from that, the
various museums of the city have all kinds of artefacts and
items pertaining for the time, allowing even non-islanders to
get into the revolutionary spirit on a Caribbean holiday!
Stay in an Antigua Spa Hotel
Antigua has some of the best spa hotels in the world, so if
decadent relaxation is something you look for from a Caribbean
holiday, then look no further. Amongst the more memorable
options are being worked on by two therapists with a
‘Synchronised Massage’ at Carlisle Bay, or enjoying a Caviar and
Pearl Facial at The Verandah Resort & Spa. The perfect way to
unwind after a ‘hard’ day at the beach!
See the Grizzly Side of Jamaican History
Jamaica is widely known as a land of sand, sea and good times.
However, if you want to see the grizzly side of the island’s
history, not only can you visit the site of the last pirate
execution, you can also dare to take the tour of Rose Hall – the
former home of the infamous Annie Palmer. Immortalised by the
late Johnnie Cash in song form, the legend of her life is
different from every source, but the general gist involves a
background in Voodoo, the murder of 3 husbands and relationships
followed by the murder of many of the slaves on the building’s
plantation. She was then herself murdered as an act of revenge.
The reason why the house is still a highlight for luxury
Caribbean holiday makers? Because many visitors report that the
building is haunted by her from beyond the grave, despite the
tomb she’s buried in being designed to keep her there for ever.
Visitors report voices, bloodstains, footsteps, music and babies
crying upon visiting the house, and many more see things in the
photographs that they don’t recall seeing at the time!
Go Diving with Sharks in the Bahamas
In 1877, Mark Twain commented “You go to heaven if you want,
I’d rather stay here” in his first visit to the Bahamas. It
certainly is that beautiful, and the experience is no less
pleasant over 100 years later! If you want something a little
more challenging, then Shark Diving is something that many will
see as closer to Hell than Heaven… Still for those who can
stomach it and aren’t put off by the warning instructions
(“never move your arms away from your body!”), there’s some
fantastic photo opportunities, and of course a memory and
anecdote that will last long after your Caribbean holiday is
over!
Of course, in addition to this there is plenty of cross over –
all the islands have splendid beaches, all of them offer
conditions ideal for scuba diving and all of them have their
fair share of nightlife for the visitors. Whatever you’re
looking for, you’re sure to find it on a family Caribbean
holiday – whichever island you end up visiting.
About the Author: Kieron Sellens is the marketing manager of
the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AiTO). With
Caribbean holidays
http://www.aito.co.uk/caribbean-holiday.asp
from AITO you can tailor-make the dream holiday.
