Taste of St. Croix: Foodies, This Is Heaven

Taste of St. Croix at Divi Carina Bay All-Inclusive Beach ResortIt’s not too late to reserve your spot at one of the most prestigious culinary events in the Caribbean. Foodies know that in early April, it’s best to be in St. Croix for the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience. This three-day gustatory extravaganza is nestled in one of the sunniest and most charming parts of the US—right in the heart of the US Virgin Islands, so you won’t even need a passport. It annually prompts noted chefs and food and wine lovers to go dashing to the island. St. Croix is at its most festive and hospitable then and vacation packages abound. Divi Carina Bay All-Inclusive Beach Resort & Casino offers the ideal location because it plays host to the festival’s premier opening event: The Taste of St. Croix on April 6, 2017.

Imagine sampling authentic regional fare, celebrity chef creations and special vintages from wineries around the globe on a starry, breezy, beachy night just steps from your balcony or patio. That’s precisely why the Taste of St. Croix is a sell-out year after year, and therefore requires a bit of advance planning to score a ticket.

Divi Carina Bay has made it easy for 2017. Their Taste of St. Croix package offers a special discounted rate of $167 per person per night* that includes a free ticket for each registered guest to Taste of St. Croix (a $95 value). With the resort’s three on-site restaurants and plenty of fun activities and amenities, you’ll also enjoy all the benefits of an all-inclusive resort. (Divi Carina Bay is the only all-inclusive resort on St. Croix.) Book your stay and Bam! You’re going to the biggest party on the island all year, with lots of on-site options for relaxing before and after. Foodies, you’ve made it to culinary heaven.

*Rate is based on double occupancy.

Why It’s Good to Travel Somewhere Twice

Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort

Sometimes it’s more fulfilling to travel somewhere you’ve already been. It can be overwhelming to check off the “must dos” in a new place, but on a second or third visit, you’ll feel a bit more freedom to stretch out and relax. When you travel somewhere twice, you might also venture off the beaten path, discover new things to do or get a fresh perspective on your surroundings. Our Divi owners and club members can vouch for this—many have been returning to the same Caribbean island year after year for decades.

Conde Nast Traveler takes a look at why people enjoy returning to the same destinations. You might be surprised—check out the full article here.

Caribbean Wonderland: 6 Views You Have to See to Believe

Have you been lucky enough to visit the Caribbean? You’ve probably seen the pictures, at least—turquoise waters, blue skies, sparkling white beaches. There’s no substitute for feeling the sand under your toes and the warm sun on your face, but we think these photos are a pretty good start.

Atlantis Kite Beach, Bonaire

Not only is Atlantis Kite Beach a hidden gem for kite surfers, it has just about the clearest water you’ll find anywhere.

Oyster Pond, St. Martin

Drive to the French side of St. Maarten/St. Martin for a spectacular scenic overlook on Oyster Pond Road.

Palm Beach, Aruba

We don’t mean to brag (much!), but the view from Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort is one of the most stunning in the Caribbean.

Bathsheba Beach, Barbados

The striking rock formations at Bathsheba Beach are the remnants of an ancient coral reef.

Arikok National Park, Aruba

We count Aruba among our favorite places, so you might have expected it would show up in our list twice. Visit Arikok National Park on the eastern side of the island to experience rugged natural beauty.

Grapetree Bay, St. Croix

You don’t need to travel far from Divi Carina Bay All-Inclusive Beach Resort to see this picturesque view—it’s right outside.

 

Romance Is in the Air at Divi

From all of us at Divi Resorts, we’d like to wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day. If you happen to be celebrating on one of our islands, don’t forget to reserve a table at pureocean Aruba, Windows on Aruba, Mulligan’s Golf Cafe, Bar & Restaurant, pureocean Barbados, pureocean Bonaire or pureocean St. Maarten. All of these restaurants are offering special one-night-only menus in honor of Valentine’s Day. Ask your Front Desk to make a reservation.

If you’re still searching for that truly unforgettable gift, consider a five-night or seven-night romance package at one of our resorts. You’ll receive accommodations in a one-bedroom suite with a great view, daily breakfast for two, a romantic candlelit dinner for two at one of our premium restaurants and welcome turn-down service that typically includes a petal-strewn bed, flickering white bedside candles, a chilled bottle of champagne in a keepsake souvenir wine cooler bag, two souvenir champagne flutes and chocolate or tropical fruits. Romance packages are available on Aruba, Barbados and St. Maarten—take your pick for a week of uncompromising romance. Call 1-800-367-3484 to reserve your dates.

Regardless of where you find yourself this Valentine’s Day, we hope you enjoy your plans! Pasa un bon dia!

A Look Inside a Legendary Rum Shop on Barbados

Courtesy of the Caribbean Journal

Planning a trip to Barbados? You’d do well to check out the island’s many rum shops while you’re there. Barbados is famous for its rum shops—tiny shacks tucked into out-of-the-way spots all over the island where you can buy rum and drink it. Although they aren’t “bars” per se, they’re places where locals enjoy passing the time and “liming,” the Bajan term for hanging out and relaxing with a group.

You might consider visiting one of the most venerated rum shops on the island. The Caribbean Journal took a trip to John Moore Bar, located right on the beach in Weston, a small town north of Holetown in St. James, Barbados. You can read about the Journal‘s excursion, and see more photos, here.

John Moore Bar is about 30 minutes by car from Divi Southwinds Beach Resort.

This Intense Experience on Aruba Is Completely Worth It

If you’re looking to rev up your Aruba vacation, try the Andicuri UTV Off-Road Safari from De Palm Tours. This adventure lets you jump behind the wheel of one of De Palm’s UTV vehicles and drive all over the island in the company of a tour guide. You’ll get in more than a few UTV-inspired adrenaline rushes—and learn about the island’s best tourist sites while still having tons of fun.

We sent Kara Phelps, the communications specialist for Divi Resorts, on the Off-Road Safari to test it out. Here’s her take:

Hi there! If you’re ready to spice up your jaunt in Aruban paradise with a rough-and-ready good time, look no further than De Palm Tours’ Andicuri Off-Road Safari. Stop by the De Palm activities desk in the lobby at your resort to sign up—the coordinator will set up your tour and arrange for your pick-up from the resort. The tours take place daily at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., but you’ll most likely be picked up a few minutes earlier by bus to take you to the tour’s launching point.

At the launching point, located at De Palm’s headquarters in Oranjestad, our small group learned a few quick pointers on UTV safety from our tour guide, Giovanni. He also gave us bottles of water and bandannas to protect our mouths and noses. Aruba’s strong trade winds, coupled with the dust kicked up by your fellow UTVers in their vehicles, makes this a very gritty adventure. If you’re afraid of getting dirty, you might want to look elsewhere. Definitely wear the bandanna given to you, and bring an extra T-shirt to change afterward! If you get a rush being out in the elements, this tour will be the highlight of your trip.

We drove down quiet side roads and plenty of unpaved wilderness trails through the desert, passing through all six of Aruba’s districts. We made stops at several Aruban landmarks as Giovanni explained their significance to us, including the California Lighthouse and the trattoria nearby, the Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins, Andicuri Beach, Wariruri, the Ayo Rock Formation and the Alto Vista Chapel.

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and sunglasses—there isn’t much shade. Sneakers, as opposed to sandals, will make driving and walking around easier. Extra money is also a good idea, as you may want to buy a snack, something to drink or a souvenir at one of the stops. Good luck out there on the trail!

You can sign up for the De Palm UTV tour at the activities desk at your resort on Aruba, or online at www.depalmtours.com.