Bonaire Voted #1 Dive Destination

Once again, Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Award for 2007 goes to Bonaire! This is the 5th year the island has won. Bonaire also received the #1 rating in four other Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Healthiest Marine Environment, Top Shore Diving Destination, Top Destination for Underwater Photography and Top Destination for Beginners, and took second place in the categories of Top Marine Life and Top Small Animal Encounters. Additionally Bonaire placed in the top three in the Top Value and Top Snorkeling categories, and in the top five in the categories of Top Visibility and Top Destinations for Advanced Divers. Check your local newsstand for the January/February copy of Scuba Diving Magazine to read all the rewards!

Newsflash! Increased Airlift to the Caribbean!

Air Jamaica is increasing their flights to St. Lucia and Barbados from JFK starting January 11. American Eagle is adding two daily flights from San Juan to Anguilla starting December 14. Continental will add a second weekly non-stop flight from Newark to Bonaire on December 16. Delta has added a new non-stop flight from Atlanta to Tobago and will be adding non-stops and one-stops from the NYC area to Punta Cana on December 9. And lastly, starting January 6, Northwest will add a new non-stop from Detroit to St. Thomas. Bon Voyage!

Using Overseas ATMs

ATM’s are a convenience of the modern world that most of us are very dependent on. Consider the rules of using atm’s the same overseas as at home, if you are visiting a modern country. The only difference will be that the cash dispensed is in the local currency. However, if you are not visiting a modern country, such as many of the islands in the Caribbean, do not expect to find as many ATMs. Yes, every island seems to have them now, but not in the abundance we are accustomed to. So be sure you take out enough cash per visit if this is your primary source of funds while traveling. Not sure if your destination has an ATM? Both Visa, MasterCard, and most banks offer this information on their websites. Is your pin number longer than 4 digits? If so, call the issuing bank and make sure it will work in your destination. And the last, most important overseas ATM tip is to let your bank know you are traveling. It is common practice for most banks to turn off ATM cards being used in foreign countries if they have not been given previous notice. They do this to prevent fraud but it can certainly prevent you from having enough cash on hand while traveling, so be sure and let them know!

New Hotel Spotlight: The Ku, Anguilla

The best way to describe this new Anguilla hotspot is Minimalist Chic at the Beach! Conveniently located on Shoal Bay East, this glimmering beauty opened on October 15, 2005 and has sent guests home satisfied ever since. The Ku is a great value, compared to others on the island, starting at only $160/night. The all-suite property has a lively beachfront restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. “Ku” means “sacred place” in the native Arawak language… and it truly is a sacred gem in the world of affordable travel.

Airline Approved Beauty Products:

Sephora, one of my favorite body product retailers, has jumped on the “good things come in small packages” bandwagon that arose from the FAA’s new restrictions on carry-on liquids. Their retail shops and their website are both featuring many of their top-sellers in tiny packages – all at or under the 3 OZ limit that is currently still in place. Having traveled over the holiday season, I was pleased to see that both airports I visited were kind enough to have stashes of zip-loc bags on hand for anyone that forgot. If this restriction becomes standard policy then we can only assume more companies will adapt their product sizes too.

Starwood Hotels Has a New Baby!

The hotel chain recently announced that the new Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa will open on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten on December 13. This hotel is a welcomed addition to the tiny Dutch island that’s only other hotel of the same caliber is the Sonesta Maho – a property that is often sold out forcing those wanting to visit the Dutch side of the island to seek accommodations on the French side and commute to the gambling tables. Hopefully, the new Westin will share in the spotlight of success that its sister hotel in St. John has enjoyed for many years.

Good news for NE travelers wanting some fun in the sun this holiday season! Beginning Dec. 2, JetBlue will begin a second nonstop flight every Saturday from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Aruba. The second Saturday flight will be a permanent addition to the company's schedule and will complement the existing daily nonstop service to the Caribbean island that began September 15. In addition, JetBlue will add a second daily nonstop flight from New York/JFK to Aruba for the holidays to support high customer demand effective from Dec. 21 through Jan. 7, 2007.