VACATION & TRAVEL A N
A N T O N
M E D I A
G R O U P
S P E C I A L
DECEMBER 2 - 8, 2015
Editor’s Picks:
Things To Do In Waterbury/ Stowe, VT BY CHRISTY HINKO
SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
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The 5 ½ hour drive from Long Island to Vermont is well worth the time spent in the car, but Tradewind Aviation is beginning its roundtrip flights between Stowe and Westchester airports. You can be on the slopes of Mount Mansfield in less than two hours. The region isn’t just for winter skiing though. In addition to all of the winter sporting fun, here are some picks of things to do while you’re visiting the quaint valley towns. • Stay at some of the region’s best resorts like Topnotch, Trapp Family Logde or Smuggler’s Notch. • Check out the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. • Sample cheeses at Cabot Cheese Annex Store on Route 100. • Tour Ben & Jerry’s Factory and sample some of the favorite flavors. • Find apple and maple everything at almost every market like the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. • Order a can of the elusive Heady Topper beer with to see why’s it’s been rated the top IPA in the country. Visit www.longislandweekly.com to read more about these and other fun things to do in the Waterbury/ Stowe, VT area.
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VACATION & TRAVEL • DECEMBER 2 - 8, 2015
In St. Lucia, Stay South BY TAB HAUSER
SPECIALSECTIONS@ANTONMEDIAGROUP.COM
St. Lucia is a small and beautiful tropical island. To me, visiting this little paradise is all about staying in the southern half of the island where you have lush jungles among the mountains, complete with waterfalls. It is here where you see the famous set of Piton Mountains, used in every St. Lucia advertisement. The south offers easy snorkeling and diving adjacent to its beaches. It is in this half of the island that is free of
crowds, large chain hotels and fast food places. In four visits to St. Lucia we have stayed at both luxury boutique hotels as well as rented an apartment (or villa as they are sometimes called). The hotels included the Anse Chastanet Resort (www.ansechastanet.com) and the Sugar Beach Viceroy Resort (www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/sugarbeach). Anse Chastanet is built on the mountain above the beach with a view of the famous Pitons right out your window. This hotel is known
Pitons (Photos by Tab Hauser)
for having an open window or wall to show off the amazing views. The Jade Mountain, owned by the same company, is a more exclusive resort built above Anse Chastanet, looking like stacked pancakes with larger accommodations having private pools. My preference for staying in this area is Sugar Beach Viceroy Resort. This hotel has single and multiple bedroom cottages on the hillside complete with small pools. There is also a limited amount of luxury suites near the white sandy beach. Sugar Beach is actually located in
between the Pitons in a picture-perfect setting. Services at both of the above hotels are excellent for the premium prices they charge. One visit we decided not to be “tethered” to a hotel and rented a two-room apartment with a private small pool on a bluff having sunset views located at Marigot Bay. The advantage to having a villa on the cliff was privacy and a small kitchen. The view was gorgeous and it cost less than half of one of the above resorts.
Cont’d on next page
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VACATION & TRAVEL • DECEMBER 2 - 8, 2015
Cont’d from previous page St. Lucia is 27 miles long and 14 miles wide. The north holds the capital called Castries. This is the business area of the island where the cruise boats dock. It is where the tourist markets wait for the cruisers to purchase island souvenirs. During our visits we avoid coming here except on Saturday morning when it is market day. Market day should not be missed as you meet islanders who bring out their best produce and food for sale. Many of the ladies that set up their tables wear their colorful island attire. The market also has several food stalls where you can gorge yourself on a local lunch for about $6. Another fun way to meet other locals and tourists is to visit the Friday night fish-fry in the south part of the island at Anse-la-Raye or what is called the “jump up” in Gros Islet Street Party in the north. These are food and music-based outdoor parties. On more than one Friday night I have enjoyed the food at Anse-la-Raye where vendors grill the freshest fish and lobster. It is always served with “mac pic”
(a macaroni and cheese-style side dish), and Johnny Cakes. One can eat real well and inexpensive at either of these venues so leave the resort and enjoy. If you are into sipping the local spirits stop by St. Lucia Distillers (www.saintluciarums.com) just outside of Marigot Bay. They have about a dozen flavors and styles of rum. (Peanut butter-infused rum called “Nutz”
Anse la Raye fish night gets our vote for the strangest spirit. Think liquid Snickers bar.) When in St. Lucia, I recommend renting a small SUV and getting out and seeing the island and the different beaches. The best beach in the south is Sugar Beach at the Viceroy. You can rent a lounge chair and enjoy the day here. Bring your mask and snorkel because it is real easy
Hot Waterfalls to see the tropical fish just off to the right of the beach. Another beach worth visiting is Anse Conchen where the Ti Kaye Village Resort is located (another good dive/snorkel place). If you are heading up north and into kite sailing go to Cas En Bas. While here have lunch at the
restaurant Majories where the fish is fresh from the ocean and rum punches are good and inexpensive. If you are up north, Rodney Bay and Reduit Beach (www. mystlucia.org/info_htm/beaches.
see ST. LUCIA on page 10A
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VACATION & TRAVEL • DECEMBER 2 - 8, 2015
ST. LUCIA from page 9A htm) are excellent for long walks. You can have lunch and rent wave runners here. This area is more commercialized. St. Lucian food is very good. The produce is grown here and the fish are caught in the region. We don’t recommend taking a hotel food plan, but rather to mix it up. While in the south make reservations to eat at Ladera (www.ladera.com) on the top of the cliff between the Pitons. Go there on Manager’s Cocktail night for some amazing hors d’oeuvres and rum punch while watching for the sunset between the Pitons below. Another restaurant not to miss is called Debbie’s, in Labourie. This place is very informal, very fresh and not expensive. It may be your best local dinner. Dress here is informal. There are also good restaurants up the hill from Marigot Bay and on the bay itself. For outdoor activities take in the unusual warm waterfalls just up the road from the Sugar Beach. Also, check out the gardens and hot springs at Diamond Botanical Gardens, Waterfall & Mineral Baths. You will understand why King Louis the XVI of France had his troops rest here. If you are in great shape you can hire a guide and hike Gros Piton
Marigot Bay (www.grospiton.com). This six-hour round-trip trek will take you to 2,619 feet above sea level for views most tourists never see. For an easier hike try Tet Paul Nature Trail where you can learn about medicinal plants
Relax in one of our 15 private cottages, situated on an organic estate that borders St. Lucia’s Petit Piton, one of the most stunning geological formations on Planet Earth. Each cottage has been lovingly restored and is accented with white gingerbread and jalousie shutters.
and trees, sample exotic tropical fruits, and discover the traditional Amerindian art of cassava production. A local tourist guide at any hotel will give you tips on other things to see and do. One fun thing
I always do is ask a St. Lucian about any favorite non-tourist waterfall to visit. Visit St. Lucia Tourism (www. stlucianow.com) for more information about your island stay.
French Colonial Cottages
Pick fresh fruit directly off the trees on the estate, enjoy the smell of chocolate wafting by on warm Island breezes, and renew mind, body, and soul in our organic spa. Set amongst St. Lucia’s majestic pitons Located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site Nestled within fruit and palm trees Award winning resort & restaurants 2015 Silver Magellan Award Winner in the Eco-Friendly "Green" Resort/Hotel category • 2015 World Boutique Award - The America's Best Sustainable Boutique Hotel • Discover St. Lucia’s history and culture We invite you to experience Fond Doux!
A 19th century French colonial resort in Soufriere, St. Lucia.
Working Cocoa Plantation
6 Outdoor Pools
Elegant Accommodations
Cocoa Plantation
www.fonddouxestate.com / info@fonddouxestate.com / USA: 1-315-307-2348
143556
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