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Caribbean Calling

Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos rank high on Amina Dearmon’s list.

San Juan’s Castillo San Felipe del Morro and (inset) Amina Dearmon in Jamaica.

NEW ORLEANS-BASED VIRTUOSO travel advisor Amina Dearmon recently spent three weeks in the Caribbean: one in Jamaica, celebrating her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary; another in Puerto Rico, her home away from home; and five days in Turks and Caicos for some great snorkeling, one of the region’s best beach bars, and new villas at Wymara Resort. Here’s her report.

TRAVELING NOW All of the Covid test results, travel authorizations, and insurance forms I printed out added a few pounds to my luggage, but that was really the only inconvenience! Each island has its own protocols, but they all did a stellar job in communicating what you need to do to enter and enjoy the destination. The hotels also make it easy for guests by having on-site testing facilities.

AN ISLAND FOR EVERY TRAVELER Jamaica is perfect

for a multigenerational trip: From kids’ snorkeling to Hobie Cat sailing for parents and golf for grandparents, no one gets bored in Montego Bay. San Juan in Puerto Rico is great for solo travelers or for a couples’ getaway; it’s the perfect mashup of Spanish, Taíno Indian, and African cultures, a true melting pot that also happens to have an amazing food and cocktail scene. And every honeymoon should take place in Turks and Caicos – it’s so romantic, if you’re not in love when you arrive, you will be by the time you depart. Couples can tuck into a villa with a plunge pool, eat meals prepared beachside by a private chef, and charter a yacht to explore Iguana Island or the Turks and Caicos Barrier Reef.

POST UP HERE The Tryall Club’s villas in Montego Bay are my favorite because each one is privately owned, which means they all have a different vibe. There’s one to fit your aesthetic, and even more importantly, every villa has a private pool, butler, housekeeper, and chef.

Tu k Tu k f f

In Puerto Rico I like to split my time between the city and the beach, so pairing the V l H l and D B , R z- l R v checks all my boxes. Condado is within walking distance of some of the city’s best shops and restaurants, and since it was originally built as condos, the Tower rooms are extremely spacious. Dorado Beach is truly an oasis – its Treehouse Massages are worth the visit alone. Any spa that combines a hammock with an open-air tree-house massage has won my loyalty!

Long Bay Beach is one of my favorite beaches in Providenciales – the water is so calm and shallow. It’s also home to the 32 suites that make up T S lu Tu k . Kiteboarding has become very popular with guests: You can sign up for lessons and wade out straight from the resort’s beach almost two miles in waist-high water for private lessons.

THREE TIPS Make sure to get Fast Track for arrival and departure in Jamaica, as customs lines can be extremely long. It’s one of the best investments you’ll make during your trip.

Rent a car if you want to explore outside of Old San Juan, even if it’s just for a day. It’s easy to navigate the highways, plus your cell will work just as well as it does in the continental U.S., so you can use its map functionality.

Don’t be alarmed if you hear people in Turks and Caicos talking about a “potcake” – it’s not a drug, just a very cute name for an island dog. If you’re missing your pooch on vacation, arrange to take an adoptable dog from Potcake Place for a socialization walk on the beach. (For more on traveling with pets, turn to page 88.)

BEACH BAR OF YOUR DREAMS Turks and Caicos’ Da

Conch Shack is a true toes-in-the-sand experience, with live music, freshly caught seafood, and great service. They make one of the best rum punches I’ve ever had, but you can’t go and not experience a Conch Knocker shot. I won’t ruin the surprise, but it’s a bit tamer than it sounds and definitely delicious.

The next culinary delights are closer than you think

Flanders, Belgium with its six beautifully preserved art cities Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven, and Mechelen counts no fewer than 127 Michelin star rated restaurants. We are in the heart of Europe. Visit Flanders on your next European vacation and enjoy Belgian chocolates, beer, and fne dining.