TRAVEL CONNECTION
Clockwise from left: Sugar Beach between the Pitons, St. Lucia; Stingray City, Cayman Islands; Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour in Antigua CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: © FOKKE; © MARTIN; © NOSAMA / STOCK.ADOBE.COM
Idyllic islands There are no wrong choices when deciding which Caribbean island to visit and experience
FILM KB LASALLE
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Susan Campbell is a multi-awardwinning travel journalist based in Canada who specializes in tropical hot spots. The entire Caribbean chain is emblazoned on her bucket list.
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s a travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean, it’s always a quandary when someone asks me which idyllic outpost is my favorite. Each island boasts its own unique allure and distinctive attractions. And with over 700 islands in the Caribbean chain, the choices are almost limitless. Here are just a few options to help you build your own Caribbean bucket list. Antigua Beach-hopping on Antigua is a must. The island is famous for its 365 stellar beaches, all open to the public. This island’s heritage is tightly tethered to its maritime history, so become enlightened about its intriguing past at Nelson’s Dockyard—a UNESCO World Heritage site and still in continuous use—in English Harbour. Next, head to Pigeon Point (within walking distance) for a seaside lunch at a casual bar and ask for an ice-cold “Wadadli” (Antigua’s national beer) to quench your thirst. Or join the visiting yachties on the end of the beach at
Catherine’s Café, a delightful boho-chic oasis that often has musical entertainment. Later, enjoy a rapturous swim while watching picturesque boats bobbing all around the bay. Grand Cayman I love mingling with marine life, and Grand Cayman’s Stingray City allows you to closely interact with fascinating southern rays in open water (not an enclosure) and learn all about their behavior. Combine it with the turtle tour to submerge yourself even deeper into marine life education. Crystal Caves is a new natural attraction where you can go underground for a guided tour of cool caverns full of crystal formations. It was once a pirate hiding spot, so keep your eyes peeled for other treasures. St. Lucia This island’s ancient twin peaks, volcanic plugs Gros Piton and Petit Piton, are touted natural wonders, and
the biodiversity of its lush rainforests is best witnessed up close. If you’re not an avid hiker, hop aboard the aerial tram, an open-air gondola that traverses the glorious rainforest canopy with a naturalist guide at 120 feet above the ground. (Don’t forget your binoculars.) Another interesting aerial adventure involves a zip line, but it’s not for people—it’s for Champagne! This exclusive libation delivery accompanies the dinner for two at Rock Maison, an incredible gourmet experience served on a private cliff-side deck. Romantic scenery, wild waves crashing below and a mesmerizing sunset over the sea are part of the experience.
Pups and ponies It’s hard to improve on Turks and Caicos—unless you explore it with a puppy. Potcake Place K-9 Rescue at Saltmills Plaza will lend
Turks and Caicos Islands Boasting one of the best beaches on the planet, the island of Providenciales (locally known as Provo) is home to all of the major resorts of the Turks and Caicos region. Stroll along the heavenly 3-mile stretch of Grace Bay Beach, with its broad expanses of silky white sands and calm, clear, aqua waters, and you’ll feel as if you’ve walked into a postcard. I also love to snorkel in Coral Gardens at Bight Reef, the best place for beginners, and dive deep into local color and culture at the weekly Thursday Island Fish Fry. (You’ll learn all about the colorful culture of “junkanoo” there, too; with dance, music and costumes, it’s Turks and Caicos’ answer to Carnival.)
you one of their adorable, adoptable residents to take for a walk on the beach— the pups love to frolic in the sand, and they need the exercise. Who knows? You might return home with a
COSTCO CONNECTION Costco Travel offers Caribbean vacation packages, as well as cruises, vacation packages, rental cars and hotelonly options for destinations in the United States and around the world. To learn more, visit CostcoTravel.com or call 1-877-849-2730.
new friend! Or explore Long Bay Beach on horseback. Provo Ponies gives you the rare opportunity to ride horses right in the warm, aqua sea.—SC JULY 2022 Costco Connection 25