Bermuda

Bermuda stands out from its fellow islands by being a semitropical island. Yes it has its pink beautiful sanded beaches and turquoise water but due to the Gulf Stream its temperatures keep constant in the 60s and 70s range for most of the year. The summer months are the most popular due to the temperature increasing into the high 80s.

The food in Bermuda is mainly British with a local tropical hint of ingredients. Being that Bermuda is an island, seafood is its specialty. Lobster, steak, black-eyes peas, rice, and fish chowder are among the many foods offered here.

The Reefs is the main resort that visitors chose to stay in. Its increasing comfort and friendly staff keep every tourist coming back for more. The freshly done hotel is large and full of light complete with an in house steakhouse, as well as a seafood restaurant.  If you are looking to venture outward for a remote location with an intimate dining setting then Biu Bar & Grill is the perfect place. This country club oasis serves mainly comfort food inspired meals and is a known favorite on the island, even cooking pizza!

Not only is there many beach and water activities for the family, there is also a romantic spas and golf courses. To top that off there is a great nightlife. Middle Eastern hookah lounge Café Cairo, being part restaurant and then a club after hours it brings in many people. Egyptian styled the waterfront building serves mainly traditional Middle Eastern dishes and offers a plethora of flavored tobaccos for the person who’d rather relax than dance.

Bermuda is a wonderful family place as well as a fun place to getaway for a little. More reserved and calm it is generally best to travel here if you want a vacation spot to relax. Although it has a great nightlife mainly people go here to get away from the hustle and bustle and lay on a relaxing beach.

- John Oliveri

For further travel information see: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/bermuda/

Turks and Caicos

 Turks and Caicos

Do you and your family want to have a relaxing vacation in the warm  weather? Dive into a one-of-a-kind, unbelievably exciting Beaches all-inclusive Turks and Caicos vacation for the whole family. A 45,000 square-foot water park; four magnificent villages, boasting the architecture and ambiance of Italy, France and the Caribbean; a 12-mile beach lapped by clear turquoise waters; endless fun activities for everyone, from tots to tweens and teens. It features Sesame Street characters, the new Xbox Play Lounge and a teen disco, Liquid at Beaches-all located on one of the world's best beaches.

Dining:

Reflections:

Feast on succulent International food  for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dine outdoors beneath the festive yellow and white striped canvas awning, to the sound of birdsong serenading you from the burgeoning bougainvillea hedges. Enjoy the family-fun ambience inside beneath the spectacular, sloping glass ceiling of our greenery filled atrium or within the warm environs of our dining room, whose  colored walls are decorated with exotic tropical fish.

Soy: 

Tucked away behind bamboo fronds whispering in the gentle night air, steps from the entrance to Kimono's, sits our sushi bar with its simple Oriental themed décor and its magnificent preparation of only the freshest and most delectable sushi.


Hotels: 
Seaside  Villas
Family Suites
Penthouse Suites


Activities: 
Water Activities- Snorkeling, Paddle boarding, Windsurfing, 4-swim up bars, 2 huge water-slides, 1 swim-up soda bar.

Land Activities- tennis, croquet, beach volleyball, spas, fitness center, lawn chess

Kids Activities- Pirates island, X- box game garage, nightclubs

 Rachel H

BORA BORA

For over 40 years Bora Bora and its’ resorts have been welcoming guests from all over the world based on their impeccable reputation. Striking blue water bordering white sanded beaches while an assortment of brightly colored fish swim at your feet, this could easily be described as the center of the romantic universe. Luxury resorts and spas scattered throughout the island with overwater bungalows, villas, and delicious places to eat. From sunrise to sunset each resort has its own unique plethora of activities that engage the romantic spirit as well as the active one. Attractions such as, the neon-lit turquoise lagoon waters that leave tourists with hours of snorkeling and exploring, diving, wave runners, jet skies, impressive sunset cruises, and many more. Starts your day off with an alluring breakfast included with a landscape of food brought to the private balcony of your overwater bungalow or villa by canoe and end each day with a spectacular dinner at any of the surrounding amazing resorts.

            

    There are several different resorts and spas to stay at and explore during your trip here at Bora Bora. Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa is located on the edge of Bora Bora’s lagoon. Its amenities include, a beach and poolside bar, as well as bar/lounge called Taurearea Bar for a more intimate drinking setting. Room service is available 24 hours a day as well as front desk service. The resort also serves a complimentary breakfast. Three wide ranged restaurants are located inside the hotel, Restaurant Tevairoa which offers traditional Polynesian and French cuisine, Miki Miki Restaurant and Bar offering a more casual dining experience, and Restaurant Fare Ambrosia offering Italian cuisine. Le Meridien Bora Bora, St. Regis Resort Bora Bora, and The Hilton Bora Bora all have different restaurants in the hotels as well as a bar/lounges for after or before dinner drinks, and daily breakfast buffets. A poolside bar, and 24-hour room service are other perks to these resorts. Sofitel Bora Bora Marara has two separate wings the Beach Resort, and the Private Island. The Beach resort includes two restaurants, buffet breakfast daily, a poolside bar, a bar/lounge, and room service available during limited hours. Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island features a restaurant and a bar/lounge with room service being available 24 hours a day. Our last but not least resort we will look at is the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. This 5 star resort includes two restaurants with 24 hour room service; three bars/lounges, a beach bar, and a poolside bar. Also incorporated at this resort is an infinity pool, a fitness centre, spa, and various activities for children. This may conclude my blog on Bora Bora but there are endless amounts of bliss and exploration on this island to see. The only way to really know is to travel there and find out! 

- Josephine Siano

US Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands are a getaway destination that is close by and also gives the full Caribbean vacation experience. The three islands are St. John, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. For your trip, you can chose one of these islands or plan to visit all three during your stay. There are convenient ferries available to bring you from one island to the other. For your dining experience, you are able to visit restaurants that offer classic, “tourist” foods; however, you are also able to dine on authentic foods from the islander’s culture.

All three islands offer several popular beaches and sightseeing locations. On St. John, the most popular spots are the Virgin Islands National Park, Trunk Bay and Caneel Bay, and the Annaberg Plantation – previously a sugar plantation that has been partially restored and offers educational information on sugar production throughout the 18^th and 19^th century.

The Westin St. John Resort and Villas is a popular hotel available for your trip to the island. Located on St John’s Great Cruz Bay, it is also nearby Virgin Island’s National Park. Rooms range from their garden view $285/night, or their pool side view at $335/night.

St. Thomas also offers several “must see” spots, such as Megan’s Bay and Main Street. The cobblestone shopping area offers duty-free shopping for tourists. Some specialties are diamonds, perfumes, and knock-off designer products (pocket books, wallets, etc.). Another big stop there, for any golfers at least, is the Mahogany Run Golf Course. It is a par 70 course and features holes 13, 14, and 15 which have been nicknamed the “Devil’s Triangle”.

One popular, upscale place to stay in St. Thomas is the Ritz-Carlton. The brightly colored hotel has private balconies, or terraces for their guests. This is located very close to the Mahogany Run Golf Course and offers its own tennis courts and restaurants. They have a Mediterranean-style spa and stunning 125 foot infinity pool. Ocean front rooms start at $445/night and non-ocean front rooms at $369/night.

On the island of St. Croix there are also tons of cool things to see. The Cruzan Rum Distillery will show you the distillery and bottling process AND mix popular drinks made with their product.           You may also want to check out the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. You are able to enjoy the beach and ocean during the day and may also be lucky enough to see some leatherback sea turtles.

On the list of top hotels in the US Virgin Islands, the Buccaneer resort on St. Croix is number three.
While the hotel has been noted to lack extravagant amenities, people have praised the laid-back feeling they got during their stay. This hotel has a Kid’s Camp and a golf course available to its guests. Rooms range from $258/night for Great House Ocean View rooms, and up to $668/night for Luxury Beachside Doubloons Plus rooms.

-Kathryn Milligan