Tweet if You Like Free Stuff!

Valentine's Day is over but you've still got a chance to redeem yourself for those pink carnations you gave her — American Express is sponsoring a free trip to tres exclusive Jumby Bay in Antigua. The "tweetheart" (get it?) promotion includes round trip airfare and four nights of all inclusive accommodation for two at the private island resort – and considering the going rate for room and board is around $1,400 a night, if you win, you're probably all set for Valentine's Day for the rest of your life. Enter the contest by following @americanexpress on Twitter and tweet this message once before 11:59pm EST on Monday, February 22.

"Hey @americanexpress, I want to take my tweetheart (insert your love's name here) on the ultimate romantic getaway. Pick me! http://bit.ly/bFgMGU #amexTravel"

Good luck and let us know if you win!

Tweet if You Like Free Stuff!

Barbuda By Day

From our Excursion feature in the December issue to our glowing trip reports here on the blog this month, you've been reading a lot about lovely Barbuda lately – and naturally you're ready to go check it out for yourself now. But in case you're a little short on the $1,000-per-night starting rate at the island's luxe Lighthouse Bay Resort, we thought we should mention that you can also enjoy the island's pristine, 17-mile beach and a taste of the resort's delish dining without ever checking in. Chart a course on your own vessel and drop anchor near the resort's beachside Lagoon Café for a bite and a signature cocktail...all of the island's beaches are public. Sans sailboat? You can also hop a ride from Antigua on one of the island's many day-trip charters for a modest fee. Since you're out of excuses now, be sure to share your trip report and photos on our Facebook page after you go!

Barbuda By Day

Barbuda's Private Island Retreat

It's hard to deny the appeal of a private island vacation, but the pricy lodging and off-the-beaten-path transportation demands can be prohibitive for many island hoppers. This weekend, though, I hopped over to Antigua's sister island Barbuda for a 4-day escape at the serene Lighthouse Bay Resort, and I think I just may have stumbled upon a property that strikes a careful balance between private island exclusivity and affordable luxury. To be sure, the 9-room resort is not cheap (junior suites start at $1,000 per night double occupancy in low season) - but for what's included, it could be a justifiable splurge for many vacationers: The petite luxury resort occupies an uninterrupted 17-mile stretch of just about the most spectacular Caribbean beach I've ever seen, and the property is only accessible by boat or helicopter (round trip heli-transfers are complimentary for guests staying three nights or more). It doesn't get much more private than that. Also included in the rate are all meals, drinks and snacks and a smattering of beach and water sports options at your feet. Tomorrow, I'm off to check out the nearby Frigate Bird Sanctuary and then saddle up for some romantic horseback riding on the beach so I'll be sure to update more about my trip then. But for now, to read more about Lighthouse Bay and the island of Barbuda, just turn to Matt Phenix's Excursion piece from the latest issue.

Barbuda's Private Island Retreat

With Pomp and Circumstance, Antigua Honors Obama

On the island of Antigua, Shirley has his Heights, Nelson has his Dockyard, and now Obama has his Mount — radio antenna and all. Last August, in a ceremony brimming with Antiguan pomp and circumstance, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer made good on his promise to rename his island’s loftiest summit — 1,300-foot Boggy Peak — after the 44th president of the United States. “This great political achievement by Barack Obama resonated with me in a way that I felt compelled to do something symbolic and inspiring for the people of Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Caribbean,” he said.

And that’s just what he did. But there’s more to recommend a visit to Mount Obama than just the chance to admire the plaque-affixed stone monument at the base of the hill. The area constitutes the nascent Mount Obama National Park, a woodsy haven aflutter with birds and thick with rare plants. Two hiking trails and a narrow access road squiggle toward the summit. From there, you’ll enjoy a pretty dramatic panorama of Antigua, as well as views of neighboring Montserrat, Redonda, Nevis and Guadeloupe.

Get some fresh advice on where to stay, where to play, and where to eat on Antigua: Check out the January/February issue of CT+L — on newsstands December 22 — for my full report.

With Pomp and Circumstance, Antigua Honors Obama

All-Inclusive Savings in Antigua

The Deal: Stay at Antigua's Galley Bay Resort & Spa by December 20 and you'll enjoy nightly all-inclusive rates starting at $499 double occupancy including all meals, beverages, taxes and service charges.

Why We Love It: The 94-room boutique resort was recently selected as one of the Top 25 Caribbean Resorts by Condé Nast Traveler, and with standard high season rates starting at $965 double occupancy, this deal represents savings of nearly 50 percent. What's not to love about affordable luxury?

How to Book It: Log on to galleybayresort.com  and book a stay by December 20, 2009.

All-Inclusive Savings in Antigua

Fifth Night Free in Antigua

The Deal: Book a four-night all-inclusive stay at Antigua's Curtain Bluff this Fall and get your fifth night free, including three gourmet meals per day, afternoon tea all drinks and snacks, and activities like deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and more.


Why We Love It: Featured as one of our All Time Top 10 Classic Resorts last year, Curtain Bluff gives guests a dose of authentic, unadulterated Caribbean charm without sacrificing luxury amenities. The Fifth Night Free package is back by popular demand for a limited time and it offers a savings of at least $745.


How to Book It: Log on to curtainbluff.com and book a four-night-minimum stay between November 29 to December 19, 2009. Some blackout dates may apply – check the web site for details.

Fifth Night Free in Antigua

All About the Hamiltons, Baby

Antigua's Curtain Bluff resort just announced a new perks plan for Spring called The Power of 10. Sound a little like a self-help plan? I thought so too, but it turns out it's way more fun than that. Just book a stay at the resort between January 1 and March 31, 2010 and you can enjoy premium extras like cooking classes, spa treatments and sunset sails for just $10. With all-inclusive rates starting at $995 per night double occupancy, it's a great way to squeeze a ton of extra value out of your next vacation for just a little extra pocket change.

All About the Hamiltons, Baby

It's Official: The Caribbean's Best Beach

Our intrepid photo editor Zach and deputy editor Matt just reported back from Barbuda with a bold declaration: After years of traveling the Caribbean and scoping out the region's top beaches, they've finally found the silkiest, dreamiest, most secluded and spectacular stretch of sand and shoreline in the Caribbean...


But don't take their word for it...hop over to Barbuda next time you're on the more popular sister island of Antigua and see for yourself. Still not convinced? Tell us your perfect Caribbean beach. If you need a little inspiration, just check out our Ultimate Beaches feature...

It's Official: The Caribbean's Best Beach

Helping the Earth One Spa Treatment at a Time

Call me devoted to my job, but I'm pretty amenable to getting spa treatments. The stark reality is, a number of Caribbean resorts are home to world-class spas, and someone needs to try them out. Sometimes I'll play hard to get at first, pretending I'll skip it...but I always give in and sample the spa menu in the end, and rarely do I need a pep talk before going in there. It's just what professionals do.

But for those of you who need just a little bit more convincing, Elite Island Resorts has come up with a spa incentive you can really feel good about. To celebrate Earth Day - as well as the company's one year anniversary of being green-certified - the hospitality group will make a $5 donation to Sustainable Travel International (STI) for each spa treatment you purchase at select resorts in April. As a global organization, STI promotes sustainable solutions for travel and tourism, helping to shelter the Caribbean from some of the not-so-great effects of mass tourism.

The resorts include Galley Bay Resort & Spa, The Verandah Resort & Spa, and St. James' Club & Villas - all on Antigua - as well as Palm Island on the Grenadines. So I guess now the real question isn't whether to check out the spa...it's how many treatments can you squeeze in?

PS - Galley Bay's Indulge is our Featured Spa this week...click here to check it out.

Helping the Earth One Spa Treatment at a Time

Picture This

If a picture really is worth a thousand words, then we've started a pretty solid novel on our new Facebook page, with albums just posted from our recent trips to Antigua, Aruba, Belize and Montserrat. But there's definitely more to come, so for all of the photo fans out there, keep checking the page!

Our Photo Gallery

Picture This