Editors Inflight

It's the first day of February, the Caribbean's high season is in full swing, and CT+L 's editors are getting ready to jet off to the region's balmy shores. At this point were not sure exactly where our assignments will take us – although our intrepid photographer Zach Stovall is already happily snapping his way around St. Croix – but we sure do know where we'd like to go in 2010.

Editor at Large Dave Herndon picks St John. "I'm dying to find out what all the love is about," he says of the idyllic US Virgin that attracts a back-to-nature bohemian crowd. (One of our favorite writers even considered packing up and moving to the USVI. Check out her story here.)

Online Editor Reagan Johnson just got back from Barbuda (above right), but she's already got her eye on The Grenadines. "I love sailing and I've always wanted to island-hop around the chain, checking out Bequia, Carraicou, Young Island and some of the smaller islets and cays," says our webby wonder woman. "Moonsplash on Anguilla is a close second, though!"

Managing Editor Becky Strauss has Bonaire on the brain. "I've been certified for 13 years now, and I'm desperate to check out one of the world's premiere diving destinations," she says. (If going deep also tops your to-do list, check out Provo, too.)

Executive Editor Matt Phenix is prepping for 4x4 safari through Belize later this month (read all about it in our upcoming May issue) and will put his driving skills to work again later in the year as he tours Barbados (left) by Mini moke for an upcoming feature.

As for me: Like Reagan, I'm hoping to set sail on my maiden voyage to The Grenadines, and I'm curious about the French Caribbean, particularly Martinique and Guadeloupe. It'd be a great opportunity to see somewhere new and to brush up on my Francais. Of course, I'm always up for a trip back to my beloved Jamaica, and I'm excited about the ever-increasing lineup of luxury hotels along Mexico's Riviera Maya (We'll be featuring one of the best in our annual all-inclusive feature, coming up in April).

Now over to you: Which destinations are on your Caribbean wish-list this year?

Editors Inflight

Warm Up with Cayman's Hottest Deal

All of you notherners are going to hate me for saying this, but I just returned to Florida from five days in sunny San Juan and I'm already freezing! Yes, it's in the 60s here today, but still...I'm covered head-to-toe in my warmest winter garb, already longing for those balmy Caribbean tradewinds. Okay, and the cold mojitos.

Anyway, in the spirit of staying warm this winter, I thought I'd share the latest promotion from the Cayman Islands. For travel now through May 15, 2010 you can leave those winter coats at home and escape to the islands with the Get Warm package, offering a fifth night free on four-night-minimum stays at a range of accommodations, plus a complimentary trip for two to Stingray City, and a special two-tank dive offer at select dive shops around the islands.

To sweeten the deal, the Cayman Islands has also put together a new Get Warm contest that just might get you there for free. To enter, just surf over to http://getwarm.ky and enter your favorite frosty photo that shows why you need an island escape this winter; Ten finalists will be put to a vote to determine who will win a trip for four.

For now, check out this new promotional video from the Cayman Islands to get in the spirit...

Then surf over to http://getwarm.ky for more info on the Get Warm promotion (you'll need to book by March 31, 2010 to take advantage). Don't forget to share your trip photos on our Facebook page when you return!

Warm Up with Cayman's Hottest Deal

Divers Do It ... In Concrete

Longtime CT+L readers will remember my November 2007 feature on British dive instructor and artist Jason de Caires Taylor, whose compelling concrete figures were submerged in the water off Grenada's west coast to form an underwater sculpture "garden" for divers and snorkelers.

Late last year, Taylor completed the first four pieces for his newest submarine installation, this time located off the coast of Cancun. Over time, the ph-neutral concrete pieces should attract algae and marine life – and snorkelers and divers in their wake – easing environmental pressure on the ecosystem and coral reef, which has been compromised by hurricanes and heavy human traffic.



The figures are the first attractions in what Taylor plans to be the largest underwater art museum in the world, with more than 400 life-sized figures for visitors' gawking pleasure. For more information about Taylor's projects or to buy limited-edition prints of his haunting work, just click here.

Divers Do It ... In Concrete

Voyage to the Volcano on Montserrat

Montserrat tends to fly well under the Caribbean tourism radar, but the local Green Monkey Dive Shop in Little Bay has just announced a new five-night adventure getaway that makes it easier than ever to experience the quiet volcanic isle. The six-day package is just $885 per person double occupancy and includes accommodations at a private villa from Tradewinds Real Estate, a rental car for your whole stay, and an assortment of excursions like volcano-watching, snorkeling, kayaking, island tours and special boat trips to Redonda Island and the coast of Plymouth - the former capital city that was buried under feet of ash and mud by volcanic eruptions throughout the 1990s. With the package, you'll also enjoy a dinner at Olveston House, the private residence and guest house of famed Beatles producer Sir George Martin. To book your getaway, just email the Green Monkey Dive Shop or call 664-491-2960.

Voyage to the Volcano on Montserrat

Deals for Divers

Grab your fins and make a break for the Caribbean to take advantage of affordable dive deals through the end of the summer...

In Grenada, the luxury LaSource spa resort is offering reduced nightly rates starting at $275 per person, and through September 16 you can take advantage of two nights free on five-night-minimum stays. The resort is also serving up buy one, get one half-off dive excursions through August 31, with your choice of two dive boats and numerous sites like shipwrecks, reefs and the Underwater Sculpture Park.

Over in the Grenadines, the Mariners Hotel in St. Vincent has partnered with Dive St. Vincent to offer an 8-night Summer/Fall Dive Special for $999 per person. The package includes eight nights of accommodations and ten dives per person through November 30.

Both resorts offer PADI instruction and full certification, so even if you're just dreaming about taking that first dive, you can make it happen this summer for a lot less.

Deals for Divers

Diving à Deux

Dominica is considered one of the top diving destinations in the world, and the island's Fort Young Hotel just announced a low-season package that will make it affordable for vacationers to check it out for themselves. With the new Super Summer Dive Deal, guests staying in June and August can cash in on the seven-night package with a savings of 20-percent off the standard summer rates, which is like having the second guest dive for free all week. The package includes five days of two-tank boat diving, daily breakfast, airport transfers and all taxes and gratuities and it starts at $1,046 per person.

Check out the Fort Young Hotel site for more details and to book your dive trip.

Diving à Deux

Delta Service to Bonaire

With non-stop flights out of Delta's hubs in Atlanta (ATL) and New York (JFK), traveling to Bonaire is already a breeze - And starting October 2 of this year, the airline is making it even easier to check out this diving haven by adding a new non-stop, round trip itinerary on weekends.

The new direct flights are scheduled to depart Atlanta on Fridays at 4:00 PM, arriving into Bonaire's Flamingo Airport at 8:05 PM; and for the return, flights will depart Bonaire on Saturdays at 9:00 AM, arriving into Atlanta at 12:25 PM - leaving plenty of time to catch a connection back home.

Before you book your trip, check out the Bonaire destination page and our feature on the Top 10 Snorkeling Parks that explores the island's underwater world.

Delta Service to Bonaire