Winter Fun, Hold the Snow

If you haven't gotten enough Olympic action in the last few weeks, or if you're searching for year-round thrills in a decidedly warmer climate, check out Rainforest Adventures at Mystic Mountain in Ocho Rios. You can make like the Jamaican bobsled team as you whip through a 3,280 foot track; and you'll be in good company - Olympic champion Usain Bolt has called the spot his favorite to chill out on the irie isle. After you sled down, take the Sky Explorer chair lift back up the hill and check out the display at the Mystic Pavilion, with displays and memorabilia celebrating Jamaican culture. Cap off the day with a dip in the infinity pool perched on the edge of the mountain. All this and no coat required.

Winter Fun, Hold the Snow

Barbados for the Sports Fan

Football fans will be feelin' irie next week when three Barbados-born performers take the stage for the 2009 United Way Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show. Just tune in to the Packers vs. Lions game on Thursday, November 26 at 12:30 PM ET on FOX (I know our cheesehead managing editor Becky will be watching) and you can score a special performance by Bajan singers Shontelle, Hal Linton and Vita Chambers. After the game, surf over to nfl.com/thanksgiving to download a copy of the performance – and you can feel pretty good about it since all proceeds benefit United Way.

Barbados for the Sports Fan

Surf Into Luxury in Aruba

Last week I blogged about the Aruba Marriott's beach tennis package, but for those of us who can't serve to save our lives (I can't be the only one) the resort just announced another promotion for action junkies. Just book the Surf Into Luxury package through December 23, 2010 and you'll get free windsurfing or kiteboarding lessons – plus you'll enjoy 30 percent off at the top floor, hotel-within-a-hotel Tradewinds Club during your stay. Rates start at $328 per night double occupancy and include some meals...just surf over to arubamarriott.com to book.

Surf Into Luxury in Aruba

Beach Tennis in Aruba

I've always been pretty athletically challenged, but that hasn't stopped me from trying every conceivable resort activity known to man whenever I travel. In the name of research, I've spent many a Caribbean trip playing bocce ball, beach volleyball, sand horseshoes – you name it. I'm fairly sure I look equally ridiculous playing all of them, but there seems to be no shortage of new beach games to try, and so I carry on. If you're like me and you feel the need to test your (lack of) coordination against all varieties of beach games, then you'll definitely want to head to the Aruba Marriott Resort next month for the 8th Annual International Beach Tennis Event, held from November 13 to 15 and hosting over 350 participants from more than 10 different countries. What exactly is beach tennis, you ask? I'm told it's a combination of beach volleyball and tennis, played on a sand court with special tennis "paddles" and depressurized tennis balls...and let's be honest, that has a lot of potential to look really silly, so I'm sold.

The Deal: If you're in town for the event, you can take advantage of the resort's Aruba Beach Tennis Tournament Package starting at $339 per night and get your fourth night free, plus daily breakfast for two adults and two kids under 12, a free one-hour beach tennis lesson by an actual beach tennis pro (there is such a thing), and complimentary use of the resort's beach tennis court and paddles during your stay. Want more? Just register for the event – why not? – and you'll enjoy an opening night party with live music, a free BBQ lunch and a commemorative T-shirt so you can brag about your amazing athleticism to all your naysaying friends back home. Just check out the Aruba Marriott for more info and to book your trip.

Beach Tennis in Aruba

Cinderella Story

When I picture fairy tales, pretty much the last thing that springs to my mind (besides maybe the dentist) is basketball. Idyllic settings, yes…romance, definitely. Just generally not sports. But Nisbet Plantation Beach Club’s latest promotion is out to prove that hoops and fantasy really can go hand in hand.

To coincide with NCAA March Madness this year, the resort has launched the First Annual Cinderella Hoopla Contest, serving up a complimentary stay at the dreamy plantation inn for two lucky fans and their guests. Just log on to the official contest site by midnight on March 17th to pick your favorite Men’s and Women’s “Cinderella Team” – to be determined by how long the teams remain in the championships and in their respective seeds – and Nisbet will draw one prize winner for each.

The fairy tale ending? Two five-night vacations for two, including luxury accommodations, daily breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. For official rules, click here.

Maybe it’s not a fairy tale I’ve ever imagined, but taking a free trip to Nevis sounds like my kind of sport.

Cinderella Story