Belize’s Kanantik Reef & Jungle offers a perfect getaway for Valentine’s Day

There has never been a better time for lovebirds to head south for the winter, and February is the perfect month for a romantic Valentine’s Day escape to Belize. Kanantik Reef & Jungle Resort, an eco-sensitive resort with just 25 custom-built cabanas scattered along a secluded natural beach, offers an idyllic setting for a romantic and secluded escape. Surrounded by 300 acres of jungle on the southern coast of Belize , the resort’s unique location offers an exotic combination of the wild and the wonderful. Whether winding down the day on the secluded deck of the charming cabanas or seeking out adventure in the natural surroundings, there is never a dull moment at Kanantik. Adventurous couples will enjoy excursions to the nearby jaguar preserve, snorkeling on the reef, visiting Maya ruins, hiking to scenic waterfalls and canoeing serpentine creeks, where it’s possible to spot manatees and other wildlife. After an active day, couples can return to the resort for a refreshing swim in the pool or to relax on the beach as the waves lap the shore. Dining by the sea in the open-air atmosphere of the bar and dining room will set the romantic mood for any couple. The talented culinary team creates a medley of local flavors, producing a Creole-Mediterranean cuisine blended together with the vibrant tastes of Italy , thanks to the resort’s owner who has added his own cultural flair by installing an authentic Italian firewood pizza oven and espresso machine. After dinner, couples can continue their romantic evening with a stroll along the beach under a starlit sky or retreat back to their cabana where river stone-lined showers await and romantic four-poster beds welcome the end of a perfect day. Ideal for a Valentine’s Day vacation escape, Kanantik offers its Romantic Honeymoon Getaway, even for those who haven’t just tied the knot. The six-night package includes roundtrip air transfer with Tropic Air from Belize City to Kanantik’s private airstrip, a chilled bottle of champagne upon arrival, a la carte breakfast, full lunch and three-course dinner daily, three tours, flowers in room, room service (meals and drinks) and a secluded candlelight dinner on the beach. This special is available for the entire month of February and is priced at $4,185 per couple, including all government taxes and service charges. Kanantik Reef & Jungle Resort is located 18 miles south of Dangriga, the cultural center of the indigenous Garifuna people and 125 miles from Belize City . Kanantik offers 25 secluded oceanfront cabanas, each designed with an ancient Mayan feel. Guests aged 14 and older are welcomed at the resort. There are two daily rate options – “Cabana Only” or “Deluxe Mayan Dream” all-inclusive rate. For more information, visit www.kanantik.com or call Elegant Adventures at 1-800-451-4398. Click this link to read this entire article.

Get a Free Night at Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club, Canouan Island (SVG)

Since LIAT Airlines opened a direct, new route between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Canouan in November 2009, travelers are now closer than ever to Canouan and Tamarind Beach Hotel. Undoubtedly, this has increased convenience and time savings for travelers from North America heading into the Caribbean from the hub of San Juan. This new direct connection with San Juan makes it even easier for winter season travelers to take advantage of the great resort packages also available for the season. LIAT's new direct service consists of twice weekly flights on Fridays and Saturdays that depart San Juan at 16:00 p.m. and arrive into Canouan at 18:20 p.m. on both days. The return flight service departs from Canouan on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:50 a.m. and arrives in San Juan at 13:10 p.m. on both days. Tamarind Beach Hotel is offering guests a fifth night free for travel between January 5 and April 12, 2010. Located on Canouan Island in the very heart of the magical Grenadines, Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club is a luxuriant beachfront escape consisting of 40 guest rooms, including eight suites, nestled within tropical gardens right on the water's edge. The hotel's recently renovated guest quarters feature Brazilian walnut paneling and balconies; in-room amenities include luxurious Frette linens, telephone, TV, mini-bar/refrigerator, personal in-room safe, overhead fans and air-conditioning, along with free wi-fi access in rooms and around the hotel. The hotel offers two first-class dining options, the thatched-roof Palapa Restaurant and Pirates Cove, plus a nearby beach bar serving tropical drinks and snacks A full range of water and land activities around Canouan's miles of white sand and crystal waters are available for the sports-minded guest. These include complimentary sunfish, snorkel gear, kayak, and hydro-bikes onsite, while golf packages can also be arranged through the hotel. Day trip boat excursions to some of the neighboring Grenadine islands provide another dreamy outdoor adventure for the Tamarind Beach guest. Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club remains at the forefront of barefoot luxury in the Grenadines with its outstanding combination of seclusion, total relaxation, gourmet dining, first-class sailing and water sports, and of course pure white sands just steps away. For more info, visit www.tamarindbeachhotel.com. Click this link to read this entire article.

Pam's Trinidadian Kitchen in Seattle

Normally, we bring the Caribbean to you. But sometimes, the Caribbean comes to you from the least expected of places. Take, for example, Pam's Caribbean Kitchen in Seattle, which was featured in Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network. So, if you're in Seattle and you're pining for Caribbean cuisine, there just might be the place for you to visit. Check it out below. Click this link to read this entire article.

Tobago Carnival Regatta - A Festival in the Wind, Feb 19-21, 2010

Kite boarding is the fastest-growing water sport in the world today, and Tobago is in on the action. The island is gearing up for the second annual Tobago Carnival Regatta 2010, which takes place from February 19-21 at the Pigeon Point, Heritage Park, Tobago. Dubbed “A Festival of Wind”, the Tobago Carnival Regatta is becoming one of the most radical regatta in the Caribbean, with droves of kite boards, wind surfers, Bum Boats, young optimists and traditional sailors all taking part in one grand regatta at Pigeon Point. It’s also the perfect ‘cool down’ to Trinidad Carnival, as many people flock to Tobago for some rest and relaxation, and novel, exciting experiences. There can be no question about the suitability of Pigeon Point, Tobago as the host venue, dubbed the “Wind Hole” by wind surfers and Kite boarder alike, its beauty and environmental conditions makes it the ideal spot to host – “A Festival of Wind”. Working closely with the Tobago House of Assembly, the Tourism Development Company, Bmobile and Peakes, Regatta Promoters ltd have set it self two primary goals, to encourage the local people to get back into the water and sail, and to give the supporters and beach goers a close up, mind blowing experience, featuring radical Kite boarders and Wind surfers executing extreme sport manoeuvres only meters from the beach and the sounds of top DJs cranking up the atmosphere. Plans are afoot for a greater involvement with the Southern Caribbean Islands, not only in the Big Boat and Bum Boat segments but also in the Wind surfing and kite boarding segments as well. Already the tongues are wagging, who will be the king of kites this year? Will it be Orian Jakerov, David Devies, Shern Alexander or the Barbados posse of Burn Corn and Roland Boyce? Orian Jakerov, a Canadian who grew up in Tobago wowed the crowd with his antics flying through the air and became the first ever, freestyle Champion last year, and the number one kite boarder in Trinidad and Tobago 2009. As news spread of last year’s competition, challengers from far and wide started lining up to put Orian to the test. Numbered among his challengers are Tony ‘Barn Corn’ Walcott – current freestyle and race champion of Barbados – who will be looking to make a statement in Tobago. ‘Barn Corn’ recently broke the kite boarding record, winning a kite race around Barbados in just under eight hours, beating his closest rival who took ten hours to complete the same distance. Another contender staking a claim is ‘Big Wave’ Dave Devies from the USA, who is the Tobago Carnival Regatta 2009 Kite Race Defending Champion. With the high calibre of competitors arriving at Pigeon Point this year, all eyes will be glued to the skies as ‘Burn Corn’ and his fellow country man Roland Boyce take the game to kiters from Germany, Sweden, France, England, Holland, South Africa. Local boy Shern Alexander – Tobago’s contender – is the only local competing. Definitely a wild card, Shern is someone to watch, as he is the most improved kiter on Pigeon Point over the last few months. Truly a spectator sport, kite boarding is awesome to see with large colourful kites racing across the skies, lifting their surfer high into the air, and twisting and turning only meters from the shore. For sports lovers and spectators alike, the Tobago Carnival Regatta promises to be an exciting three days. To obtain more information, visit http://www.sailweek.com or check out the Facebook page for Tobago Carnival Regatta at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24249982613&ref=search&sid=500865091.2161041965..1 Photo courtesy Trinijunglejuice.com Click this link to read this entire article.