FEBRUARY 2008

Passport Reminder

With recently implemented exceptions for special cases*, all travelers must present a passport to enter the United States. This includes U.S. citizens returning from the Caribbean. U.S. citizens visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico do not need a passport because they are U.S. territories. Obtaining a passport can take a month or more, so plan ahead for holidays in the Caribbean.

* Announced by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security on September 4, 2007: The temporary Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) accommodation, allowing U.S. citizens to travel by air within the Western Hemisphere, including the Caribbean, using a Department of State (DOS) official proof of passport application receipt, ended as scheduled at midnight on Sept. 30, 2007. U.S. citizens who departed the country under this travel accommodation prior to Oct. 1 with a Department of State official proof of passport application receipt and government-issued identification will be readmitted with these same documents if returning to the United States after Sept. 30.

Effective Oct. 1, 2007, U.S. Citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter or depart from the United States. It is always strongly recommended that U.S. Citizens verify the specific documentary requirements for their destination country.

Welcome to the February 2008 Edition of Island Hideaways' Caribbean Villa Newsletter!

We have more than 21 years of experience arranging luxury villas and private islands for rent in islands throughout the Caribbean including Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mustique, St. Croix, St. John, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda. It would be our pleasure to assist you with planning your next vacation.

This month, we feature the beautiful island of Virgin Gorda and Aquamare as our Villas of the Month…

Villas of the Month: Aquamare

Tucked on Mahoe Bay in Virgin Gorda along a half mile of pristine beach, Aquamare is a secluded enclave comprised of three five-bedroom villas, each situated on a different elevation to maximize breathtaking views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and surrounded by lush vegetation for maximum privacy. Supported by a separate Concierge House, the property also offers many of the services and amenities provided by luxury resorts--and more. This duality--privacy coupled with the features of a 5-star resort--make this Virgin Gorda hideaway an ideal destination for a dream vacation.

Offering 8,000 square feet of open-air living space, all three villas at Aquamare have three spacious master spa suites with large, ocean-view balconies; one double guest room; and one studio guest room. Each of the bedrooms features 400-thread-count Frette linens and Bulgari toiletries. But the hallmark of these villas is the spa suites' open, yet completely sheltered marble bath area with separate outdoor shower room that is perfect for in-room spa treatments.

Other villa highlights include an expansive terrace facing an infinity pool; indoor and outdoor dining areas large enough for group gatherings; and a professional-grade, fully-equipped kitchen complemented by elegant Rosenthal china. Wireless Internet access, a 42-inch LCD TV with satellite service, a DVD player, and an extensive movie library are additional amenities available for the convenience of guests.

Aquamare offers a range of activities and services that rivals just about any luxury resort. For instance, an Azimut 62-foot power yacht and a Tiara 36-foot cruising yacht are exclusively available to guests to rent and explore the beauty of Virgin Gorda and neighboring islands. Other activities include swimming with the dolphins off the coast of nearby Tortola and scuba diving explorations.

In addition to an array of spa treatments which can be administered in the privacy and comfort of the villa, guests have access to many services that can make their stay more pleasant, including babysitting and housekeeping (seven days a week). Upon request, guests may also arrange to have their refrigerators pre-stocked prior to arrival or their meals prepared by a private chef. While these are specific services provided to guests, the on-site concierge is able to assist with many other requests as well.

Each villa accommodates up to 12 guests, but two, or all three, villas may be rented by one group, providing the ultimate privacy and making it a great place for a large gathering or intimate wedding. Aquamare even has a beach park that's ideal for small meetings, special events, and weddings.

For more information, please go to the listing on our website by clicking here.

It would be our pleasure to personally describe this exquisite property to you; please call us toll-free at 800-832-2302 for more information or to make a reservation.

The Island: Virgin Gorda

This Caribbean gem covering just eight square miles owes its light commercialization and uncluttered landscape to being a relatively new tourist destination. These characteristics make Virgin Gorda, the eastern-most entity of the British Virgin Islands, the perfect hideaway and the ideal destination in which to live the villa experience. Dubbed the "Fat Virgin" by Christopher Columbus, Virgin Gorda is rich in history. The landscape is spectacular, with tropical plants and riveting views. The local population is but 2,500, making Virgin Gorda more tranquil island than most other Caribbean islands. But that does not mean that there is nothing to do. Virgin Gorda features superb snorkeling and diving waters, secluded beaches, and a wide range of watersports; sailing is particularly popular. Other activities on Virgin Gorda include hiking, bird watching, shopping, and sightseeing. A journey to see the island's most famous attraction is our Activity of the Month…

Visiting "The Baths"

Formed by Virgin Gorda's volcanic base, "The Baths" is a natural paradise of giant, partially submerged boulders spread across sand beaches, creating grottos, tunnels, and protected pools of warm ocean water. Besides being a world-famous sightseeing attraction, the formations also provide incredible climbing, swimming, and diving opportunities. In fact, several companies offer guided snorkeling and scuba diving tours through the rock formations and luminous grottos that characterize The Baths. For a break or a bite to eat, The Poor Man's Pub or Top of the Baths, a restaurant and lounge, are nearby. In order to avoid crowds, it's best to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon. There is enough to see and do, however, that one could easily spend the entire day in the area. Such an exhilarating, action-packed day often results in a voracious appetite, but fortunately our Restaurant of the Month is nearby…

Restaurant of the Month: The Rock Cafe, Virgin Gorda

Not to be mistaken as part of the Hard Rock Café chain, The Rock Cafe offers a casual atmosphere and indoor/outdoor seating amidst an incredible setting. Just south of Spanish Town and surrounded by waterfalls and the huge boulders of The Baths, the ambiance at the The Rock Cafe is particularly stunning during the evening when the smooth, massive rocks are dramatically lit by the moonlight and the terrace is illuminated by candlelight. With a piano bar and nightly entertainment--usually a local band-a big--screen television, pool tables, and an adjacent miniature golf course, The Rock Cafe has much more to offer than just an exotic location and great food.

But, of course, the mix of Caribbean, Mexican, and Italian cuisine is the restaurant's main draw. Seafood lovers can choose to start their meal with appetizers such as conch fritters, shrimp cocktail, mussels au gratin, yellow fin tuna capriccio, or calamari. The restaurant's signature entrée is sumptuous Anegada lobster, while other house specialties include pan-fried pork tenderloin filet in green peppercorn and brandy mustard sauce and grilled red snapper filet with butter-capers coulis. An extensive and affordably-priced wine list nicely complements the dinner menu. A children's menu, with American favorites, like burgers and chicken fingers, is also available.

As difficult as it may be with the well-apportioned main courses, patrons should save room for dessert favorites, such as homemade chocolate cake and the chef's own chocolate mousse. The bar offers many tropical cocktails, some of which include homemade rum, and after-dinner drinks are best enjoyed on the restaurant's expansive terrace that sits beneath the towering boulders. To view the full menu, click here.

The Rock Cafe opens daily, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Reservations are recommended, and we at Island Hideaways would be happy to make them for you; please contact us toll-free at 800-832-2302.

About Island Hideaways

Island Hideaways has specialized in Caribbean villa vacations since 1986. We represent hundreds of luxury vacation villa rentals throughout the Caribbean islands. Island Hideaways was named "A first-rate agency that specializes in Caribbean properties" by BusinessWeek magazine, and our website is a Best of the Web pick by Forbes Magazine. Please call us toll-free at 800-832-2302, or email us at villas@islandhideaways.com with any questions, suggestions, or comments.

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