JUNE 2006

Recent Returns

See What Our Clients Have to Say About Their Recent Trips

The house exceeded our expectations. The Island Hideaways staff was excellent. I would definitely rent this house again from Island Hideaways.

Donna P., TX
La Paloma, St Lucia

Thanks - We have a fabulous time!! Will definitely book another trip with you in the up coming years! Thanks for everything.

Jo L., SD
Emerald Crest, Tortola

Vic and I want to thank you for all your help with our visit to La Perla. Our trip was great and we enjoyed ourselves just as much as we did at our visit to Carisa. Thanks again for all your help.

Judy M., IL
La Perla, St. Martin

Just wanted to drop you a line about our trip to Virgin Gorda. We had a great time and the house was really nice

Janice L., MD
Double Sunrise, Virgin Gorda

Everyone at Green Cay and Island Hideaways was very professional and very nice. It made for a wonderful vacation. It was our second time and we can not wait to do it again.

Peggy G., NY
Green Cay, St. Martin

Jeanette was extremely helpful, courteous, and very responsive. We were very pleased with all the arrangements. It was an excellent vacation and we thank Jeanette for contributing to the whole experience. We will definitely use Island Hideaways again and strongly recommend it to others.

Tamara N., WI
Euphoria, Virgin Gorda

Jeanette was great with communication. Everything went like clockwork, house was superb, and we would recommend Island Hideaways and Villa Azure.

JP H., NC
Villa Azure, Cayman Islands

Just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks. We just returned from our trip to Virgin Gorda and everything was perfect. The Island Hideaways rep was waiting for us when we got in, even though we were late due to our flight being delayed. She was very welcoming and helpful as she led us to our villa and gave us a brief overview of the island. The Island Magic villa was beautiful, the pictures, don't do it justice. We will definitely be back again and will recommend your services to anyone who asks.

John L., DE
Island Magic, Virgin Gorda

Staff was great!!

Leonard L., LA
Trouya, St. Lucia

Great Job!

Chris B., MA
Point of View, Barbados

We had a great experience - everything from the rental process to the house itself was terrific.

Michael B., MA
The Pink House, Cayman Islands

We loved our Jamaican vacation the home, the staff, the area; each and every day was perfect. Thank you again for everything!

Donald G., VT
Bienvenue, Jamaica

Welcome to the June 2006 Edition of Island Hideaways' Caribbean Villa Newsletter!

Thank you for visiting our web site at www.islandhideaways.com, which Forbes Magazine featured in its "Best of the Web" Issue.

We have represented Luxury Villas and Private Islands for rent in Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mustique, St. Croix, St. John, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda for more than 20 years. It would be our pleasure to assist you with your next Villa Vacation!

St. Lucia's Carnival, Castries

While most of the other Caribbean islands celebrate Carnival before Lent, St. Lucia chooses to celebrate its Carnival in July. Typically held the third Monday and Tuesday in July, the festival showcases all the music, costumes, food, revelry, and history that one expects of Carnival. One of St. Lucia Carnival's biggest events is the Calypso Competition, where musicians compete for the title of Calypso Monarch.

The spotlight is on St Lucia's musical heritage during Carnival. In addition to the traditional calypso competitions, other musical events include Panorama, the popular steel band competition, and an energetic jam with soca musicians. The King and Queen of the Band Competition draws St. Lucia's finest musicians. For weeks before the event, bands practice in bamboo and palm leaf tents in preparation for the grand event. Then they turn up the heat as the performers outfitted in elaborate costumes compete against each other before a panel of judges and a lively crowd for the coveted title.

Other events include a beauty contest and of course the grand parade. On Tuesday, the final day of the Carnival, the costumed performers take to the streets for lots of merriment and fun. Visitors won't want to miss the festivities scheduled this year for July 17 and 18, 2006 in the capital of Castries.

Villa of the Month: La Paloma

This stunning property is nestled on a cliff overlooking St. Lucia's blue waters. The nearby islands of Martinique and Pigeon Island can be seen in the distance. La Paloma is in Vigie, a quiet residential area on St. Lucia's North Shore. This six-bedroom, five-bath villa offers plenty of room for families and friends, accommodating up to 12 guests. The villa is furnished with a mix of old Mexican mesquite and pine furniture and classic Caribbean-style furniture for a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

The two-level home features five bedrooms and four baths, with another bedroom and bath in the adjacent cottage. The master bedroom, second bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, lounge, and laundry room are on the top level with three more bedrooms and another lounge on the lower level. The air-conditioned master bedroom is furnished with a king-size bed and has its own private bath. The second bedroom has ceiling fans, a queen-size four-poster bed, and ensuite shower room. The lounge offers plenty of entertainment with its cable TV and CD player and tape deck. La Paloma's third bedroom is located on the villa's lower level. Its amenities include air conditioning, ensuite shower room, and queen-size four poster bed. The fourth bedroom has two single beds and a floor fan. The fifth bedroom is air conditioned and has a king-size bed. The fourth and fifth bedrooms share a shower room. This arrangement is perfect for a family with small children. The adjacent cottage has its own separate entrance and features a queen-size four-poster bed and private shower room.

La Paloma takes full advantage of its gorgeous setting. A spacious patio runs the length of the home, and a terra cotta tiled courtyard is graced with fountain. Just off the covered veranda is a U-shaped pool with an attached smaller pool with jets. The spacious Mexican tiled terrace is ideal for sunbathing. An outdoor grill next to the pool makes al fresco dining a cinch.

The property is only five minutes from Vigie Beach and its two-mile-long white sands. Castries, the capital, is ten minutes away.

For more information, please see the listing on our web site: La Paloma

It would be our pleasure to personally describe this exquisite property to you, please call us at 800.832.2302 for more information.

Restaurant of the Month: Dasheene, Ladera Resort, St. Lucia

Conde Nast Traveler magazine recently named Ladera Resort "Best hotel in the Caribbean." Contributing to the resort's success is its award-winning restaurant Dasheene. Known for its eclectic menu, the restaurant prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients, many of which are native to St. Lucia. Local farmers and plantations grow produce expressly for the restaurant while local fisherman bring their catch of the day to grace Dasheene's table.

Appetizers include roasted carrot soup, green papaya and pumpkin fritters, and shrimp marinated in jerk seasoning then grilled, and the signature Dasheene Palm Salad. The menu changes every six months but typically includes the restaurant's award-winning entree Shrimps Dasheene, pan-fried shrimp with local seasonings, peppers, and herbs. The fresh fish catch of the day, known as "What the Fisherman Catch Today," is served with a creole sauce or your choice of seasoned butters. Dasheene offers its own take on lamb curry: rack of lamb grilled and served on coconut risotto with a traditional island curry sauce. Steaklovers will enjoy the Mojo Steak, which marries a filet with a lime and pepper seasoning. Vegetarians are in for a treat with the vegetable tamales--pumpkin, carrots, christophene, and lentils are sautéed, then wrapped in cornmeal, steamed, and served with a sweet chili sauce. Dessert keeps the spotlight on the tropics with offerings like coconut and banana brulee and chocolate rum mousse served with a coconut waffle.

There's also another treat: All of this native cuisine is served with a breathtaking view--a panoramic view from a hilltop nestled between St. Lucia's magnificent Pitons.

Dasheene serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Reservations are recommended.

Please contact us at 1-800-832-2302 and we would be happy to make a reservation for your next trip to St. Lucia.

Summer Specials

We are happy to let you know that some villas are now beginning to offer summer specials. Examples include pay for 5 nights stay for 7 at the famous golf and tennis resort Tryall, Jamaica in villas such as Island House, Blue Bird and Randolins. islandhideaways.com/jamaica/

Pay for 4 nights and enjoy the 5th night free of charge at Orient Beach in St. Martin at Green Cay Villas. greencay.com

In Barbados, villas such as Southwinds, Hamble House, Tranquility, and San Flamingo are offering pay for 6 nights stay for 7. islandhideaways.com/barbados/

For anyone looking for a last minute deal on a large, deluxe home, consider Cove Spring in Barbados. 2 nights free of charge on a one week rental in May or June and 1 night free of charge on a one week rental in July and August.

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 Business Week Magazine and our web site received the prestigious "Best of the Web" award by Forbes magazine each summer from 2000 - 2005. Please call us toll-free at 800.832.2302 or e-mail us at villas@islandhideaways.com with any questions, suggestions or comments.


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