DECEMBER 2005
Recent ReturnsSee What Our Clients Have to Say About Their Recent Trips "About Island Hideaways - "Extremely, Prompt and Professional Service! Excellent! Made planning our vacation easy and convenient! Supreme! Leamington Cottage on the Caribbean Sea is Paradise. Beautiful Tranquil Setting - Peaceful waves, awesome sunsets beyond belief and an ambience like no other - Sylvia - the keeper of Leamington Cottage will make your stay even greater. She is a god send - very caring and compassionate and lovely! Barbados, Leamington Cottage, and Sylvia are a combination that's hard to match! We will be back." Michelle I. from NC "We enjoyed the house tremendously. The location was great. All of our transfers went smoothly. I think the pictures on the web do not do this house justice. It is nicer than the pictures describe. I would definitely use Island Hideaways again!" Holly K. PA "Jennifer provided the information necessary for one of the best vacations ever. She knew it was the deal! Thanks." James H. from OK "The informative, helpful, friendly staff is the top reason we would return to this rental - outstanding!" Patrick G. from IL "Excellent experience, would recommend Valmarc in a minute - Thank you!" Jim S. from MA "The house and location was perfect and the beach was terrific." Gary B., TX "Wonderful vacation and villa and location. Island Magic exceeded our expectations. We were delighted. The views were extraordinary. We would gladly return." TG from CO "Eris, cook and housekeeper, was excellent" Noreen S. from IL "We had a wonderful time on our honeymoon. Stone Cottage was a beautiful place. We hope to be back soon. Thanks!" Melissa E., NY "The cook Sheila and housekeeper were outstanding! The local cuisine and home cooked meals were the highlight of our trip." Kenny S. from NC |
Welcome to the December 2005 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 19 years. It would be our pleasure to assist you with your next Villa Vacation! The Virgin Gorda Experience
Dubbed the "Fat Virgin" by Christopher Columbus, Virgin Gorda is a place rich in history. The landscape is spectacular, with tropical plants, riveting views, and glittery beaches. The feeling of seclusion is what makes this island a true "hideaway." The local population is but 2,500, making Virgin Gorda a calmer island than the other busier islands of the Caribbean like St. Thomas. Villas offer peace and tranquility and exquisite locales--most are nestled in the hillsides or on the beaches at Mahoe and Leverick Bay. Although Virgin Gorda is prized for its secluded nature, there is plenty to do on this quaint and unspoiled island. Boats of every type cruise along the island coasts, frequently drifting between the US and British Virgin Isles. Virgin Gorda's waters are magnificent for sailing, as any catamaran connoisseur will attest. The dock at Leverick Bay in the North Sound is the place to go for viewing these boats. Chartering these vessels is as great an activity for the novice skipper as it is for the experienced seaman. Other activities on Virgin Gorda include hiking, bird watching, dining, scuba diving, shopping, picnicking and sightseeing. During the day, the Baths, a stunning mise-en-scene of gigantic boulders, pools, and natural grottos, smile nicely from the south side. All across the island, you can see inlet after inlet filled with great coral reefs just waiting to be explored. Driving around the island and exploring every inch of it is a must. The locals are charming and their relaxed way of life is fascinating. One of the greatest things about this island is that you can remain tucked away in your quiet villa, totally isolated. Or, should you have the urge to mingle, you can take a short drive down the beaten, unlit (and sometimes unpaved) path to restaurants and resorts filled with locals and Caribbean seafarers. Try Chez Bamboo, located in the Valley, for delectable entrees a la New Orleans, or the Bitter End Yacht Club in the North Sound for a fabulous lobster dinner. Mad Dog next to the Baths is a great little spot for refreshing beverages and homemade triple-decker sandwiches, while Thelma's Hide Out is excellent for playing darts. Many of these restaurants host evening performances by the island's most popular reggae and reggae fusion bands, such as Natural Mystic and the Latitude Stars. One favorite spot is the Rock Cafe. This restaurant serves a mix of Italian, Mexican, and Caribbean dishes. Inside there's a piano bar and lounge; outside there's a patio nestled between gigantic boulders. The food is great, the vibe is magical, and the music exceptional. (See out write up below) Other restaurants that serve up tasty treats and pleasant ambiance include: Little Dix Bay, The Flying Iguana (next to the airport), Sip & Dip Grill, and the Lobster Pot at Andy's Chateau. Fischer's Cove offers Prime Rib Night on Tuesdays and Fridays, while Saba Rock provides a nightly buffet. Virgin Gorda serves as a getaway for those who really want to get away from the humdrum of life and relax with Mother Nature's whispering breezes and lush tropical plants; it's the perfect spot for nature lovers and privacy seekers. This island is one of a kind, filled with a soothing energy just waiting to fill your soul. Villa of the Month: Beach Dreams, Mahoe Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI
Guests revel in the privacy of their own suite. Each of the four air-conditioned suites features a bedroom, private bath, and doors leading to the wide verandah and pool deck. The 36-foot-long pool connects to a roomy eight-person Jacuzzi. The villa's interior is serene and relaxing. The expansive great room with its cathedral ceilings is a favorite gathering space. Here white rattan furniture is grouped into small conversation areas to encourage guests to converse, play games, read a book, or watch movies selected from the villa's movie library. The kitchen is fully equipped right down to the espresso machine. Meals can be enjoyed in the adjacent dining area or outside on the verandah or pool deck. Those wanting to grill fresh fish or beef can use the outdoor barbecue. Daily maid service is provided. Beach Dreams can accommodate up to 11 people, making it the perfect villa for a fun family vacation or romantic couples' getaway. For more information, please see the Beach Dreams listing on our web site. It would be our pleasure to personally describe this property to you, please call us at 800.832.2302 for more information. Restaurant of the Month: The Rock Cafe, The Valley, Virgin Gorda, BVIThe Rock Cafe is not to be missed--as much for its food as its setting. The restaurant is nestled between huge awe-inspiring boulders. The Rock Cafe is at its best at night when the boulders are dramatically light and the patio is illuminated with candlelight. Guests can enjoy a candlelit dinner at one of the intimate tables set amongst the huge boulders or in the air-conditioned dining room. The Rock Cafe serves Caribbean and Italian cuisine. Seafood lovers can choose to start their meal with appetizers such as conch fritters, shrimp cocktail, mussels au gratin, yellow fin tuna carpaccio, or calamari. Entrees include seared duck breast in port wine sauce, kebabs of pork, beef and shrimp, T-bone steak, and pork tenderloin in brandy mustard sauce. The menu also spotlights the bounty of the sea with such choices as Anegada lobster, red snapper with capers, grouper on a bed of walnut pesto, mahi mahi with creole sauce, shrimp in garlic-wine sauce, and seafood linguine with mussels, clams, squid, and shrimp. Other pasta dishes include penne with chicken and broccoli, tagliatelle with salmon and pink vodka sauce. Children are not neglected: This casual eatery has a separate children's menu with the standard child-pleasing selections. Dessert offerings include mango cheesecake, cooked pears with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, vanilla creme brulee, tiramisu, and that perennial favorite chocolate mousse. Although The Rock Cafe is open for dinner only, it is also a favorite nightspot. Both locals and visitors make there way to The Rock Cafe lounge to watch the big screen TV, play pool, dance, have a drink at the upstairs bar, enjoy the nightly entertainment, or linger over a wonderful dinner. Please contact us at 1-800-832-2302 and we would be happy to make a reservation for your next trip to Virgin Gorda or contact The Rock Cafe direct for reservations About Island HideawaysIsland 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. We have been receiving some calls and e-mails from clients commenting that they are no longer receiving our monthly newsletters. Please let us know if you change e-mail addresses so that we may keep the newsletters coming your way. This communication is a special deals notification only. Island Hideaways shall not be liable for any clients' failure to receive such e-mails. Should you wish to stop receiving this newsletter, please click here to unsubscribe. Copyright © 2005 |
Virgin Gorda, one of the lovely isles of the British Virgin Islands, is a delightful vacation spot for families and couples alike-especially for those seeking a quiet retreat away from it all. Located just northeast of Tortola, Virgin Gorda is the perfect island for those who crave a bit of culture and a lot of privacy.
Beach Dreams is an apt name for this villa, located only 50 feet from the white sands, sparkling aquamarine waters, and fabulous coral reefs of Mahoe Bay Beach. This is outdoor living at its best--sun, sand, and surf at your doorstep.