DECEMBER 2007
Passport ReminderWith 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 December 2007 Edition of Island Hideaways' Caribbean Villa Newsletter!We have more than 21 years of experience arranging 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. It would be our pleasure to assist you with planning your next villa vacation. This month, we feature the beautiful island of St. Martin and Le Jardin de la Mer as our Villa of the Month … Villa of the Month: Le Jardin de la Mer, Terres Basses, Plum Bay, St. Martin
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: St. Martin / St. Maarten
Orient BeachOften referred to as the St. Tropez of the Caribbean, Orient Beach is St. Martin's most popular beach. The lively scene is played out on miles of powdery white sands along the calm waters of stunning Orient Bay. The gentle, turquoise waters of the bay-part of an underwater preserve-are wonderful for swimming and a variety of watersports, including snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, and jet skiing. Rental equipment for many of these activities is located along the beach. The action on the beach is just as lively as the action in the water. You'll find a number of tiki huts, beach bars, and restaurants, offering drinks, food, music, and, of course, fun. Baywatch Bar & Grill and Bikini Beach are two of the most popular dining spots. Baywatch offers traditional American fare and is open breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Bikini Beach features live Latin music and serves tapas and creative cocktails. Most of the restaurants and bars on Orient Beach provide complimentary lounge chairs and umbrellas, allowing you to enjoy the ultimate beach experience. Lean back in your lounge chair and soak in the sun. Waiters will bring ice-cold drinks and huge servings of shrimp directly to you. For a change of pace, you can also browse the area's new shopping gallery. Be advised that since St. Martin follows many of the customs of Europe, topless sunbathing is common on Orient Beach, as well as the other beaches on the French side of the island. For the adventurous, there is even a naturist section of the beach, just in front of Club Orient, the naturist resort. One of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches, Orient Beach offers something for everyone. And such a sun-filled, action-packed day will certainly work up an appetite. While there is no shortage of options to satisfy your appetite on an island known for its restaurants, we recommend Mario's Bistro as one of the best… Restaurant of the Month: Mario's BistroOne of the most popular restaurants on an island known for world-class dining, this waterfront bistro is well known for its excellent service, wonderful food, and a romantic atmosphere. With an open-air design and located along a canal across from Sandy Ground Bridge, Mario's boasts a distinctly Venetian style. It has an outdoor patio with seating that overlooks the bridge and receives a refreshing breeze. If the ambiance and location of Mario's Bistro are eye-opening, its menu is mouth-watering. Featuring French and international cuisine with an Indonesian twist, Mario's Bistro offers a unique and wonderful menu. In particular, diners rave about the restaurant's honey-garlic glazed duck served with garlic mashed potatoes and the braised lamb shank with red wine and garlic sauce. From the halibut wrapped with smoked salmon and leeks to the salmon coated in a caramelized onion crust and the grilled tuna with sesame seeds and wasabi mustard sauce, the seafood dishes are also superb. Be advised that portions at Mario's Bistro tend to be large, and you should take this into consideration if you plan to try the superb Creme Brulee, or one of the delicious signature deserts, such as Upside Down Banana Coconut Tart with Caramel Sauce and Coconut Ice Cream. Mario's Bistro is open Monday through Saturday and closed August through September for the off-season. The restaurant takes and recommends reservations because of its popularity. In fact, reservations are considered a must in-season. But why make a reservation when Island Hideaways can make it for you? Please contact us toll-free at 800-832-2302 and we would happy to make a reservation for you during your next trip to St. Martin. 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 BusinessWeek magazine and our website received Forbes magazine's prestigious "Best of the Web" award each summer from 2000 - 2005. Please call us toll-free at 800-832-2302, or email 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. Copyright © 2007 |
Located midway through the Caribbean chain and surrounded by warm, blue waters and cool trade winds, St. Martin/St. Maarten is uniquely governed by two nations: France and the Netherlands. As such, the island has two "sides," the Dutch St. Maarten in the north and the French St. Martin in the south. This unique dynamic draws a sizeable contingent of European tourists and gives the island an international ambiance. St. Maarten offers a more exciting nightlife and bustling activity, while St. Martin is more laid-back and known for its many superb restaurants. This duality, of course, makes St. Martin/St. Maarten a destination compatible with a wide range of personal preferences. With over 250 restaurants, 13 casinos, many nightspots, countless duty-free shops and boutiques, and the beautiful, white-sand beaches for which the Caribbean is known, this small island has it all. One of the most popular activities on St. Martin/St. Maarten is also our Activity of the Month, a visit to the famous Orient Beach…