Caribbean Villa News / August 2005 /

August 2005, Caribbean Villa Newsletter

Welcome to the August 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!

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In This Issue:

1) St. Lucia - Diamond Botanical Gardens, Waterfall and Mineral Baths, and the Soufriere Drive-In Volcano
2) Villa of the Month: Sea Pearl, St. Lucia
3) Recent Returns: See What Our Clients Have to Say About Their Recent Trips
4) Restaurant of the Month: Buzz Seafood and Grill
5) Passport Advisory
6) St. John - St. Thomas Update
7) Start thinking about your winter vacation now!

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1) Diamond Botanical Gardens, Waterfall, and Mineral Baths, and the Soufriere Drive-In Volcano, St. Lucia

The Diamond Botanical Gardens showcase St. Lucia's exotic flowers and plants. Joan Devaux du Bulay designed the beautiful gardens, which include a water garden and Japanese gardens. As visitors make their way through the lush gardens, they will encounter see nutmeg trees, banana trees, coconut palms or tree of life, cashew trees, and exotic flowers like bird of paradise and bougainvillea. Gorgeous blooming flowers and lush green plants such as anthruiums, wax ginger and heliconias border the pathways to a natural gorge. Nestled in this picturesque setting are the Diamond Waterfall and the Diamond Mineral Baths.

Waters from underground sulfur springs bubble to the surface and run downhill to create the magnificent Diamond Waterfall. As the waters cascade over the mineral-encrusted rocks, the Diamond Waterfall becomes a kaleidoscope of color, changing color throughout the day from yellow to black to green to gray to purple.

The gardens, along with the waterfall and mineral baths, are part of the extensive Soufriere Estate. In 1713, the Devaux brothers received this 2,000 acre land grant from King Louis XIV of France. The discovery of sulfur springs on the estate led the Governor of St. Lucia to send samples to France. Physicians there confirmed that the mineral waters possessed the same healing properties as the mineral baths at Aix-les-Bains in France and Aix-de-Chappelle in Germany. King Louis XIV ordered baths constructed at the site of the sulfur springs to "provide recuperative effects for French soldiers fighting in the West Indies."

Baron de Laborie, the French Governor, had a bathhouse with a dozen baths constructed in 1784. Josephine Bonaparte supposedly bathed here when she visited her father's nearby plantation. The bathhouse was destroyed after the French Revolution. Andre du Boulay, the estate owner, excavated two of the original twelve stone baths in the 1930s, and had them restored. Today visitors can experience for themselves the restorative powers of these mineral waters, which register 106 degrees F. Visitors can arrange to bathe privately in the original baths or to bathe in the more modern outdoor baths.

Also nearby is St. Lucia's Drive-In Volcano--Mount Soufriere. Visitors can drive within a few hundred feet of the twenty-four hissing and belching sulfur pools. A guide leads visitors around the numerous pools and a fault in the rock to various viewing stations while explaining how this lunar landscape came into being.

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2) Villa of the Month: Sea Pearl, St. Lucia

The Sea Pearl offers fabulous views of Anse Becune beach and Pigeon Island National Park. This cliffside villa is a short walk away from Smuggler's Cove, with its wonderful beach and great snorkeling reef.

This air-conditioned two-bedroom, two-bath villa is a great getaway for a family or two couples. Each bedroom is furnished with a double bed and has an ensuite shower room.

The spacious sitting room offers a comfortable spot to relax and enjoy the spectacular water vistas. There's also a separate dining room and well-equipped kitchen. Expect to be pampered here with daily maid and chef service available.

Both air-conditioned bedrooms have double beds and ensuite shower. The main rooms open onto the verandah that runs the length of the villa to create an outdoor living area. Al fresco meals can be enjoyed by the kidney-shaped pool or at the cliffside shaded picnic area.

For more information, please see the listing on our web site: Sea Pearl, St. Lucia Villa

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

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3) Recent Returns: See What Our Clients Have to Say About Their Recent Trips

"The villa and setting was paradise - We had a fabulous time. We thought island magic was the best villa in the bay."
Terry N. WI
Island Magic, Virgin Gorda Villa

"The service provided by Island Hideaways was excellent. I had to keep changing dates and Paul was very understanding. Also found a villa for us that was beautiful. Can't say enough."
Cindy F., MA
Green Cay, St. Martin
www.greencay.com

"I wanted to let you know that my friends and I had a wonderful time in St. Thomas. The villa Pallina was absolutely beautiful - words can not describe it. Thank you again for all your help and information in planning our vacation. I would recommend Island Hideaways to all my friends and co-workers. I am already thinking of returning next year."
Mary S., PA
Pallina, St. Thomas Villa

"We had a wonderful time at Villa Towanda in Tortola. The BVI was as beautiful as we remembered it to be."
James S., IL
Towanda, Tortola Villa

"Thank you very much for your professionalism and your help (and above all, for affording us with a wonderful house for our vacation)"
Michael M., CA
Mandavilla, St. John Villa

"Could not have asked for better service from Jeanette. The home was beautiful as well as the island. Didn't get any surprises and would recommend Island Hideaways in a heartbeat. (actually, I already have.) Thanks."
Mark P., MA
Saba Wind, Virgin Gorda Villa

"We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The villa was beyond expectations. Shirley (cook) and Sheryl (maid/laundress) were truly gems. Thank you so much."
Allen B., GA
Caprice at Old Trees Bay, Barbados Villa

"Thanks Jeanette - yes we really did have a wonderful time there. The scenery was just great and the villa was very nice and spacious. We found Magen's Bay to be the best as we went almost every day. Will have to go back again."
Chris L., IL
Rockworks, St. Thomas Villa


"Thank you, we had a great time at the Bolt Hole."
S.S., Quebec, Canada
Bolt Hole at Old Trees Bay, Barbados Villa

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4) Restaurant of the Month: Buzz Seafood and Grill, Rodney Bay, St. Lucia

Buzz Seafood and Grill opened to rave reviews, and continues to be one of Rodney Bay's most interesting restaurants. Known for its eclectic offerings and signature drinks like the Buzz Cooler and Buzzing Bee Stinger, Buzz Seafood and Grill is the brainchild of St. Lucia restaurateur Pat Bowden.

Diners can choose to enjoy their meal in the cozy gazebo or in the tropical garden under the stars.

The menu features seafood dishes like spicy shrimp pizza, beer battered fish and chips, lobster and crab cakes with remoulade sauce, conch and corn chowder, grilled scampi on lemon and chive risotto, potato-crusted red snapper, and seafood creole. Landlubbers have their choice of charbroiled steaks, ribs, herb-crusted rack of lamb, and Moroccan spicy lamb shanks. Island specialties like pumpkin soup and pepperpot fill out the offerings.

Leave room for dessert. There's something here for every sweet tooth, with selections like Caribbean creme brulee, banana pecan bread pudding, coconut mousse with raspberry sauce, and apple crepes with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Buzz Seafood and Grill serves dinner, and also has a great Sunday brunch.

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

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5) Passport Advisory

If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean later this year, make sure you pack a valid U.S. passport. Effective December 31, 2005, all U.S. citizens returning from the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central and South America must show a valid U.S. passport to re-enter the United States. This is a significant change from past policy, where no passport was needed to re-enter the U.S.

This change is mandated by the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 1994. According to Homeland Security Acting Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, Randy Beardsworth, "Our goal is to strengthen border security and expedite entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors. By ensuring that travelers possess secure documents, such as the passport, Homeland Security will be able to conduct more effective and efficient interviews at our borders."

Travelers to Mexico are not affected under this phase, but will be required to show a passport upon re-entry to the United States effective December 31, 2006.

If you don't have a passport, keep in mind it takes 6-8 weeks to process a passport, and the busiest season for issuing this document is from January to June. For information on applying for a passport, visit the Department of State web site at Passport Home.

So if you will be visiting the Caribbean or Bermuda this holiday season, don't forget your passport.

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6) St. John - St. Thomas Ferry Update

The USVI islands of St. John and St. Thomas have issued several travel alerts of interest to visitors:

The U.S. Coast Guard has increased its Marine Security (MARSEC) alert level from ""MARSEC 1" to "MARSEC 2" because of increased security concerns. Anyone traveling by ferry to or from the island of St. John must now show a picture identification card.

The increases in fuel costs have had an impact on the ferry companies. Keep in mind when carrying luggage that ferry companies charge $2 per bag for luggage to and from St. John.

The Red Hook ferry dock upgrade has begun and will continue through August 2005. As a result, the ferry parking lot is closed. However parking is available in the parking lot across the street and in another parking lot, located a 1/2 mile away, that has been opened across from the National Park entrance. A shuttle runs between the ferry and this parking lot. Parking is $5 per day; the shuttle fee is $1- $2.

Keep in mind that cars parking illegally in commercial lots or in front of businesses will be ticketed or booted. There is also no parking along the road from Smith Bay to Red Hook (Route 32) as construction begins across from the salt pond.

Please allow plenty of time to get to the ferry. During rush hour, the drive between Sapphire and Red Hook can take up to 20 minutes, so plan accordingly. To avoid the delays at Red Hook, visitors can also choose to take the ferry from Charlotte Amalie harbor.


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7) Make Your Winter Reservation Now!

Winter space is filling very quickly now on many of our island destinations. Please remember not to wait too long to request your reservation if you plan to return to your favorite home. Virgin Gorda, St. John, and Barbados are already VERY heavily booked for winter '06. Our other destinations are filling quickly.

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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.

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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 (www.islandhideaways.com) received the prestigious "Best of the Web" award by Forbes magazine each summer from 2000 - 2003. Please call us toll-free at 800.832.2302 or e-mail us at villas@islandhideaways.com with any questions, suggestions or comments.

Copyright 2005

Our selection includes villa rentals on the following Caribbean islands: