TIME TO PLAN A GETAWAY
November is a great month to say buh-bye to still-too-early Christmas decor and travel to the Caribbean,
The month of November is as close to a winter surprise attack as it comes. There you are enjoying the last vestiges of autumn leaves and fall sunshine and BAM! November comes in with a wintry wind out of nowhere. Savvy travellers know there is a way to keep those cool winds at bay for at least a little longer. This November, say buh-bye to stil-ltoo-early Christmas decor in the malls and hello to a well-earned trip to the Caribbean. The spot: Aruba The reason: Total Relaxation White sandy beaches, soft bluegreen waters and a reputation for romance means Aruba could be the key to your “winter is coming” romance blahs. The stay: Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino offers couples looking to flee the kids, a hotel-within-a-hotel experience at the adultsonly Tradewinds Club. The private floor and lounge also opens up to its own pool and bar and offers exclusive amenities, including pillow menus and complimentary gourmet food and beverage offerings throughout the day. The bonus: Wander down the beach for a standup paddleboard yoga class with local instructor Rachel Brathen. Brathen — a.k.a. Yoga Girl — has more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram and can teach you how to catch a photo-worthy wave. The spot: Dominican Republic The reason: Street Cred The Caribbean’s second-largest country is a Canadian winter travel staple with its offers of cultural and historically significant cities and those endless days of sunshine. The stay: Gansevoort Dominican Republic Playa Imbert Gansevoort’s biggest fans flock to it for the ever-present South Beach vibe, and the new Dominican Republic resort delivers on the promise. When it opens on the DR’s northern shores this December, it will be only the second island outpost for the chain.
The first guests will be able to brag about being among the first to test out the plush loungers while snapping photos alongside the cascading infinity pool. The Mediterranean Baia Lounge restaurant on site mixes island and ethnic flavours, using ingredients that are locally sourced and 90 per cent organic. The bonus: Looking to move from your current perch? Options abound. Visit the local monkey jungle, dive through shipwrecks or explore more than 400 acres of protected wilderness reserve. Nearby rum and cigar factories will make sure your trip is well-rounded. The spot: The Cayman Islands The reason: Water Play The Caymans offer three islands to explore. What they have in common is the turquoise waters that surround them and locals who have long welcomed Canadians escaping the cold.
A new international airport redevelopment project (slated to be completed in 2018) will likely only increase the island’s popularity. The stay: Take your pick. The archipelago is welcoming a new Kimpton hotel on its popular Seven Mile Beach in 2016, where offerings will include five restaurants and a destination spa. Other properties that have spent the last few months revamping their offerings include the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach. The bonus: Long thought of as the birthplace for recreational diving, the islands’ pristine reefs and marine life are a favourite for those who love the sport. Non-divers won’t be disappointed: A new $7-million marina redevelopment will please boaters and everything from stand up paddleboarding to snorkelling will keep you happy, in or out of the water. The spot: Barbados The reason: Family Beach Fun This island gem has more than 110 kilometres of beaches to play on. Crane Beach — named one of the Top 10 beaches in the world — is always popular, but you’ll have no trouble finding a favourite all on your own. The stay: Colony Club Book into a poolside room at the Colony Club and your kids won’t stop smiling. There are complimentary water sports and island excursions that the whole family can enjoy, but best of all, there’s the beach. Whether making sand castles or just laying out and soaking up the sun, the warm soft sands will be a welcome change from the bitter winds back home.
The bonus: Those who enjoy fresh seafood will love Barbados. Alongside local dishes like “flying fish,” and fish cakes, you’ll find incredible gourmet cuisine with an island flair. While the kids are enjoying the kids’ club, consider a rum pub crawl around the island. There are more than 1,500 rum shops to choose from. The spot: Martinique The reason: Delicious Cuisine When it comes to top Caribbean culinary destinations, you can’t form a list without including Martinique. The island’s unique French-Creole cuisine draws influence from India, Africa and the Caribbean and accolades from around the world.
The stay: La Pagerie The boutique 96-room property offers exactly what you’ll need at the end of a day spent eating everything you come across. To add fuel to the fire: Many of the rooms are equipped with kitchenettes, so you can try your hand at a dish or two. Looking for a cocktail before dinner? Head down to the Palm bar, and you can sit on the edge of the pool and sip with your feet in the water.
The bonus: Book a cooking class with Les Ateliers Médélices. Guests can prepare a menu with Chef Jean-Charles Bredas — a Millau Clef d’Or award winner and one of the “Four Best Caribbean Chefs,” according to Bon Appétit magazine. Other options include farm-to-table island experiences, cocktail-making classes and trips to the only mushroom producer on the island.