Melanie Reffes
The Caribbean Rocks !
Melanie Reffes is a seasoned travel journalist specializing in the Caribbean . She is often circling the globe in search of a good story or racing through airports trying to make a flight. She is much-published in the USA, Canada, Caribbean and places beyond.
PROJECTS
USA TODAY
Best places to retire in the Caribbean
More often reserved for vacations than retirement, many Caribbean countries roll out the red carpet for baby boomers ready to rev up their next big adventure. Beyond the perks of warm weather and a closet without winter coats, the islands welcome those exiting the fast track with a laid-back lifestyle, tax incentives, affordable health care and lobsters on the grill. Live the dream, pack your bags and write the next chapter of your life under a palm tree. You’ve earned it.
U.S. Virgin Islands...
news.curacao.com
Cozy in Curaçao: Going Dutch in the Caribbean
A multi-lingual melting pot of nationalities from around the world, the Dutch island is also one of a just a few Caribbean countries located outside the Atlantic hurricane belt making weddings and honeymoons a breeze to book year ‘round.
From a sunset on the beach ceremony to a more formal affair in a resort ballroom, couples have a myriad of choices to celebrate their special day. For couples opting for a religious ceremony, there are many churches dotting the island and for those marrying i...
marrycaribbean.com
Cozy in Curacao: Going Dutch in the Caribbean
Sitting pretty 70 miles east of Aruba and 35 miles north of Venezuela, Curacao is the gold standard for romance and a popular choice for weddings, honeymoons and vacations away from the fray. A multi-lingual melting pot of nationalities from around the world, the Dutch island is also one of a just a few Caribbean countries located outside the Atlantic hurricane belt making weddings and honeymoons a breeze to book year ‘round. www.curacao.com/en/
From a sunset on the beach ceremony to a more f...
caribbeantravel.com
Checking out Curacao: Pretty as a postcard
Photo: Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort with a trio of pools, Credit: SBRCuracao
A Dutch Caribbean island with a candy-colored capital city that last year celebrated 20 years as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Curacao sits pretty 70 miles east of Aruba and 35 miles north of Venezuela. Inviting with reliably sunny skies, the perennially popular vacation getaway is a short three-hour flight from Miami. American Airlines will add a third daily flight from Miami on December 19 and JetBlue added Tu...
USA TODAY
Where to eat on the beach in the Caribbean
Photo Gallery : Tables on the Beach in the Caribbean
USA TODAY
Hurricane-free Caribbean: Cool reasons to visit Curacao
A Dutch island in the southern Caribbean, Curacao conveniently sits below the hurricane belt, making it appealing for travelers who can do without the angst of weather delays during the Atlantic hurricane season that continues through the end of November. Seventy miles east of Aruba and 35 miles north of Venezuela, the cosmopolitan island is a melting pot on bold display with a pastel-painted capital city that last year celebrated 20 years as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Vitamin sea
The isla...
allaboutworldheritage.com
Hurricane-free Caribbean: Cool reasons to visit Curacao; Melanie Reffes; USA Today
Curacao is a melting pot that last year celebrated 20 years as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Source: Hurricane-free Caribbean: Cool reasons to visit Curacao
caribbeantravel.com
Best Beaches in the Bahamas
Grab some R&R at one of these sandy hot spots
Photo: ALAMY
Source: AARP
It’s a beach bonanza in the Bahamas with 700 coral islands scattered over 100,000 square miles of ocean the color of a Tiffany gift box. Whether you’re a sun worshiper or a sea lover, there’s a sandy swath for every kind of beach buff.
Here are seven of the best.
Tahiti Beach, Elbow Cay, the Abacos
Why it's special: Never crowded because it is accessible only by foot, bike or boat, palm tree-lined Tahiti Beach boasts a lo...
caribbeantravel.com
Ship Ahoy: Caribbean cruise ports
Photo: Curacao's Mega Pier Tula is where the big ships dock, Credit: Curacao Ports Authority
The Caribbean is one of the most coveted cruising destinations in the world with millions of vacationers each year sailing into the wild blue wonder for an adventure on the high seas. Rivaling amenities at a posh resort, perks on the ships run the gamut from spas and casinos to rock-climbing walls, basketball courts and bowling alleys. Yes, a cruise may be your fantasy holiday for a week but the authe...
http://www.thesuburban.com/
Caribbean cruise ports: What to do when you get there
The Caribbean is one of the most coveted cruising destinations in the world with millions of vacationers each year sailing into the wild blue wonder for an adventure on the high seas. Rivalling amenities at a posh resort, perks on the ships run the gamut from spas and casinos to rock-climbing walls, basketball courts and bowling alleys. Yes, a cruise may be your fantasy holiday for a week, but the authentic Caribbean experience is in the cities and towns where the ship drops anchor. Get off t...
caribbeantravel.com
The Big Day: Say I Do at Sandals Royal Barbados
Source: Marry Caribbean
You know you’ve hit the all-inclusive bullseye when the resort you’ve checked into is next to another one and there are exchange privileges between the two. On Maxwell Beach on the south coast of the island, Sandals Royal Barbados is the petite sibling to the adjacent Sandals Barbados. With both resorts a top-shelf favorite for weddings and honeymoons, the smaller newer resort is rolling out the royal welcome to twosomes looking to make their special day extra special....
marrycaribbean.com
The Big Day: Say I Do at Sandals Royal Barbados
You know you’ve hit the all-inclusive bullseye when the resort you’ve checked into is next to another one and there are exchange privileges between the two. On Maxwell Beach on the south coast of the island, Sandals Royal Barbados is the petite sibling to the adjacent Sandals Barbados. With both resorts a top-shelf favorite for weddings and honeymoons, the smaller newer resort is rolling out the royal welcome to twosomes looking to make their special day extra special. The leaders in destinat...
caribbeantravel.com
Caribbean all-inclusive resorts: Maximum fun for the money
Photo: Sunscape Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino is the largest all-inclusive on the island. Credit: Sunscape Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino
Source: USA Today
With unlimited eating and drinking the hallmark of a one-price holiday package, you can amp up the all-inclusive meter by sniffing out add-ons that come without additional price tags. Check out our suggestions and get a big bang for your buck at a Caribbean all-inclusive resort.
Curacao
Photo: Families can swim with the turtles at the Sunscap...
USA TODAY
Caribbean all-inclusive resorts: Maximum fun for the money
With unlimited eating and drinking the hallmark of a one-price holiday package, you can amp up the all-inclusive meter by sniffing out add-ons that come without additional price tags. Check out our suggestions and get a big bang for your buck at a Caribbean all-inclusive resort.
Barbados
On Maxwell Beach, Sandals Royal Barbados is the new side-by-side sibling to Sandals Barbados. With a combined 17 restaurants and a "Stay at One, Play at Two" option, the all-suite adults-only Sandals Royal is...
caribbeantravel.com
The beach is just the beginning - Exploring Antigua & Barbuda
Photo: Views from Shirley Heights are eye-candy for photographers, Credit: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua is adored for 365 sandy beaches, big yachts, small sailboats, fine dining and resorts at the water’s edge. “We are excited with the momentum taking place, “ says Colin James , CEO, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, “American Airlines is adding a second daily flight from Miami on December 19 , Delta is introducing direct service from ...