At Barbados airport, the fares to the various island destinations are posted on a board outside the arrivals area. I made sure that my taxi driver knew the fare to my destination and whether I would be paying him in US or East Caribbean dollars.

From Melville Hall in Dominica the fare to Roseau, the capital, is US$50 for the 1.5 hour trip. However, there are never many taxis at the airport, so this scarcity might raise the price.

When I arrived at VC Bird airport in Antigua, I headed to the taxi dispatcher, who wrote out a receipt for me so that both myself and the driver knew exactly what fare I would be paying, and in which currency, before I began my journey.  For example, the trip to English Harbour cost US$31.

On St. Kitts, most hotels are only a US$10 ride from the airport. I stayed at Timothy Beach and it took about 15 minutes to get there from the airport. During my stay on St. Kitts I hired a taxi for the afternoon to take me to the Brimstone Hill Fortress and the driver charged me $50 including the two hours he waited for me.

In Curacao, from the airport to Willemstad would have cost between $20 and $40 depending on which taxi driver I spoke to. There’s no real need to buy any local currency either as I paid for everything on the island in US Dollars.

On St Vincent, the journey from the airport to the capital Kingstown takes about 10 minutes and can be done for $10.

On St. Lucia, there are two airports. Caribbean flights arrive at Castries and it cost me US$50 to travel from here to Soufriere. Hewanorra is where the BA flight to Gatwick leaves from and it will cost US$40 to get here from Soufriere. When I arrived at this airport, there were no planes around but don’t worry as the BA flight starts in Trinidad and just picks up people on St. Lucia.

Julian has written articles on Middle Eastern and European architecture for the US magazine Skipping Stones. He has written travel articles that were published in The Toronto Globe and Mail, Fate Magazine, National Catholic Register, and Northwest Travel. Julian has also written articles for the In The Know Traveler, Go Nomad, InTravelmag, and Go World Travel websites. He has also taken many photographs that have appeared in travel guides by National Geographic, Thomas Cook and The Rough Guides. Examples of his work can be found athttp://www.photographersdirect.com/sellers/details.asp?portfolio=13734

Basseterre is the capital of the country St Kitts and Nevis. It’s an unremarkable town with two cathedrals, an independence fountain, and The Circus, a roundabout containing the Berkeley Memorial Clock, which is modeled after Piccadilly Circus in London (it’s alleged).

In Basseterre there is a shiny new harbor facility, Port Zante, where cruise ships berth and which contains duty-free shops and souvenir stores. Many tourists only see this facility and don’t go anywhere else in St Kitts, so missing the amazing Brimstone Hill Fortress.

My taxi driver back to the Timothy Beach hotel was called Two Point, who hosts a radio show on 106.9FM between 10pm and 2am most nights. He is a political activist and dislikes the Prime Minister of 17 years, Dr. Denzil Douglas. The PM is disliked by everyone according to Two Point, yet he keeps being re-elected.

Dr Douglas offers sweeteners to the electors, such as a 20% cut on electricity prices, but then reverses them once he has been elected. Two Point also told me that the opposition is not allowed to broadcast on the TV and radio.

Julian has written articles on Middle Eastern and European architecture for the US magazine Skipping Stones. He has written travel articles that were published in The Toronto Globe and Mail, Fate Magazine, National Catholic Register, and Northwest Travel. Julian has also written articles for the In The Know Traveler, Go Nomad, InTravelmag, and Go World Travel websites. He has also taken many photographs that have appeared in travel guides by National Geographic, Thomas Cook and The Rough Guides. Examples of his work can be found at http://www.photographersdirect.com/sellers/details.asp?portfolio=13734

Even if you don’t normally visit castles and military history and armaments don’t excite you, it’s still worth it to visit the amazing Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts, if only for the incredible views it affords in every direction.

Overlooking the western coast of St Kitts, Brimstone Hill enables visitors to see St Eustatius and Saba to the north, Basseterre to the south, and the island’s highest point, Mount Liamuiga, to the east.

Brimstone Hill was begun in 1690, but was taken by a force of 8,000 French soldiers in 1782. The fortress was returned to British control by treaty a year later. They immediately added more walls and guns and the fortress was never taken again. The importance of the fortress declined as tensions eased between Britain and France and as the importance of sugar cane decreased.

I enjoyed scrambling around this amazing garrison and discovering why it was given the name “The Gibraltar of the Caribbean”. There are gun emplacements, ruined barracks (with a ghost), impenetrable powder rooms, hidden stairs, and vast curtain walls to explore.

Julian has written travel articles for The Toronto Globe and Mail, Fate Magazine, National Catholic Register, and Northwest Travel. He has also contributed to travel websites like, In The Know Traveler, Go Nomad, InTravelmag and Go World Travel. He has also taken many photographs that have appeared in travel guides by National Geographic, Thomas Cook and The Rough Guides. Examples of his work can be found at http://www.photographersdirect.com/sellers/details.asp?portfolio=13734

**All of the below offers are valid for reservations booked between 12:00am and 11:59pm on DAYLIGHT SAVINGS DAY – Sunday, March 13, 2011 ONLY.

KURA HULANDA SPA & CASINO (CURACAO): Book two nights at Kura Hulanda in a Deluxe Room or Suite on Daylight Savings Day, March 13, 2011, and receive two extra nights for free.

Rates from: $335 USD per night (extra two nights averages out to $167.50 / night)

Valid for Travel:  March 15 – Dec 15, 2011.  Black out dates Sept 02 – 06, 2011.

Reservations: Call 877- 264- 3106 and ask for the Daylight Savings Special (offer must be booked by telephone) www.kurahulanda.com

ST. KITTS MARRIOTT RESORT: Book St. Kitts Marriott’s 40% Off Sale on Daylight Savings Day, March 13, 2011, and receive 40% off room rates, plus a free room upgrade.

Rates from: $98 USD per night  (room rates start at $190, not including upgrade.)

Valid for Travel: Through December 21, 2011. Blackout dates apply. Deposit is required.

Reservations: Visit www.stkittsmarriott.com and input promo code BAR (offer must be booked online)

SAN JUAN MARRIOTT RESORT & STELLARIS CASINO: Enjoy an extra hour of daylight at San Juan Marriott’s newly renovated La Isla Bar. Guests receive one free hour of Happy Hour when they book San Juan Marriott’s “Escape Your Way Dining Package” on Daylight Savings Day, March 13, 2011.

Package includes:

·       Accommodations in room category of choice

·       Breakfast for two at La Vista each day, inclusive of tax and gratuity

·       One dinner for two at Ristorante Tuscany, inclusive of tax and gratuity

·       Free hour of “Happy Hour” at La Isla Beach Bar

Rates from: $340 per night/per room; a package savings of 30%.

Valid for Travel: April 1 – September 30

Reservations: Visit marriottsanjuan.com and use promo code ZJ8 in the Corporate/Promotional box, or call 1-800-228-9290 and ask for promotional code ZJ8.

CASAMAGNA MARRIOTT CANCUN RESORT: CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort is offering three special Daylight Savings Day offers when you book on March 13, 2011:
-        $99 resort view rooms
-        $189 deluxe ocean view room, plus free breakfast, free wireless internet, and a $50 USD resort credit
-        $239 deluxe Caribbean suites, plus free breakfast, free wireless internet, and a $50 USD resort credit

Rates: $99 – $239 USD per night

Valid for Travel: Through December 23, 2011. Rates do not include tax. Offer not combinable with any other promotion or special rates. A limited number or rooms are available with this promotion.

Reservations: Visit www.casamagnacancun.com and input promo code L9Z

JW MARRIOTT CANCUN RESORT & SPA: JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa is offering three special Daylight Savings Day offers when you book on March 13, 2011:
-        $149 ocean view rooms
-        $219 premium ocean view room, plus free breakfast, free wireless internet, and a $50 USD resort credit
-        $349 premium ocean view room, plus free breakfast, free wireless internet, $50 USD resort credit, and Club 91 access

Rates: $149 – $349 per night

Valid for Travel: Through December 23, 2011. Rates do not include tax. Offer not combinable with any other promotion or special rates. A limited number or rooms are available with this promotion.

Reservations: Visit www.jwmarriottcancun.com and input promo code L9Z

MARRIOTT HOTELS & RESORTS OF COSTA RICA:  Book your 2011 vacation on Daylight Savings Day and receive $109 – $129 nightly rates.

Rates: $109 plus tax per room/night at Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose (standard room), Courtyard San Jose Escazu (standard room), Residence Inn San Jose Escazu (studio); and $129.00 plus tax per room/night at Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort (standard room).

Valid for Travel:  Through October 31, 2011

Reservations: Visit www.marriott.com/costarica and request promo code PR5

I loved it. Ok. Fine. I totally loved it. So pipe down to all of you who take issue with chain hotels. Here’s the thing about chains. With good ones, you’re never disappointed. That’s been my experience with Marriott, so far anyway. Local color is great. However, you don’t always have to sacrifice it by going with a known quantity.

I recently stayed at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino. Sadly, it was just for a few short days, but that was all I needed to fall in love.

I go to a lot of beaches and a lot of resorts. So many of them claim “untouched” beaches. However, this was the real deal. Walk out through the hotel’s expansive open-air lobby and past the pool and you’ll find yourself smack dab in the middle of unspoiled beach as far as the eye can see.

No massive high rises. No noisy restaurants or knickknack shops. No throngs of people. Just comfy chairs and cabanas for hotel guests and a few locals peddling their wares.

The resort had lots to offer beyond the beach too. I loved their seafood restaurant Blu and enjoyed the breakfast buffet at their Calypso restaurant. This Marriott also has an Italian restaurant and a steak house that I hear are both quite good. I learned how to play poker in the casino. I lounged and lunched at the pool. And I shopped the stores in the hotel promenade.

The property is beautiful. The rooms are comfy and quite large. The location is killer. But one of the primary reasons I look forward to going back is the staff. I didn’t feel for one minute like I was a bother or an intrusion on the island. And I didn’t feel an “us and them” between the locals and the guests.

That goes a very long way in my book.

Jenny Block is the author of “Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage” (Seal Hardcover, June 2008 and Seal Paperback, March 2009), which has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. She writes a weekly column for the Dallas Morning News publication Quick called “Sex Talk with Jenny Block” (quickdfw.com). Jenny holds both her BA and her MA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught college composition for nearly ten years. She writes for a wide variety of publications and websites, including huffingtonpost.com, yourtango.com, American Way, Veranda, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Voice, edgedallas.com, literarymama.com, Spirit, chow.com, and ellegirl.com.

I didn’t get to check out the volcano while I was in St. Kitts. However, I did get to zip line and visit the cliff-top UNESCO World Heritage Site Brimstone Hill Fortress, which had stellar views. I just found out that the St. Kitts Marriott (which I stayed in and LOVED) has just started offering a vacation package that they call “Get High in St. Kitts.” It’s an adventure package that includes accommodations plus a volcano hike, ziplining, and trip to the Brimstone.

One of the things that can be frustrating is trying to organize and arrange all of the things you want to do while on vacation. I love that this package puts together all of the highlights for visitors with accommodations right in the center of all of the adventure action – in paradise, no less! And the Marriott can point you in the right direction for stuff like jet skiing and kayaking too if you’re up for that as well.

I like to lay on the beach as much as the next girl. But St. Kitts had so much going on, even I couldn’t bear to be grounded.

Jenny Block is the author of “Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage” (Seal Hardcover, June 2008 and Seal Paperback, March 2009), which has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. She writes a weekly column for the Dallas Morning News publication Quick called “Sex Talk with Jenny Block” (quickdfw.com). Jenny holds both her BA and her MA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught college composition for nearly ten years. She writes for a wide variety of publications and websites, including huffingtonpost.com, yourtango.com, American Way, Veranda, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Voice, edgedallas.com, literarymama.com, Spirit, chow.com, and ellegirl.com.

Don’t think Vegas. Not at all. Think a row of beach shacks up and down the sand just steps from the ocean. Think great music, cold rum punch, and throngs of people, locals and tourists alike. Not far from the St. Kitts Marriott where I was staying, the Strip was the place to be on Friday night. By the time I headed off to bed at 1:45am, I could tell some folks were just getting started.

What I appreciated most at The Shiggidy Shack, The Rainbow, and the rest of the clubs was that everyone mixed and mingled and danced and partied. Medical students living on the island, resort guests, locals, time share owners. Everyone. Only problem is, this is no place for someone who doesn’t like to dance. Luckily, that’s not an issue for me. I may not be good. But I sure have a good time trying, especially that night in St. Kitts!

Jenny Block is the author of “Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage” (Seal Hardcover, June 2008 and Seal Paperback, March 2009), which has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. She writes a weekly column for the Dallas Morning News publication Quick called “Sex Talk with Jenny Block” (quickdfw.com). Jenny holds both her BA and her MA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught college composition for nearly ten years. She writes for a wide variety of publications and websites, including huffingtonpost.com, yourtango.com, American Way, Veranda, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Voice, edgedallas.com, literarymama.com, Spirit, chow.com, and ellegirl.com.

It’s important to note that I am not an adventurous girl — at all. I just went on my first roller coaster three and a half years ago for no reason other than that I was terrified of it. And I was tired of being terrified. So, to tell you I went ziplining — and loved it — is a big deal.

I was in St. Kitts for a few days staying at the St. Kitts Marriott www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/skbrb-st-kitts-marriott-resort-and-the-royal-beach-casino/ which I love, by the way. More on that in another entry. And I decided it was important that I continue my year of yes into another year.

I started saying yes to adventures that scare me when I went on that first roller coaster. Since then, I have gone snorkeling, ATVing, and parasailing. You name it. So despite the fact that I turned white every time, I thought about zipping through the forest on a wire. I did it.

I went zipling in St. Kitts with a company called Sky Safaris www.skysafaristkitts.com. They have a really cool training run that they call The Monkey Trainer that’s only 100 feet long. So once I got up the courage to tackle that, it was, as they say, all downhill from there.

The rest of the lines include The Boss which is 1350 feet long and 250 feet above the rain forest, Mango Tango at 1000 feet long, Brimstone Blast at 900 feet long, and River Rocker at a very short – but very fast (45 miles an hour!) 500 feet long.

It was really fun. The gorgeous views. The exhilarating speeds. The incredibly nice staff. But what I enjoyed most of all was conquering my fear. My only question is — what’s next?

Jenny Block is the author of “Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage” (Seal Hardcover, June 2008 and Seal Paperback, March 2009), which has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. She writes a weekly column for the Dallas Morning News publication Quick called “Sex Talk with Jenny Block” (quickdfw.com). Jenny holds both her BA and her MA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught college composition for nearly ten years. She writes for a wide variety of publications and websites, including huffingtonpost.com, yourtango.com, American Way, Veranda, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Voice, edgedallas.com, literarymama.com, Spirit, chow.com, and ellegirl.com.

WESTON, Fla. – May 1, 2010 – Select Marriott and Renaissance Resorts in the Caribbean and Costa Rica are offering up to 40% off leisure rates. The “Grab Life by the Beach” vacation package can be booked May 1 – 31, 2010 for travel from June 1 – October 31, 2010. Rates start as low as $98 per night at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and The Royal Beach Casino and just $119 at the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino. Savings equal up to $296 off per night at the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort and up to $90 off per night at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

“The summer is a great time to travel south to the Caribbean and Costa Rica. Escape the city heat in exchange for a lounge chair on the beach,” said Michelle Bozoki, Director of Marketing Communications for Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts. For more information or to book Caribbean or Costa Rican vacation visit ParadiseByMarriott.com, contact your travel agent, or call toll-free 1-888-PARADISE. Request code LLF when making reservations. Participating resorts include the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino, and the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino. The offer is not valid for groups of ten rooms or more. Blackout dates or other restrictions may apply. Promotion cannot be combined with any other offer, sales promotion, or prior purchase/reservation.

Boasting an array of exciting resort activities, superb restaurants and dining options, state-of-the-art amenities and luxurious accommodations, each of the Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts offer a distinct and extraordinary vacation experience in spectacular oceanfront settings. For a full list of Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resort locations and for more information on the current packages and promotions, please visit www.ParadiseByMarriott.com.

MARRIOTT AND RENAISSANCE CARIBBEAN & MEXICO RESORTS is an integrated sales and marketing organization that was formed in 1997 to combine the sales and marketing efforts of several resort properties in the Caribbean and Mexico. Today, the group consists of a select portfolio of nine oceanfront resorts that are owned and/or managed by Marriott International. Representing the most spectacular resort properties throughout the Caribbean and Mexico, including Aruba, Curaçao, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, each Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resort captures the charm of its distinctive locale, while providing renowned

Location: St. Kitts is located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Eastern Caribbean, approximately 19 degrees north of the Equator, and is separated by a 2-mile wide channel from its sister island, Nevis.

Size: The Island is 23 miles long and 5 miles wide, encompassing a total area of 68 square miles. Its highest point of elevation is Mt. Liamuiga, at 3,792 feet above sea level.

Climate: Daily temperatures average 80 degrees Fahrenheit year round, with a constant cool breeze from the Northeast Tradewinds keeping the island comfortable. There is an average of 12 hours of sunshine a day, humidity is low and, with less than 55 inches of rainfall annually, St. Kitts has no distinct rainy season.

Population and Approximately 36,000 people make St. Kitts their home. The official Language language is English, which is spoken with a pleasant Caribbean accent
and contains many unique and colorful island phrases.

Currency: The legal tender of the Island is the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar, although US dollars are readily accepted almost everywhere. The current rate of exchange is approximately EC$2.70 to US$1. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and large shops. An ATM that can dispense US dollars is available at the Royal Bank of St. Kitts.

Time: Atlantic Standard Time is in effect throughout the year, which is four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT) or one hour ahead of Eastern Time in the winter. Daylight savings time is not observed.

Entry US and Canadian citizens are required to have proof of citizenship in the
Requirements:* form of either a passport or birth certificate along with a photo i.d., as well as proof of sufficient funds and return or onward passage. There is a EC$60 departure tax (about US$22.00) payable in cash at the airport.
Getting There: St. Kitts is served from North America by US Airways non-stop from Philadelphia and Charlotte and by American Airlines/American Eagle via San Juan and Miami as well as by Windward Island Airways (WinnAir), LIAT, Caribbean Star and Caribbean Sun via connections over St. Maarten, Antigua and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All flights arrive at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, situated just 2 miles outside the historic capital city of Basseterre.

Getting Around: Visitors have several options for exploring the island, including local taxis, which are abundant throughout St. Kitts. Cars may also be rented, which requires a temporary license, or public mini-buses run regularly along the main roads. Driving is on the left side of the road.

History: Originally populated by native Carib Indians, the island was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, who was so enamored of it that he named it St. Christopher after himself and his patron saint. The name was later shortened to St. Kitts by the English, who arrived in 1623 followed by the French a year later. The island was considered so valuable to both nations that the British and French agreed to live side by side, making St. Kitts the first permanent settlement of these two countries in the Western Hemisphere. Thus the island is known as the “Mother Colony” and “cradle” of the Caribbean which boasted abundant and lucrative sugar cane plantations. The French and British battled for control of the island for over 130 years, with Britain gaining control in 1713. The island was officially designated British under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783. St. Kitts remained under England’s rule until 1983, when it was established as an independent nation along with sister island Nevis within the British Commonwealth.

Accommodations: A diverse selection of places to stay can be found for every price range and properties vary from intimately elegant boutique inns to grand beachfront hotels and all-inclusive resorts as well as condominiums, villas and guest houses.

Activities: Sightseeing, hiking, birdwatching, boating, catamaran cruises, deep sea fishing, golf, horseback riding, surfing, Scuba diving, snorkeling, tennis, windsurfing, waterskiing, jetskiing, bicycling, shopping, dining, spa treatments and gaming at the island’s exclusive casino.

Dining: Food aficionados will find a wonderful range of cuisines to select from available at various restaurants, both individually operated and found within the island’s hotels or inns. Local delicacies with a distinctly Caribbean flair dominate most menus, yet Continental, vegetarian, Italian and other styles can also be found on St. Kitts.

Shopping: Travelers browsing the numerous art galleries, antique dealers and retail shops of St. Kitts will find both locally made treasures as well as brand name designer boutiques. Many shops are located in one of four malls – Pelican Mall, Shorline Plaza, TDC Mall, Port Zante and Palms Arcade – while others are scattered across the island and within Basseterre. Items such as paintings, pottery, jewelry, jams, teas and hand made batik fabrics are the local specialties.

Nightlife: When the sun goes down, St. Kitts comes alive with vibrant local music, dancing and entertainment at dozens of resorts, bars and hot spots including the Monkey Bar, Bambus, the Blue Nile, Inon’s Beach Bar, Sprat Net, BET Sound Stage, Oasis Sports Bar, Turtle Beach Bar and Grill, Mr. X’s Shiggiddy Shack, Tigers, Bobsy’s, Shipwreck and the Lantern, to name a few.

Festivals and The spirit and rich history of St. Kitts is celebrated year round with fun Special Events festivals and events such as the National Carnival, St. Kitts Music Festival, St. Kitts Tourism Week and various community festivals throughout the year.

Attractions: The historic capital city of Basseterre offers sites including Independence Square, Berkley Memorial, St. George’s Anglican Church, St. Barnabus Anglican Church, the Georgian House, the National Museum, the Cenotaph (war memorial), Government House and the Port Zante cruise terminal. Other top tourist draws on island are Brimstone Hill (the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean), Black Rocks, Bloody Point, Old Road Town, Carib Indian Petroglyphs, Romney Manor and the Caribelle Batik Factory, Belmont Estate, the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, tropical rainforest and extinct volcano Mt. Liamuiga.

Beaches: The beaches of St. Kitts boast great variety as well as great beauty, with volcanic black sand gracing the northern beaches and shimmering golden or powdery white sand beaches in the south. The Atlantic side of the island has rougher, deeper blue waters while the turquoise sea on the Caribbean side is calmer and more suitable for swimming. Among the choices are Banana Bay, Cockleshell Bay, Conaree Bay, White House Bay, North Frigate Bay, South Frigate Bay, Dieppe Bay, Sand Bank Bay, Major’s Bay, Turtle Beach and South Friar’s Bay.

Ecotourism: With lush rainforests blanketing the slopes of Mt. Liamuiga, pristine coral reefs, windswept coastlines and a wealth of indigenous flora and fauna as well as an astonishing variety of birds, butterflies, amphibians, butterflies and the exotic green vervet monkey, St. Kitts is a nature lover’s paradise. Incidentally, St. Kitts is one of the few places in the world in which the rainforest has actually grown in the last 20 years.

*As of January 23, 2007, all travelers entering or re-entering the United States through airports from any destination will be required to have a PASSPORT or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality. Please visit the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov for more information and downloadable passport application form. www.stkitts-tourism.com

For more on St. Kitts and Nevis at ITKT