Festiva Sailing Vacations “Save The Reef” Campaign


Ahhh…sailing in the Caribbean. One of our favorite things to do – especially in what some call the sailing capital of the Caribbean – the British Virgin  Islands.

BVI Sailing - copyright Rum Therapy
We’ve sailed several times in the BVI so far – twice on an all-inclusive crewed charter with Festiva Sailing Vacations. Why do we going back to sail the BVI? We love it’s beauty, the variety of things to see and do, the sailing conditions and its vibrant underwater life.

Snorkeling - copyright Rum Therapy
But with the increase in popularity, there is  an ongoing need to protect the islands above and under the water so we can all continue to enjoy the  beauty of the area. 

That’s why we were pleased to hear from Festiva Sailing Vacations that they are donating 5% of their profits for the entire month of April, 2016 to the Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) located in the British Virgin Islands to assist in marine restoration and coral nurseries.

According to ARK, the contribution will assist with the on-going maintenance of their coral nurseries. There are two nursery sites with a total of 1,000 corals growing, which will be out planted later this year to enhance some of the BVI reefs. Afterwards, they will continue growing coral and hopefully add a few more nursery sites ensuring healthy reefs for years to come.

ReefsBANNER-(600)-O

Have  you been wanting to find out more about an all-inclusive sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands? Be sure to check out Festiva Sailing Vacations website and contact them for more info. 

Want to see some of what you can see and do on a sailing vacation in the BVI? Check out our series called Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter!

This is a sponsored post. Although we were compensated by the company who sponsored it, the views are solely our own and we only recommend products or services we believe our readers will enjoy.

Jimmy’s Dive Bar, Provo, Turks & Caicos


When we heard the name of this bar tucked into a corner of Ports of Call in Providenciales, T&C, we knew we had to make a stop to check it out.

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
Oddly enough, as soon as we stepped through the door, we realized we stopped in during our first trip to T&C in 2008. Deja vu…We hadn’t remembered the name, but definitely remembered the bar. We sat in the same booth as we had 8 years before and ordered another Turks Head.

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
Jimmy’s Dive Bar is actually owned by Jimmy Ardavany, an easy to talk to guy who came to Providenciales from New York and started his bar about 9 years ago.

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
Asked how he landed in T&C, he said he decided to “get the hell” out of New York, get a business for himself in a tropical location and ended up in Providenciales.

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
Apparently Jimmy’s bar is doing well with locals and visitors alike to last as many years as it has on this pretty island.

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
Located in an area surrounded by glitzy hotels and resorts, Jimmy’s Dive Bar is a comfortable, non-pretentious place to hang out and enjoy some local beers, a rum or rum drink from his decent rum selection and some laid back conversation with other vacationers or his friendly bartenders and other staff, such as Gloribel – who eagerly told us about a rum she recommended from Venezuela.

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
We talked to Jimmy about island life and the realities of owning a business on an island and he said, “If you want to make a million bucks owning a bar in the islands, be sure to bring 2 million down with you!”

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
All joking aside, we enjoyed his bar with it’s Caribbean beach bar-like funky decor,

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
– eclectic musical play list and nice outdoor seating areas.

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
We didn’t order any food this time, but we enjoyed the drinks and the atmosphere and will definitely stop by to say hi to Jimmy again next time we’re in the area.

Jimmy's Dive Bar, copyright Rum Therapy
Have you been to Jimmy’s Dive Bar? Tell us about it!

Check out their Facebook page here

Find Jimmy’s Dive Bar on our Turks and Caicos Map

To see more posts on Turks & Caicos and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

Homemade Ginger Beer at Cloggy’s, Antigua

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Recently, while in Antigua, we found ourselves exploring the dock, shops, amazing boats and sailing vessels around Falmouth Harbour in the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, and came across this sign.

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Homemade Ginger Beer? Yes, please. We entered the second floor waterside establishment that also had an incredible view of the harbor, mega-yachts, sailing vessels and racing boats. The bar/restaurant’s name was Cloggy’s, and we were determined to sample the homemade ginger beer, even though it was only 10:00 in the morning.

We pulled up a stool at the bar and began chatting with the bartender, who was a bit distracted, trying to set up for the  day, but pleasant and informative. We asked about the Homemade Ginger Beer and she mentioned that it was best sampled in a Dark ‘N Stormy. We agreed and ordered two.

Cloggy's-7-(600)-O
We asked for a seat on the deck so we could check out the view of the harbour, but without a lunch reservation we were our of luck! So – they sent us to a small lounge on the deck where we could enjoy our beverage while checking out the…yachts.

Cloggy's-2-(600)-O
Cloggy's-6-(600)-O
How was the homemade ginger beer? Excellent! Such a strong gingery flavor and so different than the canned version we were used to. Reluctantly we paid our tab and moved on, determined to make a reservation to sample a meal at this on-the-water establishment the next time around. If you’re in the area – we recommend you at least sample the homemade ginger beer at Cloggy’s and check out the view of the mega-yachts and imagine racing on a boat like this…

Cloggy's-5-(600)-O

Have you ever tried Homemade Ginger Beer? Have you ever been to Cloggy’s? Tell us about it!

Find Cloggy’s on our Antigua Map

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

The World is Now More Accessible Than Ever – Explore and Enjoy It!


accessible-tag-(500)-OGuest post by Susan Trantham, Living the Life Travel

The world is more accessible than ever before. Twenty percent (62 million) of the U.S. population has some form of disability, and the number of these individuals is increasing daily. These people need to, want to, and can travel. If you are part of that twenty percent, a world of Special Needs/Accessible Travel awaits you.

Special Needs/Accessible Travel can be defined as the ongoing effort to ensure tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all people, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age. Whether it is a short term or long term disability, you are entitled to enjoy travel together with your family and friends.

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Special needs travel includes:

  1. People With Disabilities
  2. Slow Walkers
  3. Families With Young Children
  4. Returning Veterans
  5. Elderly
  6. Pre- and Post- Surgical Patients
  7. Occasional Mobility Conditions

Travel professionals who are accessible travel advocates certified by the Special Needs Group www.specialneedsgroup.com, have unique, specialized knowledge about how to help individuals with disabilities enjoy a wonderful, hassle-free and memorable trip.

Whenever possible, do a little prep work ahead of time so when your next travel opportunity arises, you’ll be ready. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started.

Outline Your Travel Needs
Take time to evaluate the logistics of your trip in relation to your ability to keep pace. What modes of transportation will you be using? Airplane, motor coach, train, ship, transit vans for ground transfers? Make a list, referring to relevant brochures, your trip organizer or travel agent to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Now, make a list of your specific requirements. Be honest: what types of special needs equipment do you depend on at home? What do you use or need (or wish you had!) when shopping, sightseeing locally, dining out or going to the movies, attending concerts, the theater, street fairs or sporting events at home?

Can you hear and see clearly without special auditory equipment or visual aides? How far can you walk without a rest break? Are stairs difficult? Can you get in and out of the tub or shower at home without handgrips or other assistance?

Travel, whether solo or in a group, is no time for roughing it or trying to “tough it out.” If a wheelchair, scooter or portable oxygen will make your trip easier, place that item on your list. Many people who do not use wheelchairs or walkers at home feel more comfortable using these mobility aides for tours and excursions. In fact, most of Special Needs Group’s wheelchair and scooter rentals are to individuals who only use such aides when traveling.

Plan Ahead
If you already own a scooter or portable oxygen, it’s important to know the policy and procedures for bringing that equipment onboard all the transport vehicles included in your itinerary, from planes to taxis to ferry boats. Does that transport have a way to stow your scooter or wheelchair? Is oxygen allowed on board? Some airlines prohibit certain types of batteries, such as wet cell batteries, or oxygen cylinders. Airlines operate under strict rules, so there may be packing procedures to follow if they do allow the equipment. Keep in mind, most airlines need at least 48 hours’ notice to make special arrangements, and be prepared to fill out forms.

Overall, cruise ships are more lenient in allowing oxygen, but some disallow certain types of oxygen. All require that the oxygen be delivered to the ship, and that you have enough for the entire voyage. Oxygen may never be brought aboard in your luggage. Requirements vary, so check your cruise line for proper instructions. Again, documentation and paperwork are required.

Whether you are headed for a cruise ship, hotel or all-inclusive resort, double check for wheelchair access at that venue, plus any venues you will be visiting on the trip. Confirm that accessible hotel rooms, resort accommodations or ship staterooms are available for your travel dates. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing fully accessible accommodations. And early booking increases your chances of securing a ground floor hotel room or cruise stateroom near the elevator, if these issues are important.

Check on the access to public rooms, restaurants, bars, toilets, the swimming pool, hot tub, beach area and other amenities. Are there TDD phone devices? How will you get in and out of the shower or bathtub? Are there flashing lights to accommodate hearing? Braille room numbers? Knowing in advance the scope of your needs gives you time to arrange advance rentals of any necessary equipment, scheduled to arrive when you do. Everything from scooters, lifts, ramps, TDD kits and special mattresses, including special needs cribs, is available for rental.

Will road travel or car excursions be part of the trip? Many car rental companies have vehicles that are modified for drivers or passengers with mobility limitations. Check ahead to make sure a suitable vehicle will be available for your travel dates. If you will be hiring a car or van, make sure the company is aware of your special needs.

When traveling with a limitation or disability, full travel insurance for medical coverage abroad and trip cancellation insurance are even more important and strongly advised.

Ask the Right Questions
When making the final bookings, be sure you ask the right questions, even if the accommodations or cruise stateroom are categorized as “accessible.” Find out what “accessible” means to them.

For example, are doorways wide enough for the largest wheelchairs? Do the doors open outwards or into the room? Are all the public areas of the hotel, resort or ship accessible? Do you need to make special arrangements in the dining room to accommodate the wheelchair or scooter?

Will the bathroom facilities truly fit your needs? Is the bathroom large enough for the wheelchair or scooter? Is there a roll-in shower? Grab-bars? Are there facilities for companion/assistance animals? Are there shopping and entertainment facilities close by if you are staying at a hotel or resort? On shore excursions or tours, does the van have a lift and method for transporting wheelchairs and scooters?

Simply stated, don’t take anything for granted. It’s easy to arrange for almost every situation, and the world is wonderfully accessible, once you know what’s needed, what’s available and how to find the necessary equipment!

The World is Now More Accessible Than Ever – Explore and Enjoy It!

A special thanks to Susan Trantham for her expertise on accessible travel! Through her company Living The Life Travel, LLC, Susan is available to help coordinate travel for anyone with or without special needs to make sure they have the vacation of a lifetime. Contact her by phone at (810)513-6759, and check out her website at www.LivingTheLifeTravel.com for more information. 

9 Highlights of our Stay at St. James’s Club, Antigua

As soon as we were welcomed through the gates at the private, all-inclusive tropical hideaway, St. James’s Club on Mamora Bay, we knew we were going to enjoy our time at this charming Antiguan property.

St. James's Club - copyright Rum Therapy
We’d spent our first few days on Antigua relaxing in the tropical tranquility of the Verandah Resort & Spa – another Elite Island Resort and we had heard that St. James’s Club was equally as impressive, although each with their own appeal and personality.

In short – we had a wonderful, relaxing stay. There’s so much we could share (and hundreds of photos!) from our time there, but we’ll touch on some of our favorite memories of the resort through our list of  “9 Highlights of our Stay at St. James’s Club, Antigua.”

St. James's Club - copyright Rum Therapy
1. Location.
St. James’s Club is located on the south end of Antigua and sits on a large peninsula between the ocean and Mamora Bay. Because of it’s location, it’s very private, there’s little traffic and the beaches are uncrowded.

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum Therapy
2. The Royal Suites.
The St. James’s Club offers a variety of accommodations from regular guest rooms to 3 bedroom villas. Our accommodations during our stay? A Royal Suite, which featured a beautiful overlook of Mamora Bay, a private balcony, a large, well appointed room and a bottle of chilled bubbly to enjoy upon arrival. Cheers to that!

St. James's Club - copyright Rum Therapy
St. James's Club - copyright Rum Therapy
St. James's Club - copyright Rum Therapy
 3. It’s All-Inclusive.
The all-inclusive plan allowed us to relax and enjoy all of the amenities (including non-motorized watersport equipment and lessons!), and all of the food and drinks we wanted without carrying around cash or worrying about the cost.

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum Therapy
St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum Therapy
4. The Grounds.
The lush grounds are meticulously landscaped, tropical and great to wander through.

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum Therapy

5. The Pools.
Although we normally gravitate to beaches, we found ourselves spending more time than usual soaking up the sunshine in and around one of the 6 beautiful pools on property.

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum TherapyReef Deck Pool

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum TherapyCoco’s Pool

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum TherapyTiered Pool

6. Dining Options

There are 4 restaurants on site – Rainbow Garden, Coco Beach Restaurant & Bar, The Docksider Grill and Piccolo Mondo, where you can enjoy an evening of fine dining overlooking Mamora Bay (there’s a surcharge per person for dinner at Piccolo Mondo). Between the 4, we had no problem finding a variety of cuisines and settings and some delicious options. In addition, there are 5 lounges and bars – AND a beach cart that drives around serving up beverages to those so relaxed and sun-kissed that they can’t make it to the nearest bar!

St. James's Club - copyright Rum TherapyDinner by the water at The Docksider Grill

St. James's Club - copyright Rum TherapySteak Salad for lunch at Coco Beach Restaurant & Bar

St. James's Club - copyright Rum TherapyRainbow Garden

7. The Resort Was Not Crowded
Even though we visited during high season and the large resort was fairly full according to staff, it never felt crowded. We appreciated the opportunity to find quiet spaces to relax and unwind, the restaurants were never overly noisy and we never had to wait long to use the watersport equipment. The only time it seemed busy was at night in the lounges when there was live music playing – and that’s when we appreciate a lively crowd!

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum TherapyBeach chairs on a dock overlooking Mamora Bay

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum TherapyPlenty of space to play – or just relax

St James's Club - copyright Rum TherapyCoco Beach

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum TherapyWatersports Equipment on Mamora Bay

8. The Staff
We had the chance to meet St. James’s Club General Manager Antoine Brown, an engaging man that has assembled a great staff that genuinely seems to care about making guests stay something special – and in our experience, the staff can make a huge difference in how you feel about your stay at a resort. Antoine sat with us and chatted about the history of the resort, the continued upgrades being made, amenities being added (a new 3,000 sq. ft. Fitness Center has opened since our visit) and an additional Antiguan resort that Elite Island Resorts has just taken over and are in the process of refurbishing! We saw Mr. Brown frequently during our visit, always greeting guests and staff and making sure everyone was satisfied.

St. James's Club, Antigua copyright Rum Therapy
9. Great Base
Although you never really need to leave St. James’s Club during your stay in Antigua because you literally have everything needed on property for a great and relaxing stay, the location is a great base for those, like us, who like to experience some of the island outside of the gates. You can rent a car at the resort for a day (or more) of exploration and we did just that, checking out the yachts in Great Harbour and Falmouth Harbour, sampling Antigua Black Pineapple at a roadside fruit stand and seeing some of the gorgeous beaches, such as Turner’s Beach, on the west side of the island.

Black-Pineapple3-(600)-OAntigua Black Pineapple

There you have it – just a taste of the time we enjoyed at St. James’s Club on beautiful Antigua. Have you stayed at St. James’s Club or another Elite Island Resort? Tell us about it!

To find out more about St. James’s Club:

Visit their website: St. James’s Club
 Find them on Facebook
Check out their tweets on Twitter
 And see more photos on Instagram

Find St. James’s Club on our Antigua Map

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

The Two Best Reasons To Take the Skyride to Paradise Point, St. Thomas

At first glance, the Skyride to Paradise Point in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas could appear to be a bit of a tourist trap. Situated not far from the main cruise ship dock, the entrance beckons to the millions of visitors that stroll through Havensight Mall during a cruise stop every year.

Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
Yes, there are shops at the top of the attraction, as well as performing birds and nature trails to explore, but in our opinion, there are two really good reasons to spend $21.00 (price of an adult round trip ticket as of this writing) to take the Skyride 700 ft. up, to the top of Paradise Point.

Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
It takes approximately 14 minutes to board and ride to the top. Along the way, passengers are treated to views of the harbor, surrounding islands and beautiful homes on the hill below.

Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
After the short, comfortable and scenic ride, passengers disembark and are welcomed to paradise.

And the two reasons we feel it’s worth taking the Skyride to the top of Paradise Point?

First off, from the top, visitors are treated to absolutely amazing views.

Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
The views of Charlotte Amalie, the cruise ships in port and areas far beyond are simply spectacular. Sit and watch as sea planes land and take off, boats come and go and people – looking like ants far below, walk around in the warm sunshine.

Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
The second reason?

Paradise Point is known for it’s version of the delicious frozen rum drink called the Bushwacker. We first sampled this potent rum delight many years ago during our first trip to the top op Paradise Point and never forgot it…

Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
Coconut rum, chocolate, Kahlua, Amaretto and Bailey’s – what’s not to like? And Paradise Point makes a good one. Or maybe it’s the combination of the Bushwacker with that view? Either way, we’ve enjoyed 3 trips to the top (with a Bushwaker, of course!) and probably would do it again if the opportunity arises.

Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
Have you taken the Skyride to the top of Paradise Point and enjoyed a Bushwacker? Tell us about it!

Paradise Point, St. Thomas copyright Rum Therapy
Find the Skyride to Paradise Point on our St. Thomas Map

To see more posts on St Thomas and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

Antigua Black Pineapple

Not long after we arrived in Antigua, we overheard a couple chatting about a species of pineapple grown on the island called the Antigua Black Pineapple.

We weren’t surprised that pineapple grew on Antigua – with it’s beautiful green, rolling hills, it appeared to be quite fertile. What surprised us was that we’d never heard of this species of pineapple that was said to be renowned for its crisp texture, low acid and high sugar content. In fact those that grow the Black Pineapple variety are said to choose quality over quantity to retain the extremely sweet taste in the golden yellow fruit. Touted, in fact, as the sweetest pineapple in the world! We wondered what it might taste like in a Frozen Pineapple Daiquiri, or perhaps a Pineapple Rum Punch? Anyway, we decided we had to try to find one and sample it.

Antigua Black Pineapple copyright Rum Therapy
Our journey to find this Antiguan delight took us to the south end of the island to an area called Old Road – apparently known as the fruit basket of Antigua.

Antigua Black Pineapple copyright Rum Therapy
We’d been told to keep our eyes open for fruit stands on the side of the road and sure enough we found several – all prominently displaying their stock of the local delicacy.

Antigua Black Pineapple copyright Rum Therapy
We stopped at a stand called Clemie’s and made a bee-line to the pineapple, but were suddenly sidetracked by a luscious array of fresh fruits and vegetables, including bananas and mangos – all grown in the nearby the fields.

Antigua Black Pineapple copyright Rum Therapy
Antigua Black Pineapple copyright Rum Therapy
After chatting with a group of women sitting on the side of the fruit stand about how to choose a ripe Black Pineapple, we looked through the stock on hand and picked a good one – we hoped.

antigua Black Pineapple copyright Rum Therapy
Since we wanted to sample the pineapple immediately, we said yes when asked if we would like it prepared.

Antigua Black Pineapple copyrght Rum Therapy
We were handed a Styrofoam container with several toothpicks poked in the top to give us quick access to the delicious looking fruit. We popped a piece in our mouths and savored it. How was it? SO sweet and delicious! But you should really try one yourself – just to make sure you agree.

Want to find out more? Claremont Farms also offers a tour of their Antigua Black Pineapple fields that we unfortunately learned of after our return. Find out about it here.

Have you tried Antigua Black Pineapple? Tell us about it!

Find Old Road on our Antigua Map

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

Enjoying the Tropical Tranquility of The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua


Imagine sitting on your private verandah enjoying the sight of a beautiful blue bay and the ocean beyond, while listening to waves gently lap the shore with bananquits cheerfully chirping. Sounds relaxing, doesn’t it? Oh, it was.

This was just a part of what we experienced at The Verandah Resort & Spa during our recent visit to Antigua.

The Verandah Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive resort located on 30 lush acres on the eastern coast of Antigua. Comprised of private cottages and villas nestled in verdant landscaping, the surroundings create the feel of escaping to an oasis of tropical tranquility. Not pretentious at all, the resort has a Caribbean casual feel – with class.

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyFront entrance

From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed. We were presented with a glass of cold rum punch and a lavender scented towel for refreshment and after checking in, we were whisked away to our waterfront cottage to begin our stay.

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyLobby

We loved the look and the relaxed vibe of the resort. There are walking trails interspersed between the lovely cottages and villas – all with their own private verandah and many overlooking the bay and ocean beyond.

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyThe cottages are set apart from each other for privacy

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyBeautiful walking paths

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyOne of the cottages

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum Therapy
Our suite overlooked a beautiful blue bay and we absolutely loved sipping a cup of coffee every morning while enjoying this view…

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyThe view from our “verandah”

There are two beaches on property – one that offers a variety of watersport equipment such as kayaks, SUP boards and Hobie Cats.

Verandah-9(b)-(600)-OWatersports on the main beach

The other, referenced as “the quiet beach” by other guests we met, offers lounges interspersed in the palm trees, a sand volleyball court and a beach bar & grill called the Rasta Bar.

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyThe “quiet beach”

In addition to the two beaches on property, there is another beautiful Antiguan beach within walking distance outside of the resort called Long Bay.

Long-Bay, Antigua copyright Rum TherapyLong Bay

We appreciated the additional beach option and enjoyed looking through the small kiosks with local vendors behind the beach.

Not that you ever need to leave the resort. The all-inclusive package includes your meals and drinks,

The Verandah Resort & Spa - copyright Rum Therapy

non-motorized watersports, beach lounge chairs and umbrellas, pools and fitness room, tennis, mini-golf, shuffleboard, ping-pong and more.

Verandah-15-(600)-O18 hole miniature golf course

We especially enjoyed the evening entertainment at the main bar where guests would congregate to enjoy live music, drinks, and the company of other guests in the warm tropical breeze.

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyEnjoying the evening entertainment

And speaking of pools. Although we usually can’t be torn away from the beach, the Verandah had some lovely pools – a total of three, I believe, and the main one is huge and a beautiful focal point in the center of the resort.

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyMain pool

The Verandah Resort & Spa copyright Rum TherapyAdult only pool

 The adult only pool was a nice touch we thought, for those not vacationing with children.

The highlights of the resort for us:

1. The suites. We loved the look and feel of the spacious individual cottages, each with a private verandah.
2. The resort doesn’t feel crowded. Although it was high season and the staff told us they were quite full, none of the amenities ever felt crowded. There were always available chairs on the beach and at the pool and the dining areas were fairly quiet – even though there were a good number of families with small children vacationing while we were there.
3. The walking paths. We love to explore and take in the surroundings and at The Verandah there are plenty of beautiful paths to walk. And, if you end up getting tired while walking or are in a particular hurry to get somewhere, wait at one of the golf cart stops and someone will be by to pick you up.

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4. The grounds. The tropical grounds are beautifully landscaped.

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Verandah 7 (600) O
5. The staff. Overall, The Verandah has assembled a top-notch staff that seems to truly care about their guests – and we truly appreciated their efforts.


A few tips if you decide to book a vacation at The Verandah Resort & Spa:

1. Consider booking a waterfront suite. We found it very relaxing to look at the water from our balcony everyday.

2. If you are traveling with a family or a small group, be sure to look into the 2 bedroom villa options.

3. Include a transfer to and from the airport in your travel arrangements if this is your first stay on Antigua. There are very few road signs on Antigua and if you have not visited before, it can be a challenge to find the resort – especially at night. The Verandah does, however, offer daily car rentals if you want to explore the island for a day.

4. Get dinner reservations for the Buccaneer and Nicole’s (extra surcharge) as soon as you can so you don’t miss out. We were only at The Verandah for 3 days and unfortunately missed out on experiencing The Buccaneer and Nicole’s because we didn’t plan ahead.

4. Consult the Tour & Excursion desk to find out what they offer. Although we’d rented a car for the week, we went through the Tour & Excursion desk to book a shuttle to Shirley Heights on Sunday afternoon for the BBQ and sunset party. It was a great way to experience Shirley Heights. We were able to enjoy the party, a few rum drinks and the company of other Verandah guests but didn’t have to worry about getting ourselves back to the resort.

5. Check out the other attractions nearby. Take the short hike to Devil’s Bridge, interact with stingrays on an excursion to Stingray City and explore Betty’s Hope Sugar Plantation to learn about sugar production and it’s role in Antiguan history.

 We had such a good time at The Verandah Resort & Spa that we were almost reluctant to leave and head to the next resort, but were we glad we did! Stay tuned to find out about our visit to St. James’s Club, another wonderful Elite Island Resort, located on the southern tip of the island!

To find out more about The Verandah Resort & Spa:

Visit their website: The Verandah Resort & Spa
Find them on Facebook
Check out their tweets on Twitter
And see more photos on Instagram

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC.  All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

Turner’s Beach, Antigua


Turner’s Beach, also known as Crab Hill Beach, is located on the sunny southwestern side of Antigua in a village by the name of Crab Hill.

Turner-Beach-copyright Rum Therapy
It’s easy to find Turner’s while traveling south about 10.5 miles on the main road from St. John’s, and once there, you’ll most likely want to stay awhile.

Turner-Beach-copyright Rum Therapy
Our first glimpse of Turner’s Beach  took our breath away. Those beautiful shades of blue… The water was calm that day and warm and we spent a good part of a beautiful day walking the soft sand and floating in the water.

Turner-Beach copyright Rum Therapy
To the left (looking at the beach) there is a small path up a hill that you can take that gives you a great view of the entire beach. On a clear day, you can faintly see Montserrat in the distance.

Turner-Beach-copyright Rum Therapy
There are umbrellas to rent if you wish, and an open air beach bar appropriately called Turner’s where you can leisurely enjoy a drink or a bite to eat with a view of the stunning beach

Turner-Beach copyright Rum Therapy
Turner-Beach-copyright Rum Therapy
Turner-Beach-copyright Rum Therapy
Turner’s beach can get crowded when there are a lot of cruise ships in port, so if you want to explore it on a quieter day, be sure to check the cruise ship schedule. We found one here (look for the click here prompt).

With 365 beaches to choose from, Antigua is certainly a beach lovers paradise and from the ones we’ve gotten to visit so far, we’d have to Turner’s Beach on our list of one of Antigua’s best beaches.

Turner-Beach-copyright Rum Therapy
Have you been to Turner’s Beach in Antigua? Tell us about it!

Find Turner’s Beach on our Antigua Map

To see more posts on Antigua and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

Pineapple Rum Punch

This recipe makes a tropical concoction that will have you daydreaming of swinging in a hammock on a beautiful beach. Light, tasty and easy with just a bit of effervescence – tropically delicious!

Don’t like coconut so much? No problem – it tastes great with a nice gold rum instead of the coconut rum. Don’t know why it took us so long to give this one a try  but it’ll surely be one we’ll put together again and again. Cheers!

*We love bringing you amazing rum recipes! Our recipes may contain affiliate links to products that we use. If you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support in helping us to continue providing rumlicious, tropical recipes! 

Pineapple Rum Punch

This recipe makes a tropical concoction that will have you daydreaming of swinging in a hammock on a beautiful beach. Light, tasty and easy with just a bit of effervescence – tropically delicious!
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ginger ale
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/3 cup coconut rum (we used Blue Chair Bay)
  • cracked ice
  • pineapple chunks for garnish (fresh, if at all possible)

Instructions

  • Mix the ginger ale, pineapple juice and rum together and pour in glasses over cracked ice.
  • Garnish with chunks of fresh pineapple and if you really want to go wild, add a little freshly grated nutmeg!

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Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC