Last week, on our way to visit a beach that is consistently listed as one of the best in the world, we wondered how a beach is chosen as a top beach – in the world – and how would we choose our “perfect beach”.
Visions of other beautiful beaches we’ve had the chance to visit wandered through our brain as we anticipated our afternoon in the sun and sand. What makes a beach one of the top in the world? Accessibility, size, amenities, lack of amenities, is it good for swimming, is the sand super soft, is it fringed with palm trees, good memories of your time there and the people you were with?
As you can see, this top listed beauty did not disappoint! We’ll be posting more info and pictures soon, but in the mean time, what makes a beach perfect to you? Let us know!
San Juan, Puerto Rico is known not only for its rich history and historical buildings and forts, but also for a delectable array of food offerings and restaurants.
During our recent visit to Puerto Rico, we jumped at the chance to take a culinary walking tour of Old San Juan with Flavors of San Juan Food & Culture Tours. This tour was to be a 3 hour walking tour through Old San Juan which included tastings at different interesting restaurants as well as the chance to learn more about the architecture and history of Puerto Rico’s oldest city.
We were asked to meet our guide at the corner of San Justo and Rcinto Sur Streets and were told that we would know the right location when we spotted the sculpture of a cat/giraffe in front of Banco Popular.
We met at the sculpture of a cat/giraffe in front of Banco Popular
It was there we met our tour guide Luli and where our group of ten embarked on a journey full of sensuous treats for our pallets and eyes.
Luli – our tour guide
Luli explained that “Barriguita llena, corazón contento” or “Full belly, happy heart” was a popular Puerto Rican saying and that she hoped we would experience this on our journey today. We began walking towards the first stop of the tour – Aromas Coffeehouse.
Aromas Coffeehouse
At Aromas we were treated to a warm and creamy cup of Puerto Rican coffee and Mallorca with guava jelly – a delicious local sweet bread.
A latte made with Puerto Rican coffeeMallorca with guava jelly
Onward we slowly wound our way through the magnificent buildings and blue cobblestone of Old San Juan with our knowledgeable guide highlighting many points of interest.
Original blue cobblestone streets dating back to the 1700’s
Next stop – Café El Punto, featuring fresh, authentic Puerto Rican cuisine with bright and lively, locally made masks and atrwork adorning the walls.
Here we savored the tastiest ceviche, and an alcapurria – a light and flaky pastry filled with ground beef but can also be filled with vegetables, shrimp or jueyes (a local crab). We washed it down with a frosty piña colada.
Fresh CevicheAlcapurria
Next stop – a beautiful little restaurant close to Cathedral of San Juan Bautista called Rosa de Triana.
Rosa de Triana
Here we got to mash our own plantains and experience Puerto Rico’s signature dish – Mofongo.
Cooked plantains ready for mashing
We then filled our“plantain bowl” with a delicious mixture of chicken and spices anddevoured our scrumptious Mofongo with a glass of sangria.
Mashing the plantains
Full, but totally ready to sample the fare at our last stop, we leisurely made our way through Plaza de Armas,
Child feeding pigeons in Plaza de Armas
and into Casa Cortés for….chocolate….
Casa Cortés
The Casa Cortés slogan is “Where two great passions meet: Art and Chocolate”. The ChocoBar is downstairs, and upstairs in the recently refurbished building, there are two floors of beautiful paintings and artwork from Caribbean and Latin American artists.
Chocolate delights at Casa Cortés
Several chocolate squares with cheese to dip in a warm cup of creamy hot chocolate and a churro later, we definitely had a full belly and a happy heart.
Luli passing around Casa Cortes treats
We said goodbye to some new friends we made on the tour and our lovely tour guide, Luli, and headed back out on the streets of Old San Juan – full of excellent food and history of this vibrant city.
The Old San Juan Food Tour is offered several times a day (except on Monday)and at the time of this writing, the cost for the tour is $69.99 per adult.There is some moderate walking involved. Included in the price: All food/drink tastings plus historical, cultural & architectural information and a savings guide for discounts at local businesses.
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit. Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
We saw this recipe on a recent episode of The Chew and knew we had to give it a try. Let’s just say – IT’S DELICIOUS! A light pumpkin taste combined with the spiced rum and pumpkin pie spice…
An excellent “treat” for the adults this Halloween!
*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!
As we prepare for a trip to the tropics, we’re seeing alarming reports of a Chickungunya “epidemic” in some areas. Will that prevent us from taking this highly anticipated trek to the islands – even though our next destination is on the CDC list of Caribbean countries that have reported cases of Chickengunya? Heck no. But we certainly are prepared to take steps to prevent being infected with this virus transmitted by mosquitoes.
Currently there are no vaccines to prevent getting Chickungunya, so it’s extremely important to avoid mosquito bites. How?Here are a few suggestions.
1. Wear clothing that covers arms, legs and neck.
2. Use insect repellant and re-apply often. The CDC recommends using products with DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (we’ve loaded up on this product as we like to try the more natural options – Repel 94109 Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent, 4-Ounce Pump Spray) 3. If possible, stay in screened and/or air conditioned rooms or use a bed net.
When you’re headed to the Caribbean for much-needed tropication, it’s always great to get a local’s advice. Before we arrived in Martinique, my journalist friend Pascale told me that some of her island’s most unspoiled beaches – with authentic Martinican flavor — lay in Les Anses d’Arlet. After unpacking our bags, my family couldn’t wait to head there and get some warm sand between our toes.
Swimming at Petite Anse
Les Anses d’Arlet is actually what’s called a commune in French, like a county, on the southwestern coast of Martinique. Known for its rustic fishing villages, this hilly, natural area doesn’t offer big hotels or splashy resorts, but you do find irresistible Caribbean ocean with a seriously laid-back attitude.
View of Petite Anse from the pier
We first explored Petite Anse (meaning “little cove”), a small village with loads of colorfully painted Creole houses, the striking historic church Saint-Henri, and a pier where you can capture unbelievable photographs. A seafront meal at Le Littoral left us happily relaxed. The beach lies right in front of town, which means you can swim in clear-as-glass water, then pop over to the bakery for a treat.
The next day, we headed just a few minutes further north to Grande Anse, a fishing village that is truly tiny by comparison, with a single main street and one souvenir shop, Kay Zaza. But that’s what we loved about it. While the town seems miniature, the cove curves in one long, unending stretch of soft sand. Bright blue and red fishing boats get dragged onto shore after the day’s catch, while sailboats gently rock at anchor in the calm, turquoise sea.
The long Grande Anse Cove
For lunch, we ate at a “lolo” (a Creole beach restaurant) called Bidjoul, where you can sit with your feet literally in the sand. Crayfish in a Creole sauce and whole fried snapper (what they call vivaneau) made for an amazing feast. What a great place to chill out with a crisp, local Lorraine beer.
A Creole Lolo in Grande Anse
Facing the ocean, you’ll need to head right to reach a beautiful stretch of beach that almost feels like your own private paradise. With only a few rental houses set back from the water, the vibe is peaceful and the view perfectly soothing. The lone bar down this side, Ti Sable (or “little sand”) offers comfortable chaises, a cool island soundtrack, and drinks concocted of fabulous Martinican rhum – for some blissful Rum Therapy.
Hanging out by Ti Sable Bar
Another cool find? Just in front of Ti Sable, underwater rocks are home to a host of small tropical fish. Don’t forget the masks and snorkels, or buy goggles at Kay Zaza, to see this delightful micro-reef.
Thanks to my friend Pascale, we didn’t miss out on two of Martinique’s most unforgettable beaches, along with the charming Creole atmosphere of Les Anses d’Arlet.
Guidebook author Laura Albritton and her husband Zickie have just debuted their blog Island Runaways (www.islandrunaways.com).
We recently ran across a post from The Yummy Life that showed a recipe, an easy one at that, for flavored frozen fruity daiquiris. Thinking it would be perfect for an upcoming backyard get-together, we set out to mix up a batch.
Each daiquiri contains a LOT of frozen fruit (guess you could say it’s healthy!) and the taste is simply scrumptious. The best part is, you can mix up a whole bunch of them ahead of time, pour them into 16 oz. mason jars and freeze them until you need them – just leave a little room at the top as they expanded as they freeze! The alcohol keeps them from freezing completely, so just remove them from the freezer about 10 minutes before serving, stir slightly and add a garnish!
Make a batch without the rum for the little ones and designated drivers!
Which one looks tastiest to you?
*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!
Each daiquiri contains a LOT of frozen fruit (guess you could say it’s healthy!) and the taste is simply scrumptious.
Course: Drinks
Servings: 4
Ingredients
3-6oz.Frozen Lemonade Concentrate(we used about 4 oz. because we like them a little less tart)
6oz.Light Rum
4c.Frozen Fruit(strawberry, blueberry, mango)
2c.Ice
Sugar(Sweetener is optional and to taste. We didn't need any when we reduced the frozen concentrate)
Fresh Fruit(For Garnish)
Instructions
Blend frozen lemonade concentrate, rum, and frozen fruit (and sweetener if needed ) in a blender until smooth.
Add ice and blend again until thick and frosty.
Pour into a mason jar, garnish and serve, or freeze up to one month in the freezer.
Notes
If you are making these ahead of time, you can pour them into 16 oz. mason jars and freeze them until you need them – just leave a little room at the top as they will expand as they freeze! The alcohol keeps them from freezing completely, so just remove them from the freezer about 10 minutes before serving, stir slightly and add a garnish!BONUS: You can also make these with no alcohol for little ones and designated drivers!!
North Sound is an area of water on the northern tip of Virgin Gorda that is edged not only by Virgin Gorda, but by the smaller islands of Moskito, Prickly Pear and Saba Rock. North Sound not only offers protected anchorage, lovely resorts, good dining options and watersports, it is a visual treat with beautiful green hills and colorful villas set against it’s stunning blue waters.
While parts of North Sound, such as Leverick Bay and Gun Creek, are accessible by road, many of the other places shown on the map are accessible only by water. A small ferry carries passengers from Gun Creek to Bitter End and also to Saba Rock for dining. Otherwise, dinghy’s and small motor boats are the transportation of choice to explore as much of the area as you can.
If you’re lucky enough to be able to spend some time in North Sound, here are a few things you might want to check out.
Leverick Bay Resort & Marina
Leverick Bay has accommodations, a small grocery store, a couple of gift shops, two restaurants – Leverick Bay Restaurant and The Cove – and a Bar/Restaurant called Jumbies. Enjoy a rum punch and roti at Jumbies under the shade of a thatched umbrella with your toes in the sand.
During the high season, be sure to check out Michael Bean, the singing pirate, who performs during Happy Arrr Monday through Thursday. On Friday nights, the huge Mocko Jumbies show up for the beach party.
Michael Bean, The Singing Pirate
Dinghy’s can also be rented for the day from Leverick Bay Marina, but be sure to call ahead to see if you can reserve one. Read about our visits to Leverick Bay here: Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda
Fat Virgin’s Cafe
Leaving Leverick Bay and traveling east past Gun Creek, you’ll spot a little dining spot right on the water named Fat Virgin’s Cafe. Stop by and say hi to owner Esther and order some delicious conch fritters and rum punch. Tasty West Indian-cuisine, friendly people, a gift shop, good drinks and a beautiful view make this a place worth stopping.
Behind Fat Virgin’s Cafe lies the luxury resort – Biras Creek. Accessible only by boat or helicopter this gorgeous resort is the ultimate secluded escape. If you want to dress up (check the dress code) for an excellent dinner experience, call for reservations in the main restaurant a Biras Creek. You’ll be treated to spectacular food and views.
Bitter End Yacht Club
Just north of Biras Creek, is yet another amazing resort – The Bitter End Yacht Club. Bitter End offers accommodations, fine and casual dining, a sailing school, and a wide variety of water sports and activities. Rent a Hobie Cat and glide across the turquoise waters of the Sound, then stop by the Crawl Pub for a cold beverage and a game of pool or foosball.
Saba Rock
Saba Rock, a small rock oasis in between Bitter End and Prickly Pear Island, is a popular stop for boaters for it’s great food and lively bar with comfortable seating – all at the waters edge. Saba Rock also offers a boutique hotel, a small marina, a gift shop and a great view of Eustatia Island. Banana Daiquiris are a Saba Rock specialty and the Anegada Lobster Dinner is top notch.
Continuing around the Sound you’ll run into Prickly Pear Island. Vixen Point is one of the best beaches in the area and is also the home of Sandbox Bar & Grill. Play volleyball on the beach, swim in the calm blue water, or just pull up a chair and catch some rays. Lunch, dinner and drinks are available at Sandbox.
Rum Punch on the beach at Sandbox
Take the hiking path from Sandbox to North Beach, another beautiful beach on Prickly Pear Island with good snorkeling and beautiful views of Eustatia and Necker Islands.
View of Moskito Island from the dinghy
To round out your day of exploring, dinghy past Moskito Island. This island was purchased recently by Sir Richard Branson who also owns the nearby Necker Island. He has plans to turn Moskito Island into an eco-resort that will use renewable energy.
Have you had the chance to explore the beautiful North Sound of Virgin Gorda? What were the highlights of your time there?
To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory
For those of you that have followed us for a while, you know how much we love to sail in the Caribbean. To us, a sailing vacation is the perfect combination of getting on the water yet still being able to enjoy some relaxing island time. A few years ago we were asked by a friend to create a rum recipe for a sailing trip he was going to photograph, and we were up for the challenge. After a bit of experimenting and mixology, we came up with a tasty concoction we named Wind In Your Sails Punch.
Whether you’re about to sail the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean or just dreaming of being there – enjoy!
*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!
Le Diamant Beach, Martinique – a guest post by author Laura Albritton
“Martinique.” Even this island’s name sounds sexy on the lips – the long drawn out ahhhh, followed by that final, clipped French eeeque. It’s not a place many English-speakers journey to, so maybe it was fate that prodded me to rent a cottage on the southern side of the island in Le Diamant, beside one of the most intoxicating stretches of waterfront I’ve ever experienced.
A view of Le Diamant Beach with the “Sleeping woman” hills in the background
Photo Credit: Zickie Allgrove
Le Diamant Beach looking to the east
Photo Credit: Zickie Allgrove
A little background: As you might guess, “diamant” means diamond in English, and the 2 ½ mile expanse of beach overlooks le Rocher du Diamant, a.k.a. Diamond Rock, with a swashbuckling history. You see, back in 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars, the English decided that this tiny volcanic island held the key to wresting Martinique away from the French. In a move right out of Monty Python, the British dubbed the rock a Royal Naval vessel, the H.M.S. Diamond Rock, and positioned cannon and some 107 soldiers to defend this inhospitable, stony key.
A view of Diamond Rock from the beach
Photo Credit: Zickie Allgrove
As I gazed at the steep face of le Rocher du Diamant, I wondered how in the world anyone could survive a single night out there….much less 17 months, which is how long the British lasted before surrender.
Le Rocher du Diamant, or Diamond Rock, which the British claimed as a naval war ship
Photo Credit: Zickie Allgrove These days you can take a dive boat out to explore the incredible sea life that clusters at its base. Or just remain onshore, amid swaths of sand where coconut palms bend low over the Caribbean. Sometimes you sit and see no one, like you’re on a desert island. The surf grows rambunctious in places, tumbling to shore in a dramatic rush of azure and aqua. Perfect for body surfing.
If you come to watch the spectacular sunrise, you may later need a little sustenance. Just across the road, the village’s Boulangerie du Rocher bakes authentic French croissants, with a hundred flaky layers of buttery goodness. A breakfast of chocolate croissants as you’re lounging in the sand? Yes, please!
Around cocktail hour – to indulge in a little rum therapy — head over to New Cap Bar and Restaurant. Sip a ‘Ti Punch as the sun sets over this hypnotic scenery: the Caribbean ocean punctuated by Diamond Rock, glowing in the half light like a brilliant, faceted gem. As they say in French, “La vie est bon.”
Looking out on Diamond Beach from New Cap restaurant and bar
Laura writes about travel, books, and art for publications like The Miami Herald, Sculpture magazine, Harvard Review, The Florida Keys Weekly, and UncommonCaribbean.com. Check out her new guidebook Miami for Families on her website.
One of the tastiest ingredients used in tropical drinks in my opinion, is pineapple – fresh pineapple if possible! This frosty drink calls for 1 and 1/2 cups of pineapple per drink and for the best taste possible, we used a fresh pineapple cut into chunks. At least half of the pineapple used should be frozen for the creamiest effect.
This drink is considered a daiquiri, which traditionally are not overly sweet and just a bit tart due to the addition of lime juice. If you like a sweet drink, cut back on the amount of lime juice and bump up the amount of simple syrup added. And if you like your drink even tarter, add more lime to taste!
*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!
We saw this recipe on a recent episode of The Chew and knew we had to give it a try. Let’s just say – IT’S DELICIOUS! A light pumpkin taste combined with the spiced rum and pumpkin pie spice…
We recently ran across a post from 
