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Caribbean:
Vacation
Places for Families.
 The
islands can be delightful for families in the summer months. The
water is warm the crowds of snowbirds have gone and the pace is
easy. The daily mid afternoon summer rains that occur on many
islands are welcome, especially for children. There is a catch
however; not all places in the Caribbean welcome children. We
have assembled a list of places we know to be child friendly
either because one of us has been there or we have received a
recommendation from a family.
Antigua, Sunsail Beach Club.
Sunsail
Vacations one of the world's largest yacht rental companies.
They also have club locations on the shores of some of the most
exotic waters on the planet. So is it possible to combine exotic
and family and come up with a vacation? Yes. Sunsail has a land
based resort called The Sunsail Beach Club or Club Colonma. If
your family loves sailing and water sports this is a perfect
match. On the premises they offer sailing instruction for all
levels. Even though it is called a club it is not a members only
place. The
club is located about four miles from Antigua's capital St.
John's. On site they have rooms, suites and multi bedroom villas
ideal for families. Cribs, portable cribs and strollers are
available for the use of guests.
As you might expect they offer a range of sailing and
water-sports and also have a freshwater pool has two private
white sand beaches and sailing instruction for all levels and
ages.
Need to know.
The
resort has an organized children's program six days a week. They
provide services and activities for children from 4 months up to
16 years. Sunday is relaxed with no official program. Guests may
use the state-of-the-art sailing equipment available for no
extra charge choosing from Topper Breeze, Buzz, Spice, Sport 16,
Topaz, Laser 1's and Dart 16 catamarans. Additional water-sport
activity options include: wind-surfers, dinghies, day cruising
yachts, water skiing, inner tube rides, scuba and snorkeling.
Dry land choices include a freshwater pool, tennis, beach
volleyball, table tennis.
Bonus points:
Guests
also may choose to split up the vacation between time at the
resort and a sea sailing experience. They even have an interim
sailing option that allows for boats to be part of a flotilla so
the sea adventure has a direction. If you want to holiday in the
Caribbean before the last day of June there are often deals for families.
(
1-800-327-2276 or
www.sunsail.com)
Aruba: One cool family place.
In spite of the recent bad press,
Aruba remains a beautiful place for a family vacation
. Not
far from the coast of Venezuela is an arid and peaceful, small
and safe island called Aruba. These qualities make it a nice
choice for families. Best of all the island wants vacationing
families. To entice them there is a comprehensive family program
on the island. Dubbed "One Cool Family Vacation" it
has the potential to do be just that. Need to know. About
a dozen resorts are participating in the program designed to
provide families with vacation benefits. While the details vary
by resort most provide free breakfast for kids less than twelve
years of age. All provide discounts to island attractions and
discounts for organized children's activities. There is even
free diving for a teen when a certified mom or dad purchases a
dive. www.family-aruba.com
or 1-800-TO-ARUBA.
Editor's
Note: We love this
island. The combination of the arid landscape and the sea is
dramatic. The residents are friendly. The sound of papiamento,
the island language, is exotic adding to the atmosphere. One of
the biggest benefits is the cheese.
St. Lucia:
Off-the-beaten-path, delightfully green and relatively unspoiled, the island
offers green-draped mountains, hidden valleys, banana plantations, a bubbling
volcano, and miles of uncrowded beaches. Combining French and British heritage,
the residents welcome visitors with a friendly Creole lit. Safe, friendly and
delightfully Caribbean, it is ideal for a family getaway. St. Lucia is an island
loaded with family vacation potential. Providing uncrowded
beaches, soft ocean breezes and a welcoming atmosphere, St. Lucia embraces arts
and music offering visitors a uniquely St. Lucian experience.
As local guides
explain St. Lucia was once known as "Island of the Iguanas" but should really be
called “The Island of Bananas” because at least six different varieties grow on
its soil. Feast from a variety of native dishes, maybe even pepper root stew.
Other kid-friendly tropical tastes include: mangoes, papayas, pineapples,
soursops, passion fruit, guavas, and coconuts. The national dish is Callaloo
Soup, made from a leafy green similar to spinach and the earliest Amerindian
cultural breads farina and cassava may still be found on menus.
Coconut Bay Resort and Spa
 A
picture perfect vacation spot located on the Atlantic shores in the Eastern
Caribbean on the friendly island of St. Lucia. The resort, minutes from the
international airport, located in Savannes Bay on a beautiful beach. Large rooms
with double queen beds, or connecting rooms are available. Amenities include all
resort activities, entertainment nightly, food and drink. There are three pools
plus a water park that includes a lazy river and water slides. Included in the
price is Kidz Klub with a well supervised children's activity center for ages
3-12. Coconut Bay Resort and Spa, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, West Indies. Call toll
free 1-866-978-6226 direct at 1(758) 456-9999 or visit online. reservations@cbayresort.com
www.coconutbayresortandspa.com
Related Article
Negril, Turks and Caicos: "Beaches" for
families.
Beaches
Resorts operate several all-inclusive resorts, all in the
Caribbean and they like families. Beaches
Resorts have two new facilities with top-notch accommodations
located along expanses of white-sand
beaches. Each new resort offers complimentary children's
programs. The Negril location has three freshwater swimming
pools, a state-of-the-art Sega Centre for teens and a supervised
"Kids Kamp". Room
options include suites and all rooms have space for a crib.
The
Turks & Caicos location is located on Grace Bay in
Providenciales. The highlight of this resort is the new water
park called Pirates' Island. The entertainment complex features
two waterslides and a kids-only pool with a swim-up bar. On dry
land there is a high-tech Sega Centre, teen disco and a
kids-only diner. There are plenty of water-sport options for
adults and or teens.
Bonus points:
The
Kids Kamp's Nursery Program available at each location allows
little ones from age of 3 months until pre school. They have a
certified Ultra-Nannies program to ensure the best care for the
youngest guests. Babysitters are available in the evening on an
individual basis.
Another
option the all-inclusive Beaches Inn (formerly Poinciana Beach
Resort) also on Negril, Jamaica. It is suited to
budget-conscious families. It is located on Negril's seven-mile
beach in Jamaica.
Need to know.
These
resorts offer Blue Chip Ultra Hurricane Guarantee. It works like
this: In the unlikely event of a hurricane affecting your
vacation at one of the Beaches Resorts, FREE replacement
vacation, including round-trip airfare, to be taken at any
Beaches Resort of the your choice, Beaches Providenciales, Turks
& Caicos, Beaches Negril, Jamaica and Beaches Inn, 1-800-
BEACHES (1-800-232-2437) or www.beaches.com
Barbados: Almond Beach Village.
Almond
Beach Village has family guestrooms and all-inclusive packages
with three meals per day; golf; water sports; entertainment;
beverages; gratuities; fitness center; disco and airport
transfers. The resort also has Family Entertainment Center.
Don't
be put off by the honeymoon spirit at their website families are
welcome. Depending on your room selection there may also be
savings with the resort's Family Plan. The first child (under
16) is free when traveling with one or more adult. All others
(under 16) are US $50 per child per night.
The
children's programs include a nursery is for ages 0-2 1/2 and
the Mini-Club is for ages 2 1/2 to 4 1/2.
The child to care giver ratio is 3:1. Private
baby-sitting is available. For older children scheduled activity
choices include lessons in Bajan culture, water sports, arts and
crafts, treasure hunts, nature walks, movies and Super Nintendo.
There are ten freshwater swimming pools and a mile long beach to
choose from at The Village. 1 -800-4-ALMOND or www.almondresorts.com
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