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Top Picks for a Fitness-Focused Getaway on Antigua and Barbuda

3/29/2018

Courtesy Antigua and Barbuda Tourism

By John Roberts

The twin Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda are making their mark as a must-visit destination for adventure travelers.

Known for year-round ideal temps (about 79 degrees) and hundreds of beaches -- 365 in total, so you can visit one a day for an entire year -- Antigua and Barbuda offers premier health and wellness activities. The postcard-worthy setting paired with a deep roster of innovative wellness initiatives makes this a go-to spot for solo travelers, couples, friends or families looking to relax, refresh and revitalize during their getaway.

You can enjoy water sports, beach activities, hiking tours and unique spa treatments on Antigua and Barbuda. Whether you seek to enjoy these types of activities daily or once during your trip, you can find an array of options. It's great to see island destinations like this diversify their offerings to take full advantage of the beautiful weather.

These spots are much more than just a place to visit a beach and hang out in the sun. Although, these might the primary reasons people come for a visit, Antigua and Barbuda tourism leaders are striving to give you more reasons to stay and play in their nation.

"While Antigua and Barbuda is known for beautiful beaches and scenery, not everyone is aware of the bounty of opportunities available for a healthy and rejuvenating vacation," says Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. "I hope to see all of our visitors taking part in these activities, as there is something to meet every guests' interest."

Here are some of the top wellness activities and accommodations to consider when you travel to Antigua and Barbuda:

Blue Bay Antigua B&B Homestay is located in idyllic surroundings and offers rejuvenating cuisine and exercise programs.

Blue Bay Antigua B&B Homestay
Located in a scenic villa, Blue Bay provides an invigorating experience for travelers looking to experience the best in art, exercise and sustainable homemade cooking. During your stay, you are surrounded by nature, including a serene bay, which creates a peaceful environment for greater mental and spiritual connection and rejuvenation.

Curtain Bluff Spa
Situated on the bluff of one of the oldest resorts in Antigua, Curtain Bluff Spa is home to a 5,000 square-foot facility that features top-tier service and amenities. You can delight in the spa relaxation rooms with unparalleled views and premier concierge service. Services include massages, facials and wraps.

All-Inclusive Resort (with a Floating Workout)
Looking to improve your health with a challenging daily workout? Try the 20-minute HIIT workout that packs a punch. Available for daily sign-ups at Elite Island Resorts locations on Antigua, the FloatFit workout includes lunges, squats and burpees all within the oceans and pools. You perform the moves on an AquaBase floating exercise mat. It's a fun and challenging workout with incredible views you'll never forget. Workouts can be modified to include other exercises and routines such as yoga.

Run in Paradise
Taking place on May 27, the Run in Paradise race gives runners from around the world the opportunity to explore all that Antigua and Barbuda has to offer, with participants treated to a spectacular variety of sights and sounds in Antigua, including the stunning beaches, intimate neighborhoods, rolling hills and the bustle of energetic St. John's city.

Run in Paradise offers Half Marathon, 5K and 10K races. International participants are greeted at the airport by race staff and provided free transportation to the race's host hotel, the luxurious Antigua Yacht Club Marina and Resort.

Sugar Ridge Resort
Sugar Ridge Resort provides a full menu of luxurious health and wellness amenities, from a full Cybex gym to a variety of restaurants utilizing fresh ingredients for healthy meal options. Sugar Ridge is home to the only Aveda Concept Spa in the Caribbean with professionally trained staff and a variety of spa treatments and packages like the "Rosemary Mint Awakening Body Wrap."

You can also experience classes and retreats with daily yoga sessions at The Shed. Workshops are also featured, such as the "Kundalini, Dance and Sound Bath Day Retreat" that incorporates sound, dance and yoga.

Wild Lotus Camp
This is a chance to experience Antigua's great outdoors while still being treated to luxurious accommodations. Wild Lotus Camp is situated on Valley Church beach, which is home to two miles of pristine shoreline located a mere 20 steps away from the luxury tents. Wild Lotus offers a variety of programming from yoga retreats to snorkeling and walking tours for you to try during your stay.

Yoga Antigua
Fostering a community focused on holistic health, Yoga Antigua offers classes for all experience levels. Workshops are operated year-round and strive to provide both mental and physical health benefits to participants. Multi-day retreats, festivals and special programming with visiting instructors are also frequently scheduled throughout the year.

For more information about health and wellness activities in Antigua, check out VisitAntiguaBarbuda.com

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Cruises to Barbados Offer a Truly Unique Caribbean Experience

3/21/2018

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Photos courtesy Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

Cheryl Franklin

By John Roberts

Barbados already stands out among the Caribbean destinations you can visit on a cruise.

You might know it as the homeland of music superstar Rihanna. But it's also the easternmost island, a full 100 miles from its neighbors to the west -- the Windward chain that includes St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Martinique.

Cheryl Franklin is on a mission to further distinguish her country from other Caribbean nations by working with tour operators to curate onshore experiences that can easily tell the story of the country and its rich history through a range of fun and memorable experiences. Franklin is the director of cruise for the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. I chatted with her during the annual Seatrade conference in Fort Lauderdale to find out what's new with one of our favorite destinations.

It's Franklin's goal to raise the profile of this magical place by allowing cruisers to have access to as much as possible during their limited time visiting during a port stop. In the end, she wants you to leave the country with the quintessential Barbados experience that makes you want to tell your friends and family -- and return again and again, of course.

A big goal for Franklin is to get cruise lines to consider staying later in port. Barbados has a vibrant night life that she thinks visitors will love.

"You can do something in the morning, and then in the evening," she said. "You get more of a multidimensional experience."

Are you going to be on a sailing that calls on this festive and culturally rich island? Here are some activities Franklin suggests to have the ultimate day ashore on your cruise to Barbados.

Barbados offers vibrant festivals, historic places of interest (like St. Nicholas Abbey) and is the birthplace of rum.

TOUR HERITAGE AND HISTORY
Barbados is home to two of the three remaining Jacobean mansions in the western hemisphere. St. Nicholas Abbey was built in 1658 and is open to the public, and Drax Hall is a private residence on the island. Jacobean is an English architectural style dating to the early 17th century and named for King James I. The buildings feature dramatic steep gables on the roof lines and sweeping staircases.

St. Nicholas Abbey offers tours of the home and its onsite rum distillery and former plantation.
"It's an amazing world-class distillery and heritage experience." Franklin says.

Barbados also has one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in the western hemisphere. The Nidhe Israel Synagogue is located in the capital city of Bridgetown, about 1.5 miles from the cruise port. The synagogue is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it features a museum and graveyard that cruisers will like to visit, Franklin says.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE
For thrill-seekers, Barbados is a wonderland. We all know about the snorkeling, boating and other water sports on offer at most Caribbean islands, and you get all this on Barbados, too.
Franklin recommends kite-surfing or surfing lessons, scuba diving, water skiing. She also picked out a few experiences that show Barbados from a different perspective.

Bushy Park is a highlight, Franklin says. The race track hosts drag racing, karting and top circuit drivers, and visitors can sign up to take the wheel (or ride alongside a pro driver) for exciting "radical driving" experiences at the track.

Microlight aerial tours offer a fairly new adventure and a way to see Barbados from high in the sky. You climb into what looks like a two-person hang-glider with a motor and rotor at the back, and up you go to get a view of the island, marveling in its coastline and rugged terrain.
Also, PEG Farm and Nature Reserve offers an eco-experience. The farm practices agriculture using methods unique to the Caribbean: biodynamics, free-range animal husbandry, permaculture and holistic resources management.

The walking tour takes place amid incredible scenery, Franklin says, and is an interesting educational opportunity as well.

"A scenic walking tour highlights all sorts of foliage and trees," she said "It's very botanical and environmental."

CHILL LIKE A BARBADIAN
The Caribbean is the most-popular cruising region in the world, and nearly every one of the individual islands offers wonderful beaches and sunshine to enjoy. After a few Caribbean cruises, though, it can be hard to recall exactly where you were when you reminisce about your trips.

If you don't get off the boat and do much more than head to a sandy beach and splash around in the clear blue waters while sipping a cold cocktail or local beer, you won't enjoy anything that distinguishes one spot from another.

Don't you want something better, something much more immersive and authentic?

You can easily enjoy a quintessential day on Barbados one that incorporates relaxation, food, music and time with island residents, Franklin says.

"I would say an island tour that takes you completely off the beaten track into the heart of the country," she said. "Where you get the really traditional sense of community."

Taxis are available are available at the cruise ship terminal, and the drivers are registered tour guides. Taxi tours are safe, and you can precisely customize your activities for the day to see as much of the island and do specific things on your list.

Ask the driver to take you to a "rum shop." There are thousands across the island, and these are "akin to a pub in England, where we get much of our heritage," Franklin said.

They are located in every village. Ask your cabbie to take you one near a beach or fun village where you can also explore and do some shopping. These venues are where you can sit and enjoy a rum beverage and meal of traditional West Indies specialties while learning the town gossip or discuss politics and sports. The rum shops are locales for live music, karaoke and beach parties, too.

"It's the best food and cultural experience that does not get tampered with at all," she said. "It's not sophisticated, but it's pure, and it's safe. Anybody can go into a rum shop."

The most authentic Barbadian dishes would include macaroni pie, fried flying fish, cou cou (meat with gravy, cornmeal and okra), fish cakes and rum punch. One of the most popular rum shops is Bay Tavern on the east coast of the island in a small fishing village at Martins Bay.

Trying one or more of these recommended activities sounds wonderful and certainly will make your time ashore in Barbados stand out. The island is compact so that you can reach almost anywhere and easily get back to your ship after a full day of adventures.

"What's unique about Barbados is that it's diverse in a very consolidated way," Franklin said. "So, you can have all these Barbadian experiences in a short space of time."

5 Reasons to Look for a Cruise to Barbados

1. Barbados boasts more than 70 miles of sun-saturated, palm tree-lined beaches, and the clear blue waters and year-round climate are always ideal for a day of relaxation or adventures.

2. This is the "Year of Culinary Experiences" in Barbados. Using a tantalizing blend of the old and new, Bajan cuisine brings together influences from African, Caribbean, West Indian and European traditional favorite dishes to create a unique and authentic culinary experience.

3. Events and festivals are ongoing all year. Perhaps the most impressive is the "Crop Over Festival," celebrating the end of the sugar cane harvest in July.

4. Barbados is recognized as the true birthplace of rum. First made 370 years ago from the island's robust sugar cane crop, Barbados rum found favor with English sailors who, as legend tells it, offered their bounty of rum as proof that they had crossed the Atlantic. In 1703, Mount Gay Rum began distilling the oldest brand of rum in existence, and you can still visit the distillery today.

5. Nine major airlines fly into Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport, offering flexible travel options. You should aim to spend time on the island before or after your cruise, and Barbados offers a wide range accommodations to fit any budget or style -- including rustic beach houses, five-star hotels and luxurious private villas.

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Blissfully Lost in the Wilds of Panama/Costa Rica with UnCruise

3/15/2018

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Embera Quera villager in Panama operates his dugout wooden boat

UnCruise Adventures voyages in Panama include trips deep into the remote wilderness to interact with native people such as the Embera Quera (see sidebar story below).

By John Roberts

Our small expedition cruise ship has just slipped into Gatun Locks, and chef Joe Pienody is grilling shrimp for the passengers gathered on the sun deck of Safari Voyager.

It's always hot and humid in Panama in August, but the sun is beginning to drop along with the temperature, and we have perfect conditions to enjoy dinner while observing the choreographed activities in the lock chambers. Our vessel is being raised three levels to manmade Gatun Lake to continue its 48-mile journey from the Caribbean Sea across the isthmus to the Pacific Ocean.

Passengers munch their meals and sip beers and sangrias while wandering the 174-foot-long ship. Chatting excitedly, they watch ropes tossed and affixed to the mechanical "mules" that run on tracks flanking the locks. They'll keep the ship centered in the chamber. Safari Voyager is positioned behind a massive cargo ship as we move through.

Top deck barbecue on UnCruise Adventures' Safari Voyager

Chef Joe prepares our meal on the top deck as we enter our first lock while transiting the Panama Canal.

I've been eagerly anticipating this fascinating part of our Panama Canal cruise. The engineering marvel, which opened for traffic in 1914, took a huge human toll to build. Today, it is vital for how it facilitates world commerce and because of the number of jobs it provides in Panama. It's also a draw for tourists interested in learning about the engineering that makes it possible and the area's diverse wildlife.

Expedition guides mingle with passengers on Safari Voyager, answering questions as the last golden rays of the sun slip away. With UnCruise Adventures, the itinerary is always the main attraction, and we enjoy a full schedule that keeps us on the go in Panama and Costa Rica.

Before reaching the canal, we visit the village of the indigenous Embera Quera people and take a hike in the rainforest at UNESCO World Heritage site Fort San Lorenzo.
Now sailing, we sleep while moving through Gatun Lake. The next morning, we immerse ourselves in the wilderness.

Our group includes mostly those aged 50 and older, but a pair of teens are onboard, too. The 36 passengers -- the ship can accommodate 62 -- and 30 crew members quickly bond. I'm traveling with my wife, Colleen, and our stateroom is small. It's comfortable but built for function -- a place to store our stuff and get a restful night's sleep after days filled with action.

We spend our time playing in the waters or hiking in the jungles. At the secluded Granito de Oro, our group is alone to snorkel around the tiny island. We take skiff rides ashore and are greeted by thousands of hermit crabs that continuously crawl the sands. (They also nibble at our toes when we plop into loungers for a snack or beer break.)

I tug on a snorkel mask and fins and slip beneath the surface, entering a colorful underwater world. Hawksbill and green turtles lazily eat seagrass 35 feet below. We swim amid schools of fish before finishing our exhilarating lap around the island. Some head over to give the standup paddleboards a try. Others keep snorkeling. I make a beeline to the stocked cooler, bringing back an armful of beers and passing them around. A group of us enjoy the beverages while soaking just off shore. Everyone's convinced this is paradise.

Liddy and Gregg Hora wanted to cruise in Panama to see the canal as well as enjoy the outdoor activities. Liddy says seeing turtles, fish and coral reefs is a thrill for the Fort Dodge, Iowa, couple because it's an experience they don't get at home.

Sightings of dolphins and breeching humpback whales are a daily occurrence while we sail in bays and inlets. Crew and passengers keep eyes trained on the waters and call out when creatures are spotted. The expedition guides are native Costa Ricans and have been to each of our stops many times, but their enthusiasm for nature and conservation is genuine. They expertly lead us ashore and point out the sloths, howler monkeys and other creatures and plants that call the rainforest home.

On Safari Voyager, your cruise fare includes one 30-minute massage for each passenger, as well as drinks and a fantastic menu that features a creative mix of familiar cuisine and regional specialties like ropa vieja and fresh fish. The crowd gathers each afternoon for a drink of the day and fresh-made cookies.

Colleen and I rise the final day onboard to see storm clouds overhead. We ditch the daily morning yoga session on the sun deck, grab breakfast and get ready for our last hike. The heavy rains make trails muddy in the Osa Conservation Area, and streams of water rush past as expedition guide Erika leads our group. Animals hide from the storm, and the only sound is the slosh of our shoes and steady rhythm of the rain hitting the lush forest canopy.

"I never thought I'd have so much fun hiking in a rainstorm," Colleen says.

The rains pass, and we make our way along the final stretch toward a rushing waterfall to snap a group photo. A tribe of capuchin monkeys scrambles overhead, and we all pause to check them out. We never know what the days will bring during this adventure; we just know that we're not likely to be disappointed.

Visiting the Embera Quera village in Panama

Life Off the Grid with the Embera Quera People of Panama

We load into dugout boats and head into the wilds.

Modernity quickly fades as we venture up narrow Gatun River -- with a quick stop to watch a spider monkey put on a thrilling show swinging from tree branches that hang just feet from our boat (our first monkey of the trip!).

UnCruise Adventures is bringing is to the Embera Quera village, and the indigenous people of Panama warmly welcome us ashore. Women, men and children wear colorful beads, flowers and skirts. Their faces and bodies display lovely tribal tattoos. The Embera people sell crafts and host visitors to support their community of about 50. They consider themselves a large family, and they treat visitors as the same. We are all overjoyed to learn about their simple lifestyle.

Children scamper about with dogs on neatly swept dirt floors. A feisty toucan roams the main building, where we take seats to hear a young lady talk about the community. Afterward, we are asked to join in singing and dancing with our hosts and are offered a snack of fish served on a large banana leaf. We shop for hand-crafted items, and I pick a carving of two sloths. Too quickly, it's time to go, and I envy the serenity these people seem to have found off the grid.

-- John Roberts

Safari Voyager cruise ship UnCruise Adventures

The Details
Ship: UnCruise Adventures Safari Voyager (62 passengers max capacity)
Itinerary: Unveiled Wonders: Costa Rica and Panama Canal, 8 nights
Journey: Panama City, Panama to San Jose, Costa Rica (or reverse)
Price: From $4,395 per person (based on double occupancy)

A Look Back and What's Ahead for Panama and Costa Rica

We checked in with UnCruise Adventures' CEO Dan Blanchard to ask what he has heard from passengers who booked the line's expedition experiences in Costa Rica and Panama during UnCruise's first full season sailing in this exotic and raw part of the world. UnCruise is now underway with its second season exploring Panama and Costa Rica on Safari Voyager.

What was the feedback from guests on how they enjoyed your "Pure Panama" and "Unveiled Wonders" cruises after your first full season? The response from guests who've taken the trip has been great. As expected, the Panama Canal gets a lot of play prior to the trip but is rarely mentioned as the highlight after the trip. Most people find that Panama is so wild and free outside of the canal zone that they are often a little surprised. The two native groups we work with in Panama create a lot of positive vibes with the guests. The Darien and Guna Yala/San Blas areas are big memory-makers and are top items for our guests along with amazement at the early Spanish and pirate history nearby or underfoot.

Did it go as you had expected? The route and experiences have been over the top and second only to Alaska in my mind, but so different they are hard to compare. Pure Panama was an instant hit from a guest satisfaction level and has far exceeded our expectations . . . that goes for the crew too. The main takeaway is culture and clear warm water. So yes, it did go as expected. However, we are realizing two things: One, guests want more time in the area, and two, they prefer Costa Rica and Panama together on a longer trip. We are working on developing 10- and 12-night Costa Rica and Panama combination trips.