The Weather’s Always Great in Anguilla!
Let your mind wander to the Caribbean… sparkling aqua water, palm trees, relaxation… ahhhh… There’s no better escape from the winter blues! But which of the many beautiful islands should you visit? Our travel consultant Sissy Bolcar shares why Anguilla tops our list. She recently planned a trip for two families to visit the island for a holiday gathering of great friends and celebration of a 50th birthday. The families, teenagers included, were in need of an escape from the hectic metro NYC lifestyle. A stay at the Viceroy of Anguilla was the solution!
A little background from Marylyn: I first visited Anguilla when I was expecting my first child in 1990. My husband and I stayed at the economical, now-defunct Mariners on Sandy Ground. We returned to Anguilla three more times over the next 15 years, as time allowed. We enjoyed stays at the Malliouhana and Cap Juluca hotels on subsequent trips. I’ve not been back for a few years, but have sent some clients, and my resort of choice today is the Viceroy.
Why Anguilla?
Part of the British West Indies, the island of Anguilla has retained its ease and sense of community. Although the landscape has changed in the last 25 years, the fabric of the citizens has not. You are quickly welcomed and set at ease by the warm and relaxed reception of your hosts. Anguilla is one of the few islands that allows you to rent a car and just get lost, exploring over 33 beaches in just a 16 mile island. It is not lush with forests and mountains, but the beaches are simply beautiful. They’ll compel you to sit for a while and maybe even take a nap!
You come to Anguilla to relax, swim, sun, and enjoy the people around you. Visitors love the infamous Rum Punch cocktail, and eating grilled lobster and crayfish. Anguilla does not take itself too seriously, even amidst the continued development of upscale resorts and a new designer golf course. Anguilla still prides itself on it’s “Goat Crossing” signs, and its beach fish fry. Note – Anguilla is not the best island for golfing nor is it a place to hobnob with the rich and famous (although they do vacation there).
Why the Viceroy?
The Viceroy, a 5-star property that has earned its perch at the top of the Caribbean “A” list, keeps careful to blend itself into the feel of the island. The property sits on a peninsula between two beautiful beaches, Meads Bay and Barnes Bay.
The design of the hotel is chic, yet natural. The common areas are open and combine the island’s colonial wood with organic fabrics. The feel is laid-back luxury, just like the island itself! Various dining options include the upscale Coba (where my clients enjoyed a holiday dinner), casual pool and beach-side grills, and the fabulous Sunset Lounge. My clients loved viewing the sunsets while sipping a cocktail and dancing to the DJ! They also took advantage of the in villa dining prepared and served by the Viceroy’s acclaimed kitchen.
What is there to do at the Viceroy? Our travelers relaxed at the private pool at their villa, the main resort pool, and the beach! Paddleboarding, snorkeling, and swimming were the main activities. They even hit the fitness center and took a yoga class. The plan was to decompress, and that they did!
More Anguilla Destinations
Elsewhere on the island…
We recommend dining at Anguilla’s classic restaurants Blanchards and The Barrel Stay, for a fun time and delicious treats.
The Dune Preserve at beautiful Rendezvous Bay is an island institution and a must visit. Bankie Banx has assembled top up & coming island musicians to perform nightly at this rustic sprawling beach shack. It’s a priceless experience, especially if you get to hear Bankie perform!
Our travelers also visited Scilly Cay, and as instructed, went to Island Harbour and waved for a boat. They spent an afternoon eating the amazing island BBQ, listening to reggae, and enjoying rum punches. Scilly Cay is pricey for lunch, but the grilled lobster is one of my most memorable meals, and the vibe is priceless.
What Our Travelers Said
“Hi Marylyn, Thank you so much for organizing my 50th birthday trip. Everything was AMAZING! We loved the Viceroy, the dinners you organized were yummy and the travel to and from was seamless! As you can imagine, we lit up the Viceroy a bit with our crew. We were the talk of the island with our Thursday night dance party in the Sunset Lounge with DJ Sugar. When we arrived at the ferry on Sunday we were told everyone heard about the party with people dancing on tables. Again, thank you so much. I had a smile on my face all week! We look forward to returning. ~ JoAnn and Jeff
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Final thoughts from Marylyn: When you get this type of feedback, it makes you realize the magic of trip design. The recipe? Listen to the client, select a fitting and extraordinary place (such as Anguilla), and match the property to their personality. It seems to have worked. I am currently planning my return to Anguilla as we speak. I will report back upon my return!
By Kris T. | Island Vacation
When planning your winter getaway to a warm island, trust us at Travelong of Summit to make your dreams a reality. Our experienced travel experts specialize in crafting personalized itineraries that cater to your preferences. From luxury resorts to adventurous excursions, we handle every detail, ensuring a stress-free and memorable vacation. Ready to escape the winter chill? Contact our travel consultants today, and let us turn your island dreams into a reality. Your warm winter getaway awaits!
By Kris T. | Island Vacation
Seychelles, with its untouched beaches and granite rock formations, offers a unique and remote winter escape. Disconnect from the world and discover the beauty of nature in this Indian Ocean paradise. Dive into the vibrant marine life, hike through lush jungles, and experience the charm of a destination untouched by mass tourism.
By Travelong | Our Blog
Simple Steps to Make Your Holiday Travels Easier Traveling during major holidays can be stressful and exasperating to say the least. However, there are several ways you can mitigate the worst of it and make the experience much easier – and maybe even have a trip where the ‘getting there and back’ portions become positively ordinary! First, when planning a trip that requires flying during notoriously busy travel times such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, consider flying on the day of the holiday, at off-peak times during the surrounding days, and/or from a secondary airport near your departure or arrival location. When possible, opt for non-stop flights so you’ll be less affected by delays. It’s best to book as far advance as possible for holiday travel, as flights will undoubtedly fill up and you want to be assured a seat on the flight(s) of your choice. Confirm your seat assignments when you book for the best possible seats. Be sure that your name on the travel documents matches your ID (license, passport, etc.). A little organizing before the trip can reduce stress at the airport. We recommend creating a master checklist based on your travel needs that you can simply pull out and customize for each trip. It may include “things to do”, such as get mail stopped, arrange for pet care, get vaccines, check passport, etc. and “things to bring”, such as medications, sunscreen, hiking shoes, camera, etc. This Traveler’s Checklist from the U.S. Department of State summarizes some of the more official travel needs, while the easy (and fun) Travels’ Checklist tool creates a customized list based on your travel plans. Before leaving for the airport, go ahead and check in online. If you provided an email address when the flight was booked, the airline will send you an automated message with very easy steps to follow to check in online. Even if you can’t print the boarding passes, this will still expedite your time checking in. In fact, you can go paperless for the entire process by having your boarding passes sent to your smartphone. In addition, you can download apps or check on the airline’s website to know the status of your flight. Once you arrive at the airport, be prepared to wait! This is no revelation to anyone who has flown in recent years, so the best thing to do is use the time to catch up on reading, watch videos, play games, etc. Bringing a few snacks may help! To get through security a little easier, we recommend you make sure carry-on liquids are packed according to regulations (see TSA 3-1-1 Liquids Rule), wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, and wear socks to avoid walking barefoot through the security checkpoint. Planning ahead and being prepared can reduce holiday travel stress, making the time spent at your destination more enjoyable. If your holiday travel plans include choosing a vacation destination, contact Travelong of Summit to learn about the best places based on time of year, weather, special offers, and more.
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