Recommend November 2011 - (Page 36)

cruise caribbean Premium guest accommodations at Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda. BVI C M Y CM beauty on the water This natural paradise is not only basking in the sun, but in the countless praises showered upon it from numerous publications, including Recommend itself, whose editors have chosen it as a hot destination for 2012. MY CY CMY K T stacey zable This has been a banner year for the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which has won more than its fair share of accolades for what simply comes naturally for this jaw-dropping beautiful destination boasting 60 islands ﬁlled with pristine white sands and surrounded by clear waters. In July, U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 Best Travel Rankings placed BVI among the “Most Relaxing Beaches” and one of the “Best Caribbean Vacations.” In June 2011, BVI ranked among the World’s Top 20 Honeymoon Destinations by Brides magazine as voted on by Signature Travel Network agents. On the food front, the BVI National Culinary Team won ﬁve gold medals, plus one silver and three bronze medals in the Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition that same month. More accolades came this September, when BVI was ranked as the number 1 country for quality of life in the Caribbean and Central America by fDi Intelligence, a division of the Financial Times of London. It was also named among the top 10 “Caribbean & Central American Countries of the Future 2011/12” by the group. And its, “soul...delivered every day through friendly and welcoming people who know they live in paradise and enjoy sharing it with visitors,” is one of the many reasons Perla George, general manager, North America marketing & operations, The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, believes the destination has made it to our Editor’s Hot List issue. John Glynn, v.p. of North American sales for the Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda, agrees that it is “...the mixing of the environment with the people, both the local/indigenous population, and the visitors (both resort guest and boat visitor)” that makes BVI so special. “The local population is very friendly and warm,” he continues. “They have an honest and sincere way about them that puts all visitors at ease. But the very cool aspect is that everyone in the BVI shares a common love: a love of things ‘in, on, and around the water.’ It’s a love shared by billionaires on their 200+ ft. yachts, by young kiteboarders, by charter cruisers, by avid scuba-divers and snorkelers, and beachcombing enthusiasts.” Glynn describes the 85-room Bitter End as a “toes in the sand” resort and the “ideal watersports playground.” This year saw the resort making investments in its marina to cater further to its yacht visitor crowd. All continued on page 38 recommend.com 36 november 2011 http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend November 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: RockResorts
Tour Talk: International Expeditions
River Cruise Product Expands Even More for 2012
Hot (or Cool) Toronto is Staid No More
Timeless Boston
South Africa Always Steals the Limelight
BVI: Beauty on the Water
Private Islands Sizzle
Barcelona Will Leave You Beaming
Unspoiled Myanmar is Open for Business
The Lowdown on South America's Capital Highs
Riviera Nayarit in the Pink
The Three Faces of Baja Sur

Recommend November 2011