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BSLC Admin

January 7, 2020

5 Reasons Why Anguilla Wins World’s Best Island Every Year

Earlier this year, Anguilla was ranked the #1 island in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas for the third year in a row in the 2019 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, honoring the top travel destinations and companies around the globe as rated by its readers. It also claimed the #6 position in the Top 15 Best Islands in the World. In 2018, the Anguilla Tourist Board launched its Beyond Extraordinary destination campaign, which aims to capture the diversity and richness of the Anguilla experience, and it’s certainly paid off. This slender length of coral and limestone fringed with green tucked away in the Northern Caribbean has managed to retain a charming character and appeal that have kept vacationers returning again and again. Here are just a few of the reasons we can’t recommend it enough.

Breathtaking Beaches

Anguilla is surrounded by more than 12 miles of stunning, powder-white sand sparkling-clear turquoise waters for visitors to enjoy. All of the island’s 33 beautiful beaches are public, uncrowded, and unspoiled, and every cove, bay, and stretch of sand is marked by unique characteristics like rock and coral formations and picturesque tropical plants. It’s actually not uncommon to get a beach all to yourself—especially those inaccessible by land as they require some effort to reach. From the super serene secluded coves of Little Bay and the gentle shoreline and sparkling sea of Rendezvous Bay to the popular and striking white sands of Shoal Bay East and the party atmosphere of the picturesque Sandy Ground, there is truly a beach for everyone and every mood.

Delectable Dining

If Anguilla’s beaches are the most enviable feature of the island, its world-class restaurants come in at a close second. The award-winning dining scene offers discerning travelers international sophistication and elegance with creative cuisine that fuses fresh local flavors from land and sea with elegant imports. The artistry of the island’s chefs—both Anguillan and international—is unmatched anywhere in the Caribbean and provides an opportunity to savor the culture. Stop by a roadside barbecue shack for a slab of jerk chicken or book a reservation at a beachside bistro and hear the sound of lapping waves in the distance. Presenting eclectic culinary techniques complemented by a touch of local flavor, Anguilla’s culinary scene is uniquely Anguillan and authentically Caribbean.

Renowned Resorts

Three Anguilla resorts are featured in the Top 25 Caribbean Resort Hotels category of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards: Frangipani Beach Resort ranked #2, Malliouhana, Auberge Resort Collection ranked #14, and Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa ranked #24. The Frangipani Beach Resort is also the only property in Anguilla to be featured in the Top Hotels Overall category, ranked at #46. This Meads Bay hotel only has 19 rooms and suites and offers a luxury experience with a boutique feel—guaranteeing you’ll have attention and beachside access all to yourself. Our favorite hotel on Anguilla is the Four Seasons; we frequently book our clients for stays at this luxurious property. Many hotel rooms on the island provide a spectacular view of the island’s sensational sunsets where you’ll spot an elusive green flash as the sun kisses the water goodnight—but that’s just one of the many perks of Anguilla’s award-winning resorts.

Abundant Activities

Despite it being one of the smaller Caribbean islands, visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to activities. Anguilla is chock-full of limestone caves to explore, wildlife to observe (like sea turtles and native birds), and sandy beaches to tan on. Take in the island’s natural beauty on a hike or learn more about the island’s heritage on a self-led or guided tour. Many hidden treasures are tucked away on unmarked roads, so it pays to have a knowledgeable guide by your side. Explore the island by sea and hire a boat and dock on some of Anguilla’s most scenic beaches or rent a snorkel and swim around the island’s massive coral gardens, which are home to pufferfish and squid alike. The island offers a variety of popular water-based activities, with the incredible sense of tranquility undoubtedly being Anguilla’s main attraction.

Humble Hospitality

Anguilla’s Ministry of Tourism credits the people of Anguilla and their longstanding tradition of warm hospitality for their recurring award win, and it’s not hard to see why. Anguillians are always willing to help if you need a hand and not because they expect anything in return. They do so out of the goodness of their hearts. True, life-long friendships have even been known to form between Anguillians and visitors. Long after vacations end and visitors return to the States, Canada, or the UK, there are many stories of people inviting Anguillian friends up north wanting to play host to them in their home. “The people here have been some of the friendliest that I’ve encountered in the Caribbean,” a Travel + Leisure reader wrote. “They’ve been hard hit by the latest hurricanes but haven’t lost track of what they consider important.”

BSLC Admin

December 10, 2019

Celebrate the New Year in the Virgin Islands

If you’re lucky enough to be in the Virgin Islands for the holidays, you’re sure to be looking for a place to celebrate. We have several clients who rent villas year after year for the coveted week between Christmas and New Years, and we always love helping them make plans for holiday celebrations. There’s no better way to ring in 2020 than on the beach with friends and family in a tropical paradise. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite events to celebrate the turning of the calendar from 2019 to 2020.

St. John
There will be a myriad of events on St. John to ring in the New Year, from dance and costume parties to live music performances. In Cruz Bay, the Beach Bar will feature live music from 7:30-10:30 p.m. while Drink! will offer DJs, dancing, fire dancers and a screening of the Times Square Ball Drop that goes from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. For a big New Year’s Eve party, head to Morgan’s Mango for free champagne and a $500 prize for the fanciest hat. The festivities here will go from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Heading over to Coral Bay, check out the Indigo Grill which will be hosting a masquerade party with live reggae music from 5 p.m. until the last partiers go home. Skinny Legs will be featuring live music by “The Digs” for a funk/soul/dance party. Ready to get decked out? Skipper’s Brit Pub will be offering costume prizes, free champagne at midnight and the legendary music of the Beatles performed by Poet’s Lounge. For those who want to hit the sack a little early, Oasis is hosting Old Timers Night with prime rib and a DJ, and a ball drop at 8 p.m.

St. Thomas
Moving to St. Thomas, Busspipe Records presents Pressure Busspipe at 9 p.m. at Chicken N Bowling, including additional performances by Verse Simmonds, Jada Kingdom, Monea, Th3rd, Jahman & King Lion. Early bird tickets are available for $25 online at www.PressureBusspipeNYE.com.

Breathe St. Thomas is hosting a Conscious New Year’s Celebration at 4 Elements on Water Island. This uplifting event features yoga, breathwork, meditation, a DJ fire party and more!

British Virgin Islands

Foxy’s Old Year’s Night on Jost Van Dyke is a legendary party every year. The 2019/2020 party theme is “Arabian Nights” and party guests can expect whimsical décor, complete with a flying carpet photo booth, belly dancers, genies and other themed performers. Partygoers are encouraged to participate and dress in costume to reflect the theme. As always, out-there or barely-there attire is encouraged!

If you want to join the island celebrations on NYE, we can arrange private boat charters so you can cut down on travel time, avoid ferry crowds and be on your own schedule. Or you can skip the crowds, charter a yacht and go island hopping to ring in 2020! Blue Sky Luxury Travels team wishes you a Happy New Year. Where will you celebrate this year?

BSLC Admin

August 29, 2019

Top 5 Things to Do on Sugar Beach in St. Lucia!

A vacation on the gorgeous white sands of Sugar Beach, St. Lucia is an experience unlike any other and we here at Blue Sky are committed to making sure that experience is a memorable one. So while you could spend your days lounging away on the beach—soaking up the incredible views and listening to the lullaby of the ocean (and we certainly wouldn’t blame you)—we thought we’d let you know about some fun activities you can do during your stay. Here are the Top 5 Things to Do in Sugar Beach!

1. Speed Boat Tour with Solomon Water Taxi & Tours

Hop aboard Solomon’s boat, Justice/Justice Again, and cruise the coastline to Anse Chastanet, Saint Lucia’s very own black sand beach where you’ll go snorkeling. You’ll then head over to Soufriere to visit a bat cave before getting in a land taxi that will take you to a mud bath/volcano tour. Rub yourself or your partner in mud and then bathe in warm sulphuric pool water before rinsing off at the Toraille waterfall. Finally, you’ll grab lunch at Solomon’s mom’s delicious restaurant!

2. The Tree-to-Bar Experience at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat

Calling all chocoholics! This one’s for you. Unique to the Rabot Estate—and drawing on their expertise as a chocolatier and grower of chocolate—this is an exclusive opportunity for you to discover cocoa like never before and even have the opportunity to create your own chocolate! The experience starts with you walking through the estate’s cocoa groves and selecting ripe cocoa pods to harvest from the tree and ends with you making your own bar of chocolate. The tour also includes all the interesting steps in between—from the cocoa seedling nursery, fermenting room and sun-drying station to grinding, mixing and, of course, loads of tasting!

3. Real St. Lucia Tours’ Petit Piton Trail Hike

Seeking some adventure? You’ve come to the right place. Hiking Petit Piton isn’t for the faint of heart but truly provides one of the most exhilarating experiences you’ll ever encounter. Real St. Lucia Tours provides you with an experienced guide, and while the climb itself is quite difficult, you’ll find yourself surrounded by lush rain forests and met with a breathtaking view at the top of Soufriere, Gros Piton, and the majestic blue ocean beneath you.

4. Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park

This 18th-century estate is an all-in-one experience that offers lots of activities for every member of the family. Learn about their local history and culture from their working plantation where you’ll even get to taste crops like coca, coffee, coconut, orange, grapefruit, and lime and then strap in for an exciting zip line through the canopy with amazing views of the Pitons. You can even mount a horse and explore the estate cowboy style, riding into the Sulphur Springs volcano and onto the beach, or hike through the lush rainforest and experience a natural spa treatment at a mineral waterfall. You can then satisfy your appetite with a delectable local creole buffet lunch in their open-air restaurants.

5. Action Adventure Divers

Grab your flippers and wetsuit and get ready to experience the world below in a whole new way. Join Dive Master Chester for a single tank, double tank, or even a night dive in the reefs of the Soufriere Marine Management Area. Explore the fantastical Fairyland, the dazzling Devil’s Hole, the sublime Superman Flight (where Superman 2 was filmed), the remarkable Wreck of the Lesleen M (a 165-foot freighter that sunk in October 1986), and so many more magnificent sites. Everyone is welcome—from newbies to seasoned pros!

BSLC Admin

July 31, 2019

Blue Sky Luxury Concierge Announces Rebrand to Blue Sky Luxury Travels

Top Caribbean Luxury Travel Provider Expands Services and Scope for Worldwide Reach

Today, Blue Sky Luxury Concierge, Inc., the leading provider of luxury travel services in the Caribbean and Bahamas, announced the company’s rebrand to Blue Sky Luxury Travels. The comprehensive rebrand elevates the focus on bespoke travel planning services to individuals, families, groups, and corporations across the globe. With the rebranding effort, the company will continue to offer personal travel planning, while investing further in both global expansion and expert support for corporate clients.

The new corporate name for the longtime trusted travel provider signals a shift in the company’s vision and strategy in the travel market. “The Blue Sky Luxury Travels name represents the expansion of the company’s reach, increasing the service level at every touchpoint of the customer travel experience. “We are proud of the new vacation and corporate retreat offerings we are building for our clients as we work to become the foremost boutique luxury travel group worldwide,” said Shanna Dickerson, Blue Sky Luxury Travels CEO. “From our humble beginnings in 2010 as a grocery delivery service on the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands to today’s global full-service travel experience design company, Blue Sky has grown with our customers’ needs. This new name reflects the company’s worldwide reach, and now we can bring the personalized service of our experienced team to each step of our clients’ travel planning process.”

In addition to the company’s core offerings of full-service luxury concierge travel and event planning, Blue Sky provides housing logistics for corporate clients. Blue Sky Global Logistics is the company’s newest division, providing corporate and workforce housing for disaster relief staff. They are currently at work in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico housing workers who are helping to rebuild and restore areas affected by natural disaster.

Blue Sky has also expanded their villa rental portfolio and now offers properties throughout the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Fiji, and South Carolina. Every day, Blue Sky spotlights a different villa on the company’s popular Blue Sky Luxury Villas Facebook page. The company provides tailored and unique itineraries for personal travel and corporate retreats, including yacht charters, and private island rentals. The Blue Sky Luxury Travels blog publishes all types of information, travel tips, memories and suggestions to empower informed luxury travelers.

“Blue Sky helped us to plan our most successful company retreat from start to finish. Their planning advice was invaluable, their recommendations were spot on, and their service and support were smooth and professional throughout the entire outing. Blue Sky helped us with finding the ideal accommodations for our group, meal planning and reservations, transportation throughout our stay, arranging group activities (on land and on the sea!), and designing team-building events. I would highly recommend them for any corporate event and would love an excuse to use them again!” writes Scott Berman, President, HawkPartners.

Blue Sky Luxury Travels stands ready to assist individuals, families, weddings, and corporations with every aspect of travel and event planning. The Blue Sky business is connecting people to their travel destinations wherever that might be. The company has perfected this model to be an all-inclusive operation with an emphasis on client service, offering personal attention and availability around the clock. Blue Sky Luxury Travels provides outstanding service, enabling people to create memories and better enjoy their travel experiences.

BSLC Admin

July 11, 2019

Where to Go Fishing in the U.S. Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands are located right at the edge of the six-mile deep Puerto Rico Trench, an area known for having some of the best game fishing in the world. Twenty-one world records in fishing have been set in the Virgin Islands including the still-standing IGFA Women’s ‘All-Tackle’ world record for Blue Marlin back in 1982—a whopping 1073 pounds! Monumental catches such as these are a testament to the excellent fishing opportunities anglers of all ages and experiences levels will find both inshore or offshore in the US Virgin Islands and we at Blue Sky Luxury Travels are here to make your trip one you certainly won’t forget.

St. Thomas is home to several fishing tournaments throughout the year such as the Dolphin Derby in April, the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament in July and the Wahoo Windup in November. It’s also one of the most renowned locations to catch Atlantic Blue Marlin and while Marlin fishing is fine year-round, the most optimal months are May through October. One of the best places to go fishing on the island of St. Thomas is in Red Hook. Offshore, you’ll find Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish and of course, Marlin. Stay closer in and you’re looking at the perfect place to catch some King Mackerel, Snapper, Grouper and Jacks. Red Hook also has some great snorkeling where you can swim alongside turtles, stingrays, a variety of colorful fish and amazing coral of all shapes and sizes.

Just twenty minutes west of Red Hook is where you’ll find another great fishing spot in St. Thomas—Charlotte Amalie. Thanks to its proximity to the North and South Drops, you’ll find waters rife with Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi and Tuna. Some charters even allow you to snorkel with turtles and dolphins. Spend a day here and you’ll be able to say that you fished some of the best sports fishing grounds in the world.

Cross the Pillsbury Sound and you’ll reach the smallest of the three main US Virgin Islands, St. John. Without a doubt, the best place to go fishing on this island is in Cruz Bay and with Offshore Adventures Charters, you can depart from either The Westin St. John, Resort & Villas or the National Park Dock in Cruz Bay (along with all of the resorts and public docks back in St. Thomas). Choose between a custom 32ft Diesel Inboard Center Counsel Fishing Boat with Marine Head and a 41ft Custom Open Salon-Style Ronin Sportfisher and spend four, six or even ten hours live bait fishing to your heart’s desire.

There’s another fun spot to fish in St. John and this one’s particularly underrated. For a completely different experience, head over to Leinster Bay for classic flats fishing. Here, you’ll find the easily-spooked and hard fighting bonefish. These fish can weigh as much as 19 pounds and measure as high as 30 inches or more.

Finally, we turn our attention to the largest US Virgin Island, St. Croix. This island is surrounded by a drop which is .5 to 4 miles north or south. Migrating schools of small fish gather in these areas so you’ll find a lot of fish similar to St. Thomas here—the Billfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, and Mahi Mahi. However, unlike St. Thomas, St. Croix has a narrow under-water shelf off its shores which makes fishing from small boats close to the shoreline very rewarding. On the northern side of the island is the town of Christiansted where you’ll find some of the best charters and tours. It’s also a great sight-seeing spot for whales, porpoises, and turtles.

What are you waiting for? Give us a call and let Blue Sky Luxury Travels provide you with a legendary experience in one of the best places to fish in the world.

BSLC Admin

May 28, 2019

Necker Island is BACK!

I’ve spent many busy, blissful days at Necker Island, leading group trips and managing entertainment, and sometimes just enjoying connections and relaxation with friends. It was heartbreaking to see the island in ruins after Hurricane Irma almost two years ago, but I’m happy to say that Necker is back in business. I took a group to Sir Richard Branson’s private island in the British Virgin Islands a couple of months ago, and Necker is gorgeous and the lemurs are as playful as ever.

After being shuttered in September 2017 after the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma the luxurious resort has been completely restored and updated with new additions. Branson, who rode out the hurricane in the wine cellar with family and staff, has been very involved to support Unite BVI and the BVI community as the whole of the British Virgin Islands recover after the devastating storm. Now completely rebuilt, Necker Island offers an enhanced experience that’s ideal for corporate, social or family groups looking for a luxurious retreat.

Ready for a new chapter, the Great House, where people come to dine, party or just relax together, has been completely re-created with the addition of 2 new rooms (11 rooms total) in a Balinese style. New completely freestanding, the Leha Lo house sleeps two adults with panoramic sea views, private sundeck, hot tub and an improved and expanded Bali Hi complex offering private plunge pools in each of its houses.

ituated in the picturesque British Virgin Islands, Necker Island’s 74-acre estate has all the ingredients for a holiday of a lifetime. One of the most exclusive and private-island destinations in the Caribbean, guests can look forward to the gorgeous white sandy beaches, a full array of exciting watersports equipment (scuba, sailboats, paddleboards, wakeboards), refreshing drinks timed perfectly to sunset views and multiple gorgeous freshwater infinity pools. From private tennis lessons with a resident professional coach and top-class watersports to relaxing on your own stretch of private beach, guests have everything they need to truly enjoy the tranquility of the island.

The fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down! Necker Island has held some of the most legendary parties that you can offer to your guests while staying on this private island. From Casino Night, complete with poker and roulette tables, to Disco Fever with a setup including a variety of colored disco lights, Necker Island is ready to give your guests a memorable experience they will be talking about for yers to come.

Unsurprisingly, one of the most common questions asked when booking a luxury vacation on the idyllic island is about the weather. In the British Virgin Islands, the average monthly temperature ranges from highs of around 82°F (28°C) in January to highs of roughly 95°F (35°C) in July. In short, it’s pretty much sunny pleasant weather year-round!

Regardless of when you plan your next visit to Necker Island, you can expect warm and sunny beach weather in an island paradise, a fully stocked bar, meals served on the roof terrace and a stunning array of wildlife from flamingos to lemurs to giant tortoises! Experience the world’s most exclusive island retreat and savor inspiring beauty from amazing panoramic views of the Caribbean, the Atlantic, and neighboring islands. One word of warning, once you’ve experienced the astounding beauty and luxury of Necker Island, you may never want to leave!

BSLC Admin

April 17, 2019

Five Hotspots for Fine Dining on St. John

Of all the Caribbean islands, I spend most of my time on St. John. It’s where I started my business, and this lush, verdant island with drop-dead gorgeous beaches will always have a piece of my heart. It’s a relatively small island, with just a couple of public resorts and a small town, Cruz Bay, where most of the restaurants are located. Most of our Blue Sky Luxury Travels clients stay in private villas on the island, and our team makes all of the arrangements for provisioning and private chefs so they can enjoy their meals without lifting a finger. We love helping clients find that special place for a big night out, and fine dining restaurants in St. John are perfect for anniversary, birthday and wedding celebrations. Here are some of my best restaurant recommendations for fine dining on St. John. One thing to remember with all of these establishments is that they fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Our team here at Blue Sky Luxury Travels can help you make your reservations in advance to secure your celebration destination. Extra Virgin Bistro

Extra Virgin Bistro is perched on a hillside overlooking Cruz Bay, and it’s a bit away from the hustle and bustle of town. The chefs are dedicated to locally grown, and sourced products and they cure their own meats, make fresh pasta daily and grow their own herbs on their rooftop garden. They purchase fish from local fishermen and print their names on the daily menu with the fish they catch each day. I love Extra Virgin Bistro’s tasty, original cocktails with house-made infusions and bitters, especially the Bird of Paradise and the Green Thumb. And the food is truly inventive, with unique dishes like Tempura-battered Pumpkin Leaf. The menu changes daily, so there’s always something new to discover, and they tempt the palate with amuses bouches between courses.

La Tapa

With a romantic atmosphere, creative, upscale menu, and personalized service from the best in the business, La Tapa is my go-to for a special meal out. La Tapa offers a contemporary Mediterranean vibe with a variety of delicious tapas and personalized service that creates a warm atmosphere. La Tapa’s chefs prepare unique creations with local fish and vegetables from St. John fisherman and farmers. The menu changes nightly to reflect the best ingredients available locally. I especially love the wine at La Tapa, they serve mostly Spanish wine and have a more extensive selection than most island spots, with 25 wines by the glass on most evenings.

The Terrace

Located in the heart of Cruz Bay, the Terrace offers outdoor dining on the terrace with a sweeping view of the harbor. Watch the boats come and go and admire the sparkling turquoise water while you enjoy fine dining with a view. Chef Erica Miner transforms local ingredients into contemporary dishes like Pan Roasted Wahoo and Tuna Nicoise. I love how they bring warm bread and roasted garlic butter to start the evening. The Terrace serves fun cocktails and offers an extensive wine list, including some of my Napa and Burgundy favorites. Don’t miss the desserts, especially the decadent Lemon Lavender Crème Brûlée!

Ocean 362

OCEAN 362 is right in the heart of Cruz Bay, and the best seats in the house are at the upstairs bar overlooking the harbor. Start your evening with drinks with a view, perhaps timed to experience the sunset, and enjoy Ocean362’s Happy Hour menu from 5-7. Then, proceed downstairs for your divine meal. Ocean 362 offers contemporary twists on traditional Caribbean dishes with ingredients that are fresh, local and sustainably sourced. Daily specials on a recent visit included Saffron Smashed Potato, Asparagus, and Citrus Beurre Blanc Lobster Tail, and I’m always happy to celebrate with their Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake.

Morgan’s Mango

Morgan’s Mango is housed in a pretty British colonial style building in Cruz Bay, adorned with graceful porches and billowy curtains that lend a relaxing air. The menu is focused on Caribbean and South American cuisines—Creole, Bahamian, Cuban, Jamaican, Haitian, Puerto Rican, Argentinian and Mayan. Their dishes show the influence of the original inhabitants of the islands, the Arawak and Carib Indians, as well as the Africans, East Indians, and Chinese who arrived later. Morgan’s Mango brings history to the table, sharing how these early cultures blended with Spanish, French, British and Danish settlers to create classic Caribbean cuisine. Tuesdays and Saturdays are Lobster Night at Morgan’s Mango, and they serve it Caribbean style for an authentic taste of the islands.

Here at Blue Blue Sky Luxury Travels, we make sure to sample a variety of restaurants and experiences so that our clients can look forward to the very best. Fine dining in St. John has gotten better over the years, and now there are many places to enjoy a special meal out. Looking for a villa, yacht charter, private chef or dining on St. John? We’ll be glad to help you plan your next escape!

BSLC Admin

March 7, 2019

A Day In the Life: What Does a Luxury Concierge Service Actually DO?

Blue Sky Luxury Travels is based in the Caribbean and creating vacation experiences for clients in stunning destinations all over the world. We make a point of visiting each property that we represent, and we love to share our discoveries so we post photos every day of beautiful destinations and luxury experiences. We know it may all look like fun and games, island-hopping in Fiji, Hawaii, the US Virgin Islands, and the British Virgin Islands, but we promise, we are actually hard at work! Since so many people have asked, we wanted to share what a day in the life is for Shanna Dickerson, the CEO of Blue Sky Luxury Travels. Shanna stays in different islands and towns all over the world, but wherever she is, she makes sure to keep to her schedule and make sure that all of her clients’ needs are cared for.

So here’s what a day in the life of Shanna really looks like:

6am

Shanna rises early and meditates for twenty minutes to get her head straight for the day. Next, she heads straight for the coffee machine for a nice hot cup of coffee. She checks her phone for any urgent client messages and looks over her schedule for the day, always making a point of picking a beautiful spot with a view to start the day off right.

6:30am

Workout time! It’s so important to keep energy high and muscles strong, so Shanna gets her exercise done, either with a hike in the hills, a trip to the local gym, or her 25-minute at-home workout routine.

8:00am

Client messages. Clients and vendors communicate with Shanna through many different means: text messages, Facebook and Instagram direct messages, emails and phone calls. When a new client comes in, Shanna sends them a Concierge document outlining the services that Blue Sky Luxury Travels has available, and clients usually email her with their specific needs. Shanna keeps track of client requests for upcoming trips on a gigantic spreadsheet, so she refers to that and fills in details as she gets new requests. She makes notes of what needs to be done for the day and answers questions for clients who are coming to the islands.

10:00am

Vendor phone calls. In the Virgin Islands, most car rental services, grocery delivery services, and BVI Yacht Charters operate primarily by phone. This is why it’s so essential to have a travel concierge service handle planning when you’re visiting St. John, St. Thomas, St. Lucia or the Bahamas- it’s hard to get in touch with someone who can set things up. It’s not like other trip planning where you can just go online and do it all yourself. Internet service can be spotty on the islands, so Shanna makes most of her arrangements with vendors over the phone. They’re all accustomed to hearing her cheerful voice and she makes sure they stay organized and keep to the arrangements she’s made for her clients coming to the islands. Shanna makes arrangements for Caribbean villa rentals, yacht rentals, catamarans, fishing trips, grocery delivery, snorkel gear rental, kayak and paddleboard tours, and dining reservations so her clients can relax and enjoy their Caribbean vacations.

12:00pm

Shanna takes a break for lunch, usually a big salad or veggie bowl, at a restaurant on the island. She makes sure to try all the different dining options on each Caribbean island where she stays, so she can offer the best recommendations.

1:00pm

Back to work on emails and phone calls, making arrangements with clients and vendors.

2:00pm

Client meetings. Shanna handles housing for hundreds of hurricane recovery workers through her Blue Sky Global Logistics division. She often meets with top-level officials to understand their needs and find the appropriate solutions. Some days, she’ll take a boat to another island to meet with visiting corporate clients to plan their upcoming corporate events on the islands. Other times, she’ll offer a quick island tour to visiting friends, to show off her favorite spots for paddleboarding and beach time. Face to face is always best, so Shanna makes the time to meet in person with her clients.

6:00pm

Dinner time. Sometimes it’s a dinner meeting with clients, or a meetup with friends staying in a Caribbean villa nearby, or even a quick sandwich at home when the work schedule is intense.

8:00pm

Shanna checks her messages one more time to make sure everything is handled, then the phone goes OFF for a little meditation and quiet time before bed.

9:00pm

Bedtime! Early to bed, and early to rise, keeps Shanna energized, cheerful and ready for anything!

We hope this window into Shanna’s world has helped you understand a little more of what Blue Sky Luxury Travels really does. We take care of every trip planning detail for you from start to finish. Our goal is to make your vacation relaxing, fun and incredibly memorable. If you’d like to put our concierge team to work for your next vacation, please email us at info@blueskyconcierge.com.

BSLC Admin

February 23, 2019

Popular Belize Landmarks

The sunny sky, warm water, and beautiful white sand beaches are reason enough to visit Belize. This small Caribbean nation has so much more to offer though. Here we will outline some of the most popular land attractions you must visit while in Belize.

Caracol

Located 500 meters (1,650 ft) above sea level, Caracol is the largest Mayan site in Belize. The Caracol Mayan Ruins consist of 35,000 buildings that used to be a large Mayan city around 650 AD with an estimated population of almost 200,000, which is more than twice the size of the Belize City population today. Most of this ancient city is underground, but a small fraction of buildings left on the surface talks about the city’s majesty. The largest structure is the pyramid Canaa, meaning “Sky Place,” at 43 meters (143 ft), which is the tallest man-made structure in all of Belize. From the top one can see all the way to Guatemala. Caracol Mayan Ruins is also home of a variety of wildlife, such as ocellated turkey, keel-billed toucans, and the legendary mot-mot.

Lamanai

Once a major city of the Mayan civilization, Lamanai is a popular archaeological site, located in northern Belize. Getting here is a scenic adventure on its own and involves a 26-mile boat ride up the New River Lagoon departing from Orange Walk Town. Lamanai encompasses 950 acres and is one of the largest Mayan ceremonial sites, featuring more than 100 minor structures, a ball court and about 12 major buildings – the most popular among them are the Temple of the Mask, the Maya Sun God, the Temple of the Jaguar Masks and the High Temple. Contrary to the typical Mayan layout, which consists of plazas around a ceremonial structure, this site’s layout is quite different – most ceremonial buildings were built along the west bank of the New River and the New River Lagoon. The ancient ruins at Lamanai are not completely uncovered yet, and archaeological projects continue to work on the restoration of the larger structures of the High Temple.

San Pedro Town

San Pedro Town is located in Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize. The town is the typical laid-back beach town with no high-rises or traffic, making it a very attractive destination for travelers. The town offers family-style accommodation options. Even if you don’t stay in town, most of the resorts are within a mile from town. San Pedro also has a great choice of restaurants and bars.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is known as the world’s first jaguar preserve. It is home to 60 out of 700 Belize jaguars and a must-visit for nature lovers. Here you can see beautiful waterfalls, unique flora and fauna and spend a day hiking off the beaten path, where seeing wildcats, tapir, deer, and other wildlife is not unusual. There is so much to do and see here that visitors usually stay longer. The park has basic accommodation options – cabins and campgrounds – so this is something to consider if you would like to spend more than a day here.

BSLC Admin

February 7, 2019

Introducing a new Caribbean Destination – Anguilla

This year we are fully dedicated to expanding our presence in the Caribbean and are proud to present a new destination we invite our guests to check out – the island of Anguilla. This little Caribbean island has everything you are dreaming of – azure blue waters, a laid-back atmosphere, white sand beaches, warm tropical breezes, and five-star resort services and accommodations. Come here to escape the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy the numerous activities the island offers to its visitors.

The island of Anguilla has 33 beautiful beaches, and most of them are quite remote. Even popular beaches like Shoal Bay East are often empty, so don’t be surprised if you have the beach all to yourself. The best way to hop from beach to beach is by car, so if you plan to do beach exploring we recommend renting a car. Another popular water activity is to spend the day on a sailboat. A popular tour will take you to Little Bay, only accessible by boat. There you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear waters. For just a $10 boat ride your island adventures will continue with a trip to Sandy Island, a very suitable name for this island because there is only sand and one restaurant serving seafood here.

In addition to the abundance of water activities and adventures we recommend you to take a day and explore the popular historic site of Fountain Cavern National Park, which is home to numerous petroglyphs created by the Arawaks around AD 300. The most impressive petroglyph is the head of Jocahu, the Arawak God of Creation, carved from a stalagmite. The Fountain Cavern National Park is believed to have been a major regional worship site and a place of pilgrimage for the Amerindians.

Sold on visiting the island? Ok, let’s talk about where to stay. Most of the accommodation options on Anguilla are private villas, so we recommend avoiding hotels because they can get quite busy. Staying at a private villa will give you resort-like services and amenities in a private setting. Our first choice of accommodation is the villas at Four Seasons, set along the island’s northwest shore, atop coralline bluffs overlooking two of Anguilla’s most pristine beaches. The resort has 3 to 5 bedroom villas that can accommodate up to 13 guests.

If you are interested in visiting Anguilla and need help arranging your vacation, please let us know 🙂 info@blueskyconcierge.com