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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

Three Romantic Caribbean Villas for Your Caribbean Getaway

When planning your romantic Caribbean getaway, you want to have best of all. As experts in Caribbean travel and accommodations, let us help you choose the most romantic place with an intimate atmosphere, where you can spend unforgettable moments with your loved one. Here are our top three Caribbean luxury villa picks:

The Suites at Paradise Ridge, St. Lucia

The Suites at Paradise Ridge is the place to go if you are planning a honeymoon or are celebrating any other romantic occasion. It is one of the most romantic places in the world, home to the ultimate getaway for honeymooners, couples celebrating an anniversary, or renewing their wedding vows. The location is spectacular – 1,100 feet above sea level overlooking the Pitons. Each villa is 1,400 square feet in size and has a private pool with drop-dead views of the dramatic Piton Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. The villa’s décor has a romantic appeal and features porch swings for two over the pools, tree branches fashioned into lamps, vivid mosaic tile work covering the shower walls, and elaborate carvings in the support columns. If you don’t feel like leaving your suite, you will have the option to be pampered with additional services, such as massage therapy, in-room dining, private butler and more.

The Peter Bay Gatehouse, St. John

The Gatehouse at Peter Bay in St. John is situated in one of the most romantic locations overlooking Peter Bay. The villa features two suites – the Honeymoon Suite and the Penthouse Suite, both ideal for romantic occasions. Each suite is 1,200 square feet in size and has a large balcony surrounded by the splendor of virgin Caribbean panoramas. They both have private entrances and come with upscale amenities and spacious living rooms, air-conditioned bedrooms with king size beds, spacious bathrooms and ceiling fans. The Penthouse Suite has a private spa area with a hot tub overlooking Peter Bay.

The Beach House, Turks & Caicos

This is a luxurious beachfront villa just steps from the award-winning Grace Bay Beach. What makes The Beach House ideal for romantic occasions is the magnificent views featured from its direct oceanfront location. The open floor layout of the living room boasts scenic views of the pool and the sea. The pool is just a few steps away from the sandy beach and has plenty of seating and lounging space, perfect for romantic gatherings and entertainment. When you book this home, you can do custom upgrades for an additional fee, such as villa pre-stocking, a private butler and chef, restaurant reservations, arrange tours and activities and more.

If you are interested in these properties or any other in the Caribbean, please let us know 🙂 info@blueskyconcierge.com

BSLC Admin

Celebrate New Year’s in Turks and Caicos

New Year’s on the beach? Why not! Turks and Caicos is the place to go if you want to experience an island-style holiday season with lots of food, festivals and fun things to do. The islands have been known as an exclusive destination for travelers who are looking for luxurious accommodations and services, so spending New Year’s Eve here will not leave you disappointed.  Island resorts are all lit up and decorated with holiday decor, music, and flavors.

A very popular local festival is Junkanoo that takes place as soon as the clock strikes midnight.  The roots of the festival are connected with the time of slavery when slaves were given a day off around Christmas to spend time with their loved ones. So after midnight come visit the streets of Grace Bay and you will see islanders dressed in unique cultural costumes dancing and singing the whole night. Enjoy unique, delightful local music produced by a blend of goatskin drums, guitars and carpenter saws.

Just like at any other location New Year’s Eve means a time to reflect over the events of the past year and a time to have new dreams and goals for the upcoming new year. To make the moment festive you will find many local restaurants and resorts offering special activities and food for that evening. A very popular delicacy around New Year’s Eve is Conch – a world-famous sea snail delicacy that you will find on the menu under names such as conch wontons, conch fritters, conch salad, and conch stew. These and other delicacies will be served for you on the beach or another romantic setting. To take the experience once step further you will be able to enjoy beach bonfires, barbecues, and fireworks on Grace Bay Beach.  The fireworks ceremony is a major highlight that you can’t miss because you will be able to see it from one end of the island all the way to the other. Take your camera to capture this special moment when the sky is lit on fire with colorful displays.

We at Blue Sky Luxury Travels are determined to be the best part of your holiday travel, so take a look at our fine villa selection here http://blueskyconcierge.com/turks-caicos-villas/ and let us know your custom perks and wishes you dream about this holiday season.

BSLC Admin

Best fine dining restaurants in Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos is your ultimate destination if you are looking for intimate seclusion, long white sand beaches, and fine luxurious villas. Here you can enjoy the best of both worlds – privacy and have a superb dining experience. The islands offer fine dining with an island feel and outdoor seating. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, birthday party or other group gathering, the restaurants below provide great food, a lovely setting, and excellent service.

Coco Bistro

Coco Bistro is conveniently located within walking distance of most Grace Bay resorts. You will feel the romantic vibe as soon as you arrive at Coco Bistro. This charming restaurant is set among the largest palm grove on the island of Providenciales and is a food lover’s fantasy in a one-of-a-kind setting. The atmosphere created by the setting of lovely palm trees that are lit up at night makes for the beginning of a great dinner. Here you will enjoy fine dining in a tranquil setting. The menu features local Caribbean delicacies made with the freshest local ingredients. You can also enjoy traditional American cuisine, seafood, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Provence

The Provence is the place to go if you are craving French, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. The dining ambiance is very intimate, and the open kitchen is the centerpiece of the dining experience. Chef Eric Vernice is determined to make a meal for you that you will remember forever – enjoy freshly made pasta, artisan gelato, gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, salmon, diver scallops, stuffed chicken, grilled lobster and more. Everything will be prepared in front of you, and you can watch how the chef himself crafts your dishes with fine details.

Seven

This is another must-visit restaurant while you’re in the Turks and Caicos. Seven combines international with local flavors that result in a modern-cotemporary culinary experience. The restaurant specializes in seafood appetizers, such as scallops, lobster and mahi-mahi ceviche, while the entrées feature heavier dishes, including slow-roasted pork belly, rack of lamb and beef tenderloin. If you can’t decide what to try, we recommend you to do the five-course taste menu featuring the best of the best.

Ristorante Via Veneto

Ristorante Via Veneto brings traditional Italian cuisine to the remote islands of Turks and Caicos. Most of the ingredients come directly from Italy, so there isn’t a better place on the islands than Ristorante Via Veneto to enjoy an authentic Italian meal. The outdoor deck terrace features a romantic atmosphere, great sunset views, lovely piano music and a sense of a warm tropical breeze. Owner and chef Aldo Della Casa and his staff will make every effort to make sure you enjoy every dish you choose from the menu.

BSLC Admin

Best Turks and Caicos Beaches

Located in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of 40 low-lying islands. It is a great travel destination if you are looking for picture-perfect Caribbean beaches. The gateway island of Providenciales, known as Provo, is home to beautiful Grace Bay Beach, where you’ll also find many restaurants and shops nearby. There are also many fantastic off-the-beaten path beaches if you are looking for seclusion. Below are the top five beaches in Turks and Caicos.

Grace Bay Beach

Grace Bay Beach is the most popular beach in Turks and Caicos, home to many luxury resorts. The bay features a beautiful barrier reef system that is home to a large variety of marine life. Situated on the north shore of Provo, the bay’s soft white sand and clear water are ideal for swimming, snorkeling and enjoying a beach stroll.

Leeward Beach

If you are looking for peace and quiet, Leeward Beach is a great place to visit. It’s the perfect white sand beach with turquoise water and a tranquil atmosphere. You won’t find any large resorts here, so the beach feels quiet and secluded. Offshore, the sheltered channels on the eastern side of the beach are great for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and wakeboarding. Leeward Beach is also a great spot for enjoying a picnic on the beach.

Half Moon Bay

This beautiful bay is a combination of a beach and a sandbar lagoon, located between Water Cay and Little Water Cay. It is the top boat excursion destination in Turks and Caicos. Not only will you find a beautiful tropical beach here, but a shallow lagoon on the south side of the beach as well. It is a great place for nature lovers. The unique Turks and Caicos rock iguana can be frequently seen scurrying about the sand dunes, and the turquoise waters are home to tiny lemon sharks. The beach itself is lined by palm trees that provide some shade. Most visitors visit Half Moon Bay by boat cruise or yacht charter, but it’s also possible to kayak over from Providenciales.

North Bay Beach

This hidden gem of a beach is often overlooked. Located on the quiet island of Salt Cay, North Bay Beach is one of the finest stretches of sand in Turks and Caicos. It combines everything that makes a perfect tropical beach – powdery soft white and peach-colored sand, clear azure blue water, small reefs for snorkeling, shallow wave breaks for stand-up paddleboarding and a calm atmosphere perfect for a picnic on the beach. North Bay Beach doesn’t see many visitors, so you are likely to have the beach to yourself.

Pine Cay Beach

Located on the north shore of Pine Cay is the gem of a beach that has to be seen to be believed. The beach boasts pristine sand and calm turquoise waters, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The Meridian Club is the only resort on this coast, and there are a handful of rental villas where guests can stay. What makes this beach unique is that it is a great destination if you would like to recreate a Maho Beach style photo of a plane landing over the beach. That’s because the Pine Cay airstrip is located just over the dune. There won’t be any large jets landing on Pine Cay but only small planes, but it’s still a great photo op!

BSLC Admin

Turks and Caicos Travel Tips

Tired of the hustle and bustle of busy life and crowded tourist destinations? If so, Turks and Caicos is your ultimate getaway. Escape to this secluded paradise and discover the island’s treasures – shimmering azure water, colorful coral reefs, long and soft-sanded beaches, a careless lifestyle and much more. The islands are well for offering seclusion, and even though in recent years popular chain restaurants and services have opened their doors to visitors, Turks and Caicos remains a secluded travel destination. Here are ten travel tips you need to know before you come.

Choose your departure airport wisely

Check the flights at your local airport, as well as other nearby airports. Based on the flight connection the closest airport is not always the best and fastest way to get to the islands. If there is a better connection from another airport consider departing from there.

Plan your budget

Visiting paradise comes at its price. The overall price of food and services is twice as high compared to the continental United States. So keep this in mind and if you need to, bring an extra credit card. In addition to the cost of paradise, everything needs to be imported here, so this adds an additional cost.

Tipping

Just like in the United States standard tipping is considered 15-20%. If you stay at an all-including hotel, the tip amount will most likely be added to your stay. In case of doubt ask your concierge.

Weather

Generally speaking, Turks and Caicos has pleasant and consistent weather throughout the year. The average temperature from June to October is 85-90°F (29°-32°C) and this is when the weather is considered hot. The cooler temperatures of 80-84°F (27°-29°C) are from November to May. Just like for other Caribbean islands there is a hurricane season, and it officially starts on June 1st and ends on November 30th.

Ride the cab

One thing to know and keep in mind, taxi rides are per person instead of per ride. So if you travel in a larger group, expect a bigger bill disregarding the distance you travel.

Renting a car

If paying cab rides per person is not your thing, consider renting a car. That way you will have more flexibility and affordability. Keep in mind that the minimum car rental age in Turks and Caicos is 25 years in most cases due to insurance policies. There are a few businesses that have a minimum rental age of 21.

Traffic

Most of the traffic is on Providenciales where most of tourists go. The other islands see less traffic and are more stress-free when it comes to driving. One thing to know is that some of the roads are “island-style” quality, so drive with great caution.

Scuba anyone?

Did you know that Turks and Caicos has the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world? Therefore, the snorkeling and scuba diving here is simply amazing. If you plan to scuba dive you need to get a scuba certificate. Best to do that before you come so you don’t lose any time and can enjoy the serenity of the underwater world here right away.

Lobster season

If you love lobster there is just one thing to know, there is a lobster seasons that starts from August 15th and ends on April 1st. During that time you will find delicious lobster dining options across the islands. During the rest of the year it is illegal to catch lobsters, so if you are set on lobster dining plan to visit during lobster season.

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