Blog Archive

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

Introducing new Caribbean Destinations in 2019

As we expand our business and social media presence we are proud to introduce new Caribbean destinations in January – Belize and Costa Rica.

Belize is a small country the size of the state of Massachusetts. It is home of many beautiful tropical beaches you can hardly find anywhere else in the world. Belize’s barrier reef attracts thousands of tourists from around the world who are looking for the ultimate scuba and snorkeling diving experience,  as well as nature enthusiasts who love exploring the country’s unique national parks with their tropical flora and fauna. What makes this small Central American country yet even more unique is the presence of Mayan sites with rich history, so travelers who are interested in archaeology will be quite busy exploring the Mayan sites of Altun Ha, Lamani and Caraco.

Belize is well known in the upscale community as a prime travel destination, and being experts in Caribbean and Central American travel we at Blue Sky Luxury Travels are here for you to help arrange your trip to Belize and answer all questions you might have. As we are in the process of putting together our Belize villa portfolio, we can already make a strong recommendation of where to stay if you are headed to Belize. One of our favorite places we visited is Ray Caye, a private island resort at the Belize barrier reef. Located on the edge of the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, this island offers the best of the best you can find in Belize – world-class fishing, swimming and diving combined with upscale dining and accommodations. If you are interested in this property, please let us know at info@blueskyconcierge.com.

If you like a vision of lush waterfalls and rainforests, unspoiled beaches and an abundance of wildlife, let us take you to Costa Rica, our second new destination we explored and highly recommend to our adventurous travelers. Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to hike active volcanoes, zipline through rainforests and surf in the warm turquoise Caribbean waters. As we put together our villa portfolio, we would like to invite you to visit our first Costa Rican villa – Villa Punto de Vista. This is a generous sanctuary surrounded by the tropical rainforest and the beautiful coastline of Manuel Antonio. This modern villa contrasts against the natural surroundings, which gives you the impression of luxury living while being in nature. There are 10 upscale suites that can accommodate up to 30 guests. If you would like to know more about this villa or other Costa Rican properties, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@blueskyconcierge.com.

Blue Sky Luxury Travels Expands in 2019

Blue Sky is expanding and we want you to be the first to know! In addition to our full-service luxury concierge and event company, we now offer housing logistics for corporate clients and luxury villa rentals. Blue Sky Global Logistics is our newest division, providing corporate and workforce housing for disaster relief staff. We 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. We’ve also expanded our villa rental portfolio throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Every day, we spotlight a different villa on our Blue Sky Luxury Villas Facebook page.

Our blog has expanded, and we now provide articles each month with all types of information, travel tips, memories and suggestions to make you a more informed luxury traveler.

2019 is shaping up to be an amazing year, and this is just the beginning! We look forward to serving our clients with boutique attention and exceptional service. We are here for all your travel needs, simplifying everything for individuals, families, weddings, and corporations. Feel free to contact us if you need some help planning your next vacation!

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Top Three Belize Beaches

Belize is a hot travel destination and its beautiful beaches attract people from around the world. The country is home to some of the most azure blue beaches in the world with the most pristine white sands. Many of these places are quite remote and not widely popularized in travel books, which makes them the perfect setting for romantic getaways, as well as for adventurers looking to travel off the beaten path. Here are the top three beaches in Belize loved by travelers and locals alike.

Placencia Peninsula

The Placencia Peninsula has the longest stretch of beach on the mainland Belize, spanning across three villages – Maya Beach, Seine Bight and Placencia Village. Access to all areas of the beach stretch are public. One of the most popular tourist areas is Placencia Village, where you will find some great bars and restaurants. If you are dreaming of a Belize vacation this might be your best choice. There are good accommodation options, shopping, nightlife and activities.

Hopkins Village Beach

This is a 5 mile long white sand beach lined with palm trees, a mixture of local homes, inviting guesthouses and a good choice of eateries. The beach is located in the eastern Garífuna village of Hopkins, an approximately 40 minute drive south of Dangriga town. This beach is ideal if you are planning to do a lot of swimming and sunbathing and be close enough to Garífuna, where you can experience and learn about the local culture. Innie’s Restaurant is a popular stop, and trying the local delicacy called “hudut” – fish soaked in a coconut stew – is a must! Another popular attraction nearby is the Lebeha Drumming Center, where you can take drumming lessons. Hopkins Village Beach offers quick access by bike to neighboring False Sittee, where there are more beautiful beaches, resorts and restaurants.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is home of the best diving spots in Belize, and some will even argue that it is the best in Central America. Ambergris Caye is a water sports heaven, and there is so much to do if you like the water – snorkeling, swimming, diving, boating and more. Here you will enjoy an island-style atmosphere, and even though it can get a bit crowded, there is enough space for everyone, especially if you want to do shoreline exploring. Visiting the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is a must. The reef has several protected areas, including the Belize Barrier Reef, the Cayos Cochinos Marine Park, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park.

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.

New Hot Additions to our St. John Island Villas Collection

The island of St. John is undergoing a complete restoration after the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, the Category 5 storm that hit the island in 2017. More than a year later the island is coming back to life and is ready to welcome visitors in newly upgraded villas. Here is a sneak peak of three new villas we recently added to our St. John villas collection. We have personally checked them out and highly recommend these Caribbean villas to all of you looking for luxurious comfort and style in the Caribbean.

Mare Blu

Located on the hillside of one of the most prestigious locations on the island at Rendezvous Bay, this villa offers six luxurious bedrooms with majestic views of St. John’s south shore. The villa is suitable for 12 guests and provides seclusion for each party since it features four separate buildings linked together by tropically decorated outdoor paths. All bedroom suites boast unique Caribbean furnishings, air-conditioning, flat screen 24 inch televisions with cable and have bathrooms with double vanities, showers, and are tiled in grey granite from floor to ceiling and many other custom features. For your entertainment there is an outdoor sitting space with a huge 55 inch flat screen television with cable and DVD player. The covered outdoor area flows directly into the sundeck and the infinity edge pool. The lounge also has refrigerator drawers for drinks and snacks, a closet filled with floats and pool toys, and a powder room for convenience. In addition to this luxurious outdoor entertaining area you can also enjoy a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with with awesome ocean views from everywhere you turn.

Taylor House

This newly constructed villa sits proudly on a hillside overlooking the world-famous north shore of St. John. This spacious 4,000 square foot villa is ideal for groups of up to eight guests. All four bedrooms are air-conditioned with private balconies and private bathrooms. One special characteristic about Taylor House is that is is very bright inside. You will get full sun exposure from sunrise to sunset. Outdoors you and your party can enjoy a heated swimming pool with comfortable loungers overlooking views only mother nature can create. The outdoor area is very eco-friendly and features tropical gardens with banana, mango, lime, coconut and papaya trees.

Villa Sunspot

Villa Sunspot is your ultra luxury property located within exclusive Lower Peter Bay featuring modern architecture with island charm. This majestic villa has a two level Main House with the living room, dining room and kitchen on the first level and the master bedroom on the second level. The Sunspot master bedroom has a private deck with views of Cinnamon Bay Beach. In case you don’t feel like getting out of bed, you can enjoy this dramatic view right from your pillow. The guest bedrooms are located next to each other in a semi-exterior hallway with a tropical garden area and are luxuriously designed with an old world Spanish décor. Each bedroom has its own en-suite bath, air-conditioning and a balcony with ocean views. Despite all amazing indoor amenities you will be tempted to spend most of your time in the outdoor pool cabana, an elegant outdoor living area for Caribbean entertainment. A few steps below it is the infinity pool with a pool bar and tropical garden gazebo overlooking magnificent Caribbean panoramas.

Swimming with Pigs in the Bahamas

Visitors to the Bahamas come here for different reasons – from escaping the hustle and bustle of the big cities to finding an idyllic spot to enjoy the archipelago’s electric-blue waters. There is so much to do and see here that no one will ever be bored. A unique and one-of-a-kind activity the Bahamas is known for is swimming with pigs, so this is a must do for everyone who comes here. If you’re staying in Nassau or the Exumas you can easily book this activity. You will be picked up from your hotel or villa, and your adventure will start with a boat tour through the Exuma Keys. This is a full-day adventure and there are several tour companies that will take you there. Tours usually depart around 8:00 a.m. and return between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.

It is unknown how pigs came to the Bahamas since they are not native to the islands. It is believed that pigs were left on the uninhabited Big Major Cay by sailors who were planning to return to the cay later and cook the pigs. Others believe that pigs swam over from a shipwreck nearby. A third theory is that locals relocated the pigs to Big Major Cay in anticipation of a slowdown in the economy during the Gulf War. Whatever the truth is Big Major Cay is now home to more than 20 pigs and piglets attracting thousands of tourists every year. The area the pigs live is called Pig Beach for obvious reasons. The pigs are very friendly and love making friends with visitors. This unusual activity even attracts celebrities, including Gabrielle Union and Amy Schumer, and the pigs even appeared in an episode of The Bachelor. In addition to swimming pigs you can see Bahamian Rock Iguanas who live on this secluded island.

Tour groups are small and lunch and drinks are usually included with your ticket. During your visit you will have the opportunity to enjoy swimming at Pig Beach, which is very remote and scenic. Here you can swim in the same waters the pigs swim and can even feed them. Pigs love all natural foods and your tour guide will provide carrots, watermelons, grapes, lettuce and other natural foods. Avoid processed foods such as bread and starchy foods since they are unhealthy for the pigs. Since pigs have poor eyesight, they may confuse your camera for food, so best is to keep a distance and take pictures from a distance instead of selfies.

Popular Hikes in Antigua

As you may know Antigua is the ultimate beach paradise, but outdoor adventures don’t end there. There is plenty more to do and see in Antigua. If you are into hiking you will discover there are a good number of coastal hikes, as well as hikes in the southern hills. Most of the trails are easy to moderate, but experienced hikers can test their skills with some challenging hikes too.

Desmond’s and Carpenter’s Trail Loop

This easy 1.5-hour loop will take you up to Shirley Height in the English Harbour area. The walk begins at Galleon Beach, and the Desmond’s Trail starts at the main road approximately 100 meters before the resort gates at Calabash Beach. It takes about half an hour to climb up along one of the ridges from where the views of English Harbour are simply stunning. There you will find a small trail down to the sea featuring scenic views of the cliffs between Shirley Heights and Indian Creek. As you reach the bottom of the slope the trail turns back to Galleon Beach. As you keep walking you will see beautiful rock pools and magnificent coastal scenery. Bring your camera, there are plenty of photo opportunities on this trail!

Middle Ground Trail

This relatively easy hike is one of the favorite trails of adventurous hikers. The trail leads along the ridge of the Windward Bay Peninsula. The walk is easy, but there is some steep climbing at the beginning. You will also walk through bushes along the ridge from where you will have picture-perfect views to Falmouth Harbour, Windward Bay and Nelson Dockyard. This trail is popular among residents and visitors alike and is frequently used as a popular morning or evening jog or walk destination.

Jones’ Valley Trails

 Jones’ Valley Trails are two popular and easy trail paths that takes less than two hours to complete roundtrip. Both start at the Galleon Beach and they split at about a quarter of the way on and rejoin at about the ¾ mark. One of the trails continues north, while the other continues south. Even though you will not get the typical awe-inspiring views here, both paths are very popular among tourists because they let you walk off the beaten path and enjoy the nature outside of the hustle and bustle of the city.

Shirley Main Road

This is a moderate trail to walk or bike on a good asphalted road. Morning and evening are popular times here, so you may see other folks enjoying this trail too. The last part of the portion is steep and fun to cycle, but when you go back you will have to bike the steep portion back up.

Top Three Villa Picks in the Bahamas

The Bahamas has 700 islands and over 2,000 rocks and cays spread over 100,000 square miles of ocean. The archipelago is an ecological oasis and has the clearest water on the planet. There is so much to do and see here and it might be an overwhelming choice to decide where to go and where to stay. As insiders who are familiar with the Bahamas well we present some of the best places to stay.

Over Yonder Cay Luxury Villas

How about your own island? Over Yonder Cay is a private island in the Exumas featuring ultimate luxury and privacy. Here you and your group of up to 30 guests can enjoy four private villas and breathtaking beaches. The focal point of the island is the Meridian House that you can already spot as you arrive by plane. Its central hilltop location is the perfect place to enjoy the dramatic panoramic views all around. The upscale and elegant interior boasts a home theater, gym, sauna and steam room. The West Sands is the second villa located just steps from Whale Bone Beach. The villa’s four luxury bedrooms can accommodate eight guests. Here you can also enjoy private alfresco dining, lounging, a fire pit and a hot tub. The third villa, East Cove, is slightly elevated and overlooks Exuma Sound. It has a master suite, guest suite and two bedrooms with Hollywood bathroom.

Farniente

This four bedroom luxury villa located on Staniel Cay’s ocean ridge is a custom-designed masterpiece encompassing 5,000 square feet of indoor space, including four spacious private suites. For your entertainment you will also enjoy a large 6,000 square foot outdoor area with a heated swimming pool, hot tub, outdoor dining area, sun lounges and private beach access to a beautiful white sand beach. The villa combines a modern combination of island living and the fine touches of European design and elegance. The villa is designed for up to eight guests, and each sleeping suite is privately separated from the others, connected by Farniente’s expansive decking. All suites have their own unique design and feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a sitting area with flat-screen TV, an Antonio Lupi bathroom with a large glass shower, luxury towels and more.

Villa Carissa

Villa Carissa is another highly recommended gorgeous villa located on Harbour Island. It has three custom-designed tropical bedrooms with own bathrooms. The private home also features an adjoining one bedroom, one bathroom guest cottage. Guests of Villa Carissa enjoy a lushly landscaped outdoor area with a large private pool. The villa is just a few minutes away from Coral Sands Resort, where you will have access to all of the resort’s amenities – a heated resort pool, beach cabanas, world-class dining and shopping and more. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure, there are plenty of things to do here ranging from beach activities to land tours, hiking, biking and more.

Popular St. Lucia Hikes

There is so much to see and experience during your St. Lucia vacation. If you like being active and enjoy the outdoors, you will love the natural wonders this island has to offer. One of the best ways to explore St. Lucia’s nature is by taking a hike. You can do it on your own or with a tour guide. Here are three of the most popular hiking trails:

Tet Paul Nature Trail

This easy to moderate hike takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. It is recommended to do this hike with a local tour guide who will point out native plants, trees and healing herbs long the way. You will also learn interesting facts about the culture, history and nearby villages. Take your camera because you will have plenty of photo opportunities. The trail features breathtaking 360-degree views of St. Lucia’s highest mountain, Morne Gimme, the plains of Vieux Fort and its lighthouse. You will be able to see the nearby villages of Chousiel, Laborie, Soufriere and even all the way to the neighbor islands of St. Vincent and Martinique. Other majestic views along the way include Jalousie Bay, located on the southern shore of the island, Fond Gens Libre, Choiseul, Maria Island and more. Along the hike you will also walk by a working organic farm. Bring your lunch because there is a small picnic area set up for families and groups to stop by and have a meal.

Gros Piton Nature Trail

The Gros Piton Nature Trail is another popular hike that is suitable for beginners (the first half of the trail) and experienced hikers (the second half of the trail, which includes a steep ascent to the summit of Gros Piton). Along the trail you will be surrounded by tropical vegetation, learn about the history and heritage of the island, go back in time and walk in the footsteps of St. Lucia’s first people, the Amerindians. When you reach the summit you will be able to enjoy the awe-inspiring views all around from St. Vincent to the south and Martinique to the north. This is a four hour roundtrip hike and we recommend hiking it with a local tour guide who will take you to a few extra attractions along the way.

En Bas Saut Trail

Located at the foot of the island’s highest peak, Mount Gimie, this hike is ideal for hikers who like venturing into rainforests and be surrounded by thick tropical flora. Since the location is rather remote you can find unique island flora and fauna and see rare species, such as Saint Lucian Parrot and the Saint Lucian Oriole. The hike is 2.5 miles long and is suitable for more experienced hikers. Another popular attraction along the trail are the Enbas Saut Falls, two small cascading waterfalls with pools. The top falls are about 15-20 feet tall with a relatively deep swimming pool, while the bottom falls are higher at 20-25 feet tall with a shallow pool.

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