If you want a romantic, dream vacation for two, nothing can compare to the Sandals resorts in the Caribbean.

What’s so special about them?

Sandals have twelve luxury resorts in Jamaica, St Lucia, the Bahamas and Antigua, especially designed for romantic vacations for couples.  You pay one up-front price and that’s it.

The all inclusive price includes:

• Airport transfers and transportation to any other Sandals resort in the same town
• Hotel Taxes
• Luxurious accommodation
• All meals, including fine dining and snacks at any time of the day or night
• All Tips & gratuities (further tipping is forbidden in the resorts)
• Basic Wedding Package (if required!)
• Sailing, water skiing, snorkelling & more
• Experience the Caribbean’s most exciting waterparks at Beaches Resorts!
• Scuba diving (if you can produce your Certification card and dive log – so don’t leave them at home!)
• Golf in Jamaica and St. Lucia
• Land sports
• Exchange privileges
• Hair driers in all rooms

Can we take the kids?

The Sandals resorts are specifically for couples only – but they have also created ‘Beaches’.  The Beaches resorts welcome single people, couples and families with children.  They are run to the same luxury standard as Sandals.

What is the food like?

There are up to 11 restaurants at each resort so the choice is enormous.  For seating, you can choose to share a romantic candlelit meal with your loved one or dine with friends at tables for four or more people.  There are no set mealtimes so you can eat when the mood takes you.

Breakfast offers a luxury buffet with omelets made to order.  Lunch is a mouth watering array of pretty much everything you can think of!  If you get peckish between meals, you can ask for a snack at anytime of the day or night cooked especially for you on a grill on the beach.  First rate personal service and luxury cuisine combine to make every meal an event.

Types of food on offer include -

• Bahamian
• Classic French
• Contemporary Caribbean
• Creperie
• English Pub Fare
• Flambé
• International
• Italian
• Jamaican
• Latin
• North Italian
• Seafood
• Southwestern
• Spa Fare
• Teppanyaki
• TexMex
• Thai
• West Indian

If it’s so luxurious, do we have to dress for dinner?

We won’t make the obvious joke about clothes being optional!  During the day, shorts, jeans and dry, covered swimwear are fine – but no bare feet.

In the evening, dress is casual/elegant or elegant depending on which restaurant you are dining in.  Men must wear dress pants, shirts with sleeves and a collar and dress shoes.  Jackets are not required in any of the restaurants.

Many couples actually enjoy dressing up for their evening meal as it makes the occasion even more romantic and special!

Do we need to make reservations?

Most restaurants don’t need reservations.  If you do wish to make reservations, those for dining, golf, scuba diving, water sports, tennis etc may only be made once you have arrived and not prior to travelling to Sandals.

Is the water safe to drink?

The last thing that you want on a romantic vacation is an upset tummy, so you’ll be relieved to know that all of the Sandals resorts have water filtration plants, so it is perfectly safe to drink the water in your room, swallow water in the shower and clean your teeth!  If you have a Concierge Category room, bottled water is provided at no extra charge.  Alternatively, you can buy it in the gift shop.

What if one of us has food allergies?

Just let the resort know your name, the resort where you will be staying, your arrival date and booking number and the Chef will speak with you on arrival to make sure that you are offered appropriate meals.

Do we need vaccinations for the Caribbean?

No – they are not needed for any of the Sandals resorts.  However, it’s always best to consult your own Doctor for personal recommendations prior to travelling.

If it’s all included – do we need to bring any cash?

If you are planning to remain in the resort for the duration of your vacation, you won’t need any cash as everything is included and no tipping is allowed.

On checking in, you will be asked for your credit card to activate your room ‘folio’.  Sandals accepts MasterCard, Visa and American Express.  Any optional items that you buy from resort outlets such as the gift shop will be charged to your ‘folio’, i.e. your credit card.  None of these outlets accept cash.

If you wish to leave the resort for shopping or sightseeing, it’s wise to bring some cash as not all local traders accept credit cards or travellers cheques.  Every Sandals resort has an exchange bureau.

We would like to see more than just the resort!

All of the Sandals resorts offer various local tours and experiences.  It’s best to ask about this when you first arrive to avoid losing out if numbers are an issue.  These tours are optional and incur additional cost.  You can read more about what’s on offer here.

What is not included in the all-inclusive price?

• Spa Treatments

• Optional Tours

• Golf Caddies (mandatory for golfers)

• Internet Access

Medical Assistance  All Sandals resorts have a Registered Nurse on site during normal office hours.  Her services are included.  In the event that medication or a Doctor’s visit is  required, there will be a charge for these.

• Gift Shop Items

• Phone Calls

• Airport taxes may not be included

• Scuba Certification or Refresher Courses

Whichever Sandals vacation you choose, you can be sure of an unforgettable experience.  Check out their Hot Deals – and you can get up to 60% off a last minute booking…so what are you waiting for?

If you are dreaming about a Caribbean Holiday – it may be more possible than you imagine!  Shopping around can find you many good deals to choose from, so whether you want a romantic getaway for two, a dream wedding, or a paradise holiday for the family, it’s worth having a look.  You may be pleasantly surprised!

The prices vary but the weather doesn’t…

Although the temperature in the Caribbean doesn’t differ from month to month, there are still high seasons and low seasons for holidaymakers.

High season is usually from December 15 through April 15.  Between these dates, the prices are at their highest and rooms can be difficult to get hold of, so if this is when you wish to have your vacation, be sure to book as early as possible.  Christmas week is the most expensive.  Once the holiday week is over, package prices drop for January but then rise for February and stay high until the middle of April.  Even during these times, it is possible to hunt out bargains and room rates may not rise in price so do keep hunting!

Low season is during the summer and early fall in America.  This is because these are the warmest months for the USA and so travellers from there are less likely to want to escape to the warm Caribbean sunshine.

The second reason is that this is hurricane season in the Caribbean.

Hurricane Season

September is usually the worst month for hurricanes, with August through October being the ‘danger’ time.  Officially, they may happen at any time from June through November.

Although hurricanes can and do happen, it is worth remembering that the Caribbean is a huge area and it’s possible for a hurricane to hit one side while the other side remains unscathed.

If hurricanes are a real worry for you, it’s best to book your trip either out of hurricane season or so that you are not staying in a hurricane zone.  The safest islands during low season are Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (the ‘A B C islands) and Trinidad and Tobago.

At the Jamaica resorts operated by SuperClubs, for example, they offer weather guarantees.  If there’s no sunshine, you’ll get a credit voucher for the value of that day, good for one year on your next SuperClubs stay. And, if a hurricane hits the resort, you’ll be reimbursed for the disrupted nights and also get a voucher for a future stay for the same number of disrupted nights for use during the same month the following year.

Apart from hurricane season the weather in the Caribbean is so continuously perfect that in the Dutch islands there is no word for weather!  Another bonus is that the bewitching turquoise sea is warm enough to swim in all year around.

What is there to see and do…

The Caribbean is world famous for its’ incomparable beaches but in the unlikely event that you get bored with them, there are plenty of other attractions.  Here’s a quick run down of some that you may wish to consider including on your itinerary.

Bio Bay – Viegues

This is a narrow, shallow bay which is completely surrounded my mangroves.  When the calm waters of the bay are disturbed, the micro organisms that live there give off a blue-green light that is stronger than most flashlights and is well worth seeing!  Many people come here to swim, kayak or take trips in other sorts of boats.  One word of warning, it is also called ‘Mosquito Bay’ so go well prepared with repellent cream and keep some anti-histamines to hand!

Buck Island Reef – St. Croix 

This beautiful coral reef is teeming with fish of every color imaginable.  You may view them by diving, snorkeling or taking a ride in a glass bottomed boat.

Drive In Volcano – St. Lucia 

This may be the closest you will ever get to a volcano!  You can drive right to it and then join a guided tour to the semi-active crater which is five acres wide.  Be prepared for very sulfurous air and a mind-blowing experience!

Harrison‘s Cave – Barbados

This stunningly beautiful natural attraction is well worth a visit.  An electric tram takes you through a vast limestone cave filled with stalagmites, stalactites and numerous pools of crystal clear water.  There is also an amazing waterfall with a forty foot drop.

St. John National Park – US Virgin Islands

This is the most unspoiled of all the Caribbean natural attractions and more than 60% of it has been declared a National Park.  Not surprisingly, it is one of the most popular areas of the Caribbean for hiking.  You can follow the park trails on your own or join a guided tour with a park ranger.

Stingray City – Cayman Islands

This is unique opportunity to dive with tamed stingrays.  Stingray City is on the north side of Grand Cayman.  There is also a sandbar which is shallower if you prefer to snorkel.

The Baths – British Virgin Islands

These are huge boulder of granite which are situated along the shoreline in such a way that they form amazing caves and tidal pools.  This area is beautiful and is perfect for anyone who loves to swim, snorkel or dive.

Expedia will help you to plan the perfect family Caribbean Vacation.

Le Crazy Horse

Where is it?

The Paris Crazy Horse is at 12, Avenue George V (off the Champs Elysees).

The nearest Metro Stations are Alma Marceau (line 9) and Metro George V (line 1).  Bus lines 43, 63, 72, 80, and 92 include the Alma Marceau stop.

Potted History

Crazy Horse is a relatively ‘new’ Paris cabaret.  It was opened in 1951 by Alain Bernardin, a former antique dealer and painter who viewed striptease as an art form.  He ran it until sadly, he shot himself, at the age of 78, in 1994.  His daughter and two sons continue to run the business.  The full name of the cabaret is “Le Crazy Horse de Paris”.  There is also “Crazy Horse Paris” in the MGM Grand at Las Vegas.  “Le Crazy Horse de Singapore” was opened in 2005 but closed two years later because of poor business.

Bernardin’s style was to build an intimacy between the dancer and spectator.  His vision was hindered by the size of his venue but in 1989, he expanded the place, solved many technical issues and achieved his dream.  The Crazy Horse shows are much more than nudity.  The dancers create incredible visual effects through the choreography, integration with the music and beautifully subtle lighting.  Bernardin realised his aim of the nude female figure as modern art – “L’art du nu”.   In keeping with Bernardin’s magical visions, the Crazy Horse has also hosted magicians, mime artists and jugglers.

Famous People who have performed there

• Dita Von Teese
• Arielle Dombasle
• Pamela Anderson

What can you see there now?

Forever Crazy - a unique show performed by a glamorous cast of dazzling dancers, including the new act, “Upside Down”, created especially for Crazy Horse by internationally renowned choreographer Philippe Decouflé.

Philippe Decouflé

• Choreographer, dancer, mime artist and theatre director
• Trained at the Marceau Mime School
• Choreographed music video for ‘New Order’ which won Best Music Video in the 1988 BRIT awards
• His advert for Polaroid won a Silver Lion at the 1989 Venice Film Festival
• He choreographed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 Winter Olympics, watched by a worldwide audience of over two billion
• He also choreographed the 50^th Anniversary Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and a parade for the 2007 Rugby World Cup 

How can I see a show at Le Crazy Horse de Paris?
You can book HEREto see the options available including dinner and the show or even a cruise, dinner and the show.

Times: Sunday To Friday: 8:15 pm & 10:45 pm and Saturday: 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm & 11:45 pm

I find that Expedia makes it easy to plan your holiday and you will find excellent deals when you are ready to enjoy the sight and sounds of  Paris France .

Le Lido de Paris

Where is it?

The Lido is a favorite for Parisiens.  It is at 116 bis avenue des Champs-Elysées.  The nearest Metro station is George V, on line 1.

Potted History

Five people were key in the history and success of Le Lido.

The Clerico Brothers

Joseph and Louis Clerico, brothers of Italian ancestry, bought La Plage de Paris in 1946 and transformed it into Le Lido.  It became a luxury setting for people to dine while watching a revue – a new concept which was soon copied all over the world.  In 1955, the opened a Lido at the Stardust in Las Vegas which closed in 1992.

Miss Bluebell

Irish born Margaret Kelly aka Miss Bluebell joined the Lido in 1948, two years after it opened.  The Cabarets in both Paris and Las Vegas were perfect showcases for the talented and famous Bluebell Girls who remain the principle attractions of Le Lido.

Pierre-Louis Guérin

Pierre-Louis Guérin was studying to be a Doctor but gave it up to follow his dream of working in show business.  He opened a cabaret called Le Club and then joined the Clerico brothers in managing the Lido.

René Fraday

René Fraday started in show business as a dancer for Mistinguett, the toast of all Paris Music Hall.  After spending four years producing shows in America, he was hired by Pierre-Louis Guérin as Artistic Director of the Lido.  He held this position until 1994.

Le Lido today

Because of its’ huge success, larger premises were needed and the Lido moved to its’ current home in 1977.  To make sure that everyone in the audience has a great view, the 1,150 seat theatre has no columns or pillars.   A single, 45 meter long pre stressed concrete beam gives the required load bearing support.  A huge elevator lowers the orchestra section  80 centimetres into the floor for even better viewing.  There is room for 300 diners at any one time.

Famous People who have performed there

• Elvis Presley – when he was an American GI on leave with army friends, he gave an impromptu concert there…oh to have been in that audience!
• Edith Piaf
• Maurice Chevalier
• Marlene Dietrich
• Josephine Baker
• Elton John
• Laurel & Hardy
• Shirley MacLaine
• Mitzi Gaynor
• Noel Coward

What can you see there now?

The current show is “Revue Bonheur” which lasts for one and a half hours.  It includes 70 artists, Bluebell Girls, an ice rink, amazing special effects, spectacular water displays, 600 magnificent costumes and 23 stunning sets.

There is a lot of choice at Le Lido.  There are matinee shows with or without lunch on Sundays and Tuesdays.  During the week, there are two shows at 9.30 and 11.30.  You can choose to dine or have a champagne only revue.

How can I see a show at Le Lido

To read more about what you can choose from and to book, go HERE

I find that Expedia have excellent package deals for airfares, hotels and car hire when you are heading off  to Paris France.