Most people think of San Juan as a transit point for cruise ships that sail the Antilles.It’s deep natural harbor has served sea-faring vessels for centuries. The rich land  of  the Taino Indians that greeted the Spaniards and was colonized by Ponce de Leon holds a wealth of natural beauty and cultural intrigue.  Now our close neighbor is welcoming us to get to know her.

Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the United States.No special documentation is required for U.S. citizens entering from a domestic gateway. However, I was erroneously asked for my passport in Denver, carrying a birth certificate or passport is not a bad idea.  The currency is US dollars, there’s no sales tax and everyone I met was bilingual.   The economy is strong, and investment in infrastructure is evident in the modern roads that cover the entire island.

Pick up a Que Pasa! at your hotel, it will guide you across the entire island.  In Old San Juan a walking tour can start with El Morro fortress, and work its way down the hill through cobblestone streets of shops, museums, galleries and colorful townhouses.  See the governors mansion and Casa Blanca which for 250 years was the residence of the Ponce de Leon family.  Linger on the Paseo La Princesa, lined with trees, street lamps and benches along the old city wall, looking out at the harbor. 

El Yunque is the only rainforest within the U.S. National Forest System. Just 45 minutes from San Juan, trails offer lush forest and waterfalls.  The east coast from  Rio Grande to Palmas del Mar are dotted with resorts, seafood restaurants, watersports and fishing villages.  On the southwest shore more beaches and a unique dry forest home to plants and animals only found here.  In the northwest among limestone hills covered with lushvegetation is breathtaking Rio Camuy Cave Park. 

Accommodations through out the island range from luxury resort to charming paradors. The Mesones Gastromicos  program includes 43 dining place across the island offering Puerto Rican cuisine.  The Puerto Rico Tourism Company has made a huge effort to make travel fun and easy.  Call James TravelPOINTS to book your trip to Puerto Rico 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

Club Med Vacations offer All-inclusive packages for singles, families, adults, honeymooners world wide. 

If everyone in the family has a different interest, or maybe you’re travelling by yourself, or possibly planing a family reunion.  We’ve got the prefect vacation, one that will satisfy everyone’s needs…. CLUB MED.  Did you know that Club Med invented the “all inclusive” vacation back in 1950?  They are still offering the same great value that they did when it all started.  A single price covers your room, 3 meals a day with wine or beer at lunch and dinner, most sport, entertainment, activities for the kids, they even include the fun!

Each village at Club Med is set in the most idyllic location and each has its own personality, a few are only for adults, many include children’s programs (from babies to teenagers), some are more sports intensive than others are.  This is a world unto itself; everything is readily available and with easy reach: restaurants, bars theatres, nightclubs, sports and excursions. The clubs international flair allows you the opportunity to mingle with people from all over the world.  The villages most frequented by American’s are throughout Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific, if that’s too close to home, don’t worry, there are villages throughout the world.    Here, is the freedom of choice and the chance to re-connect with your fun-loving, relaxed spontaneous self.

Club Med is the world’s largest sports school with facilities for all of the most exciting sports.  Trained instructors will help you learn something new or develop your skills.  Whether you’re an experienced athlete or an amateur - Club Med gives you everything you need to play and progress at your own pace: instruction at your level of ability, with plenty of the latest equipment, from tennis to diving to rock climbing to biking to kayaking.   Oh and did we mention; at many sites you will actually have the chance to run away and join the circus, flying on the trapeze, juggling and more.  (Many clients plan their Club Med vacation only at villages that offer a circus, it’s that much fun!).

Several villages offer intensive sports programs such as dedicated dive centers,  SCUBA Program, golf academies, tennis Academies and intensive tennis clinics. 

For those of you travelling with children, you’ll enjoy your vacation that much more, knowing your young ones are have the time of their lives, with other children from all over the world! You have the opportunity to spend as much or as little time together as your child prefers.  Your child will be delighted with the sports, arts, learning experiences, and even kid-size meals, all under the safe guidance of qualified leaders.

No matter what your age or vacation inclination it’s at Club Med that you will have the time of your life.  Call the travel professionals at James TravelPOINTS, together; we can pick a village that is just right for you 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

Define paradise? In a word, “Caribbean”, let’s take a peek in the travelers’ dictionary:

St. John’s, Antigua-As far as we know, no one has ever published one of those swimsuit calendars here, but they should– there are 365 beaches at Antigua, one for every day of the year.  The island’s “English Harbor” is so named because the fleet made its home port there in the 17th and 18th centuries; Lord Nelson commanded a young ship’s captain, William, who later became King of England.  And now you know part of the history behind the present Prince Williams’s name.

Bridgetown, Barbados-Fried flying fish and a Caribbean brew set just the right tone for lunch in port and fortify you for some of the best island shopping, local color, strolling and low-key sightseeing in this entire Sea.  Both the island and its residents, “Bajans,” are perennially popular with visitors.

Willemstad, Curacao- We all know Martha Stewart invented house paint pastels; otherwise we’d swear they come from Curacao.  This Dutch treat island spoils you in chocolate, orange-flavored liquor, duty-free shops and plenty of pleasant walks along pastel-lined streets.  The city is marked by a pontoon bridge that swings aside to let your ship into town…you really feel like you’ve arrived.

Key West, Florida-Yes, it is in the Caribbean, which is why Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffet went to so much trouble to relocate there.  When was the last time you rented a bike for a couple of hours?  This is the place to do it.  Hang out in a local spot–any local spot– for drinks and to get a load of atmosphere at no extra charge.  No one would blame you for forgetting to return home….ever again.

Georgetown, Grand Cayman-Remember Tom Cruise and Gene Hackman a few years back in the film, The Firm?  Their escapade took them to a condo in paradise from which money was laundered and other such pesky chores were performed.  They were so busy with derring-do that they hardly noticed Grand Cayman’s vast and breathtaking Seven Mile Beach, just outside the door.  You’ll be guilty of no such malfeasance.  Snorkel with the stingrays, dive the coral reefs or take turns snapping photos of each other in front of the six zillion international banks that keep small branches leaded with numbered accounts for people like…oops, mum’s the word in the Cayman banking business.

St. George’s, Grenada-When you come into Grenada harbor– it’s a genuine spice island– you’ll be overcome by the scent of the place.  It’s olfactory heaven, utterly captivating and, having sniffed a whiff of this aromatic ambrosia, you’ll be a little bit spoiled for anywhere else…but delightfully so.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica-Dunn’s River Falls are responsible for more vacation snapshots than anything else in Jamaica.  At least that’s our opinion.  Certainly you’ll want to climb up its smooth boulders for a perfect photo of yourself.  Attire for this pose is nothing more than swim togs, so do practice holding your stomach in.  Red Stripe is your brew here.

San Juan, Puerto Rico- This big American island is back in vogue, with a new Ritz-Carlton and some other fancy places cropping up along the ocean’s edge.  By day, head for Old Town, the best sightseeing in the city of San Juan.  Beach-goers will like the island’s sandy shores, which are often fairly quiet and nicely sprinkled with palm trees for just the right amount of shade.  The Bacardi Rum factory is here and yes, they do give daily tours.

St. Maarten/St. Martin-One island, two names.  Why?  Not split personality, but split nationality.  The Dutch operate one half of this large island, while the other side is a Department of France.  Chocolate on one side; perfume on the other.  You can get from one side to the other with little trouble.  Where the practical Dutch tempt you with casinos, the fun-loving French tease you with clothing-optional beaches.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands-This is the duty-free mecca of the Caribbean.  Expect crowds in all the shops because you’ll surely find them there.  Yet, strangely, the crush of interest makes one’s shopping even more exciting– sort of like a competitive event.  Swimming and golf make up other island attractions, and there’s a quick ferry over to luscious St. John, which is everyone’s idea of a perfect day at a perfect beach.  It’s where the Rockefeller family used to vacation before…well, before all the rest of us started taking the ferry over.

Oh you say we forgot to mention the one your definition of “Paradise” that’s ok we certainly couldn’t include them all, isn’t it time you revisited paradise or had your first encounter.  Give the experts at James TravelPOINTS a call and we’ll take care of the rest 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

Experience the best beaches, play some of the most beautiful golf courses and enjoy the charm and unique favor of the Caribbean.   Sun lovers, golfers, tennis players and spa-goers will find exceptional scenery, excellent cuisine and remarkable service.  James TravelPOINTS has put together a list of ultimate vacation resort destinations unique in the Caribbean.  Here you find exclusive resort destinations that offer something for everyone. 

La Samamna
Located on the French side of St. Martin, a world-class resort, La Samanna feels residential and comfortable, perfect for those seeking seclusion, relaxation, fine dining and attentive personalized service.   This 83-oceanfront room resort offers superb snorkeling, windsurfing, tennis and the Caribbean’s finest cuisine and complete privacy.  
 Half Moon Golf, Tennis & Beach Club
Elegantly located on 400 tropical acres amidst the green hillsides and the Caribbean Sea is the cherished escape destination for discerning, world travelers for over four decades.  Seven miles East of Montego Bay Jamaica lies this beautiful and complete resort.  For the sports enthusiast, Half Moon offers 13 tennis courts, 51 swimming pools, and a full range of water-sports, horseback riding, golf and many other opportunities for physical activity. 

Four Seasons Resort Nevis
Presently the first and only resort in the Caribbean ever honored with the AAA Five-Diamond Award for six consecutive years.  Recently ranked by Hideaway report as the 4th best foreign resort in the world and number one in the Caribbean by Conde Nast Traveller.  This beautifully designed beach front resort offers an eighteen-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, ten tennis courts and exceptional service and dinning.
El Conquistador Resort, Country Club & Las Casitas
A world class 500-acre resort situated on a high bluff overlooking a hillside cascade of villas in Puerto Rico.  Enjoy championship golf, deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, tennis, all water sports, 26 restaurants and lounges and 28 shops.  El Conquistador is a medley of four unique resort environments, each with its own personality and style and all containing their own management and concierge staff.

Cambridge Beaches 
An exclusive world-class cottage colony resort located on a private 25-acre peninsula on the western tip of Bermuda.  Rated “Best of the Best” by Hideaway Report, Cambridge Beaches offers privacy and luxury in an atmosphere of casual elegance.  Individually decorated cottage rooms and suites, most with superb water views.  Extensive leisure facilities on property include: 5 private beaches and numerous small coves ideal for swimming and snorkeling, full-service marina offering access to any water equipment or activity including scuba-diving, fishing, windsurfing and tennis.

For more information about these unique resorts and other Caribbean resorts call James TravelPOINTS 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

Caribbean villas have the image of romantic paradise for couples only to escape and enjoy the surroundings scenery.  But villas can also be great for families, with a beautiful setting in which to reunite and bask in the calm life and connect with your family.  Is it possible for a family of 4 with 2 children able to find plenty of space, a variety of different foods, a flexible eating schedule, laundry services, and a few grown-up diversions?  The answer to all of these questions is Mustique, the 1,400-acre private island with rolling hills, sandy beaches, and lots of privacy.  Mustique Villas, a collection of 50 waterfront properties, holds promise for a stress-free escape for the adults and the kids.  Each villa is staffed with a maid, a cook, and a gardener, leaving you free to focus on your family, your daily activities and relaxation.  At Mustique Villas, you’ll also have access to your own local transportation called the “mule” (a cross between a car and a golf cart) for island exploring.  Most of the villas have television and well-equipped kitchens. 
   
Each villa is distinct in character and style from gingerbread style to Italianate.  All the villas are open and airy, with three bedrooms, a gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea, and a private swimming pool.  The gardens are large enough for kids to explore enjoy without getting lost or wandering off.  Your personal cook can prepare what you want, when and where you want it.  Children meals are prepared with the desire of the children in mind and the adult can request island favorites or whatever appeals to their appetite.  Activities on the beach include kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving. Deep sea fishing or fishing is also available and an island boat tour is another fine way to spend an afternoon.  The local cuisine is another option if you are looking for a different venue out for an occasion meal.  The Cotton House is the place for Caribbean and French fare.  If you would like to know more about the Mustique Villas please call our Caribbean specialist at James TravelPOINTS at 1-800-538-7461.
 

Jamaica is one of the Caribbean’s most diverse destinations, offering some of the best all-inclusive resorts for families and individuals.  Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean, roughly the size of Connecticut.  Lushly forested with beautiful beaches, cliffs, caves, bays, coves, reefs, mineral springs, waterfalls and 120 rivers. The landscape is one of the most varied in the region. The island is divided into six tourism regions: Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios/Runaway Bay, Port Antonio, Mandeville and Kingston.  On the island’s northwest coast, Montego Bay is the major gateway to the island.  Known today for its many resorts and golf courses is the destination known to most U.S. visitors.  Accommodations are as varied as the island’s natural attractions.  With more than 17,000 guestrooms, Jamaica offers a wealth of inclusive resorts, spas, private villas small inns and guesthouses for every interest and budget.

Call James TravelPOINTS at 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com to book your Caribbean getaway!

Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, about 1,600 miles southeast of Miami lies a little group of 30 plus islands called St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  The Carenage Ba, Beach and Golf Resort nestles up to the ocean, flirting with it by placing what is perhaps the largest pool in the Caribbean right on the water’s edge. 

Along that sea front you’ll find some 60 acres dedicated to the Carenage Golf course (18 holes, par 72, 6300 yards) facing a magnificent coral reef.  Every shot is different than the last, and despite uphill challenges and twisting fairways, the real hazard is the distracting view.

Canouan, where the resort is located, is also an ideal spot for windsurfing, sailing, SCUBA diving in the sea, tennis, volleyball or simply walking.  Once you’ve tried all of those, why not take to the water in one of the resort’s boats or the air in one of their small planes. 

Gleneagles Scotland

The highlands between Edinburgh and Glasgow contain a Scottish national treasure, the venerable Gleneagles.  Golf enthusiasts worship here on three of the world’s fines courses laid out on an 850-acre estate in Perthshire. Gleneagles is a world-class resort offering its famous golf courses plus the Golf Academy, the club and Spa, the Equestrian Center, the Gleneagles Jackie Stewart Shooting and Fishing School, the British School of Falconry, off-road driving and the list is endless.  Your stay includes a variety of complimentary sporting and recreational activities, plus access to the resort’s golf practice range and putting greens. 

Lanai, “The Experience” at Koele, Hawaii

In the highland of the forgotten Hawaiian island of Lanai, you’ll long remember a splendid course designed by Greg Norman, “the Shark,” and renowned fairway architect Ted Robinson.  The Experience, at Koele’s par-72 championship course measures 7,014 yards from tournament tees.  The first seven holes sit atop a forested plateau 2,000 feet above sea level, where morning mists rise to provide panoramic views of the islands of Maui and Molokai across the deep blue channel.  They say the 8th hole is the “most spectacular hole in all of Hawaii,” a 396-yard par-4 with a 250-foot drop through ravines wooded with pine, koa and eucalyptus.  The back nine at The Experience at Koele feature undulating, links-style play.  Water features are in full evidence, from flowing streams and cascading waterfalls, to the lake, which completely surrounds the number 17 green.   The course culminates in the par-five 18th, where the green is rimmed by waterfalls. 

The Lodge at Koele is one of Hawaii’s most luxurious inland hotels.  The 102-room Lodge, reminiscent of a fine country estate, features an upcountry Hawaiian setting with an extensive collection of pacific art. 

If you are considering a golf getaway or vacation this winter, give James TravelPOINTS a call at 1-800-538-7461/303-442-2340.  We can help you arrange your unique vacation.

A nice title would be “Your Own Private Island” It’s more accessiable than you might think.

The private island and residence of Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson, Necker Island is a 74-acre paradise, located in the British Virgin Islands.  After Branson built the House, he concluded that is was “a waste to use the house only a few weeks a year” and decided to share.

Since then, he’s had a steady stream of vistors, all seeking the solitude and privacy that only an island accessible by private boat or helicopeter can provide.

You, too, may rent the entire island for yourself, or invite up to 23 guests.  Either way, a discreet staff of 24 will cater to your every whim.  What is the price for such indulgence?  Give us a call and we can quote you the most recent rates and specials, James TravelPOINTS 1-538-7461,www.travelpoints.com.