Topics Include:
The “Travelers411” Radio Show is broadcasting live from the Marigot Bay Hotel in St. Lucia, West Indies. Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams comments that the breathtaking area is an intersection of natural beauty, history and culture. St. Lucia is accessible by two airports: Hewanorra Airport in Vieux Fort in the southern part of the island and George Charles (commonly referred to as Vigie) Airport near Castries. Both airports receive flights that pass through San Juan, Puerto Rico from major airline carriers in the US.
The Marigot Bay Hotel has been open for three years. It has fifty-seven one, two and three bedroom suites. Dominik Ruhl, General Manager of the property, says that the design of Marigot Bay is much more contemporary than other properties in the Caribbean. He states it’s “accent pieces” are ultimately what makes it stand out. Ruhl states that the rooms are residential in design with fully equipped Italian kitchens, spacious living rooms, and laundry facilities within each space. The suites also have balconies equipped with deck furniture.
The Marigot Bay property is a combination of hotel and marina. Within the resort complex is also a supermarket. Dominik Ruhl states that the property receives a lot of patronage from the yachting community who visit the property because of the various amenities it offers. Ruhl says that St. Lucia is also the first port of call for many who cross the Atlantic and travelers often stay at the property a couple of days before embarking on a more extensive voyage through the Caribbean.
The Marigot Bay Hotel was recently recognized as the “best resort in the Caribbean” by the New York Times and CNBC. Ruhl says that this award is largely due to the stunning design of the property. Stephanie says that the hotel provides, “convenient living in a gorgeous location”.
Dominik Ruhl says the Marigot Bay Hotel and the Marina at Marigot Bay should be viewed as one complex. Guests are able to charter boats with the help of the staff of the marina. Ruhl says the attraction for yacht customers is to take advantage of the facilities at the hotel once they dock.
Guests of the Marigot Bay Hotel have access to the beach in the bay. The hotel also provides a taxi service to take guests to beaches all along the west coast as well as to snorkel grounds, marine parks.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1123
For more information visit http://www.marigotbay.com
Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams recently visited St. Lucia Distillers. Jennifer Gaston, Meeting & Communications Manager for St. Lucia Distillers explains that distilleries on the island grew out of the home manufacturing of rum. The West Indies had many sugar plantations and molasses, the by-product of sugar, is distilled and fermented to create rum. Gaston comments that production of rum is still integral to the culture of the West Indies today.
St. Lucia Distillers began operation in 1972. Today they manufacture over thirty types of rums and other liquors. Jennifer Gaston says they are still inventing new products such as a banana cream rum and coconut rum. Stephanie posted a picture on her blog of a bottle of the Chairman’s Reserve Rum. It won the silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1124
For more information visit http://www.saintluciarums.com
Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams enjoyed a sunset cruise that departed from Marigot Bay. She says the harbor lights were beautiful but what made this sunset cruise especially enjoyable was the ship she road aboard which she describes as a kind of “pirate ship”. Stephanie has experienced many sunset cruises on catamarans in the Caribbean but says this cruise was special. When they passed other tourist cruises the ship shot off canons.
Stephanie was originally supposed to be visiting Tortola but changed plans at the last minute. She says she was able to refashion her itinerary within 36 hours with the help of many skilled travel professionals including representatives at Travel Concepts in St. Lucia and the region’s tourist board.
Bob Hathaway, Marina Manager of the Marina at Marigot Bay, joins the “Travelers411” radio show. Hathaway originally moved to St. Lucia to retire but says he failed. Hathaway formerly lived in Southampton, UK and built boats for a living. Before fully retiring he spent time sailing. Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams asks “in his experience what makes the Marina at Marigot Bay special”. Hathaway states that “It’s a destination. It’s a place where people come not to leave their boat behind but to take part in something”.
The Marina at Marigot Bay provides boats and services that visitors would expect in any yacht marina in the world. This includes provisioning, the availability of spare parts and the technical expertise of the marina staff. Hathaway says that guests can easily spend two weeks just cruising around the white sandy beaches and coves. Yachters have the ability to moor or anchor their boat in the waters along the coast, though they have to dock their ship in the marine park to avoid damaging the coral.
Stephanie is found of saying that all roads lead to Ireland and the Berkshires. She found yet another connection. Stephanie was recently introduced to Captain Eddie Cooney, an Irishman from Athlone, County Westmeath. When Stephanie discovered he was from Athlone she asked if he knew Tom and Breda Reid who own the Glasson Hotel & Golf Club in Glasson, County Westmeath, Ireland. He did in fact know the couple.
Stephanie comments on a ship in the marine and its size. Hathaway informs her that it is over 180 feet tall and that it is made from carbon fiber and is painted silver. He says that the bay offers a great deal of security for the ships that dock there. The boats are secure in terms of weather, damage and theft.
Bob Hathaway states that there are many advantages for travelers coming to Marigot Bay. By boat St. Lucia is the destination that is the shortest crossing across the Atlantic. Hathaway states the trip involves traveling more downwind than upwind. Travelers who are flying to the destination will also find that there is a lot of air traffic from the US and Europe.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1125
For more information visit http://www.marigotbay.com
Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams met Dominik Ruhl, General Manager of the Marigot Bay Hotel, at the Caribbean Hotel Association Marketplace in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She says that with the help of Jacqueline Austin, Managing Director of Travel Concepts in St. Lucia, she was able to change her travel plans so that she could visit St. Lucia rather than travel to Tortola as she had originally planned. Jacqueline Austin states that as part of the company’s retail services they were able to call their St. Lucia offices and quickly arrange for a flight for Stephanie from Puerto Rico. Stephanie applauds their ability to “get people in motion” to make sure she was on a flight to the island.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1126
For more information visit http://www.travelconceptsstlucia.com/
Guests Include:
Dominik Ruhl, General Manager, Marigot Bay Hotel, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.marigotbay.com
Jennifer Gaston, Meeting & Communications Manager, St. Lucia Distillers, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.saintluciarums.com
Bob Hathaway, Marina Manager, The Marina at Marigot Bay, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.marigotbay.com
Jacqueline Austin, Managing Director, Travel Concepts, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.travelconceptsstlucia.com
Topics Include:
Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams has not been to St. Lucia for several years and said she felt overdue for a visit. Stephanie is awed by the lush, tropical, greenery of the island. Dominik Ruhl, General Manager of the Marigot Bay Hotel, told her that Oprah listed it as one of the top five places to see in the world. Stephanie says she didn’t need Oprah to know that. She also states: “In addition to the island’s natural beauty you have its natural resources which are the St. Lucian people”.
Jon Mamela, Vice President of Visit Alberta, joins the “Travelers411” Radio Show from colder weather at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta, Canada. Mamela says that another aspect of the winter in Canada is its “breathtaking beauty”. He says that the snow conditions have been the best the area has had in the last eighteen years.
Currently being held in Alberta is the Fairmont Banff Celebrity Ski Event. Guests like Alec Baldwin and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are present for the event which supports the environmental organization Waterkeeper Alliance. Mamela says also that Alberta’s neighbor Vancouver is hosting nine world cup ski events. Many of the athletes are currently in training for the Canadian Winter Olympics.
In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding the area is also ideal for cross country skiing, ice fishing, sleigh rides and dog sledding. Visitors also have the opportunity to witness the astonishing northern lights. Jon Mamela says, “you would think someone is up there painting it”.
Jon Mamela says the most ideal place for a sleigh ride is Lake Louise which is just North of Banff. He describes the Fairmont Banff Springs as an “iconic castle in the Rockies”. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Lake Louise, Alberta is anther such property. South of Lake Louise is Crowsnest Pass which is the path western settlers used when traveling to British Columbia. Mamela says it is another “must-see hidden gem”.
Mamela says that Canada is easily accessible for US visitors, and that areas such as Alberta are four season destinations. He states that Alberta is ideal for outdoor recreation and says that Alberta has the best ski mountains in the world in Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise. During the summer there is daylight until 10PM. Mamela says that this is ideal for a golf enthusiast. Another Alberta tourist attraction is the Calgary Stampede held annually in July.
Visit Alberta will be present at the 2010 New York Times Show. Mamela says to look for their 20 foot hanging banner which represents the Northern Alliance group the organization is associated with.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1129
For more information visit http://www.travelalberta.com and http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings
Erwin Louisy, President of Barefoot Holidays, joins the “Travelers411” Radio Show. Barefoot Holidays is a destination management company that, Louisy says, “enhances any holiday experience”. Experiences extend to weddings, incentive groups, individual travelers, adventure groups and customizable programs. Barefoot Holidays offers a host of activities, states Louisy, and “gives an experience that cannot be duplicated”.
An example of a land and water tour would be for a group to travel the countryside in a jeep and then visit a zip-line park. Afterwards the group would board a boat in a bay, have lunch catered on board by a chef and travel up the coastline. Guests can enjoy various stopovers. Lousiy says that the island has many waterfalls which fall at various heights cascading into pools. She states that these are both warm and cold water pools. Travelers are able to bathe beneath some of the falls. Another attraction are the Pitons, volcanic formations that are stunningly beautiful. Erwin Louisy states that some travelers choose to climb them. Guests can also have a barbecue on the beach or enjoy a walking tour. She states that representatives always take into consideration the participants and what activities would be best suited for them.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1127
For more information visit http://www.barefootholidays.com
Jean-Renee du Boulay, General Manager of Rainforest Hideaway states that the Rainforest Hideaway restaurant offers “Magical dining in Marigot Bay”. Rainforest Hideaway is situated in the mangroves in the bay. It is on a covered dock on the water. The only way to reach the restaurant is by way of a complimentary ferry ride.
The restaurant is only open for dinner with two seating times. Thirty guests are permitted in the first seating and forty in the second. First seating begins at 6PM. The restaurant’s signature appetizer is a scallop souffle which is served with fried crab beignets. One of its top entrees is a chili infused shrimp and scallop dish which is served with the chef’s own risotto. There are several alternatives to seafood on the menu as well.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1128
For more information visit http://www.rainforesthideawaystlucia.com
Bill Miller, Senior VP of Strategic Partnerships of Travelong, Inc. joins the “Travelers411” Radio to discuss airfare provided by the company’s associate organization CheapOAir.com. Miller says there is a market from the eastern seaboard of the US to St. Lucia in the West Indies.
Bill Miller reads off various fares to St. Lucia. Each he states are base fares, roundtrip, with the taxes not included. They represent a flight departure of Friday February 19, 2010 returning Monday February 22, 2010. Boston $342 USD, Pittsburg $342 USD, Philadelphia $649 USD, NYC $342 USD, Hartford $574 USD, Washington $342 USD, Baltimore $342 USD, Orlando $475 USD, Charlotte $342 USD, Atlantic $509 USD, Miami $448 USD. Stephanie points out that Hartford is close to Boston or New York and a traveler could chose to drive to those airports instead to get the cheaper fare. She also comments that Miller picked a time that is the height of the high season.
For a week long European getaway leaving Saturday February 20, 2010 returning Saturday February 27, 2010 Miller states the following fares: New York to Paris is $231 USD, New York to Rome is $234 USD and New York to Majorca is $231 USD. These are roundtrip not including taxes.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1130
For more information visit http://www.cheapoair.com
Guests Include:
Jon Mamela, Vice President, Travel Alberta, Alberta, Canada.
www.travelalberta.com
Erwin Louisy, President, Barefoot Holidays.
www.barefootholidays.com
Jean-Renee du Boulay, General Manager, Rainforest Hideaway, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.rainforesthideawaystlucia.com
Bill Miller, Senior VP of Strategic Partnerships, Travelong, Inc.
www.cheapoair.com
