Comments

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  David Paul Appell October 27, 2009 at 5:45pm

  Interesting item I just read in the DR Travel News e-letter re the Dominican's Casa de Campo:
  
  "Guests booking into Casa de Campo this winter season will be staying in totally new surroundings. Parent company Central Romana Corporation is investing US$25 million into the transformation of the main areas of the hotel and about a third of the rooms in time for high season.
  
  Designers Mayra Gonzalez and Patricia Reid are working on the major changes with architect Rafael Selman of Selman & Asociados Arquitectura, reported in Casa de Campo News October-November issue. According to the publication, the new look blends in with the minimalist approach and use of Caribbean materials that Gonzalez has already used at Minitas Beach and at the Cygalle Spa. Natural materials such as marble, coral stone and oak wood are being used to create an impression of extreme simplicity.
  
  Designer Gonzalez describes it as "bringing the Casa de Campo hotel up to date in a warm contemporary style."
  
  The design involves dramatic changes, from the gardens near the entrance to the lobby, gym, pool area, restaurant and offices that are being relocated. The lobby is being doubled in size. The Tropicana Restaurant has been transformed into a terrace overlooking the pool. The new restaurant is being located at La Cana Bar's former site, with an indoor air-conditioned area, al fresco dining tables and a glassed-in show-kitchen.
  
  The rooms located at the far end of the driving range are will all be new. Patricia Reid designed the rooms to luxury hotel standards in soft, neutral tones. Only remaining are the old mahogany doors to the terraces, which are being restored."
  
  I've long felt the place could use some refreshing...looking forward to checking it out one of these days soon!
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  Chelle Koster Walton October 7, 2009 at 10:41pm

  They speak mostly English in Curacao, fyi. There's very little Dutch spoken, mostly Papiamentu, which is a form of the West Indian-based dialect spoken on most of the islands. For a truly foreign feeling experience try one of the French islands or St. Martin - both French and Dutch.
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  Wendy Capra October 7, 2009 at 10:32pm

  thanks guys, your advice is great and has cetrainly opened up a lot of possibilities. personally i've been to jamaica and thought it was nice but they speak english like we do (with ap rettier accent!!) so i think a more foreign island like curacao will be fun, tho i'm still up in the air!! i was readin gabout that keshi yena and that sounds YUMMMMMY!
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  Cathy A. Preece October 7, 2009 at 6:06pm

  One of St. Kitts' newest attractions is Sky Safari's ziplining, which lets you soar above the rainforest canopy on a variety of lines at different speeds. I tried it on my most recent trip to the island and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
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  Cathy A. Preece October 7, 2009 at 6:03pm

  Wendy, have you been to St. Kitts? It also fits the "all-around" bill, yet it has only recently been focusing on tourism so it's relatively uncrowded. Among the things to see and do are touring historic Brimstone Hill fortress, rainforest hikes, riding the Caribbean's only scenic passenger train, visiting charming plantation inns, enjoying authentic and cool beach bars, and more. Another plus is that Nevis (see Cheryl's comment) is the sister island to St. Kitts, separated by only a 2-mile channel, so you can do a day trip or even a twin-island getaway.
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  Chelle Koster Walton October 7, 2009 at 2:07am

  That said, Jamaica is my favorite island. SO much culture, SO much variety. And one of the Caribbean's most affordable.
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  Chelle Koster Walton October 7, 2009 at 2:05am

  Iguana Stew. What can I saw, it tastes like guess-what. Better - keshi yena. Stuffed baked gouda. A melding of its Dutch and West Indian culture.
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  Ruth Kuehn October 3, 2009 at 3:30am

  I have a Destination Specialist Certification in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda and have travelled extensively in those areas. Would be happy to help in any way I can.
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  Wendy Capra October 2, 2009 at 6:26pm

  Funny you should say Curacao, I was doing some reading online last night, and Curacao jumped out at me... Those pictures of the little dutch houses are sooo cute! read there's a place i can get iguana stew, too.......... um i'll get back 2 u on that one!
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  Cheryl Andrews September 29, 2009 at 11:53pm

  Culture and museums? Go to Curacao. curacao.com Lots of interesting museums, a downtown that looks European, terrific restaurants. Some good deals out there now too. If you can hold off till January, there's a cool new Hyatt resort opening....