By Caribbean Journal Staff It’s the most legendary place to stay in St Croix: The Buccaneer, the storied beach resort near Christiansted that’s home to one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Caribbean. If you’re planning a springtime vacation, the resort has unveiled a new program with significant savings for those who book four nights. It’s called “Spring Fling,” and the promotion gives guests a free fifth night if you book four. The offer is valid for bookings made now through May 31st, with travel dates through Dec. 20, 2024. So…what about getting to St Croix? Most major airlines fly nonstop between the US mainland and the largest US Virgin Island, with flights on carriers including Delta, American, Spirit and Frontier. You can also fly from Puerto Rico on smaller carriers like Fly the Whale and Cape Air. Fly the Whale also flies between St Thomas and St Croix. For more, contact reservations@thebuccaneer.com or call 800-255-3881. Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean. About the Buccaneer The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort celebrates more than 75 years of Caribbean hospitality as it blends timeless charm and elegance with modern luxury. Owned and operated by the Armstrong family for three generations, The Buccaneer has received high honors from the travel industry and earned a multitude of “World’s Best” accolades. Most recently, the resort has secured the #4 spot among the Top 10 for Best Caribbean Resort in the highly coveted 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards. This achievement reflects The…
Experience the rich maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay at the Solomons Maritime Festival! Be sure to check out Wm. B. Tennison cruises, educational programs, special events, and the first month of openings for Cove Point Lighthouse and Lore Oyster House this season! Explore how the prehistoric past, natural environments, and maritime heritage come to life and tell a unique story of the Chesapeake Bay. The Calvert Marine Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $11.00 for adults; $9.00 for seniors, military, and veterans with valid I.D, AAA and AARP members; $6.00 for children ages 5 – 12; children under 5 and museum members are admitted free. Proud participant in Museums for ALL. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership and to purchase tickets for all events, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Wednesday, May 1 – Lore Oyster House 2 – 4 p.m. Join us for the first official open day of the season at the newly refurbished Lore Oyster House. Located six-tenths of a mile south of the main museum campus on Solomons Island Road, this 1934 seafood packing house offers exhibits that explore all aspects of oyster processing. No admission required. Visit our website for all summer dates. Wednesday through Sunday, the month of May – Wm. B. Tennison Public Cruise 2 p.m. Relax and enjoy a leisurely one-hour sightseeing cruise on the river aboard the Wm. B. Tennison, a log-built bugeye. Capacity allows for 40 guests. Cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children, infant through 12 years. *Please note: May 4 will follow the event schedule for the Solomons Maritime Festival and a May 19 cruise will not be available due to the Blessing of the Fleet event. Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, in the month of May – Cove Point Lighthouse grounds and…
By Julie Reardon Just when you thought you’d be reading another story about spring flowers and the beauty in the hunt country this time of year, we’re here to tell you about other springtime arrivals: the slithering and slimy creatures that make their appearance when the weather warms up. Virginia has a wide variety of amphibious animals, salamanders and frogs, that start to get active as the weather and water they live in or near warms. Perhaps no sound is more welcome than the chorus of the spring peepers, little gray frogs that start to sing on the first warm nights of spring or even late winter. These singing frogs are of the treefrog family and rarely get larger than an inch, making their singing even more impressive as to carry on, it takes a chorus of thousands, even hundreds of thousands. Even if you live in a suburban area, if you’re near wetlands, a stream or pond, you’ve no doubt heard them sing. But you rarely see them: they’re only about an inch long and are mostly tree dwellers except when first born. Salamanders, too, call Virginia home and are occasionally seen in spring and summer. They differ from lizards (reptiles) in that they have thin, moist skin instead of scales. They have blunt rounded heads, long slender bodies with short legs and long tails. Their feet have four toes instead of five, like a lizard. Generally voiceless and with some living on land under logs and leaf debris and some aquatic, many species are endangered. The ones you’re most likely to see are red-spotted newts, black spotted salamanders and occasionally hellbenders, that are mostly aquatic and one of the larger amphibians growing up to 15 inches or more. Frogs and toads are plentiful everywhere with many making their…
By Lani Gering Happy 10th Anniversary to the Wheel! You all know how much I love the Wheel and the Flight Deck Lounge below it. I can’t believe it has been making the rounds for 10 years! It has marked an impressive number of celebrations with amazing light shows as well as providing the best view of the Potomac and all that lines it all year round. In fact, in celebration of their 10th, Derek Lovato – ICAE Vice President – told me that a brand new, amazing light program is coming our way. I can’t wait to see what new bells and whistles it has. Now that I live across the river, I can’t just look out of my old condo’s party room balcony and watch it. However, I still get joy from looking at it from the waterfront in Old Town. It is a major part of the Harbor’s skyline. Rising 180-feet above the Potomac River, The Capital Wheel features 42 climate-controlled gondolas promising a comfy, private ride, floor to ceiling windows and views of the Potomac River, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, National Monument, Old Town Alexandria and planes taking off and landing from Regan National Airport. Just under The Wheel, merry makers will find Flight Deck, the outdoor waterfront lounge perfect for enjoying a post-ride beverage or watching the sun set with friends. They are introducing a limited time 10-year anniversary logo that has been added to the 42 gondolas for all to see to celebrate their decade long residence at National Harbor. From now until December they look forward to announcing more exciting news as part of their festivities. To celebrate the decade, guests are invited to enjoy 10 months of special offers, events, packages and, of course, the views. Be sure to take advantage of their…
by Julie Reardon Though at press time, warm spring weather is in hiding, by the time you read this it will truly be here in all its colorful glory. A teaser week of warm weather has the cherry blossoms in D.C. in an early full bloom, as are early daffodils and forsythia and a few early flowering trees in the Blue Ridge. There’s nothing like the green, green new grass framed by dogwoods and redbuds as the backdrop for an enjoyable day in the country. April is the month of garden tours, antiques and crafts fairs, horse racing over fences, and other outdoor activities. Pack a tailgate and take in a spring race meet in Loudoun, Fauquier, Rappahannock or Culpeper counties in the coming weeks. April is when the upcoming stars of the steeplechase circuit really show their stuff. In addition to the Point to Point circuit (cheaper admission, closer to the action) there are several bigger, fancier meets including the Middleburg Spring Races or the annual see-and-be-seen affair where horses are secondary to the parade of people, the Virginia Gold Cup on May 4th. You might enjoy a horse show or event at Morven Park north of Leesburg, which has something going on each weekend in April. There’s a schedule on the website morvenpark.org Antiquing and visiting craft fairs for finds is a favored pastime of visitors to the Blue Ridge. In addition to the many roadside shops, check out Culpeperpalooza April 17-20 at the Mountain Run Vineyard just south of town for crafts, music and tasty treats from local eateries. Info about tickets for one or all 3 days is on their Facebook page or website culpeperpalooza.com. A fun area favorite will be in Leesburg the weekend of the 20-21st, the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival for 2024. It’s like…
By Lani Gering True confession…I was running wayyyyy behind in getting all of the ducks required to get this issue to print in a row so this month’s column is more of a “pictorial” from a cool “foody” event I went to in the MGM Grand in late March. The event setting was in the heart of the spring exhibit in the middle of the Conservatory, making for a pretty happenin’ backdrop. It was invitation only, so I was in the company of other media people with the majority of them being “influencers”. Still trying to wrap my head around that “profession” but…they were very busy photographing, posting and comparing as they made the rounds. Participating in the tasting were: Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, Diablo’s Cantina, TAP Sports Bar, Ginger and Osteria Costa. They are all offering spring specials, including specialty cocktails, for a limited time during the entire month of April as well as some Cherry Blossom specials through April 14th. For reservations, call 844.646.6847 or visit mgmnationalharbor.com. Don’t forget that Cherry Blossom Festival activities on the plaza in the Harbor run through the 14th as well as food and beverage specials at several restaurants in the heart of the Harbor. Voltaggio Brothers Steak House Tuna Ceviche – Big eye tuna, hibiscus ponzu, coconut crushed ice, sea bean tostada Voltaggio’s House made O’s – Chicken parmesan meatballs, arrabiata sauce Diablo’s Cantina Shrimp Ceviche – Avocado, cucumber, red onion, radish, mango, pineapple chamoy, sweet potato chips Homemade Churros – Signature churros, chili-infused Ecuadorian chocolate sauce, dulce de leche caramel sauce TAP Sports Bar BBQ Jerk Chicken Sandwich – Sweet butter rolls, crispy chicken, jerk BBQ sauce, citrus slaw, island sauce Shrimp and Grits – Sauteed shrimp, Southern grits, Cajun cream sauce, corn salsa, andouille sausage, spinach, blistered tomatoes Steak, Bacon & Cheese Turn Over – Steak, bacon cheese, peppers &…
By Kenny Fletcher, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Photo credit: Chris Moore, CBF A thriving Chesapeake Bay and healthy Potomac River depend on a healthy population of our native oysters. The Eastern Oyster has long been an iconic part of our region’s culture, cuisine, and ecology. Through a combination of harvest pressure, pollution, and disease, the Bay region has lost invaluable reef habitat and the oyster population today stands at a fraction of historic levels. Fortunately, federal and state partners are on track to fully restore oyster habitat in 11 Bay tributary rivers by 2025, making the Bay home to the world’s largest oyster restoration project. Monitoring of the reefs so far is showing incredible success, with oyster population density in several rivers exceeding the restoration targets. With oyster recovery at a crucial point, building on current momentum will increase resiliency to climate change in the region while creating multiple benefits for people and the environment, according to a report released this year by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Recommendations in the report, titled “Hope on the Half Shell: Harnessing Oysters to Build Ecological and Community Resilience,” include targeting oyster restoration in 20 additional Bay rivers, equitably growing the oyster aquaculture industry, and modernizing management of the wild oyster harvest. “Increasing oyster numbers benefits all facets of life in and along the Chesapeake,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director Chris Moore. “Now let’s expand on the achievements to date. With oysters, we can adapt to climate change, support the Bay’s ecological, economic, and social resilience, and build vibrant communities where people and nature thrive together.” Oysters are at a critical juncture. The decline of oysters and their habitat has exacerbated water quality issues, reduced productivity of key Bay fisheries, and left critical shoreline habitats like marshes and underwater grasses susceptible to erosion…
By Bob Curley If a Caribbean vacation rates as a dream, the fantasy is to get the trip paid for by someone else. And one way to do that is by signing up for a credit card where you earn points that can be used to defer the cost of travel. Airfare and lodging are typically the two biggest expenses for Caribbean travelers, so choosing a credit card that rewards your purchases with points that can be used for flights or hotel stays is your best bet for underwriting your next tropical trip. Some of these cards are specific to certain airlines or hotel chains, while others deliver reward points that can be used generally to book travel on the airline or at the hotel of your choice. Here are our picks for the top rewards credit cards for Caribbean travel: American Airlines AAdvantage Mastercard American Airlines has more flights to the Caribbean and Latin American of any airline, with more than 800 weekly flights to 35 Caribbean destinations plus Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Holders of the Citi bank issued American Airlines AAdvantage Mastercard thus have the most choices for redeeming rewards points for an island getaway. The Advantage Mastercard comes in four versions — the entry-level MileUp Mastercard, the Platinum Select Mastercard, the Executive Mastercard, and the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard. Introductory miles bonuses range from 10,000 to 65,000 points, depending on the card selected; useful perks include priority boarding and — for the Executive Mastercard — entry into American Airlines Admirals Club airport lounges. However, Caribbean-bound travelers should note that the free checked bags offered on the Platinum, Executive, and CitiBusiness cards are for domestic flights only, so you’ll still pay to check bags to the Caribbean. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles American Express Card Delta flies to 13 Caribbean destinations plus…
By Lani Gering Springtime in the Harbor is fast approaching. What better way to celebrate the season than taking a stroll around the waterfront and revel in the beauty of the very first cherry blossoms in the DMV as well as participating in the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The celebrations and events at the Harbor are on a much smaller scale than those in D.C. but they are equally as impressive without the huge crowds. Springtime also means that there is “love in the air”. The 2024 Wedding Walk Showcase is a fabulous place for those of you who are thinking about tying the knot to get some inspiration for the big day and all that is entailed leading up to it. I relied on my PR pals for the Harbor to provide all of the details for these events below: National Harbor Celebrates Cherry Blossoms March 20th to April 14th National Harbor has become a prime location in the D.C. region to celebrate its spectacular (early) cherry tree display. The 350-acre resort property has more than 200 cherry blossoms. Visitors can enjoy the trees along the 1.2 mile waterfront trail that bloom earlier than those on the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. This year’s festivities take place from March 20th to April 14th with National Harbor also serving as an official participant of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to National Harbor’s breathtaking waterfront views, this year’s celebration will be filled with entertainment, hotel room packages, food and drink specials, classes and more. The annual Sakura Sunday festival, an official participating event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, will be held on Sunday, March 24th from noon to 6 p.m. and will feature free cultural activities including Japanese inspired art, music, dance, culinary delights, and a Japanese market. Throughout…
By Julie Reardon Most of us have told ourselves at some point, “Well, that didn’t go as planned, but I’m ok with that.” And so it was with the life of Tanzy, aka Hope Springs Tanganyika JH. She was born here at Hope Springs in January of 2009. As all puppies are, she was a beautiful baby, the largest female and second largest in that litter of ten. It’s still a mystery how she ended up so little, at the very bottom of the standard for Chesapeake Bay retrievers. Her mother and a sister – who we kept from another litter – were big girls, and her 85 lb. sire was a normal size. Not until she was older did she even attain 50 lbs. – weighing in at 47 or 48 lbs most of her life. But what she lacked in size, she made up for with sheer determination and a sweet disposition that won over everyone who met her, two or four legged. Tanzy wasn’t highly titled or a mighty huntress and, in fact, it was a miracle she lived to five much less past 15 after surviving and thriving after a freak accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down as a 4 year-old. We never knew what happened; she didn’t have a mark on her and never made a sound. Looking uncomfortable in the morning, she was ambulatory but not herself. By lunch time she could barely walk, and had to be carried into the vet’s two hours later. All available tests were normal so we ended up taking her to a specialist for overnight, since she had to be on fluids and a catheter. The next morning saw no change, so I had two choices: euthanasia or take her to a new veterinary neurology…
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