Archive for August, 2010

The only Zagat-rated Caribbean island, Barbados announces the first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival, from November 19-22. This event is held in partnership with Travel + Leisure, FOOD & WINE, Departures and Executive Travel magazines. The four-day epicurean festival will feature culinary superstars Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love, providing first-hand cooking demonstrations and sessions along with as local Barbadian culinary talent along with wine seminars curated by FOOD & WINE magazine’s wine editor Ray Isle and expert Anthony Giglio. Full festival details and travel packages will be announced in early July. Visit www.foodwinerum.com.

Nishi, the latest gastronomic delight on Barbados’s Platinum Coast offers something completely new. Paul Edwards’ vision for this two storey eatery comes from his experience as a former London restaurateur and Formula One catering legend. Nishi offers a sophisticated twist of informal eating and drinking with a diverse and creative menu of Asian and Caribbean Cuisine. The piece de resistance is the Sushi Bar upstairs featuring top Sushi Chefs from the Far East. The menu is comprehensive and encompasses both traditional as well as the latest evolution of Japanese cuisine. Visit www.nishi-restaurant.com.

The Crane, Barbados’s oldest luxury vacation resort, is an ideal destination for guests seeking comfort in a relatively secluded, lush location on the island’s Southeast coast. The Crane houses a historic hotel building dating back to the 1700s, as well as an all-new resort complex with spacious suites and residences complete with fully-equipped kitchens, private plunge pools and Jacuzzi hot tubs. The resort also features newly-open Crane Village, modeled after a traditional 18-century Barbadian village and offering guests and locals alike al fresco dining at D’Onofrio’s, rum from around the world and authentic Bajan tapas at Bar 1887, and treatments at Serenity Spa, which launched at the end of July. Visit www.thecrane.com.

Tamarind Cove Hotel (part of the Elegant Hotels Group) closed for a complete metamorphosis in July, transforming into the new “Tamarind.” When it reopens on November 1, it will feature fully renovated and modernized guestrooms, the addition of an intimate spa and relaxation space, two completely redesigned and re-imagined restaurants – including a stylish new late-night poolside tapas lounge at the former Sasso – and the transformation of Tangiers Restaurant with a new deck overlooking the ocean.

Source: Travel Agent Central | Joe Pike

In its 34th session, where it named new locations to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, the World Heritage Committee has removed the Galapagos Islands from its list of endangered sites, following Brazil‘s request for the committee’s appraisal. Inscribed in 2007 for the threats to the archipelago’s eco-system, the committee recognized Ecuador‘s efforts to address the effect of the increase in tourism, illegal settlers to the mainland and particularly the introduction of invasive species to the region on land and in the ocean.

Since 1998 the foundation Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador has initiated many local conservation efforts, including:

* Enlisted the local fishing community to clean up and recycle floating debris that washes ashore in the Galápagos. Such debris is harmful to marine turtles and sea lions, nesting birds and mangroves. Local participants, who have collected more than 178,000 pounds of solid debris, receive economic incentives for their efforts.
* Joined Santa Cruz Island and Galapagos National Park to develop the Fabricio Valverde Center to manage solid waste in the Galapagos. More than 4.5 million pounds of solid waste has been recycled thus far, preserving fragile island topsoil.
* Spread environmental education among locals and invited local students to join expeditions to gain a better understanding of island ecosystems.

* Supported the RELUSAN initiative to collect burned oils and other toxic materials for shipment and proper disposal on the mainland. Burned oils are serious pollutants in the Galapagos, whose the fragile ecosystems are incapable of diffusing such components. More than 17,000 gallons of burned oil and 6,000 Kg of oil filters have been shipped out as a result.

* Inspired community social projects such as “Fun Galápagos” and “Bread for the Future,” which generate income for and contribute to the well being of locals.

Sounds like they really know what makes a vacation there.

Situated 620 miles west of Ecuador’s coast, the Galapagos archipelago, has among its 13 islands and 17 islets, plant and animal life, which designated it a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

Source: Melanie Gretchen, TravelAgentCentral Aug. 10, 2010