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Isla Mujeres, a pirate love story

junio 11th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

As a rite of passage from girlhood to womanhood, the Mayans had to go on a pilgrimage to Isla Mujeres, where there was a sanctuary dedicated to Ixchel, goddess of fertility. Later, following its discovery in 1517 by Spaniard Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, the island’s fate changed from sanctuary with no human settlement to refuge for pirates and slave dealers, eventually becoming an essential site for students of ocean floors and marine life. Today, it is a tourist destination with breathtaking landscapes that inspire visitors to see the world through different eyes.

Isla Mujeres is the purest representation of the magic of the Caribbean. It is so magical that its history contains one of the most beautiful love stories ever told. The Spanish pirate Fermín Mudaca de Marechega landed on the island in 1860 after fighting the British Navy and became completely besotted by a local indigenous girl known as La Tigreña.  He was so in love that he decided to settle on the island and build her a home. Thus the Hacienda Mudaca was established, a property filled with arches, gardens, wells and exotic animals, covering 40% of the island’s surface area. Since then the island has become a favorite location for couples to marry and share the love of its two famous inhabitants.

Located very close to the Yucatán Peninsula in south east Mexico, it is the perfect habitat for turtles and dolphins, as well as whale sharks and other marine animals, which can be easily spotted by anyone who wishes to see them. Indeed, the island has focused most of its activities on the sea. Snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking are just some of the sports on offer which enable visitors to get a little closer to a marine world that even today remains a mystery to many.

However the island does live off the sea alone. The El Meco settlement, a name said to derive from one of its inhabitants who was lame, is an important archaeological site due to its location on the coast facing the island, linking it to a navigational aid system.

It also boasts a varied and interesting cuisine to satisfy the most discerning of taste buds.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts in Mexico have privileged locations that bring guests closer to the country’s attractions: just a few meters from the beach, surrounded by nature and within easy reach of the most important archaeological sites.”

 

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Doctors Cave Club, when paradise has to be shared.

junio 5th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

In the middle of Montego Bay, in Cornwall County in the north of Jamaica, white sand runs between your toes when you walk. Time stops as you stroll, and all thoughts are suspended about anything except the simple pleasure of being there.

And beneath the waves there is an infinite variety of coral painting the seabed all the colors of the spectrum, like nothing you have ever seen before. This rich underwater world offers a fascinating experience, attracting many visitors.

In Montego Bay lies Blanco Sands beach, where nature imbues everything so that visitors never stop feeling as though they have arrived in paradise.

A paradise which, at the end of the 19th century, belonged to Dr Alexander James McCatty, a member of one of the most eminent families of the British Empire. For him, this was one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and he would come to spend long periods of time here over the summer months with his colleagues. Such was the illustrious doctor’s devotion to this stretch of coastline that in 1906 he decided to donate it to the local community and founded the Doctors Cave Club, where members could disconnect from the world beside a beach of crystal clear waters where the temperature is between 22 and 28ºC all year round.

To become a member this select club and access the beach, the traveler had to go through the caves from which its name derives, making their visit yet more incredible, if such a thing is possible. Sadly, a hurricane destroyed them in 1932.

The doctor, of course, enjoyed the club’s facilities for several decades and even today one can see the English style of the construction and imagine what it was like to spend time there over a century ago.

Nowadays the club offers showers, a gift shop, cybercafé, spa, and games room, amongst other services. There are also lifeguards on the beach. Members receive VIP treatment and have access to number of exclusive services.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has three 5-star vacation complexes in Montego Bay: the IBEROSTAR Rose Hall Beach, the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Rose Hall (adults only) and the IBEROSTAR Rose Hall Suites. In these luxury hotels guests can enjoy an exquisite culinary offer, a comprehensive entertainment program for all the family and suites equipped with every luxury detail for maximum enjoyment on your vacation in Jamaica.

 

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Caribbean house party!

mayo 10th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

 

It can be a little complicated organizing a trip to the Caribbean with all your friends. So why not bring the Caribbean to your home? Organize a themed party and enjoy a few hours of Caribbean flavor and heat.  With just a few touches of detail and a little imagination you can have a day you’ll never forget.  Here are a few ideas:

 

Colors everywhere: Prepare the table you’re going to use with attention to detail:  Cover it with a colorful blanket – perhaps lime green, pink or bright red.   Place pots of fresh tropical flowers – such as orchids – in the center.

 

Essential fruits and drinks: Place a bowl of tropical fruit punch on the table and serve in coconut shells. Don’t forget the cocktail umbrellas! And, of course, piña colada and mixes of margarita, lime juice, mint leaves, coconut milk and any kind of spirit that goes in a tropical drink…

 

No tropical party is complete without palm trees! Buy some plastic inflatable palm trees and place them around your house or on the patio. You can even throw in some beach balls for your guests to play with.

 

And why not bring the beach to your home? With a bit of sand and a couple of seashells, you can decorate a few corners to make sure every detail is taken care of.

 

And to top it all off, some music… now get those hips swinging! Create a salsa and bachata-themed playlist with groups like Tito Rojas, Juan Luis Guerra and Héctor Lavoe. No one will be able to sit still for long!

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Who could possibly feel bored in Montego Bay?

marzo 19th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

With its classic golden sandy beaches, a plantation culture combined with a relaxed tropical way of life,   Mo Bay, as it is affectionately known, is a celebration for the senses. Yet in Jamaica’s Montego Bay, there’s much more than beaches awaiting the tourists that choose to visit this little corner of heaven. Apart from the beaches and all the fun in the water that goes with them, you will also find lots of cultural options, as MoBay boasts a history that dates back more than four centuries: picturesque villages just outside the city, parks, fabulous golf courses plus a host of excursions to explore the exotic surroundings. This area of Jamaica is packed with things to see and do!

Montego Bay became famous as a spa resort due its well-known Doctor’s Cave Beach, a favourite spot with celebrities and visitors from around the world due to the supposed healing powers of its mineral waters. Anyone that bathed in these crystalline waters would be ‘cured’. This reputation led to the construction of numerous hotels around the beach. Today, Doctor’s Cave beach continues to attract thousands of visitors in search of fun and relaxation. The facilities include restaurants, shops, hammocks, sun umbrellas and all the services you would expect on a fully-equipped beach. There’s no question about it; wherever you choose to enjoy the sea and sand in the Montego Bay you’ll find a beach that’s nothing short of extraordinary!

Another charming and bustling spot on Montego Bay is Walter Fletcher Beach, site of the Aquasol Theme Park.  In addition to the magnificent fine sandy beach bathed by calm waters suitable for little ones, you’ll also find water trampolines, jet skis, banana boats and wave runners, as well as a choice of restaurants and bars.

Practically the whole of Montego Bay forms part of the Montego Bay Marine Park, an ecological reserve covering approximately 15.3 square kilometres.

The park was founded in 1991 in order to conserve the extraordinary wildlife and landscapes of this ‘underwater tropical forest’. As well as the superb marine life, it is also home to a wide range of fauna that live side by side with the residents of this fascinating area.

If you’d like to go diving, then don’t miss a visit to the following:

· Montego Bay Marine Park.

· The Widow Maker, a coral reef inside Montego Bay Marine Park and one of the most famous in the region.

· The Airport Coral Reef, a great choice for beginners facing Montego Bay Airport.

· The Point, for expert divers only.

· Basket Reef. The name comes from the huge basket-shaped sponges to be found here.

· Cayman Trench Wall, one of the most spectacular spots for divers, as well as for lovers of sport fishing, as this area boasts a number of marinas offering sport fishing and deep sea fishing services.

Don’t miss a visit to the amazing Rose Hall Great House, one of Jamaica’s greatest cultural attractions. This historic 19th century house hides a sinister past as it was once the home of a white witch.  It has now been restored to its former splendour and features an exquisite décor, marvellous furniture and carefully-tended period gardens.

Montego Bay is also the departure point for a number of great excursions, several of which are listed below:

· Excursions to the Luminous Lagoon at Falmouth.

· Tours to the region’s rivers such as the Great River or the Martha Brae, including raft trips on the calm waters of these rivers.

· Zip-lining is another fun activity in these mountain landscapes filled with exotic vegetation set against breathtaking backdrops.

· Visits to the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, a haven of peace and tranquillity, home to many of the region’s species of birds.

I’d say you won’t have time to feel bored, wouldn’t you agree?

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has three 5 star holiday complexes in  Montego Bay: the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel, the Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall (adults only) and the  Iberostar Rose Hall Suites Hotel. Luxury accommodation options offering a choice of mouth-watering gastronomy, a packed entertainment programme for all the family and fully-equipped luxury facilities that guarantee you will enjoy your holiday in Jamaica to the full”.

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Saona Island, the Dominican Republic’s unspoilt paradise

marzo 15th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

If you’re planning a holiday in the Dominican Republic then make sure a visit to Saona Island is top of your list of things to do.

Lying off the south-east coast of the Dominican Republic, this is one of the country’s largest islands, forming a long expanse of land that stretches out for 110 square kilometres. It is situated in the province of La Romana and is part of the National Park of the East.

The excursion to Saona Island includes the crossing on a large catamaran, during which a wide range of snacks and drinks are available. First stop after reaching the shore of Saona Island is a visit to a delightful fishing village called Mano Juan.

The island boasts seemingly endless unspoilt beaches of fine white sand, lined by thousands of coconut trees.  The island is home to countless species of fauna, including birds and marine life (hawksbill sea turtles, manatees, green parakeets, etc.). Saona Island enjoys official protection and therefore there are no buildings lining the coast.

One of the island’s tourist attractions is the world’s largest natural pool, situated in the sea some 400 metres from the shore in an area where the water is hardly a metre deep, making it ideal for bathing. It is also the perfect spot from which to admire and even touch all types of exotic marine species to be found under the pool, such as starfish, corals, tropical fish, shells and winkles.

There’s no doubt about it; Saona Island is one of the Dominican Republic’s most outstanding attractions.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts’ hotels in the Dominican Republic offer you the chance to visit the many stunning spots on this island thanks to its 6 luxury resorts situated in Bayahibe, Playa Bávaro and Puerto Plata. Their prime locations make them the perfect base from which to explore the island and discover all its secrets, including Saona Island, naturally.”

 

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Santo Domingo, a modern city of culture

febrero 28th, 2013 | Posted by administrador in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic and a hive of creativity, history and education, was not only the first city of the New World, but also a gateway to the Americas and today has become a vibrant and prosperous metropolis.

Founded by Christopher Columbus’ brother Bartholomew in 1496, Santo Domingo is a fascinating mix of history and modernity. With a vibrant cultural tradition stretching back more than five hundred years, Santo Domingo’s cultural assets are a testimony to the spirit that drove the exploration of the New World.

The oldest part of the city is known as the Colonial District. Here visitors can tour the house where Columbus’ son once lived, known as El Alcázar, as well as the first cathedral, hospital and university to be built in the Americas. Historic buildings line cobbled streets where the conquerors once walked. This legendary city boasts countless museums, monuments and restaurants, together with new amenities such as the Metro transport system, the modern ports, outstanding gastronomy, fascinating shopping districts, architecture and much more besides.

Santo Domingo is a sophisticated commercial hub and home to more than 2.3 million people. It boasts dozens of world-class museums, an opera house, art venues and historic sites such as the Columbus Lighthouse, where the explorer’s remains are said to rest.  With two major airports, motorways and ports, Santo Domingo is a gateway surrounded by more than 800 miles of coastline, magnificent mountains dotted with waterfalls, offering exotic cuisine and countless art and entertainment options.

If you’re planning a trip to the Dominican Republic, then make sure you take the time to visit the capital and gain a first-hand insight into the cultural delights this city has to offer.

The IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts’ hotels in the Dominican Republic  give guests the chance to explore the islands many beauty spots whilst staying at any of the 6 luxury complexes located in  Bayahibe, Playa Bávaro and Puerto Plata. Their excellent location allows guests to tour the entire island, discovering its many secrets”. 

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Jamaica’s original cuisine

febrero 13th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

In order to fully understand Jamaican cuisine we have to go back to the origins of the island’s various settlers. The first to arrive were the Araucanians and the Tainos, followed later by the Spanish and the British, who brought African slaves to the island.  Jamaican cuisine is a delicious mix of vastly differing gastronomies, combined with a number of unique autochthonous ingredients.

Naturally, Jamaican cuisine also includes ordinary, everyday ingredients such as fish, seafood, chicken, pork, greens, vegetables and fruit. Yet it is also characterised by a number of autochthonous products that are anything but ordinary. Here are a few examples:

· Ackee:an original fruit that when cooked, takes on the appearance and flavour of a dish of scrambled eggs.

· Callaloo: this leafy vegetable is similar to spinach.

· Okra: a fruit that is a bit like a chilli and can be used to thicken stews as it acquires a jelly-like texture.

· Jamaican pepper (allspice): this special pepper is immediately distinguishable due to its aroma, which as the name indicates, is a mixture of various spices.

Using these original ingredients and their unique way of mixing strong, hot spices, the Jamaicans have come up with a number of very special dishes, including the following:

· Allspice pork: pork prepared with this traditional Jamaican pepper, which adds a very special flavour and was used back in the times of the Araucanians.

· Charqui: this is the name given to a special way of seasoning and cooking meat, fish and vegetables. It consists of marinating the product in a mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, onion, vinegar, soy and rum.

· Pork or chicken with jerk sauce: this dish is prepared using dried meat which is marinated with a hot, spicy sauce known as jerk.

· Pepperpot: this is a soup made from okra, callaloo and roasted meat.

· Green papaya chutney: this is made with green papaya, mango, ginger, tamarind juice, vinegar and bell peppers.

· Sumario: this dish is made with various types of fish and vegetables cooking in coconut milk with peppers and spices.

· Rabbit in rum: the rabbit is left to marinade for a couple of days in – what else? -  Jamaican rum.

· Jamaican omelette: this is made by adding chard, carrots, celery, potatoes and tomatoes to the eggs.

· Pasties: these can be filled with meat or vegetables.

· Bammy: this is a round loaf of bread made from manioc. It is the perfect accompaniment for all kinds of dishes.

The island is also renowned around the world for its excellent coffee, the variety and quality of its fruit juices and its superb rum and liqueurs. And if you blend all these ingredients together and add the fabulous Caribbean climate, beaches of crystal-clear waters, its 120 rivers, its waterfalls and unique culture and quirky outlook on life, then you’ll get some idea of what life in paradise is really like.

 

 “You can enjoy Jamaica’s mouth-watering cuisine at any of the IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts establishments on the island” 

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Cuba’s famous cays

febrero 11th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

In 1514 Diego Velázquez decided to name the string of cays and islands that line the north and central shores of Cuba the ‘Jardines del Rey’ or King’s Gardens. This was the Spanish conqueror’s tribute to King Ferdinand the Catholic, as Christopher Columbus, during his second voyage to Cuba, had previously named the southern cays ‘Jardines de la Reina’ or Queen’s Gardens, in honour of Queen Isabelle of Castile. A jigsaw of blue and green, these 2,517 cays and islets make up 60 per cent of the islands that form the vast Cuban archipelago.

The fact that the world’s second most important coral reef (stretching out some 400 kilometres) lies just off the shore adds a touch of distinction to the cays, and the warm waters and excellent visibility also make it an ideal spot for scuba diving.  Cuba’s islets attract large colonies of flamingos and migratory birds.  The cays are the habitat for more than 700 species of land flora, 126 of which are endemic. They are also home to 958 species of land fauna and a further 900 species of fish. It therefore comes as no surprise to learn that Cuba is determined to ensure that the creation of tourism infrastructures fully respect the natural environment.

Measuring 370 square kilometres, Cayo Coco is the largest of Cuba’s islets. In the past, the cays provided refuge for pirates and corsairs. A hiding place for English bandits heading for Florida and today a secret love nest for a number of celebrities, the principal attraction of Cayo Coco is undoubtedly to be found in the 22 kilometres of stunning beaches and lush vegetation made up of coconut trees and mangroves. The name Cayo Coco comes from one of the area’s inhabitants, the American white ibis. This bird is known locally as the Coco bird, whose magnificent, brightly-coloured plumage is another of the region’s attractions.  Moreover, it was in the waters of Cayo Coco that Nobel literature prize winner Ernest Hemmingway would go fishing on board the Pilar.  The landscape is characterised by limestone plains and dotted between the beaches we find cliffs, estuaries, lagoons and mangrove forests. Cayo Coco boasts top quality hotels, artificial lakes and a host of entertainment and leisure options in an environment that has scarcely been touched by human hand, guaranteeing a truly unforgettable stay. Cayo Coco is a jewel set between two sister cays: Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Santa María.

Cayo Guillermo covers 13 square kilometres, five of which are made up of fabulous unspoilt pristine beaches. You can marvel at the coral reefs and amazing underwater seascapes of this splendid developing cay. Wildlife lovers will also be thrilled by the sight of water and land birds including flamingos, seagulls and pelicans.

In Cayo Santa María visitors can quite literally walk on water; the sea is as smooth as a pale blue mirror, over which runs a road of just over 48 kilometres with more than two thousand metres of bridges that leads to the small fishing town of   Caibarién.

Cuba has countless other cays offering a host of leisure options. Visitors will find everything they need for rest and relaxation, plus a whole range of facilities for sports, including nautical and aerial activities. It is also a departure point for excursions to the island’s principal sights of interest, and has magnificent modern and comfortable accommodation options and many other facilities that blend into the natural landscape, in keeping with the commitment to preserving the natural environment and protecting the ecosystems.

Today, visitors who come here to relax and unwind will truly feel like members of a privileged universal royalty.

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has 3 hotels in Cayo Coco; the IBEROSTAR Cayo Coco, the IBEROSTAR Daiquiri, and the recently-opened IBEROSTAR Mojito . The company also has a 5 star hotel complex in Cayo Ensenachos the IBEROSTAR Ensenachos. Visit Cuba and feel like a king!”

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Heard of the Dominican Republic’s Cocolo Festival?

enero 23rd, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)


 

The Cocolo Dance Drama features dancer-actors who perform plays associated with English medieval folklore and elements rooted in African culture. Their ancestors from the English Caribbean islands, such as St Kitts and Nevis, Anegada, Monserrat, Tortola and St Vincent came to the Dominican Republic to work on the sugar plantations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. When they first arrived they were looked down on and termed somewhat pejoratively as cocolos, a name that today is a source of national pride.

These performances are a creative mix of two worlds: music and dance from Africa, combined with the mysteries, legends and characters from the Bible and European medieval literature.
The members of the Cocolo Dance Drama group are known locally as Guloyas.  Their annual performances on 25th December and 6th January are a deeply-rooted tradition in the country’s eastern region. Today, San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana are the only towns that conserve the true essence of this tradition, part of the region’s cultural identity. The celebrations include carol singing and performances by groups of string instruments. The most popular plays include The Bull, David and Goliath, Moko-Yombi, Cowboys and Indians, Mummies and Momises, as well as the famous niega business, with masquerade balls.

The Guloyas wear eye-catching, brightly-coloured costumes covered in tiny mirrors and bells. They also wear magnificent trailing hats made from peacock feathers, and carry the fearsome bull bladders that form part of the Dominican Republic’s carnival tradition. The cocolo music bands that accompany the dancers are made up of a base drum (known locally as a bombo), a kettle drum or drummer (redoblante cocolo) and a triangle, and occasionally a flute is also included. These rhythmic instruments do not form part of the musical tradition of other carnival celebrations in the Dominican Republic, and they would appear to have been British military drums adopted by African slaves. The base drum that is played in La Romana is much smaller than the one used in San Pedro de Macorís.

On 25th November 2005, UNESCO declared Los Guloyas Cocolo Dance Drama tradition a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.  

Come and join the Guloyas as they dance around the streets of these towns and have a great time celebrating their culture!

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts’ hotels in the Dominican Republic offer you the chance to visit the many stunning spots on this island thanks to its 6 luxury resorts situated in Bayahibe, Playa Bávaro and Puerto Plata. Their prime locations make them the perfect base from which to explore the island and discover all its secrets.”

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The Dominican Republic, the ideal destination for water sports

diciembre 17th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

The Dominican Republic has the second longest coastline in the Caribbean. Much of it is lined by peaceful beaches, perfect for luxuriating on the golden sands and swimming in the crystal-clear waters, or enjoying water sports such as surfing, kite-surfing and boogie boarding. The happy convergence of various natural phenomena also make these beaches the perfect venue for windsurfing tournaments such as those held each year in the waters of  Cabarete, which today is also home to internationally-recognised water sports training centres.

Explore the fascinating coral reefs of the Dominican Republic, scuba diving in its warm, crystal-clear waters. Best of all, you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy a truly fabulous experience – there are countless diving schools, the majority of which are located at the hotels themselves, offering courses for beginners and more experienced divers. Some of the most popular diving spots include Las Terrenas, Las Galeras, Sosua, Río San Juan, Punta Cana, Punta Rucia, Cayo Arena, La Caleta, Bayahibe, Isla Catalina and Isla Saona.

If you take the time to visit Boca Chica, don’t miss the chance to go scuba diving in La Caleta National Park, considered to be among the top five diving areas in the Caribbean. Here you can explore the wrecks of ships such as The Hickory, El Limón and El Capitán Alsina.

The Dominican Republic hosts various annual sports fishing tournaments. For those not seeking fame and fortune as professionals, but who enjoy the thrill of catching a barracuda or testing their strength against a swordfish, there are boats that can be chartered around the island. The white marlin season runs from March to July, and the blue marlin season from July to September. By the end of October, the sea is much calmer, offering just the right conditions for small boats to go out fishing for species such as mahi-mahi, tuna, cero mackerel, swordfish and sailfish, a temptation lovers of this sport will find hard to resist.

Visitors can also enjoy water sports in the mountains. If you love adventure, then don’t miss the chance to try some white-water rafting down the rapids in the mountainous regions of the north, set amidst high peaks and green fields. It’s an experience you definitely won’t forget in a hurry.

Make the most of the stunning beauty of the Caribbean waters that surround this Dominican paradise by trying your hand at some of these thrilling water sports!

The IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts’ hotels in the Dominican Republic  give guests the chance to explore the island’s many beauty spots whilst staying at any of the 6 luxury complexes located in  Bayahibe, Playa Bávaro and Puerto Plata. Their excellent location allows guests to tour the entire island, discovering its many secrets”.  

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