Fresh seafood, exotic conch dishes and a little bit of spice are generally what people expect when they visit the Caribbean.   In Turks and Caicos we are fortunate to have many great restaurants that showcase the fresh, local ingredients -

especially at Mango Reef, the on-site restaurant located at the Alexandra Resort.   Mango Reef serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and offers a diverse menu, consistently good service and an outstanding beachfront setting. 

This is always a convenient and delicious choice.   However, if you stay in Turks & Caicos Islands for longer than a few days you may want to branch out and experience some different types of cuisine - beyond conch and island fare.  

We are fortunate to have a number of international dining options that offer intriguing flavors and interesting dining experiences.   When you’re ready to explore, consider these excellent, international options:

The Beach House (Cuisine: contemporary French; location: Lower Bight Road)

While you might expect a restaurant called the Beach House to serve burgers and fries, the cuisine here is far from ordinary.  This is one of the newest restaurants to open on Providenciales and its début has created a stir in the dining scene.  Already, it has climbed to one of the top spots on Trip Advisor for restaurants in Turks and Caicos.  The reason for all the fuss is the creative and sophisticated menu created by Chef Eric Vernice. With an emphasis on freshness and harmony among flavors, the dishes coming from Chef Eric’s kitchen are truly a culinary celebration.   

Yoshi’s Sushi Bar and Japanese Restaurant (Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi; Location: Salt Mills Plaza in Grace Bay)

This is more than a sushi restaurant - it is a gathering place.  With its black and red modern décor, the inside dining room of Yoshi’s Sushi buzzes at lunchtime and in the evenings.   The food here is fresh and flavorful, and the atmosphere is fun and relaxed.   In addition to having bento boxes where you can sample a bit of tempura, sushi, salad and soups, Yoshi’s menu also includes meals like salmon teriyaki or Japanese curry beef.

Garam Marsala (Cuisine: Indian;  Location: Regent Village)

Flavor is the name of the game here, in fact the menu describes the restaurant as “an aromatic affaire with Indian Cuisine.”   The restaurant is under new management but the recipes are old-school and feature authentic, traditional Indian dishes.  This is one of the few restaurants to offer air-conditioned indoor dining as well as an open air lounge and dining area, making it a good choice no matter the weather or season. While the Garam Marsala official website is under construction, the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and is popular with visitors and residents alike.  Recently, it has had a professionally-designed interior revamp that adds to the ambience.

Thai Orchid (Cuisine: Thai; Location: Regent Village)

Smooth coconut soup with shrimp, sweet and savory crab rangoons, and spicy Thai green chili - these are just some of the more than 60 different delectable dishes served from this small Thai restaurant located in the Regent Village in Grace Bay.   The restaurant is open seven days a week and even late nights with a small amount of indoor and outdoor seating.  The consistently busy take-out business is proof of the restaurant’s popularity.   Owned and run by a local resident who was born and raised in Bangkok, the food here is genuine and unique - just like him.   If you enjoy Thai cuisine - a visit to the Thai Orchid is not to be missed.   

Lemon Café (Cuisine: Moroccan;  Location: The Village at Grace Bay)

For a fun night out and some delicious Mediterranean dishes, head to Lemon Café in the Village at Grace Bay.   The hummus and homemade pitas are mouth-watering and the lantern-lit patio and dining room draped in rich fabrics make you feel like you’re in Morocco instead of Providenciales.   In addition to fresh, flavorful Mediterranean dishes that please both meat lovers and vegetarians, the restaurant hosts monthly parties that go on until late, and usually feature DJs, belly dancers and occasionally even fire spinning!

First Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner did it, followed by Bruce Willis and Emma Heming, and more recently Bryan Ferry and Amanda Sheppard.   Getting married in the Turks and Caicos is becoming a trend.  But don’t worry; you do not have to tie the knot here to take advantage of the romantic setting and perfect weather.   Honeymooning in Turks and Caicos is a very popular way to enjoy the romance of island life- and for good reason.  There are a host of great things to do that will make your honeymoon special, memorable and most importantly - romantic.

First off, staying at the Alexandra Resort, located on world-acclaimed Grace Bay Beach, provides the ideal setting for romance and escape.  The spacious suites offer large decks or patios, where you can relax and enjoy the stunning ocean views.  Occupying 600 feet of frontage on Grace Bay Beach, you can enjoy leisurely walks together for miles or simply indulge yourselves in sunbathing on the beach.  Resort amenities include a large freeform swimming pool, free non-motorized water sports, tennis courts, a full-service spa, an on-site activities desk, a fitness center and a gourmet restaurant - Mango Reef - serving Caribbean/French inspired dishes on its ocean-side terrace.

Mango Reef can provide one of the most memorable honeymoon experiences.   The staff can help you arrange to have a barefoot dinner for two on the beach and be serenaded by the sounds of the ocean, with dinner service lit only by moonlight and a few tiki torches. What better way to start off married life than dining alfresco on one of the world’s best beaches?

To keep the romance theme going, you can enjoy his and her massages at an island spa or - better yet - have the treatments in the comfort of your own suite or on the beach.   In addition to the full-service spa at the Alexandra, which offers luxurious massage and beauty treatments, there are other day-spas located near by.  A deep-tissue massage might be just the thing you need after the big day.  

Later, you can dress up and head to Magnolia Restaurant & Wine Bar to watch a beautiful island sunset.  Magnolia has a terrace that faces Turtle Cove Marina and serves refreshing cocktails to go along with the magnificent view.   You can sit back and relax with an aperitif while looking for the famous green flash that sometimes appears just as the sun is sinking into the sea. 

Watching the sun setting over the brilliant turquoise waters may give you the itch to get out on the sea and enjoy some of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ greatest treasures.    There are numerous ways to enjoy our restorative waters, but one of the best for honeymooners is a private boat charter.    Kenard Cruises offers a top-of-the line experience on a luxurious yacht.  They can provide a full or half day excursion to some of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen - only accessible by boat and most likely only occupied by you.  

With all this romance, you’ll want to capture this special time to ensure your honeymoon lasts well beyond your visit to Turks and Caicos.  To do this we recommend engaging the services of a professional photographer.  There are many photographers to choose from - one we recommend is Christine Morden of Paradise Photography, whose impressive portfolio boasts shots of luminaries including President Obama, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. And, she has seen her work published in a number of renowned periodicals such as Destinations Wedding & Honeymoons, Elite Traveler, Real Life and El Diario.   You can hire her for the day, for an hour or for the afternoon and capture this special time forever.   The white sand and brilliant blue waters of the Turks and Caicos form the perfect setting for fabulous photos that will be treasured for years to come - just like the memories of your honeymoon.

Turks & Caicos flight schedule for travel until Spring 2013

Air Canada flies Toronto to Providenciales on Saturdays & Sundays, Year Round, (no Sundays Sept & Oct)

Air Canada flies direct from Toronto on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Dec 19 until April 2013.

Air Canada flies direct from Ottawa on Mondays from Dec 24 until April 2013.

Air Canada flies direct from Montreal on Sundays from Dec 23 until April 2013. ** New Day

.

WestJet Airlines flies direct from Toronto on Saturdays Year Round

WestJet Airlines flies direct from Toronto to Providenciales on Mon, Wed and Fri from Oct 29/12 until April 2013.

**NEW – WestJet flies direct from MONTREAL to Providenciales on Fridays starting Dec 14/12

Air Canada and WestJet have daily flights between Toronto and Miami

American Airlines has two flights a day from Miami to Providenciales

US Airways has direct, daily flights from Charlotte, NC to Providenciales

Delta Airlines has direct service from Atlanta to Providenciales

Jet Blue has daily service, year round from New York JFK

Jet Blue has seasonal Sat flights, Nov to Apr, from Boston

Continental Airlines has direct service daily from New York EWR

All flight schedules are subject to change without notice.

The Alexandra Resort, on world acclaimed Grace Bay Beach, has introduced a new kids club called the Pelican Club, as well as more family focused guest services just in time for the winter season.

Using a Facebook contest initiative, the new kid’s club was named for the national bird of the Turks & Caicos. Well over a hundred Alexandra Resort Facebook followers sent in their favorites and the ‘Pelican Club’ was

selected as the winner by the management team. We thank all our fans for their avid support. The winning submission has been rewarded with a 3 night stay at Alexandra. The Pelican Club offers young resort guests a great range of activities for an affordable fee of $25/day/child. Children (ages 4-10) will enjoy supervised beach activities, pool time, crafts and games.  Lunch and drinks will be included in the $25/day rate.  The kid's club will be open on weekdays from 9am until 1pm.
 
Another boost for family vacation time is the introduction of an affordable B&B package.  For an additional cost of $15/adult/day and $8/child/day (taxes not included), resort guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast at the resort's highly popular Mango Reef Restaurant.

Mango Reef now also offers room service.  Families can now borrow a DVD from the reception center and enjoy a meal and movie in the comfort of their suite.  

The Alexandra Resort features family-friendly suites, all equipped with housekeeping facilities, flat screen TV's, free WIFI and large decks or patios.  Complimentary roll-aways and cribs are offered, subject to availability.  In addition, there is a large free form swimming pool, complimentary non-motorized water sports, and tennis courts.

Great winter getaway specials are now available. For more information visit http://alexandraresort.com/resort_experience/family_fun.html.