It’s February, so romance is in the air.   If you’re fortunate enough to be spending Valentine’s Day in Turks and Caicos then you’ll have a wide range of romantic dining options to choose from.  Even if you’re not here during the special holiday for lovers – when you do visit, these spots are sure to bring out the romantic in you.

But, before we present some of our favorite romantic restaurants, we want to point out that in no way is this list exhaustive.  Almost all the restaurants you’ll find in Turks and Caicos have something special to offer - whether it’s a signature dish, a unique setting or a special cocktail.   This list is just a sampling of the spots we think provide a romantic setting and excellent cuisine. 

Anacona in the Grace Bay Resort is the only gourmet restaurant located on the beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands.   It’s open-air setting, right on Grace Bay Beach, provides both a dramatic and romantic ambiance.  Sometimes there is live music and when there isn’t, the sounds of the ocean fill in.   The menu emphasizes fresh ingredients with a modern presentation. 

The restaurant at the Amanyara Resort also offers a gourmet experience in a spectacular and serene setting.  Although the journey to the restaurant can be an adventure and reservations in advance are required, once you arrive you’ll be instantly impressed.  The restaurant is spread out around the tranquility pool with stunning ocean views, creating a zen-like effect.  The menu is filled with fresh seafood and prime cuts of meat, all prepared with a Mediterranean-Asian-Fusion influence.  If peace and quiet are top on your list - this place is heaven.

At Beach House the chef’s surprise tasting menu will whisk you away into the world of Chef Eric Vernice who will prepare a 5-course ‘farm-to-table’ menu for you. The French contemporary menu has a distinct twist of Turks and Caicos and offers a wide variety of dishes for culinary lovers.

Coyaba Restaurant is an eclectic, sophisticated and award-winning gourmet restaurant located in the heart of Grace Bay, next to the Caribbean Paradise Inn.   An elegantly-appointed gazebo style tropical garden serves as the dining room, where guests peruse the daily-changing creative menu of Chef Paul Newman.   Paul’s dishes have a strong European influence but always with an inventive touch. 

Set within the largest palm grove on the island, Coco Bistro is a food lover’s fantasy in a one-of-a-kind setting.   Located in Grace Bay next to Sunshine Nursery and within walking distance from many resorts, Coco Bistro serves fresh local cuisine under a sea of stars and swaying coconut palms.  The restaurant has a reputation for consistently creating, fresh, flavorful Caribbean cuisine as well as delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Grace’s Cottage in the Point Grace Resort is probably one of the prettiest dining settings on Providenciales.   The restaurant has a relaxing charm with an inviting mahogany bar located in the Victorian-styled cottage and candlelit tables on the patio and terrace.   The food here is as delectable as the ambiance it is served in  - and the fact that they can only accommodate a total of 62 guests at a time ensures a level of intimacy as well.

Perhaps the most romantic place to dine is right on Grace Bay Beach itself.   The Mango Reef restaurant at the Alexandra Resort can arrange for a romantic barefoot dinner for you on the world’s best beach - it doesn’t get much more romantic than that!

Beach Dining at Mango Reef

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.

If you are one of those lucky people who had the foresight to book a vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands this holiday season, you will soon be very happy.   While visiting Turks and Caicos is always a delight, coming here around the holidays offers some very special experiences.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of relaxing on a beautiful beach with the sun pouring on you and knowing friends and family back home are battling to keep warm.  Our guests at the Alexandra Resort and Spa tell us how transformative it is to get on a plane in the morning with gray skies and frost in the air, and wearing heavy layers of clothing, and get off a few hours later greeted by brilliant sunshine, white sand and the most amazing turquoise waters you’ve ever seen. 

However, while the weather in Turks and Caicos is bound to be a whole lot warmer than almost everywhere else this time of year, the weather is only one reason Turks and Caicos is an ideal vacation spot for Christmas.   The West Indies style of celebrating the holidays is the other. 

The phrase “white Christmas” has a a whole new meaning here.   Instead of snow balls you’ll make sand castles, and instead of looking for reindeer you’ll be watching out for JoJo, our local bottlenose dolphin who can often be spotted swimming close to shore.

Palm trees decorated with Christmas lights, taking in a scuba dive on Christmas morning and walking barefoot along the beach after dinner are all part of the allure of spending the holidays here.  In addition, in Turks and Caicos we celebrate the holiday and our cultural heritage with a special event called Maskanoo.   This year, Maskanoo happens on Dec 26, 2012 and showcases the best of TCI’s cultural background, mixing Junkanoo (taken from Bahamian heritage) with Masquerade to create "Maskanoo".

This year’s event will include a parade along with music, food and cultural items for sale as well as samples of local art and entertainment.

For those who ring in the New Year here, there is a wide range of ways to celebrate: bonfires on the beach, gourmet dinners by candlelight, and rocking parties with music and dancing. 

Throughout the winter, the Club Med resort on Providenciales doesn’t change its clock.  This means the resort has a one-hour time difference from the rest of the island.   On New Year’s Eve this is advantageous because they set off their fireworks at 11 pm local time, effectively giving the rest of the island a prelude fireworks show.   At midnight other resorts normally also have a firework show to bring in the new year, so many people will get to experience two sets of fireworks that evening.

The other local tradition on New Year Eve is the Jump Up.  This is a lively and festive infusion of music, color and excitement that accompany the Junkanoo band.   On a regular basis, a Junkanoo band is like a whirling dervish - full of energy that sweeps you up.  On New Year’s Eve the band plays from midnight to sunrise and has a huge following.    If you decide to do the Jump Up on New Year’s Eve you’re sure to then also do the lie-in the next day! 

Christmas in the Caribbean - it’s something everyone should experience at least once.

Even though it is hot most of the time in Turks and Caicos, a good cup of coffee is always appreciated - whether it is to start the day or to meet up with a friend or just to savor and contemplate life, drinking a good cup of coffee can many any day even better. 

While we encourage our guests at the Alexandra Resort and Spa to enjoy meals on our beach terrace or by the pool and our own Mango Reef Restaurant serves a mean cup of java, we also know that getting out and about can be enjoyable and fun. So, we thought we’d share with you the places we go to enjoy a nice cup of coffee and watch the world go by.

Caicos Bakery

This is Provo’s only French Bakery and we have to admit - one of the reasons this is a good place to enjoy a cup of coffee is because it has THE BEST French pastries.   What’s a cup of coffee without a croissant?   Also, the location is good as it is in a small shopping plaza that includes a few nice shops, a great Italian restaurant and a European-style hair salon and spa.   You could actually spend the better part of the day here if you wanted!

Caicos Bakery is located in Caicos Café Plaza in Grace Bay. The shop opens at 7 AM and closes at 4:30 PM, daily except Sunday.  Get there early for the freshly baked bread.

Beach House Turks and Caicos – Western Grace Bay Beach

The restaurant at Beach House recently introduced the newest thing in European coffee houses, where time still stands still in our busy lives: the ‘Café Gourmand’. They serve a delicious cup of espresso, latté or macchiato paired with several sweet delicacies made by Chef Eric Vernice and his team.  Served between 12 noon and 4pm every day. Also ask for the Ice cream Sundays if you prefer something cold.

Flowers by Environmental Arts - across from the Salt Mills Plaza

This is a small café located on the main strip in Grace Bay.  Since it doubles as a flower shop the sensory experience is almost as good as the coffee.  While the shop is small, the offerings are varied and the setting is convenient.   The location is walking distance from the majority of hotels in Grace Bay and there are many shops around too, so after a quick coffee you can bring a nice bouquet back to your room or pick up some souvenirs for those you left behind.

Fresh Bakery

Along with a good cup of coffee at Fresh Bakery you can get a full lunch and/or a wide range of delicious desserts and pastries.   Inside the place is decorated with a clean, modern/European feel.   One thing we like about this place are the pint-sized pastries you can get to accompany your coffee with all of the flavor and half the guilt!   This shop was recently moved to the Atrium Resort in the community of Leeward.

Graceway Gourmet IGA

This is like the central hub of Grace Bay because it is the main grocery store for the area.   While the setting isn’t as relaxing as the others we mention, the Gourmet makes our list because it is convenient, quick and offers good value.  The coffee shop is next to the grocery store and it has tables in front of the store. However the tables are all in a shaded covered area and there’s a good buzz with all the comings and goings of island residents and tourists.  Plus, the coffee is really good too.   Best thing about this place is you can zip in and zip out in a jiffy and catch up on all the latest news and island gossip.

Island Scoops

IslandScoops is a favored ice-cream shop by tourists and residents alike but don’t let the name fool you- they have great coffee too.   Here you will find a wide variety of coffee concoctions as well as locally-made ice cream and other sweet treats.  The décor is fun and funky.   You can sit outside in overstuffed sofas or at tall tables just across the street from Grace Bay beach.   It’s a great spot for kids here as there are an abundance of outside toys, a sand pit, soft armchairs, and a wide selection of milkshakes as well as ice creams and other treats kids old and young enjoy.

Angela’s Top of the Cove Delicatessen & Catering Services

Angela’s is located on the Leeward Highway in a more industrial part of town, but not far from Turtle Cove.   Tourists that venture here are more likely to encounter residents and will be treated to some fantastic soups and lunch specials and well as a pretty decent cup of coffee.

The menu here is varied and tasty and even offers gluten free options.   While there isn’t much to speak of in terms of sights or views, the establishment is one of the islands’ “institutions” having been around for a very long time - and it is one of the few places that has its air conditioning on year round.  Angela’s Deli is located in between NAPA auto parts and April’s Place (hair salon) and is open daily from 6:30 am serving breakfast, lunch and dinners to go.

Green Bean – located near Turtle Cove Marina

Enjoy a nice salad or sandwich along with a good cup of Joe at the Green Bean. Friendly staff make the experience memorable and you are just a few steps away from Smith’s Reef. At the ‘Bean’ you can rent snorkel gear and head straight over there before or after your caffeine infusion.

Maskanoo is an annual cultural event organised by the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) and the Cultural & Arts Commission (CAC). It is an event that will showcase the best of the islands' cultural heritage, mixing Junkanoo (taken from TCI's Bahamian heritage) with Masquerade to create "Maskanoo". The third annual Maskanoo event will be held on Wednesday December 26, 2012 (National Holiday). The event will once again be held in the tourist capital of Providenciales, following a route along Grace Bay road between the Regent Village and the Salt Mills Plaza. Persons attending the event will enjoy a street parade, local music, island food, cultural items on sale, arts, entertainment as well as a street jump-up at the end of the event.

Since Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos has been voted the world’s number one beach by readers of Conde Nast and users of TripAdvisor, it’s not surprising that beach-walking is one of the most popular things to do here.  Fortunately, the Alexandra Resort and Spa is located on a particularly beautiful and expansive stretch of the world-renown Grace Bay Beach.  So, this activity is a frequent occurrence for our guests and one we highly recommend.

The beach in front of the Alexandra Resort is part of the Princess Alexandra National Park, which runs along the north coast of the island of Providenciales and includes the turquoise blue waters, which are protected by a long reef and filled with vibrant sea life.  This means you are not allowed to remove anything from the national park such as live sea life, coral, etc.   

Taking a beach walk along Grace Bay Beach will always delight you.  The sand is silky smooth and soft beneath your feet and you can always find isolated patches that make you feel the beach is all your own. 

Depending on the time of day, the tide and how lucky you  are - your blissful beach walk will also treat you to a variety of neat things to see.   Here are five things you may see on your next stroll along Grace Bay Beach:

1)     Starfish.   Because of the clarity of the water and the tides- it is very possible to see starfish dotting the ocean floor.   These deep clay-orange colored creatures are alluring and almost look fake.  It’s tempting to pick one up and hold it in your hand - but you have to remember to put it back gently as it’s a living creature and part of the national park.

2)     The Green Flash.   Legend has it - and first-hand accounts concur - that when the temperatures are high and the sun is at a certain point in the sky - just before it descends over the horizon - a green flash appears for a split second.   You have to be looking at the horizon with an unobstructed view right at dusk.    The best place to see this green flash is on a beach walk.

3)     Sand dollars.   These “cousins” of the starfish are not easy to find along Grace Bay Beach but if you are walking around low-tide you have a good chance to do so.  The live ones will be partially buried in the sand or inching slowly along the water’s edge.   Sand dollars that are white in color are dead - the ones that have a grayish tint are not and are protected as part of the Princes Alexandra National Park, which means you cannot remove them and need to replace them back where you found them.  If you really want to see sand dollars it is a good idea to book an outing with Caicos Dream Tours - they can take you to Sand Dollar Point on one of their excursions.

4)     JoJo the dolphin!   JoJo is a unique Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin who has been living and playing in the shallow waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands since 1980. He is one of the few dolphins around the world that voluntarily interacts with humans in his own natural habitat.  JoJo has become something like the mascot of Turks and Caicos and is known for having an affinity for boat engines!    He also likes to swim up close to the shoreline, so it’s good to keep an eye out for him on your beach walk.   If you don’t happen to see him on a beach walk - your odds are greatly improved if you are out on the water.  Again by booking a boat trip with Caicos Dream Tours, your chances of a JoJo encounter increase exponentially.

5)     50 shades of blue.  “The shades of blue these waters possess are like a painter’s palette - azure, celeste, maya, sky, shifting and changing with the weather.”  These were the words Joe Belanger used in his feature story on Turks and Caicos from the Toronto Sun on April 25, 2012.   The New York Times said:  “The beach gently slopes into the ocean, which reveals bands of blue and green that are so brilliant no postcard could do them justice.”  The turquoise waters of Grace Bay Beach have been described and photographed countless times and make a remarkable impression.  However, photos and words don’t do them justice.  The waters surrounding the beaches of Turks and Caicos sparkle and glisten and change their hue, resulting in 50 shades of unforgettable, mesmerizing blue.  But, the only way to experience them is in person - on a beach walk or better yet a helicopter ride!

Whatever time of year you come to Turks and Caicos the beach will be an integral part of your trip.   You’ll find that simple beach walks can be the highlight of the trip.  As you walk along the beach look out for miniature conch shells that get washed up on sand.   They make a great decoration and serve as a reminder of the trip when you are back home.   Another good idea is to collect a little sand and put it in a glass bottle to keep it on your office desk or coffee table.   It will give you a daily reminder of when you walked the world’s best beach and bragging rights for your work colleagues and/or neighbors.