May is a time for remembering.  Whether it is Memorial Day in the United States or National Heroes Day in Turks and Caicos Islands, both holidays celebrate heritage and heroes.

In the United States, this holiday memorializes all men and women who have died in military service for their country. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and Memorial Day weekend is traditionally considered the start of the summer season.

In Turks and Caicos, National Heroes Day commemorates the life of James Alexander George Smith (JAGS) McCartney, who served as the first Chief Minister of the country.  The event celebrates the country’s heritage of heroism and triumph.

The history of the Turks and Caicos stretches back to 1841 when a ship, the Trouvadore, set sail from Africa bound for Cuba’s sugar plantations with 300 slaves on board.  When the ship crashed into the island of East Caicos, a tragedy turned into a blessing.  Fortunately, the ship landed in a British Colony that emancipated its slaves in 1834.  So, instead of a lifetime of bondage, the Bambarra people that survived the Trouvadore shipwreck settled here as free people and became pioneers.

To celebrate this history and the heroes that enabled it, the Alexandra Resort is offering a great May booking special.  Both holidays fall on the same day this year - May 27, 2013. Book your getaway and enjoy not only a fantastic beach vacation but also a destination rich in history. 

Memorial Day is the perfect time to get away with family.

The sea and the sand are what people come to see when they vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands and guests at the Alexandra Resort are in for a real treat as this resort boasts one of the best beach locations on Grace Bay.  Not only is the resort situated on one of the world’s best beaches, but it is also in close walking distance to shops and restaurants.

However, if you’re adventurous and curious to see more than just the ocean and beach on our doorstep, it would be worthwhile to rent a car for a few days.   Renting a car will give you the freedom to see more of Providenciales and really get a feel for the unique personality of the destination and the characters that make this place so special. 

Below you will find a list of companies that rent cars, buggies, pedal bikes and more. You’ll see that your options are abundant.   Renting a car is something that can be done easily either prior to arrival or once you are in Providenciales. Many rental companies offer special services such as a free cell phone and pick up at the airport.  Prices can range from $30 to $80 a day so it is worth doing some research for the best deals.   Also, there’s a wide range of vehicles available - from open-top jeeps painted with Zebra stripes to traditional SUVs and everything in between.

But, before you decide to book a car, there are a few things you should know about driving in Turks and Caicos.

Drive on the Left

The number one thing to remember is that we drive on the left side.   This is something that you may have to keep telling yourself under your breath or even out loud.   We find this is most often needed when turning into a parking lot or driveway or entering a roundabout - REMEMBER TO STAY ON THE LEFT!  

Buckle Up!

It’s not so much that there are seatbelt laws here - which there are - but the fact is that on any given day there are new drivers on the road (new to driving on the left that is), so it is especially important that you wear your seat belt and stay safe.    This also means refraining from using a cell phone and other distractions.  

Navigating the Roundabouts

There are no traffic lights on the island but there are many roundabouts, which essentially help manage the flow of traffic.  For those not very familiar with driving in roundabouts, it is worth pointing out that the cars in the roundabout have the right of way (not the cars entering it!).   This means if you are approaching a roundabout and a car is in it, you must slow down to allow it to pass.     

There’s No Hurry

The maximum speed allowed on any road is 40 mph, and on most of the smaller roads the speed li

mit drops to 20 mph.  This is also a very important rule to follow.  Many of the older roads are not in the best condition and may be bumpy or hard to drive on - so keeping it slow helps.  Also, schools and homes are located near the roads and it is common for people to walk along the highway, so following the speed limit is especially important for pedestrian safety.  The fact that there is so much foot traffic on the lower roads is one reason there are speed bumps.  However, the speed bumps aren’t always well marked so they can sneak up on you, especially at night in the Bight area. Please also check the speedometer on the rental car.  Some models feature speedometers in kilometers, and others in miles.  If you are driving a car with a speedometer in kilometers, multiply the kilometer by 0.6 to convert kilometers to miles.  For instance, if the speedometer says 60, that means you are driving at 36 miles per hour. 

Fueling Up

Another aspect to driving here is how you’ll fuel the vehicle.  First you’ll want to make sure to have cash with you.  Most stations don’t take credit cards or foreign checks. Some vehicles require diesel instead of gas so be careful what pump you use.   The price of gas is almost $6.00 USD per gallon - but the good news is you probably won’t need to fill up much since the island is small and accordingly you won’t be travelling long distances. Also, when you do you wont’ have pump your own gas as most of the service stations are full service!    One last thing to note is that service stations are not open all night so it’s best to plan on fueling up during regular working hours (and most are cash only).   

Car Seats

If you need car or booster seats for your children, reserve these prior to arrival with the car rental agency as these items are in limited supply with most rental agencies, particularly in peak season.

GPS

GPS systems will not cover most of the roads in Providenciales, so if it has been a while since you have used a map instead of a GPS system, be prepared!  Fortunately, it is easy to get around the island and local people will always be happy to provide directions.

Driver’s License Requirements

Unlike some other Caribbean destinations, international visitors staying less than 90 days do not need to purchase a local driver’s license, provided the driver’s license they are carrying is valid and has not expired.

Requirements to rent a car:

• A valid Driver’s License
• A major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discovery, and/or American Express)

 Safety Tips

• Buckle up for safety and avoid a traffic ticket
• Drive on the left hand side of the road
• Observe the maximum speed limit of 40 mph on the highway and 20 mph on the smaller roads

Rental Car Providers

• Avis - Three pickup locations on Providenciales
• Website: http://www.avis.tc/home?menu
• Local Phone:  Airport location:  (649) 946-4705 
• Local Phone:  Grace Bay: (649) 941-7557
• Local Phone:  Leeward Highway: (649) 946-8570 

Bayside Car Rentals

• Website:  http://baysidecarrentals.com/
• Local Phone: (649) 941-9010

Budget - Two locations on Providenciales

• Website: http://www.provo.net/Budget/
• Local Phone:  (649) 946-4079
• Toll Free #:  800-527-0700

Caicos Wheels - One location on Providenciales

• Website:  http://www.caicoswheels.com/
• Local Phone: (649) 946-8302

Grace Bay Car Rentals - Two locations on Providenciales (Grace Bay and Leeward Highway)

• Website:  http://www.gracebaycarrentals.com/
• Local Phone:  (649) 941-8500

Hertz  - One location on Providenciales

• Website:  http://www.hertztci.com/
• Local Phone:   (649) 941-3910
• Toll Free #:   800-654-3131

KK and T’s Auto Rentals - One location on Providenciales

• Website: http://kkntsautorentals.com/
• Local Phone: (649) 941-8377

Scooter Bob’s Island Rentals - One location on Providenciales (Turtle Cove)

• Website:  http://www.scooterbobstci.com/
• Local Phone:  (649) 946-4684

Tony’s Rentals - One location on Grand Turk

• Website:  http://www.tonyscarrental.com/
• Local Phone:   (649) 231-1806

Tropical Auto Rentals - One location on Providenciales (Grace Bay)

• Website:  http://www.tropicalautorentaltci.com/
• Local Phone:  (649) 946- 5300

Rent-A-Buggy - One location on Providenciales

• Website:  http://www.rentabuggy.tc/
• Local Phone:  (649) 946-4158

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.

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.

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.

With the world’s only Conch Festival rapidly approaching to celebrate the long legacy of conch (pronounced “conk”) in these islands, we thought it would be a good time to highlight the culinary and curative benefits of this momentous mollusk.

Conch is probably the first inhabitant of the Turks and Caicos Islands and has deep historical, economical and cultural significance to the people here. 

Anyone who’s visited the Caribbean or even southern Florida will be familiar with conch in popular dishes such as conch chowder, conch salad and conch fritters. The mild flavor and versatile texture of this shellfish means the meat can be used in a wide variety of ways.  And, in Turks and Caicos it is.  

When you visit Turks and Caicos you will be able to enjoy creative conch creations such as grilled conch, conch ceviche, conch burgers, conch wontons, conch spring rolls and conch pasta.   These are dishes you can find on a regular basis.  If you come to the Conch Festival (November 24, 2012) you’ll be able to experience a whole day of nothing but conch.   In past years at the festival there was conch chili, conch carpaccio and even conch ice cream.   Who knows what will be on display this year? Should you miss the Conch Festival, the beachfront Mango Reef Restaurant at the Alexandra Resort has a plethora of Conch and other seafood dishes on the menu.

In addition to tasting great, conch fans know that this sea snail is packed with loads of medicinal benefits and provides one of the highest sources of protein.   All parts of the conch are edible.  Conch is credited with strengthening the immune system, helping fight off symptoms of stress and even keeping lungs healthy (the blowing of the conch shell, which was done as a form of communications, requires a tremendous amount of respiratory capacity).   Perhaps one of the most notable conch-eating benefits is its use as a natural alternative to Viagara.  Legend has it that if you eat the worm-like translucent tube found inside the conch it will work as an aphrodisiac.

The Queen Conch is the type of conch found in Turks and Caicos.   The meat is prepared fresh and also preserved in sea salt and dried.  (There is a folk song here about how the old conch is better than the fresh conch).  Its shell was used as a horn for communications and sometimes as building material and decorative pieces.  

Eating conch is enjoyable and beneficial.  Finding conch is fun and exciting.   When you visit us at Alexandra Resort next, be sure to book an outing with Caicos Dream Tours so you can experience conch in its natural environment.   The team at Caicos Dream Tours will take you out on a snorkeling excursion where you’ll be able to find live conch hiding out in the sea grass slowly inching their way along the sea floor.   It’s an incredible sight. 

Then top off the day, try some conch salad!

The Wine Cellar in Turks and Caicos just announced a creative recycling program for Bambarra Rum, a product that is unique to the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

When you bring back empty bottles of the locally-blended Bambarra Rum you get a free bottle of Bambarra Rum!   OK, you need to bring back 12 bottles - but the rum is good, so it may not be so difficult to do!

Bambarra Rum is as unique as the Turks & Caicos Islands.  It’s named after one of the original settlements in Middle Caicos where a group of African settlers were welcomed after their slave ship, the Trouvadore, wrecked off of East Caicos in 1841. The rum is bottled and blended in Turks and Caicos so it captures the flavor and history of the islands - making it an ideal souvenir as well as a good aperitif!  The rum comes in five different flavors: Gold, Silver, Coconut, Reserve and the top-of-the line Trouvadore. 

For more information on Bambarra Rum - click here.   Better yet - visit the Turks and Caicos and taste for yourself.  Alexandra Resort's Mango Reef Restaurant features the rum in a host of creative cocktails that you can enjoy by the pool, on the beach or watching the sunset on your own terrace in our spacious, oceanfront suites!

It has always been convenient for Americans to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands.   For one, we use the US dollar - so there is no need to worry about currency conversion.  Secondly, getting here is a synch with direct flights from major US cities and just over an hour from Miami, 3 hours from New York or 3.5 hours from Toronto.  And, English is our common language! Now there’s even another convenient development - the US Government opened a Consular Affairs Office in Providenciales this month.

We know that you won’t be making a special trip to Turks and Caicos because of this  - but knowing that the U.S. has an official presence on our islands makes all of us feel reassured. 

"With the opening of this office, we are celebrating the strength of the ties between the United States and the Turks and Caicos Islands," said Mr. John Dinkelman, Chargé d’Affaires for the U.S. "ties that unite us through our common concerns for tourism and the safe travel of our citizens."

Dinkelman, who was here for the grand opening ceremony, pointed out that roughly 3,000 American citizens reside in Turks and Caicos and over 700,000 are expected to visit in 2013, so the timing is ideal for the establishment of a permanent facility in Providenciales.

So, as you plan your Fall/Winter vacation - keep in mind all the travel conveniences a trip to Turks and Caicos has to offer.  In addition to the new US Consular Affairs Office, there are the short flights and the fact that we share the time zone with the Eastern sea board, same currency and same language as America.  But, perhaps the biggest convenience of all is not what we have in common but what sets up apart.  Our mesmerizing beaches are luxurious but also relaxing and are only a few steps from the spacious, beachfront suites of the Alexandra Resort.   Our setting, staff and services will make your next vacation easy and unforgettable.  Come see for yourself - be one of the 700,000 Americans who visit us this year, but do enjoy the privacy of Alexandra Resort while you are at it.

The Alexandra Resort, located on world famous Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos Islands, today launched its Indulge and Enjoy booking promotion timed around the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival to be held in Turks and Caicos from November 1 to 3, 2012. 

The second annual Caribbean Food and Wine Festival combines some of the island’s best culinary creations with leading wine makers and celebrity chefs from the United States in the luxurious, relaxing setting of the Turks and Caicos Islands.  To further entice participation in the gourmet gala, the Alexandra is offering the Indulge and Enjoy promotion, providing 25 percent off on oceanfront suites and a breakfast credit for the beachfront Mango Reef restaurant.

The second annual Caribbean Food and Wine Festival, taking place over three days in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, will include a five-course welcome dinner with wine and food pairings prepared by the participating wine makers and celebrated chefs as well as a Gourmet Safari which will have guests travel to various restaurants in Providenciales throughout the meal. New York celebrity chef John DeLucie is headlining the welcome dinner with pairings from vintners Tuck Beckstoffer, Duckpond cellars, Terlato Wines and La Sirena Wines will round off the delightful dinner with expert pairings. There will also be tasting events throughout the weekend featuring gourmet chocolates, cheeses, seafood, meats and local favorites as well as the first ever “Street Food Fair” showcasing the expert grilling and barbeque techniques of more than 15 chefs from the island.

Indulge and Enjoy Caribbean Food & Wine Festival Special from The Alexandra

The Indulge and Enjoy booking promotion is for reservations made directly with the resort for a minimum of four nights in a deluxe oceanview studio.   Guests who book this from now until October 31, 2012 will receive a complimentary upgrade to a deluxe one-bedroom oceanview suite along with a USD $10 breakfast voucher per person per day.  The resort’s complimentary concierge service will help guests organize their festival agenda.  For more information e-mail info@alexandraresort.com  or visit www.alexandraresort.com.