You can’t leave the Bahamas without sampling conch. Whether cracked, curried or in a hearty chowder, the scrumptious sea snail, which thrives in the archipelago’s warm and shallow waters, is a must.

But here’s another way to enjoy this Bahamian bite.

Treat yourself to one of these conch bowls, painstakingly made by local artisan Aaron Cooper.

Cooper cuts, cleans and polishes the pink-lipped mollusks to fashion curvaceous bowls that serve a multitude of purposes.

Use them as soup bowls (they come with conch spoons) or as servers for gravy or salad dressing (I used mine for cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving dinner). Fill them with guest soaps, potpourri or bath salts and display them with pride in the bathroom. Or use one as a catchall for coins on an entry console or jewelry on your bedside table.

Cooper’s other conch creations include Christmas decorations and jewelry, and they’re all available at Craft Cottage at the Doongalik Studios complex in downtown Nassau.

— Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, CJ Travel Editor

The post In the Bahamas, the Art of Conch appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Margaritaville is expanding in the Caribbean, thanks to a new partnership with Karisma Hotels and Resorts, the company announced.

The agreement introduces “Margaritaville, An All-Inclusive Experience,” which will include new resorts in beachfront destinations around the Caribbean.

“Our partnership with Margaritaville, an esteemed brand filled with flavor, fun, and a likeminded desire to delight travelers with unforgettable vacation experiences, allows us to introduce a collection of new casual luxury resorts set in stunning tropical destinations,” said Mandy Chomat, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive representative of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in a release. “Karisma’s expertise in delivering elevated all-inclusive concepts around the world makes this partnership a perfect fit. With Margaritaville, we look forward to delivering a taste of the good life very soon.”

Karisma already has 26 properties in its global collection, with plans to own and operate 30 resorts around the world by 2020.

Margaritaville already operates seven resorts and hotels across the southeastern United States and the Caribbean, with eight more locations in development.

“We are excited to team up with Karisma Hotels & Resorts to create a resort product that will deliver carefree vacation experiences in some of the most beautiful places in the world,” said Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, chief marketing officer for Margaritaville. “Karisma, like Margaritaville, puts the guest experience and employee culture above all else. With these common values, and our shared commitment for first class service and exceptional amenities in a fun, relaxed environment, our partnership with Karisma is a match made in paradise.”

The post Margaritaville Is Expanding in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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JetBlue is expanding its service to the Spice Isle.

Last month, the Caribbean’s fastest-growing airline began operating a fifth weekly flight from New York, with Mint premium cabin service launching at the end of January.

Now, the carrier has announced that it will be operating daily flights to Grenada beginning June 16.

The True Blue Bay resort.

JetBlue first launched flights to Grenada in 2015 with just two weekly flights.

The Calabash boutique hotel.

Are you heading to Grenada?

Check out our list of the best places to stay on the island, with an emphasis on the island’s charming small hotels.

— CJ

The post JetBlue Is Adding Daily Nonstop Flights to Grenada appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Anguilla has a new buzzy hotel: the Manoah Boutique Hotel.

The property, which opened at the end of last year, is a breezy, bright property with 25 elegantly furnished rooms set on the spectacular Shoal Bay East beach.

Amenities including an eponymous spa; a French restaurant called the Ocean Beach Club (with two beach bars), a fitness center, an outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool with a sunbathing deck and a water sports program.

Rooms are spread across two buildings: the lower-scale LIZ building and the taller Deanna building.

— CJ

The post A New Place to Stay in Anguilla appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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For many CJ readers, there’s no greater pleasure than finding a new small island in the Caribbean, a beach-filled paradise far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world — and even more laid-back than some of its larger Caribbean neighbors.

Once you find one of these places, they instantly become your second home.

Here are five small islands to try right now.

Anegada

It sounds like a fantasy: powder-white sand beaches; sparkling water; and a remarkably large lobster population. But Anegada, the far outpost of the British Virgin Islands, is very much real, and it’s waiting for you, with small hotels, classic beach bars and endless beaches. (The Anegada Reef is a fun, easygoing hotel with a great bar.)

The post 5 Small Islands in the Caribbean to Visit Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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