Tidbits from the islands, mon - March, 2010

The weather is PERFECT, the beaches are waiting and the sea is warm and inviting. No reason not to come to the Grenadines for that dream vacation. Not a drop of rain to be seen for days on end.

The Grenadines is full of megayachts this season. The jet port in Canouan has attracted many of these lovely giants to our area, making arrival and departure from the heart of the Grenadines easier than ever before. Erika's offers many services to these yachts, from Customs and Immigration clearance to concierge services, flight bookings, events organizing and more. We now have agents at every port in the Grenadines!

Book your Grenadines flight, villa or charter yacht now and forget all your cares. Don't miss out on the best vacation of your life.

Union Island is located in the heart of the Grenadines, which are part of St. Vincent & the Grenadines in the Windward islands, a series of volcanic islands set in the azure seas of the Eastern Caribbean. Constant trade winds make yachting a dream here. The airport at Union Island makes it a good jumping-off spot for people wanting to explore these fabulous islands. Whether you are an inveterate sailor, or simply want to explore some authentic Caribbean isles, Union Island is the place to start - or end! This is the genuine and original Caribbean you thought was lost – almost-deserted white sand beaches, old fashioned hospitality, charming small hotels and guesthouses.

Rent a villa or beach house on Bequia, Union Island or Palm Island. We represent some of the most romantic private villas and beach houses you will find. Or why not combine a yacht charter with a villa rental? Chill out in the Tobago Cays for a few days and forget the world exists. Ask Erika's to help you organize the best vacation yet - in the Grenadines. We have the answers to your vacation questions.

And for business travel, let Erika's organize an executive retreat or business meeting for your group. Flights, hotel or villa bookings, local transportation, event planning - we do it all. Destination management is our specialty. Just ask us.

Union Island is small, but quite cosmopolitan. Between the variety of people who live in Union, "characters" in their own right, and the large cross section of travellers who grace our shores, any given evening in Union is an adventure - of the nicest kind. Drop by Twilight Bar in the centre of Clifton and breathe in the ambiance, colour and great yarns being told there each evening. Contribute a story of your own! Visitors become instant friends at Twilight.

You might just want to stay in the Grenadines forever, once you have visited our corner of paradise. If so, contact Erika's Land and Villa Sales to find the perfect piece of land to build your dream vacation or retirement home. We also represent already built villas and houses.

Over the past years, the Grenadines islands have received many world-class ratings.

2008 Best Honeymoon Country of the Year by Caribbean Travel World Awards

Aso in 2008 from the Travel Channel, two of The World's 21 Sexiest Beaches are –
#5, Godahl Beach in Canouan and #14, Macaroni Beach in Mustique.

2006 Caribbean Diving Country of the Year by Caribbean Travel World Awards

HotHotHotSpot – extended range Wi-Fi at Erika's!!! Surf the net from your own yacht in Clifton Harbour, even as far as Petit St. Vincent. Convenience, privacy and reasonable prices. Our new amplifier provides a strong signal much further out now. Simply open a browser on your computer, then follow instructions when you see the HotHotHotSpot portal page.

Erika's is pleased to announce it supports Caribwx.com a great weather site

Escape the rush! Gridlock and deadlines are only a dim memory when you are in the Grenadines. Take a dip in the clear turquoise Caribbean sea – our beaches are quiet enough to make you think you are on your own private piece of paradise. Why not rent a beachside villa for a week and live your dream. Check with Erika's for Grenadines flights as well as villa and hotel availability. Take a Union Island flight from Barbados to pick up a charter yacht or rent an idylic villa.

We visited Palm Island recently. What a lovely and tranquil place it is. Sandy lanes, views of unparalleled beauty from every vantage point and a group of charming beach houses, each with its own character – comfortable, private and situated on some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Erika's represents several of these villas. Check our "Hotels/Villas" page for information on renting a villa. Some are even for sale!

Erika's can also assist with chartering a yacht, either bareboat or crewed. If you want to sail the Windward Islands for a few days, or even a few weeks, Erika's has yachts available to suit your needs. Look on our "Charter a Yacht" page for more information. A variety of yachts is available through Erika's.
Just ask us.

Kiteboarding has become a popular sport in Union Island. Beautiful, colourful kites soar over the turquoise sea as the boarders fly below. Currently there are not any equipment or kiteboarding instruction here, but for those afficionados who have their own gear and know "how to", there are several brilliant locations where the wind is strong and the water perfect. Contact Erika's for guidance on how to get here, where to stay and where to find the best kiting locations.

And while you are in the vicinity, take a day sail through the Grenadines on one of the wonderful Union Island based sailing craft that Erika's represents. Just ask us and we will book a day sail that you will never forget.

Tobago Cays Marine Park – the perfect place to chill out

The Tobago Cays Marine Park (TCMP) is a group of sandy islets located adjacent to Union Island in the heart of the Grenadines, truly a paradise of crystal clear water and world class reefs for diving and snorkeling. It provides a degree of serenity hard to find anywhere else in the world. All yachts must pay a small fee to enter the park. Rangers are on hand in boats in the park to collect the fees if you have not paid elsewhere – such as at the TCMP office in Union Island or yacht charter bases.

Getting married soon? Consider having your wedding ceremony and reception in the Grenadines. You only have to be in this country for one day in order to be legally married here. And while here, you can stay on for your honeymoon. There are lots of venues for weddings. Charter a lovely old wooden schooner and sail through the Tobago Cays with your family and friends, celebrating your special day under a clear sky. Or sail to an uninhabited island and have the ceremony performed on the beach. There are churches of several denominations in Union and the other Grenadines islands. Ask at Erika's for ideas and possibilities. We have local knowledge and connections. Our event organizers are waiting to hear from you.

Don't wait. Book Grenadines flights, charter yachts and/or accommodation now. Erika's travel services specialists, Heather and Chille, can look after all the details. E-mail:info@erikamarine.comfo@erikamarine.com