I believe strongly about strenghthening and supporting the community which we live and work in.  There are so many amazing opportunities to get involved with doing just that here in the Turks & Caicos – and my choice for the past 4 years has been to work with the AMAZING team at the Rotary Club of Providenciales.   On a small island, every little bit helps, and the smallest of efforts has BIG and swift impact to many.  One of my projects each year is the ‘dictionary project’ where we purchase these really cool dictionaries each year from an organization called ‘The Dictionary Project‘ and distribute them across the country to Grade 3′s.  Students really look forward to getting them, and they cherish them and hold on to them throughout many of their years.

This year’s project was a great success, the many smiles you see when handing them out makes all the effort worthwhile, and I’m already looking forward to start getting things organized for next year’s handouts.  Get more information on the Rotary Club of Providenciales by visiting http://www.rotary.tc

Rotarian Val gets a picture snapped while handing out Dictionaries across the country to Grade 3's

Whether you’re looking to save more or traveling with a large group, a vacation villa is the perfect accommodation type for your trip to Turks & Caicos! A vacation villa can provide the ultimate space and privacy that you won’t experience at a hotel or resort. Villas are also perfect for large family vacations as many feature multiple bedrooms. Villas in the Turks & Caicos come in all shapes and sizes, with so many options to choose from the task can become chaotic. Not only are there many villas to choose from, there is also a variety of locations.

As we strive to make your Turks & Caicos travel plans a bit easier for visitors, we’ll explain in depth how important the right location is to your trip planning.

Gorgeous views of Silly Creek from Villa Alamandra

Silly Creek is located on the south western are of Providenciales, the tourism center of the island chain. On that tip of the island, there are panoramic views of the ocean. The area is home to many high end luxury homes and villas and is just a short distance to the beautiful Taylor Bay which is a shallow sandy beach. From the airport this area is about 10 minutes away. From the main Grace Bay area where the main resort strip and golf course is located, it is about a 15 minute drive. This exclusive area is home to our favorites Villa Alamandra (4 bedrooms), Ponte Del Sogno (4 bedrooms), Tropical Shores Villa (3 bedrooms) and Villa Sublime (1-3 bedrooms).

Also on the south west side of Providenciales is Chalk Sound. The National Park offers magnificent views of the ocean and its scattered little cays. The area is also a high end residential area with many luxury homes and villas in the neighborhood. The nearby beach called Sapodilla Bay is a bit difficult to find but it is very calm, peaceful and also a shallow which makes it perfect for children. Our favorite villas in Chalk Sound include Bahia Mar (4 bedrooms), Villa Blue Heaven (3 bedrooms), Breezy Palms (4bedrooms), Emerald Shores (3-9 bedrooms), Etoile de Mer (3-4 bedrooms), Villa Seacliff (5 bedrooms) and Sunset Point Villa (4 bedooms).

On the northern end of the island is an area known as Turtle Tail. Villas in Turtle Tail enjoy gorgeous private beaches and views. The distance to the main Grace Bay area is only about 7 minutes and the airport is 10 minutes away. Our favorite villas in Turtle Tail include Bajacu (2-5 bedrooms) and Villa Balinese (3 bedrooms).

The beautiful 2 bedroom Acacia Villa in Leeward, Providenciales

Leeward is a high end residential community on the north east side of the island and features beach and canal front villas. The beaches of Leeward are private and often secluded. The beaches access are easy to find and are perfect for picnics. Our top picks in Leeward are Acacia Villa (2 bedrooms) and Channel House (4 bedroom). The airport is just 20 minutes away and the main Grace Bay area is only 5 minutes away.

Neighboring Leeward is the area known as Long Bay on the southeast shore of Providenciales. This is also a popular residential area which beautiful white sandy beaches to enjoy. It is 5 minutes away from the main Grace Bay strip and the airport is 20 minutes away. The pristine beach is approximately 3 miles long. Ranking highly in Long Bay are Breezy Villa (3 bedrooms), Casa Varnishkes (4-9 bedrooms), Villa Shambhala (4-5 bedrooms) and Long Bay House (5-6 bedrooms).

Sapodilla Bay on the south western side of Providenciales is a luxurious residential community beside Chalk Sound. The bay here is known for its calmness and beautiful views. Even you are staying in other parts of the idea this is a “must-visit” beach. With many options to choose from in this area, our favorites are Casa Ananas (3 bedrooms) and La Koubba (3-6 bedrooms).

Just a few miles from Sapodilla Bay is Taylor Bay on the south western end of Providenciales. It is also known as Sunset Bay for the majestic sunsets to be seen on the Bay. The villas in Taylor Bay are either ocean front or offer ocean views. Our favorite villas in Taylor Bay are Five Turtles (4 bedrooms), Tre Desideri (2-4 bedrooms) and Place de la Sol (1-3 bedrooms).

The infamous Grace Bay is home to the award winning Grace Bay beach and is where many of the major resorts, hotels and condominiums. This is also where the main shopping plazas, spas, golf course and a casino. The Grace Bay area is the most sought after location and our favorite villas include Serenity House on Grace Bay (6 bedrooms) and Villa Sounion (5 bedrooms).

Our family islands also have a great selection of vacation villas. You can escape the more popular island of Providenciales for the unspoiled, quaint and historic experience in the “green” island North Caicos, the nation’s capital Grand Turk or the whale watching hub Salt Cay. Our favorite family island villa is Whitby Beach Cottage (3 bedrooms) in North Caicos.

Helpful images showing you where the many beachfront villas are located

This information will help you to successfully narrow down the locations where you would prefer your vacation villa in Turks & Caicos. Consult with our Destination Experts to decide the best location and island to reserve a vacation villa today!

Top 5 Reasons to Choose a Villa in Turks and Caicos

There are so many excellent accommodation options in Turks and Caicos, and villas are no exception.

Here are the most significant reasons to book a villa for your next vacation to Turks and Caicos:

1. Privacy - A private villa provides the ultimate privacy and exclusivity that most families crave on while on vacation. Escape the crowds that you would have encountered in the common areas of a resort. There is also the advantage of having your own private pool and, depending on your location, a small section of the beach. You’ll also never have to worry about availability of beach chairs and towels. Having this privacy will give you the freedom to fell right at home
2. Great for families – Whether it’s a reunion or your yearly get away, villas are a great option for families large or small. You can cook your own meals and pay attention to special needs and preferences that may not be available at a resort
3. Great value – At some resorts, the rate includes features and services that you may never use. At a private villa you are paying for just accommodations with some extras included. Depending on the season there is greater savings in renting a villa
4. Spacious, Peaceful – Why not opt to have a full, spacious villa than a hotel suite? Every villa has an equipped gourmet kitchen, large balcony and patios and over-sized bedrooms.
5. Customized vacation experience – You have full reign to customize your vacation your way. If you’d like to have a private chef, personal butler or concierge, at home spa treatment, groceries delivered to your villa etc. it can all be arranged through your property manager. You’d experience the same 5 star service standard that you would at a 5 star resort with magnificent attention to detail

And there you have it.  We’ve got loads of Villas in Turks and Caicos to choose from, and if you’re confused, just call us in the islands!

Featured Villa - Hartling House on Long Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos 4 Bedrooms, 4 en suite Baths

We were honored to be invited amongst a select few throughout the islands to attend the inaugural ride of the brand spanking new ‘Island Rhythms’ tour.  The new land based tour service is being introduced to the Providenciales tourism market this fall by our friends at FOTTAC (guests that book with us love the free rum cake that they get from the store – you’vegot to try it if you haven’t already!).

Island Reservation Experts Val and Dulga on the inaugural ride of the brand new 'Island Rhythms' tour bus

There’s certainly a lot of options for water based activities here in Providenciales, in fact there’s just about anything that you can dream up … sailing, wind-surfing, kayaking, snuba, scuba, kite-boarding and lots more; so when we heard about this land based tour that takes you around the island, is relatively inexpensive, stops at the major hot spots, and offers a fun, music-filled atmosphere with lively hosts (or as they call themselves ‘ambassadors’ which is quitefitting), we couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Dulga and I got our photo opps at the beginning of the tour when guests were still arriving, and off we went on the very green bus called the ‘Jumbie bus‘ (the word Jumbie is a type of mythological spirit in the folklore of Caribbean countries).  The Jumbie bus is quite simple, but very effective for the purpose of the tour, is has lots of EXTREMELY comfortable seating, seat-belts for every seat, lots of padding and cushioning around, an easy-to-climb ladder to board and de-board at the different stops, a large TV screen in front, and some pretty powerful speakers that plays the lively Turks island rhythm music during the tour.

The ambassadors did a fantastic job of keeping guests informed and entertained by giving us a

Chillin' with the ambassadors on the green "Jumbie bus'

taste of some island trivia, talking about their personal backgrounds and which of the TCI islands they were all from, and all very friendly and hospitable.  Lots of smiling faces were all around.

The Jumbie bus stops at Providenciales’ major hot spots including places like Cheshire Hall (a 200 year-old ruins of a former cotton plantation), Conch Shack in Blue Hills (eat conch taken fresh from the water and taken right to the pot), Chalksound National Park (see neon blue water), and much more including a stop at the Grace Bay based FOTTAC (where you can sample some of that yummy Bambarra Rum cake I just mentioned or choose from a wide variety of very nice souvenirs).  A slew of different tours are offered including a very entertaining night bus tour (now there’s an idea!) that will go to places like the Miniature Golf Course for some drinks and maybe a bit of island karaoke (hey, you’re on vacation!).

Dulga and I were very impressed with this new operation and are excited to book our first guests on it, so be sure to ask us about getting your tickets!

BLOG UPDATE:  October 23, 2011

Got some more great information and details to share on this brand new wonderful tour and island experience that is now in full swing and available for bookings!

Operating with the mantra “Inform, Involve, Inspire,” the company provide tours that educate visitors on the proud traditions and customs of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their team of highly trained, highly skilled, Ambassadors guide the adventures on board the Rhythm Ride with the sounds of the Caribbean. Activities while educational and entertaining are also interactive, allowing for an authentic cultural immersion.

The principals of this enterprise are Turks and Caicos Islanders with an impressive repertoire of civic, business and humanitarian interests that they administrate throughout the vibrant community. They are hopeful that the introduction of this premiere ground sightseeing service will inspire contemporaries to develop “spots” to be featured in their notable catalogue of venues that pay tribute to the islanders’ distinguished heritage.

Owing to unique geological, cultural and historical characteristics Island Rhythms Tours has fostered Cultural Alliances with the following:

• TCI National Trust
• The Conch Farm (Conch World)
• Five Cays Fish House
• Froggies
• Provo Mini Golf
• da Conch Shack
• FOTTAC (Flavors of the Turks and Caicos)
• Smokey’s on the Beach
• DECR Environmental Center
• Turks & Caicos Cultural Commission
• The Wine Cellar
• Turks Head Beer
• Flamingo Cafe
• Turks & Caicos Tourist Board

Schedule and Itinerary showing the line up for the stops along Providenciales

Come on along for the fun on Island Rhythms

Turks And Caicos Resorts

Sure, why not?  Have an authentic Turks & Caicos Rumcake on us!  Just our little way of saying thanks for choosing to book your vacation with our young, hip, dynamic, creative and superhero team right here in Grace Bay.

We’ve launched a special promotion to commemorate new air service being offered by Air Canada to Turks and Caicos. Air Canada will begin direct, non-stop service from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, on Feb 16, 2012 through April 26, 2012. To celebrate the additional airlift, we’re giving away Bambara rum cakes to every person who books with us! This is over and beyond our very popular Travel Rewards program where you get other free stuff like a car rental for a few days, spa treatments, scuba diving, etc.

The new Air Canada flights leave Halifax on Thursdays at 1:45 pm and land in Providenciales at 5:30 pm – enabling passengers to arrive just in time for sunset cocktails and dinner on the beach.

We’re definitely all about making our little piece of paradise more accessible to more people, so we welcome this news as it now makes it even easier for our Canadian friends to come visit. Having lived in Halifax for almost a decade, I appreciate this new flight even more. There are now a total of eight direct flights from Canada each week during the high season – just when temperatures start to dip –so I expect this news to make many people very happy this winter!

Air Canada customers can fly directly to Turks and Caicos from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and now Halifax.

To pull this off, we partnered up with FOTTAC, a local retailer that promotes the flavours of these islands. FOTTAC specializes in local artisan products such as rums, hot sauces, jellies, coffee, baskets, candles and soaps. When you get to the island, you’ve got to check this place out! There’s a wide sample of jams, jellies, peppers, etc to taste, and the store is in the heart of the Grace Bay tourist area, the Regent Village.

Excited?

Turks And Caicos Resorts