Well – what an eventful couple of weeks this has been!  We’ve had the sad demise of Flybe and the escalation of the Coronavirus, forcing Italy into complete lockdown.

No country is immune of course but I am pleased to report that at the time of writing, the beautiful BVI remains coronavirus free but has procedures in place for immediate isolation should anyone become infected.

This is an excerpt from a statement issued by the BVI’s Minister for Health and Social Development the Hon Carvin Malone….

“While there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within our Territory, we are keeping a high level of vigilance and monitoring the global spread of the virus.“

And another excerpt from a statement issued by British Airways……

ENHANCED AIRCRAFT CLEANING
The cleanliness of our aircraft is of utmost importance. We have reviewed and made changes to our cleaning programme for aircraft including increasing our cleaning teams and audit inspections. Our disinfectant cleaning fluids are used on every aircraft after each flight to thoroughly clean all hard surfaces in the cabins and lavatories.

All our aircraft are fitted with HEPA filters which remove particulate and bacterial contamination and provide passengers with clean air. They provide the same level of air filtration as hospital operating theatres.

Responsible and reassuring words indeed. In the past, we’ve had to deal with SARS, Swine Flu’, Bird Flu’,  to name but a few.  All of them came and all of them went. COVID-19 will be no exception.

Instead of allowing this to dominate all of our lives, I urge you to think of happier things…..swaying palm trees, sparkling turquoise waters, white sand beaches, boats bobbing around on the warm sea.…you know where this is going right?

Pick up the phone and talk to me about booking your next holiday to the beautiful BVI and…..this could be you

Virgin Gorda has a brand new sports club.

It is called the Nail Bay Sports Club and is set among beautiful gardens with a stunning coastal backdrop.

The Nail Bay Sports Club offers a floodlit tennis court with resident pro and two world class squash courts with a moveable partition to create a doubles court. Play this fast-hitting game with friends before a dip in the pool and a well-deserved drink at the bar. You might also benefit from tips on technique from the resident coach who is the former No. 10 in the world and a Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist.

The Nail Bay Sports Club also offers table tennis, a gym and a fabulous pool for cooling off in afterwards.

The Sugarcane Restaurant at the Sports Club serves delicious food and the views are spectacular.

Where else could you say “game, set and match” against a backdrop like this?

For more information about the Nail Bay Sports Club on Virgin Gorda, contact BVI Holidays on 01279 871188.

Lambert Beach Resort and Spa in the beautiful BVI has reopened.   The resort has the same Italian owners who have completely refurbished the property and added a fitness room, tennis court and spa.  It’s just beautiful.

Lambert Beach Resort is situated on a stunning beach at the Northeast of Tortola close to Beef Island airport.  They have a brand new chef offering many culinary delights, not only at the beachfront restaurant but at the poolside and swim-up bars too.

You can also combine a few nights at Lambert Beach Resort on Tortola with a few nights on beautiful Virgin Gorda or prior to, or after a yacht charter.  It’s all very flexible.

Call BVI Holidays to book your stay at Lambert Beach Resort and Spa.

You may or may not be aware that week commencing 6^th January was World Travel Week.  Back in December, I was approached and asked if I would be interested in promoting the BVI as the “go to” destination for 2020.  Of course I was, I didn’t need to be asked twice!  What an amazing opportunity to raise awareness for the beautiful BVI.

I went along to the recording studio in London on 8^th January and was interviewed by several radio stations including Sky and BBC Radio Norfolk – 16 interviews altogether!  I was extremely nervous but excited too.  It all went really well and it was a real pleasure speaking with so many different presenters in locations all over the UK.

Where is YOUR “go to” destination this year, or even next year?  I do hope it is the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

If you would rather be here doing this

then that’s absolutely fine, but if you would rather be doing this….

Please contact BVI Holidays and we look forward to hearing from you –  01279 871188.  We would be happy to assist in arranging a fabulous holiday to your very own little corner of paradise.

It might be black, dark and miserable where you are right now but why not plan a holiday to the golden beaches and turquoise seas of the beautiful BVI!

I am delighted to be able to offer you a whopping 25% discount off of any power cat or motor yacht in the Virgin Motor Yacht’s bareboat fleet.  Hurry though – this has to be booked by 5^th December 2019.  Offer is subject to availability and is not valid over the Christmas period.  It is valid however throughout 2020 (apart from Christmas).  If you do not sail yourself, BVI Holidays can organise a skipper for you.

Does this look tempting??   This could be you……

Call BVI Holidays to book your next holiday to the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

It’s exciting times in the beautiful BVI.  Rosewood Little Dix Bay  on Virgin Gorda is re-opening on January 1st and the hotel looks absolutely stunning.  I always wondered how they could improve on perfection but….they have done just that and I can’t wait to visit.  So much has been upgraded and they now have butler service catering to their guests’ every need.

After an active day perhaps playing tennis, kayaking or island hopping around the other islands in the BVI, you can have a nice relaxing treatment in the Rosewood Little Dix Bay Spa followed by an aperitif in the Rum Room before enjoying a delicious dinner in one of Little Dix’s three fabulous restaurants.  The following day you can take advantage of the complimentary beach drop off provided by Rosewood Little Dix Bay…..who wouldn’t like to be here…….

More exciting news comes from the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda.  The owners have been working hard on the rebuild since the hurricane in 2017 – the eye passed directly over Bitter End and the hotel was wiped out completely.  After the recovery operation on the island was completed (the owners of Bitter End were very involved in this), they got down to the painstaking task of clearing away the debris and now the first phase is almost complete. This will be the shops along the waterfront, the docks, moorings, marina facilities and dining.  There will also be plenty of great spots to enjoy Painkillers and killer sunsets!  We have to be patient – rebuilding Bitter End is not just about building an hotel – it’s like rebuilding a small town!

The day is not too far away when we will be seeing this beautiful sight again in the North Sound, Virgin Gorda.  The buzzing, thriving hub that is the Bitter End Yacht Club.

What happens when steady trade winds meet an island-flecked channel with tame currents and hundreds of protected salt-rimmed bays?  They create the sailing capital of the world – an ocean of great adventure.

There really is nothing like sailing in the British Virgin Islands.  Discover hidden coves, great anchorages and snorkel spots and deserted white sand beaches.

If you want that “adrenalin rush” join in with the many regattas that are held throughout the BVI.  From a fun “whatever floats” race to high level international, match-racing regattas.  The BVI is the place to be.

You can charter monohulls, catamarans and power boats and because the islands of the BVI are close together, you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner on 3 different islands.  If you would rather sit back and let someone else do all the work, you can hire your very own skipper while you sit back and enjoy a rum punch on the aft deck.

There is lots of fun to be had below the waves as well as above – the snorkelling and diving in the BVI are second to none and you can also try your hand at SNUBA, which is somewhere between the two and particularly good for people who have never snorkelled before.

The British Virgin Islands are special – do come and see for yourself.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been ranked as the number-one best holiday destination in the Caribbean.

Online travel magazine ‘US News’ ranked the BVI ahead of 16 other Caribbean destinations, edging out St Lucia who ranked second and the neighbouring US Virgin Islands in third place.

The online magazine computed these rankings based on their user-votes and expert insights along with other contributing factors which included accessibility to beaches, tourist attractions and comfortable accommodations.

It also described the BVI as a paradise which attracts travellers who love sailing, diving and seclusion. US News further dissected the main and sister islands, listing some of the benefits tourists can look forward to when travelling to the territory.

For Tortola the online magazine described the main island as having mountainous cliffs and chalk-white beaches characterised by changing tides and calm, easterly winds.

Jost Van Dyke was labelled as having the region’s best New Year’s Eve parties, offering delicious Caribbean food and drink and providing water sport activities such as diving and fishing.

The popular attraction, The Baths – which can be described as the pride and joy of Virgin Gorda – was said to be one of the most ‘picturesque shores’ in the BVI. Anegada in the meantime, was described as the place to be for supreme seclusion, for its slow pace, flat terrain and sparkling sand.

The BVI also ranked high in some of the magazine’s other regional categories including third best family holiday destination and one of the best places to visit in February. The territory was also mentioned for best Caribbean honeymoons and best Caribbean beaches.

Only one thing left for you to do – pick up the phone and ask me to arrange YOUR holiday to this beautiful Caribbean paradise that is the British Virgin Islands.

One of my favourite spots in the whole BVI is beautiful Guana Island.  It really is heaven on earth.  Stay in a luxurious hillside cottage or your own private villa with pool.  Enjoy stunning beaches, excellent snorkelling and a choice of watersports.

You can challenge your partner to a game of tennis or be pampered in the Spa.  Sip herbal tea in the orchard specially made for you by the lovely Jamal.  Feed the 6′ long iguanas on fruit – they love melon balls (!) and enjoy freshly laid eggs for breakfast from Guana’s very own hens.  There are numerous hiking trails on Guana, all clearly marked and some more challenging than others.

After a delicious dinner on one of Guana Island’s romantic terraces, you can watch your favourite movie in the Garden of Eden while popping popcorn and sipping your favourite wine.

Allow me to arrange your next holiday to Guana Island in the beautiful BVI.

Peaceful, personal, paradise……this is Guana Island.

In my opinion, the British Virgin Islands is the best destination in the world to go island hopping.  You can visit so many beautiful beaches and have lots of amazing snorkel stops in one day.

How many islands you can visit (and there are lots) depends on whether you wish to be under sail or power.  If you just want to enjoy a leisurely sail on a lovely catamaran where you have plenty of sunbathing space, a suggested itinerary would be to head for Virgin Gorda and spend time at the Baths or Devil’s Bay.  There is a trail between the two but you need “jelly” shoes or similar – it’s not for the faint hearted!  Next stop could be snorkelling at Fallen Jerusalem which comprises a jumble of granite boulders interspersed with small patches of silky sand.

Moving on for lunch at Cooper Island Beach Club is a must where you can be lazy and watch the marine life (in real time) drift past on a television positioned above the bar, while you enjoy a nice cocktail.

Another quick stop is to snorkel among the magnificent tarpons at Benure’s Bay, Peter Island en route to Norman Island for a late afternoon cocktail at Pirate’s Bight Beach Bar.

A truly fabulous day out and, if you are under power, there are so many more places in the beautiful BVI you can visit in a day.