This Caribbean paradise is perfect for island hopping with a private resort back in action
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It's on the southwestern tip of the island, near the Baths National Park, a popular swath of coastline with granite boulders, caves and tidal pools. It's a bucket-list site and I'm grateful to see it, after the cruise ship crowds have come and gone.
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I take the short trail from Devil's Bay to the Baths, squeezing between rock faces, climbing up little ladders and wading through water encased by massive boulders that glow where the sun's rays grace the time-sculpted granite that was pushed up from the sea floor millions of years ago. The maze of a trail ends on a white, sandy beach.
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The surrounding area on Virgin Gorda offers stunning panoramic views and I make a few stops at lookout points for Soldier Bay, Mahoe Bay and Savannah Bay — just a few of the breathtaking vistas — before taking a boat back to the northeastern tip of the island.
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The North Sound has some stellar places for cocktails and dining. Every sunset is a masterpiece and the star-filled evenings make me want to linger … Ikigai, which opened in May 2024, at the Biras Resort is particularly noteworthy.
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The restaurant's name is the Japanese term for a passion that gives value and joy to life. And Chef Gustavo Kitayama's 12-course Caribbean-Japanese omakase menu does just that.
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Carefully curated with local ingredients from the Biras farm and the Caribbean — a mouthwatering parade of dishes are created and served at the bar, which seats 12. Branzino tartar, with green apple, celery, truffle oil and hazelnuts; mahi mahi foam with tobiko and a seaweed cracker; and sous-vide grilled black cod with teriyaki sauce and fried leek are among my favourites.
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The only thing that makes leaving Virgin Gorda bearable is taking two boat rides through the archipelago — one quite exhilarating, with me catching air at the bow, and the other more leisurely. Both, equally scenic passing Mosquito, Beef and Cooper islands among others, are en route to the private Peter Island and its eponymous Peter Island Resort, which reopened late last year.
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The exclusive resort has about 50 new and upgraded premium accommodations steps from the palm tree-lined stretch of Deadman's Beach and two luxury villas nestled on hillsides with incredible views of the ocean and surrounding islands. In addition, there are five sandy, secluded beaches, two swimming pools and a yacht club that can accommodate super yachts of up to 200 feet. All of this is on a picturesque, tropical island, along with facilities like a fitness centre, a conference centre and a spa.
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I do a sunrise walk up the windy, dirt road — passing beautifully scented frangipani flowers, sage and tamarind trees — to a lookout about 100 metres above the sea. The views are spectacular here and at the nearby Falcon's Nest Villa, where I watch the sunset. I can see Tortola, the Sir Francis Drake Channel just south of it, Cooper Island, Ginger Island and others dotted around the vast azure waters.
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I can also see Norman Island, perhaps the most notorious place in the BVI. It was apparently the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Piracy in the area dates back several centuries when pirates such as Captain William Kidd and Blackbeard were said to have made it their base.
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The resort's Drake Steakhouse is named for the aforementioned Sir Francis Drake — a privateer and the first Englishman to sail around the world from 1577 to 1580. At the restaurant, chef Frank Sham serves up delicious fare from a Caribbean take on French toast with tamarind syrup in the morning to wagyu steak in the evening.
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Certainly, touring the island, walking its white, sandy beaches and playing in the water works up an appetite. It also prepares me for one final indulgence — which begins with a refreshing ginger lemonade at the spa.
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Vancouver Sun
4 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
The Ultimate Vancouver Food Tour: 15 iconic restaurants that are hometown specialties
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If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Meanwhile, our proverbial outdoorsy and active lifestyle means plenty of vegan, gluten-free, and organic options, although poutine and wings are never more than a QR code away. In recent years, B.C. wines have come into their own, providing a local option on the wine list at many fine dining establishments. Innovative craft beer and spirits scenes add to the appeal for both local and visiting food and beverage enthusiasts, as do initiatives like the Spot Prawn Festival and Dine Out Vancouver. Among all the options, a few iconic establishments — or hometown specialties, if you will — have emerged. Here are 15 of the city's most iconic eateries, categorized by cuisine: 1133 W Broadway, Vancouver For more than 30 years, Tojo's has been influencing the way the West Coast thinks about and consumes Japanese food. 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Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Globe and Mail
This is the Caribbean's top destination. Here's what to do there beyond enjoying the sun and sand
The Dominican Republic may be best known for its pristine sand and clear waters. After all, the hundreds of resorts help explain why more than 11 million visitors arrived in 2024, setting a new record and confirming its status as the Caribbean's most popular destination. But that's just the start. Beyond the beaches, travellers can discover centuries of history, hike the Dominican Alps, explore the country's nightlife scene and much more. For history buffs: Learn about the country's story of resilience and transformation The Dominican Republic's complex history as a colony and, later, an independent nation shaped a culture rooted in indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial influence and African heritage. Long before Columbus arrived in 1492, the island was home to the native Taino, whose legacy lives on in place names, art and traditions. In Santo Domingo, the Ciudad Colonial is the oldest European city in the Americas, home to landmarks like the Catedral Primada de America and Fortaleza Ozama. The Museo del Hombre Dominicano traces these cultural roots through Taino artifacts and Afro-Dominican spiritual traditions. The Museo Memorial de la Resistencia Dominicana tells the story of how the three Mirabal sisters and others helped bring down the Trujillo dictatorship. Beyond the capital, the country has The Cave of Wonders (La Cueva de las Maravillas), the first museum of rock art in the Antilles, with impressive geological formations and more than 500 pictographs. Further north, in the city of Santiago, The Monument of Los Heroes de la Restauracion pays tribute to the 19th-century fight for independence. For the outdoorsy: Explore hiking trails, waterfalls, limestone cliffs and more You don't have to look far to find rugged, breathtaking landscapes to explore on foot. 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These days, it's the heavy bass and quick, catchy beats of dembow (another homegrown style) that keep clubs buzzing, alongside urbano, a broader mix of Latin street styles shaped by Dominican artists. Beach towns like Punta Cana lean into club and lounge vibes and in the surf community of Cabarete, bars spill onto the sand for fireside drumming and reggae nights. In smaller towns, colmados are still the heart of the action, with cold beers, loudspeakers and impromptu dancing that can go all night. For the adventurers: Get ready to scuba dive, kiteboard, windsurf and more Looking for a bit of a thrill? From Bayahibe, boats head to Saona Island, where natural pools, white sand and palm-shaded shores are perfect for a snorkel. Not far off, Catalina Island draws divers to coral gardens, shipwrecks and the famous reef drop known as The Wall. Between January and March, Samana Bay is one of the best places anywhere to catch humpback whales putting on a show. Cabarete's steady winds make it a favourite for kiteboarders and windsurfers, while Sosua has easily accessible reefs for snorkelling and beginner dives. Isla Beata and Isla Alto Velo offer untouched shores and deep-sea fishing. Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio. The Globe's editorial department was not involved.
Japan Forward
2 days ago
- Japan Forward
Feeling the Heat: Tourists React to Tokyo's Sweltering Summer
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