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Vogue
09-06-2025
- Vogue
Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain
Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue's global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you're planning to travel—from a subway ride to a transatlantic flight—we want to make sure it's worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide. Why go here? The hotel's new Guerlain Spa was unveiled in June 2024. Drawing inspiration from the Arawak tribe native to Anguilla, treatments at the expansive new wellness center focus on three essentials: water, salt, and botanicals. And with seven serene treatment rooms, a wellness suite, an infinity pool, multi-temperature plunge pools, and a sauna, the spa truly offers something for everyone. Photo: Courtesy of Cap Juluca What's the vibe? One travels to Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, via boat, sailing from the isle of Sint Maarten to Anguilla through turquoise waters and vistas of lush hills and valleys. The journey across the Anguillan Channel is smooth, scenic, and just 25 minutes long, and then, after a short drive, you arrive at the crescent-shaped Maundays Bay, with white Greco-Moorish villas nestled between picture-postcard Caribbean palm trees. In the open-air expanse of the main house, I was greeted with a signature mocktail, the Star of Juluca: freshly squeezed starfruit juice, sparkling water, and a dash of Ting soda. The laid-back vibe, in other words, is carefully crafted, and what I quickly learn about Cap Juluca and its staff is that they really want you to be well. Photo: Courtesy of Cap Juluca The history? Cap Juluca was built in 1988 and renovated in 2018, when the Belmond group—a hospitality company with a sterling reputation—took it over. (Its Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offerings are particularly appealing.) As part of the Belmond chain, Cap Jululca comes by its myriad influences honestly. One of the four restaurants on-site, Viva Venice, pays homage to Belmond's Hotel Cipriani in—you guessed it—Venice. Photo: Courtesy of Cap Juluca What should you try? The southern Spanish–style courtyard of the spa is the heart of the complex, decorated with elegant arches, mosaic tiles, and lush greenery. My first treatment, Ocean Vibes, began with a refreshing hibiscus, aloe vera, and native cherry tea, accompanied by a cold towel infused with Guerlain's Bergamote Calabria—a warm blend of cardamom, pink peppercorn, and ginger. This signature treatment uses a soothing ocean drum and alternating heated and chilled globes that are pressed into areas like the calves and upper shoulders. The next morning, with the temperature already nearing 90 degrees by 9 a.m., I returned for round two. I was led in a sound-bowl meditation in the open-air yoga studio, where birdsong and ocean waves contributed to the serene atmosphere. Then it was time for the plunge pools, oscillating between the hot and cold. Photo: Courtesy of Cap Juluca What else do we need to know? What makes Cap Juluca unique is the fact that it doesn't feel like a five-star resort hermetically sealed off from its surroundings; once the staff sees that your curiosity around the local culture has been piqued, they'll do everything in their power to showcase it. While having lunch at the hotel's Peruvian restaurant Uchu (don't miss the Ceviche Carretillero, which blends the freshest catch of the day with tangy tiger milk, crispy squid, and Andean corn), I struck up a spirited conversation with servers Yasmine and Manuela about which roadside spot serves the best barbecue chicken. Photo: Courtesy of Cap Juluca Who can go? If a more active kind of leisure is the pace you're looking for, the resort has tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts, as well as a fitness center with all the equipment you'd expect. Adapted from reporting by Maya Layne.
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Caribbean island with few tourists despite temperatures hitting 31C in June
The lesser-known Caribbean island of Grenada is a true gem, with stunning white sand beaches, lush rainforests and some incredible natural wonders for a dreamy holiday An undiscovered Caribbean paradise offers holidaymakers white sandy shores, lush forests and untouched natural beauty. Tucked away northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the dreamy destination of Grenada personifies classic Caribbean appeal. Come May and June, Grenada presents superb weather with daytime temperatures averaging a comfortable 29C to 31C, cooling down to a pleasant 23C to 25C at night – a perfect respite from the unpredictable English climate. Yet, despite its charming climate, Grenada is still a hidden gem compared to its busier neighbours, welcoming just 366,000 visitors annually – far fewer than the likes of Antigua (680,000) and St Lucia (783,000). Famous for its aromatic nutmeg and mace, the island is fittingly dubbed the "Island of Spice" and has a storied past that includes early Arawak and Carib inhabitants, a period under French control in the 17th century, and its subsequent transformation into a British colony, as per a report by the Express. Grenada became independent from the UK in 1974 and now thrives as part of the Commonwealth. The nation prides itself on a rich cultural tapestry, with influences from African, European and indigenous Caribbean roots clearly visible in their rhythmic music, expressive dance, delectable food, and lively festivals, including the exuberant Carnival celebrations. Grenada isn't just rich in history, it's also an adrenaline junkie's dream destination where water sports abound. Thanks to the island's exceptional conditions, enthusiasts can try their hand at sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and kiteboarding with plenty of resorts and aquatic centres on hand to offer both equipment hire and lessons. For those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land, a venture into Grenada's lush heartland to Annandale Falls is a must-do activity. This picturesque cascade invites visitors to either dive into its refreshing pool or simply soak up the tranquil atmosphere. The secluded spot has earned glowing reviews on TripAdvisor from those lucky enough to stumble upon it. One impressed visitor shared: "First visit, only there for a day from a cruise ship, but just love this beautiful country. The people are extraordinarily polite and friendly. "Taken around the island on a one hour taxi ride that lasted much longer and showed Grand Anse beach (absolutely gorgeous and where the locals play) and the famous University. Any Uni with its beach must be a winner! A beautiful, calm place to study with lots of happy-looking students milling around. "Flowers and trees are in full bloom and taxi driver Ronald is incredibly knowledgeable about the political history of the island. The waterfront is beautiful and so many fish to see. Some serious hills to climb to the fort etc, so wear comfy shoes." Another holidaymaker chimed in: "A must, Grenada is my favourite West Indian Island with the locals being very helpful and friendly, and the local shops being interesting and cheap. "Our favourite trip was on the Rhum Runner, a twin-hulled boat with a large flat deck and upper deck above. We boarded it for our second time just before Christmas with a steel band playing. "A trip around the main harbour followed by the crew feeding the local large fish. During this time the Rum Punch flowed in abundance, along with soft drinks, fresh local fruit, and cheese. "The next stop was a very beautiful beach which we landed on by literally walking down a gangplank. The rum still flowed whilst enjoying the scenery, even trays of drink appeared to float along on their own with crew members under the water."
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
This month's 'blood moon' eclipse mirrors one Christopher Columbus used to scare indigenous people with in 1504
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In 1504, Christopher Columbus, on his fourth trans-Atlantic voyage, was stranded on the shores of Jamaica, with his ships crawling with marine worms and his crew hungry. The Indigenous Arawak people, who had initially welcomed the Europeans, had grown weary of their demands. But Columbus had a trick up his sleeve: According to The Guardian, he consulted his astronomical tables and saw that a total lunar eclipse was imminent on March 1, 1504. Summoning the island's leaders, he warned them that his god would blot out the moon in anger if they did not help him by providing supplies. Fear gripped the Arawak people when the blood-red eclipse darkened the sky, and they rushed to appease Columbus with food and aid. Related: Where will the 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse be visible in March 2025? "The 1504 eclipse is well-documented as having been used by Columbus, who knew of the eclipse prediction, to convince the native tribes in Jamaica to aid his crew," Patrick Hartigan, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University in Houston, wrote in a recent paper published by the American Astronomical Society. It's a great story, but what does it have to do with the total lunar eclipse on March 13-14? Remarkably, the eclipses are 521 years apart, which means the moon takes an almost identical path through Earth's shadow and occurs against the same background stars. This striking similarity is no coincidence. All eclipses come in families called Saros. A near-identical eclipse occurs every 223 "lunations" — orbits of the moon around Earth. According to NASA, that's once every 6,585.3 days — or 18 years, 11 days, 8 hours. The total lunar eclipse on March 13-14, 2025, is part of a pattern Saros 123 cycle, which has been producing total lunar eclipses every 18 years, 11 days, 8 hours since July 16, 1628, and will do so until April 4, 2061. Saros, which literally means "the repetition," is how eclipses are predicted many centuries ahead. However, there are other cycles at play. One is the Hypersaros, a multigenerational cycle that lasts 521 years. That's equivalent to 25 Saros cycles, and it has an observable effect. Eclipses separated by a Hypersaros have similar depths, appear very close to the same location in the sky, and occur at nearly the same time of year, according to Hartigan. On March 13-14, skywatchers will have the same view of the "blood moon" total lunar eclipse as Columbus and the Arawak people had on Feb. 29, 1504, a celestial déjà vu that echoes across more than five centuries.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
St Vincent and the Grenadines buys island central to Garifuna culture
Members of the Garifuna community are celebrating 'a historic and long-awaited victory' after the Caribbean nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) announced the purchase of a privately owned island where thousands of their ancestors perished from disease and starvation. The uninhabited island of Baliceaux has long held great significance for the Garifuna people, the descendants of enslaved Africans and Indigenous Kalinago and Arawak people. In 1796, British forcesejected about 5,000 Garifuna men, women and children from their homes on mainland St Vincent and marooned them on the barren island in an attempt to quell decades of resistance to colonisation. Left with no shelter and little food or water, nearly half of the exiles had died from starvation and disease before British ships returned the following year to transport them 1,700 miles away to the island of Roatán off the coast of Honduras. Since then, Baliceaux has been seen as a sacred place by today's Garifuna, a population of about 600,000 scattered around the world. Activists have long campaigned for the island to be bought from its private owners and designated as a heritage site. On Thursday, the SVG prime minister, Ralph Gonsalves, announced in parliament that the island had been acquired for the nation because of its historical significance. 'The Government of St Vincent and Grenadines, given the historic importance of Baliceaux, has taken the decision to acquire Baliceaux,' he told lawmakers. He did not reveal the terms of the deal, but said the owners would be given 'fair compensation within a reasonable time'. Ubafu Topsey, an activist from Belize who has been at the forefront of the fight for Baliceaux said: 'We are ecstatic that the government of SVG is doing the right thing for us. [Gonsalves] put his money where his mouth is. He made his promise a reality.' Topsey, who is preparing for an annual Garifuna pilgrimage to Baliceaux on 14 March – celebrated in SVG as National Heroes Day in honour of the Garifuna chief Joseph Chatoyer – said this year's visit would be an occasion for special celebration. 'It is our homeland… and every Garifuna around the world understands that these are holy, sacred grounds. We are just so thankful and joyful,' she said. Topsey is hoping the island will become a World Heritage Site in honor of the Garifuna people, who she said were 'transnational' and borderless'. Related: Once a site of horror, a tiny Caribbean island could become a Garifuna shrine She also expressed hope that vegetation could be encouraged on the parched island. 'That barrenness is too much of a reminder of our grief and our suffering, and moving forward, we have to go beyond the pain and the agony and the suffering. Although we will never forget it, it is a tremendous opportunity for healing and setting an example for unlimited possibilities for future generations,' she said. Princess Eulogia Gordon, 35, a California publicist and Garifuna campaigner, described the news as an opportunity for unity. 'Baliceaux doesn't just belong to us. This is bigger than us. This is truly about unity and family and togetherness,' she said.
The Guardian
06-03-2025
- General
- The Guardian
St Vincent and the Grenadines buys island central to Garifuna culture
Members of the Garifuna community are celebrating 'a historic and long-awaited victory' after the Caribbean nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) announced the purchase of a privately owned island where thousands of their ancestors perished from disease and starvation. The uninhabited island of Baliceaux has long held great significance for the Garifuna people, the descendants of enslaved Africans and Indigenous Kalinago and Arawak people. In 1796, British forcesejected about 5,000 Garifuna men, women and children from their homes on mainland St Vincent and marooned them on the barren island in an attempt to quell decades of resistance to colonisation. Left with no shelter and little food or water, nearly half of the exiles had died from starvation and disease before British ships returned the following year to transport them 1,700 miles away to the island of Roatán off the coast of Honduras. Since then, Baliceaux has been seen as a sacred place by today's Garifuna, a population of about 600,000 scattered around the world. Activists have long campaigned for the island to be bought from its private owners and designated as a heritage site. On Thursday, the SVG prime minister, Ralph Gonsalves, announced in parliament that the island had been acquired for the nation because of its historical significance. 'The Government of St Vincent and Grenadines, given the historic importance of Baliceaux, has taken the decision to acquire Baliceaux,' he told lawmakers. He did not reveal the terms of the deal, but said the owners would be given 'fair compensation within a reasonable time'. Ubafu Topsey, an activist from Belize who has been at the forefront of the fight for Baliceaux said: 'We are ecstatic that the government of SVG is doing the right thing for us. [Gonsalves] put his money where his mouth is. He made his promise a reality.' Topsey, who is preparing for an annual Garifuna pilgrimage to Baliceaux on 14 March – celebrated in SVG as National Heroes Day in honour of the Garifuna chief Joseph Chatoyer – said this year's visit would be an occasion for special celebration. 'It is our homeland… and every Garifuna around the world understands that these are holy, sacred grounds. We are just so thankful and joyful,' she said. Topsey is hoping the island will become a World Heritage Site in honor of the Garifuna people, who she said were 'transnational' and borderless'. She also expressed hope that vegetation could be encouraged on the parched island. 'That barrenness is too much of a reminder of our grief and our suffering, and moving forward, we have to go beyond the pain and the agony and the suffering. Although we will never forget it, it is a tremendous opportunity for healing and setting an example for unlimited possibilities for future generations,' she said. Princess Eulogia Gordon, 35, a California publicist and Garifuna campaigner, described the news as an opportunity for unity. 'Baliceaux doesn't just belong to us. This is bigger than us. This is truly about unity and family and togetherness,' she said.
