The Insiders' Guide to St. Barths: St Barths News and Bytes

While I found my last two posts interesting there is more info that was on the newsletter called St Barth News and Bytes that more people may find just as interesting. I don't know how popular it is but if anybody is interested, to subscribe to this electronic newsletter simply email cduensing@nc.rr.com and in the subject line, write "Subscribe to St Barths News and Bytes" and no I am not in anyway affiliated, just a subscriber.
I forget how often it is sent but has neat little bits of info.
Two of the paragraphs you will find familiar but here is the content. Pics excluded since I don't have the computer skills like JEK to post a picture copy.

No. 57, Monday, June 30, 2008

St Barth News Bytes
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Sponsors
* St Barth Properties, Inc, www.stbarth.com
* Caribbean On-Line www.caribbean-on-line.com/st-barts
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St Barth Properties Featured Villa of the Month
St Barth Properties president Peg Walsh has been chosen as one of the top villa agents worldwide by Condé Nast Traveler for the third year in row, earning the “2008 Condé Nast Traveler Villa Rental Specialist” award

VILLA PIMENT
This beautifully designed new one-bedroom, one-bathroom hillside villa exudes romance. Guests enjoy the intimate ambience, privacy and gorgeous view. An open, fully equipped kitchen with bar looks out to the view. A large sun deck surrounds the swimming pool and warm Jacuzzi while the dining area and outdoor sitting area lie under the covered portion of the deck. The bedroom, which looks out to the view, features a 4-poster king bed, a loveseat, television and stereo. The air-conditioned ensuite bath boasts a walk-in closet and double-sink vanity that also looks out to the view. Villa Piment is the perfect choice for honeymooners as well as for those seeking a romantic hideaway.

New St Barth License Plates Start to Appear

As a result of St Barth becoming an Overseas Collectivity, all newly registered cars will have the new St Barth license plates, which will include the letters SBH. The standard plate will consist of one to three digits, followed by a space, followed by one to three letters and the letters SBH. Personalized plates are also now allowed and can consist of up to ten letters with no spaces. The standard registration costs 25 euros and personalized plates will cost 50 euros. It will be fun to see the personalized plates that appear on the island!

St Barth Chosen for Pre-Release Preview of Dom Perignon 2000 Vintage

Segeco, the exclusive distributor for Dom Pérignon in the Caribbean, organized an event on June 3 at the Manapany Hotel in Anse des Cayes to present the vintage Dom Pérignon Millésime 2000, marking the first time that a vintage Dom Pérignon has been presented in the Caribbean. This vintage was made from grapes picked at the end of the 20th century and aged for seven years in the champagne cellar. Chief champagne maker Richard Geoffroy describes the aroma as having “notes of poached pears and gardenia” and that “on the palate, notes of anise and dry ginger mix with a hint of ripe fruit (pear and mango).”

St Barth Properties Offers Great Savings on Car Rentals

St Barth Properties is offering a “Deals on Wheels” special from June 16 to October 31. If you make a reservation during that time at one of the villas or hotels that they represent, you can rent a car for $175 per week, with a $25 rate for each additional day. A normally good rate for this time of year is 25 euros per day, which at current exchange rates is $39.50 per day! These rates are good for a Suzuki Ignis hardtop sedan or a Jimny soft-top convertible Jeep, both with automatic transmission. For further details and to book your reservation, visit their website at www.stbarth.com.

Has the François Plantation Closed Its Doors for Good?

Word has it that the 4-star Hotel François Plantation, located on the northwestern tip of the island, high in the hills of Colombier, has decided to close its doors. Whether this is truly a permanent closing or not remains to be seen. They were closed for renovations when this news arrived. Several sources say they will not re-open. However, their website says “closed until further notice.” We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Not only would this be a loss of a lovely hotel, but also of an excellent restaurant.

Specials at Le Toiny Hotel

The Hotel Le Toiny, located on the southeastern coast of St Barth, is a member of the Relais & Chateaux chain. The hotel’s restaurant, Le Gaïac, overlooks the Caribbean and has a beautiful pool that restaurant guests are welcome to use. The restaurant is now offering a special “Discover St Barth” menu poolside every Friday evening for 58 euros. And, clients of St Barth Properties can enjoy complimentary cocktails. Among other items, the menu includes such temptations as crawfish wrapped in crispy spaghetti with a guacamole of mango and passion fruit, crab raviolis, and rack of lamb coated with crusty coconut and served with an eggplant chutney and spring vegetables.

Another special, offered in conjunction with Ligne St Barth, includes a 1 1/2-hour treatment by St Barth Spa (provided by Ligne St Barth), a light lunch at Le Gaïac restaurant, use of the pool and a cocktail at the bar for 110 euros. This package is available Monday through Friday from June 23 until August 31. To make your reservation, contact Ligne St Barth at 0590 27 82 63 or spa@lignestbarth.com. Ligne St Barth is located in Lorient where they manufacture skin-care products containing ingredients from plants, fruits and flowers native to the Caribbean. Each product complies with international regulations of the cosmetic industry, are PABA-free, are not tested on animals and are approved by dermatologists.

More Airline News

Air Caraïbes Last week, it was reported that Air Caraibes, who provides commercial flights and charters between St. Maarten and St. Barth has ceased all operations of flights and the handling of flights and charters until further notice due to financial losses. Those with confirmed tickets are being accommodated by other airlines, notably Winair. It is expected that in early July the airline will resume operations in conjunction with a third-party, most likely Tropical Airlines, which is also known as Air Antilles Express.

Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines recently announced it would close its San Juan hub.

Jet Blue JetBlue Airways Corp. plans to add daily flights to Puerto Rico from New York, Orlando and Boston starting this fall. However, in September, they will cease their daily flights to St Maarten and offer flights only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In early October, daily flights will resume except for Tuesday and Wednesday. They expect to resume daily flights again on October 30.

On the Horizon
July 19, 2008
Festival of Anse des Cayes: music, food, games, contests

July 26-27, 2008
Festival of the Northern Villages: music, food, games, contests. At ASCCO in Colombier

August 2008
SB JAM Music Festival (specific dates will be posted later)

August 9-10, 2008
Festival of the Windward Villages: music, food, fishing contests. Held in Lorient.

August 16-17, 2008
Festival of Gustavia; regattas, music, food. Held on the quay in Gustavia.

August 24, 2008
Festival of St Barthélemy: regattas, public ball, fireworks. Held on the quay in Gustavia.

August 25, 2008
Festival of St Louis: fishing contest, games, food, music. Held in Corossol.

November 16-23, 2008
Swedish Week

December 15-23, 2008
Transact Classique Lagassé

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If it's stupid but works, it isn't stupid.