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Turks and Caicos Offer Families the Vacation of a LifetimeCaribbean Islands Are Home to the Most Exciting and Kid-friendly Activities and Resorts for Spring Break 2006
“For families who want the vacation adventure of a lifetime this spring, the Turks and Caicos Islands are a sure bet with a multitude of activities and resorts that both parents and kids will love,” said Director of Tourism Lindsey Musgrove. “With our miles of white sandy beaches, rich underwater sea life and private islands ready for exploration, families will experience an exotic, fun and educational vacation in paradise.” While the Islands are indeed an ideal place to relax, take in the warm Caribbean breezes, and lounge on pristine beaches, there are many other activities that just can’t be missed. With all the Islands have to offer, families can choose just how adventurous they want to be! Here are some of the best activities* for families who want to make their vacation an adventure they won’t forget: Conch Farm: Turks and Caicos is home to the world’s only conch (pronounced "konk") farm, where Caribbean Queen conchs are raised from veliger to adult (conch is a large type of ocean mollusk and the second best known edible snail. Conch has been a popular food source throughout the Caribbean since the time of Christopher Columbus.). Here at the farm you can watch how the farming process is done, enjoy a show with two trained and very friendly conchs, see beautiful and rare conch pearls, and even purchase fresh conch for a fabulous conch salad, a true authentic specialty dish of the Islands. Cave Excursions: A visit to the limestone caves on the island of Middle Caicos is a truly unforgettable experience. The cathedral-like limestone in the caves reaches down to underwater lakes that the whole family will love to explore. These caves (the largest in the Caribbean) were home to the Islands’ original settlers, the Lucayans, and guided tours are available daily. Guided tours are also offered on the uninhabited island of East Caicos, where people have discovered ancient Lucayan petroglyphs on the cave walls. Tours are offered by Silver Deep, J&B Tours, and Turkoise Excursions. Ocean Glow Worms: Two to three nights of each month there is an event like nothing you have ever seen before: the waters surrounding Providenciales light up with glow worms! This phenomenon, which only takes place in Turks and Caicos, happens around the full moon when these sea creatures mate and radiate a luminescent glow in the waters. Sunset cruises and boat tours of this exquisite event (accompanied by fantastic star gazing) are offered by Silver Deep and J&B Tours. JoJo the Dolphin: JoJo is a unique Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin that has been living and playing in the shallow waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands since 1980. He is one of the few dolphins around the world that voluntarily interacts with human beings in his own natural habitat. Very much loved by the islanders, the government has proclaimed JoJo a national treasure, with a warden who is specially appointed to protect him; the friendly dolphin has also become a powerful symbol for nature conservation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. While swimming off the Islands’ shores in the warm waters, your family might just be lucky enough to see JoJo, or even get the chance to swim with him, as he is seen almost daily playing near the beaches and alongside boats! For more information about JoJo and marine conservation in Turks and Caicos, please visit http://www.marinewildlife.org. Little Water Cay or “Iguana Island”: The Turks & Caicos Rock Iguana (Cyclura carinata), the largest native animal in the Islands, is found nowhere else in the world. These shy and harmless reptiles were once found on nearly all of the islands in the Turks & Caicos archipelago; unfortunately, they no longer reside on islands where livestock and domesticated animals have been introduced. Little Water Cay, a small island inhabited by some 2,000 Rock Iguanas, is now the docile iguanas’ most famous refuge. The island has a boardwalk that allows visitors to easily view these amazing creatures. A trip to “Iguana Island” is sure to amaze, so make sure to plan a trip if someone in your family is a reptile or nature lover!
Humpback Whale Migration: There is nothing in the world like seeing a magnificent giant whale (or pod) up close during your spring break vacation in the Turks and Caicos. The majestic North Atlantic Humpback Whales can be seen around the islands of Grand Turk and Salt Cay from late January through early April as part of their annual migration for mating and birth. While on a whale watching boat trip you will have the opportunity to encounter these amazing creatures while you learn interesting and educational facts about the mystical creatures from experienced guides. Be sure not to miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience! Windsurfing/Kiteboarding: For the ultimate water sport junkie, windsurfing or kiteboarding in the Islands is a must-do activity! The calm, reef-protected turquoise seas, combined with constant easterly trade winds make for excellent sailing and surfing conditions. In fact, the clear and warm waters offer perfect opportunities for beginning windsurfers and kiteboarders who are looking to master the sport, and advanced athletes who are looking to perfect their technique in paradise! Windsurfing Provo offers windsurfing and kiteboarding equipment and lessons (group and private) for beginner to advanced sailors on beautiful Grace Bay Beach. They also rent kayaks, Hobie sailboats and Carolina Skiff motor boats for adventures the entire family can enjoy! For more information, please visit http://www.windsurfingprovo.tc. In addition to the number of amazing outdoor adventures you and your family can enjoy in the Islands, many of the leading resorts offer services that cater specifically to families to ensure that both parents and kids have a vacation of a lifetime. These resorts include: Beaches Turks & Caicos resort and spa has been voted the world’s best family all-inclusive resort year after year. This amazing tropical hideaway has more to offer than you could ever imagine in your wildest dreams. And when the adults are at play—so are the kids! With Beaches’ highly trained supervisory staff, you can be rest assured that the young ones will always be well taken care of. At Beaches Turks & Caicos, kids of all sizes, from the littlest tots to strapping teens, have the ultimate place where they can play until the sun goes down. The property boasts five swimming pools, 10 specialty restaurants, 12 bars (for mom and dad), an “ultra nanny” service, an XBOX game oasis, and a supervised kids camp for children of all ages. The famous Pirates Island water park gives kids a fantasyland to call their very own. Complete with a giant waterslide, a kids-only pool with swim-up soda bar, a jungle-themed game room with all the latest video games, a ’50s diner guaranteed to delight youthful appetites, a teen disco, a movie theater and so much more – this truly is a world of wonders for the young and the young at heart. In addition, as a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches is delighted to welcome some very fun and furry friends to its family resort. Beaches has partnered with the celebrated children's program to offer exclusive activities and fun from dining with favorite Sesame Street friends Elmo, Zoe, Cookie Monster and Grover, to parenting seminars and special themed weeks featuring live performances by members of the Sesame Street cast. Now, Bert and Ernie have also joined the party to bring exclusive live shows by Sesame Street characters to guests each week. For more information and reservations please phone toll free (800) BEACHES or visit http://www.beaches.com The Palms, a luxury resort nestled on world-famous Grace Bay, is home to the Conch Kritters Club, specifically designed to entertain younger guests. This new kids club is available throughout the spring season as well as during school holidays. Young participants can engage in one of many exciting adventure tours or enjoy facilities at the club house while their parents relax by the pool or at the spa. The program is available daily, offering half-day, full-day or evening scheduled activities with a ratio of one to five kids per counselor for children ages four to 12-years-old. The children are engaged daily in a varied program of both indoor and outdoor age-appropriate activities including sand sculpting, kite flying, beach Olympics, art projects, and exercises enabling them to experience a stimulating and fun-filled day. For children participating in the full-day or evening programs, a healthy lunch or dinner from a set menu, plus a snack, are included in the price. The Club also has a program designated for active teens ages 13-16, where the group ventures off together for fun activities such as kayaking, horseback riding or a visit to the conch farm. Babysitters are also available to all guests at the Palms. There is a small fee associated with the programs; for more information and reservations, please phone toll free (866) 877-PALM or visit http://www.thepalmstc.com Ocean Club and Ocean Club West, located on exquisite Grace Bay Beach, is an ideal family-friendly resort where land and sea and relaxation and recreation meet in perfect harmony. With access to two all-suite properties located an easy mile from each other, active families have an array of activities to choose from, such as tennis, snorkeling, golf and sailing. The resort also provides access to an outside nanny agency for parents who wish to have some time alone for romance or unwinding. Ocean Club and Ocean Club West, a five-minute shuttle or 20-minute stroll apart, provide comfortable, family size suites complete with kitchens and spacious living rooms. The kitchens provide all the comforts of home with microwaves, dishwashers, ovens/stoves, full-size refrigerators and coffee makers (studios have kitchenettes). Plus, with washers and dryers in every suite, families can travel lighter and not worry about kids who have the tendency to get a little (or a lot) dirty. For more information or reservations, please phone toll free (800) 457-8787 or visit http://www.oceanclubresorts.com About Turks & CaicosThe 40 islands of the Turks & Caicos, of which eight are inhabited, are renowned for their award-winning beaches, diving and array of world-class resorts. Additional activities include tennis, golf and horseback riding. The islands feature a variety of spa and body treatment services and is home to the world’s only conch farm. There are three daily 75-minute direct flights from Miami, a US Airways direct flight from Charlotte, and weekly flights from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Toronto. For more information on travel, visit the Turks & Caicos Islands Tourist Board Web site at http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com or call (800) 241-0824. Edited by Dave Shultz |
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Families
looking for the ultimate spring vacation packed with adventure, world class
water sports, educational eco-activities, and kid-friendly resorts needn’t look
any further than the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.
Diving/Snorkeling:
If your family loves a true adventure, nothing can beat exploring a mystical
underwater world, abundant with tropical flora and fauna, fish, and other exotic
marine life, when diving or snorkeling in the Turks and Caicos. The Islands are
surrounded by one of the most extensive coral reef systems in the world and
boast excellent visibility (up to 200 ft.), making the Islands an award-winning