{"id":19195,"date":"2011-11-28T06:00:50","date_gmt":"2011-11-28T12:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=19195"},"modified":"2018-03-08T13:49:09","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T19:49:09","slug":"holidays-in-the-tropics-beach-vacations-with-panache","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2011\/11\/holidays-in-the-tropics-beach-vacations-with-panache\/","title":{"rendered":"Holidays in the tropics: Beach vacations with panache"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Caribbean Klaus: Sinterklaas makes his appearance — on a white horse, no less. Credit: LordFerguson.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Jennifer Olvera<\/em><\/p>\n

Snowflakes. Jack Frost. Wool everything. In Chicago, wintry scenes (read: freezing-cold weather) and the holidays are synonymous. South of the equator, though, nothing could be further from reality. From Sinterklaas in Aruba to stilt-walkers in St. Kitts, the Caribbean draws clever snowbirds south for a beach vacation<\/a>. Here are some tropical offerings to sing about amidst those light-strung palms.<\/p>\n

St. Nicholas Day: Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire<\/strong>
\nSt. Nicholas Day, honored in the Dutch Caribbean on Dec. 5, features its own jolly guy: Sinterklaas, whorides his big, white horse on St. Nicholas Eve on the islands of Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire.\u00a0Children leave out their shoes in anticipation; ones who have behaved find theirs filled with gifts.<\/p>\n

Where to stay:<\/strong> Perched on Piscadera Bay on private beaches, Hilton Curacao<\/a> is a launching pad for diving adventures, and there’s everything from a mini golf course to spacious spa, health club and casual and elegant noshing on site.<\/p>\n

Parang: Trinidad and Tobago
\n<\/strong>Various venues on Trinidad and Tobago host song-driven events throughout the Spanish-influenced Parang<\/em> season. Featuring the musical stylings of paranderos<\/em> \u2013 who are backed by the four-stringed cuatro<\/em>, maracas and a one-string box bass \u2013 the season kicks off each fall and culminates during the Christmas, when groups perform in malls and other public spaces.<\/p>\n

Where to stay<\/strong>: Set on a verdant hillside amid a sing-songy bird sanctuary, the intimate and luxurious Villas at Stonehaven<\/a> overlooks the Caribbean Sea and has rooms with full granite-trimmed kitchens, private pools and expansive, covered verandas.<\/p>\n

St. Kitts National Carnival: St. Kitts<\/strong>
\nSt. Kitts National Carnival consists of a series of seasonal gatherings \u2013 including rallies, pageants, calypso tunes and a parade \u2013 that run from Nov. 25 through Jan. 3. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch bedazzled masquerade performances and stilt-walking “moko-jumbies.”<\/p>\n

Where to stay:<\/strong> Check out the Marriott St. Kitts Royal Beach Resort and Spa<\/a>, where you can try your luck at the casino, chill poolside, book an appointment at the spa, or make a tee time at the championship golf course … all before watching the sun set over crystalline waters.<\/p>\n

Crucian Christmas Festival: St. Croix<\/strong>
\nThere’s always the option to attend the multi-faceted Crucian Christmas Festival in St. Croix. Numerous celebrations \u2013 among them gospel music performances, parades for grownups and children and cultural gatherings \u2013 take place between Dec. 29 and Jan. 7.<\/p>\n

Where to stay:<\/strong> The Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa<\/a> has that hidden-feeling spot, set amid a private cove in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Indulge in open-air dining, dips in the pool, and a quiet, luxurious spa.<\/p>\n

Related resources<\/strong><\/p>\n