One scenario that the luxury residence surroundings of the Timbers Resort properties properly attend to is just this: it is the case that the wine cellar on site is as crucial as the chef. That being said, you don’t need to be a sommelier to know some basics about wine-and-food pairings. Have a look at the following starter’s guide, and then begin your own journey into the cork-and-cuisine possibilities of dining at Timbers Resorts.

Wine and Food: Basics for Any Fine Pairing

• Contrast Complex and Simple: Say you order the sumac-rubbed bluefin tuna at Cocina Del Mar, located at Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Sumac can be a big flavor, simple but sparkling with lemony citrus. A good way to approach forward flavors like that is by selecting subtle and complex wines to accompany. Think oaky Chardonnay blends, anything mellow, buttery and layered. On the other hand, if you went for a complex dish full of heat and rich tastes — say a tropical choice from the The Preserve at Botany Bay — then something crisp and simple like a sauvignon would make a refreshing complement (or you can join fruit with fruit and rarely go wrong … so think riesling, viognier, and the like).

• Respect Your Sugars and Salts: Here’s a sommelier’s secret: salty food generally does a number on wine. So, for example, if you’re digging into anything that crackles with bacon, like the Squab en Croute at FARM — the restaurant at The Carneros Inn — then lean toward soft, jammy merlots and riojas. The sweet and the salty meet in the middle, and you’ll enjoy both as they work together.

• Match a Treat with a Treat: If it’s an evening for that fine steak at Truffle Pig at One Steamboat Place, don’t skimp. Match a great cut of beef with a great pour of vinum. Go up to a worthy, top of the line pinot noir or cabernet. On the other hand, that kind of wine might be less well matched if you’re enjoying a wood-fired pizza at Pazzia Pizzeria in Tuscany, one of the specialties of the options offered at Castello di Casole. In that case, it’s perfectly alright to look for a more modest and less developed red. These are the perfect opportunities to play around and search for that surprising lower-end bottle, something that you can claim as your find of the month!

Finally, remember that wine is supposed to be fun, something pleasurable. Don’t feel like you have to obey any given rule(s). Knowing some of the above basics should help you navigate, but never get caught in that “no merlot!” trap they set for audiences in the movie Sideways. Wine is in the palette of the imbiber. Go your own way, and enjoy!

To discover more about Timbers Resorts and the dining options at each of our properties, contact us via email at info@timbersresorts.com or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Picture a classic orchid. The type you might find in a prom corsage. Got it in your mind’s eye? That’s the cattleya. The big, gorgeous blossoms come in nearly every possible orchid color with the exception of blue and black, and have long, slightly pointed petals. Like most of the Caribbean’s orchids, wild cattleyas are epiphytes, meaning it grows on top of another plant non-parasitically. Cattleyas cling to trees for support, so keep an eye out.

The word “dendrobium” literally translates to “one who lives on trees” so it should come as no surprise to learn that dendrobium orchids are epiphytes as well. These blossoms are often more petite than cattleyas and in many species grow in lines down the length of the flower’s stem.

The phalaenopsis orchid, also called the moth orchid, is another variety that you’ll be quick to recognize when you spot it. These flowers with their lush, rounded petals are commonly found potted in homes, either as a single bloom or a pair, despite being rather difficult to keep alive. That is because of their specific taste for climates like that on St. Thomas where they can enjoy plenty of moisture while protected from the sun by thick canopies of trees. Don’t bother looking for these in direct sunlight.

You might not even realize you’re looking at orchids when you spot oncidiums. They are often referred to as “dancing ladies” or “dancing dolls.” That’s because the long sprays of tiny, usually yellow, flowers are sometimes thought to look like miniature ballerinas. While you’re out walking, the trick to spotting any of these orchids is to know where they like to hide. Start with the trees where they’ll most often be. Then scan the rocks where orchids will sometimes look for support in lieu of trees. Lastly, skim the ground for the occasional brave orchid tries to go it alone.

Happy hunting!

Bland can arrange a stay at this exquisite estate on the West End of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands – a place where time slows and the world is kept at bay…

That’s why The Preserve at Botany Bay maintains a deep dedication to preserving the reef and surrounding areas. The reefs mere yards off the shores of Botany Bay are some of the healthiest in the region, full of elkhorn and staghorn coral, sponges and sea fans that act as home for schools of fish. It’s also a nesting ground for sea turtles and a site for the humpback whale migration.

The Preserve at Botany Bay works with archaeologists, historians and scientists to be sure that the resort has the least possible impact on its surroundings. That includes erosion and sediment control measures and strict protection of the coastline, beaches, nesting sites and reefs. The resort has also done thorough archaeological excavation in order to preserve all historical sites. Ruins from the sugar plantations in the early 18th century including a factory, curing house, animal mill and houses remain scattered around the property.

With measures like these in place, Botany Bay will be a paradise for visitors for generations to come.

Carnival kicks off close to The Preserve at Botany Bay on Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor with water sports activities. Later in the day there is a steel band jamboree at Lionel Roberts Stadium.

During Carnival the residents of St. Thomas express themselves in full force, with calypso shows, pageants, mocko jumbies (stilt-walkers in flamboyant costumes), masks and much more. The parades are the highlight of Carnival, showcasing extravagant costumes and performances:

• The Pre-Teen Tramp starts Tuesday evening and runs from Rothschild Francis Square (Market Square) to Children’s Village, followed by …
• … the Senior Citizens’ Quelbe Tramp, which starts at Rothschild Francis Square and ends in Carnival Village.
• Kids 2-years-old and up can participate in the Children’s Parade on Friday morning where they dance and march in costumes from Rothschild Francis Square to Lionel Roberts Stadium.
• Saturday morning marks the Adult’s Parade, which starts at Western Cemetery and ends at Lionel Roberts Stadium.

In between parades, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, transforms into a hot spot with food and drink found at colorful booths in Carnival Village’s food and art fair. You can sample seafood creations, fruit tarts, jonny cakes (a local delicacy – just ask anyone) and many other foods, drinks and treats native to the Caribbean. As you wander, you can also buy crafts and art made by locals.

Throughout Carnival there are rides, games and treats in Children’s Village, and the entire week concludes with a huge fireworks display Saturday night at the harbor at 9 p.m. After fireworks, look for the exciting Calypso Spectakula/Last Lap starting at 10 p.m. and lasting well into Sunday morning.

Every day and every night offers something new for the Carnival participant (grab a schedule here). Carnival is exhilarating … and exhausting! Plan to head back to your vacation property or luxury resort when the day is done, sleep in, and then do it all over again for an entire week. It promises to be the time of your life!

As the Northern Hemisphere hits winter’s midway point, we thought we’d share enchanting scenes from our Caribbean property, The Preserve at Botany Bay – A Signature Development of Timbers Resorts. Taken this past week, these images from our West End retreat offer an escape from the cold weather on the mainland. Spanning 397 acres on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Botany Bay is an oasis for wildlife, vibrant reefs, sandy coves, whitecapped bays and an abundance of orchids and other flora. We invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy the photo gallery.

Reef Diving gives you an up-close view of coral formations, gorgonians, sponges and shellfish — as well as schools of angelfish, snappers, spadefish, cowfish and dozens of other varieties. You’ll also see larger predators like sharks and rays.

Reef dives within five miles of St. Thomas include Flat Cay Reef, Supermarket Reef, Hidden Valley and Wye Reef — all of which are serviced regularly by local dive shops.

Wreck Diving combines the beauty of undersea diving with the excitement of exploring ruins. All the wrecks near St. Thomas are modern — you’ll find no Spanish galleons — but many already host a diverse population of sea life. Schools of fish, eels, turtles, sharks, rays and remoras dart between the bulkheads and sheet metal.

• The WIT Concrete is an enormous fuel carrier — 350 feet long by 55 feet wide — and among the most popular wreck dives in the area.

• The Cartanza Senora is a 190-foot freighter at the bottom of Shipwreck cove. The cove protects divers from the worst currents, making it a safe first-time wreck dive.

• For something new to even experienced divers, you can explore the wreck of a DC3 passenger plane submerged in the ocean about a mile from the airport.

From supplies to transportation to instruction, you can rely on local dive shops to make your expedition safe and enjoyable. Highly recommended shops include:

Red Hook Dive Center (340) 777-3483

St. Thomas Diving Club (340) 776-2381

Blue Island Divers (340) 774-2001

Coki Beach Dive Club (340) 775-4220

And since you’re in the mood for the beach, we’ve picked the perfect playlist of 15 beach classics (with some additional suggestions). So whether you’re lounging on the white sand beaches of The Preserve at Botany Bay or sipping margaritas poolside at Esperanza, these are guaranteed to get you into vacation mode fast!

1. 

   The Preserve at Botany Bay

   Island in the Sun by Weezer – You can’t help but smile while listening to this fantastically cheesy track that’s tailor made for chilling by the ocean.

2. One Love by Bob Marley – No beach playlist is complete without reggae king Bob Marley. We chose “One Love” as our favorite but if one Marley track isn’t enough then throw in “Three Little Birds,” “Jamming” and “Is this Love.”
3. Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin – Stick with the reggae vibe a bit longer with this classic. To fully appreciate its wisdom, try listening with rum cocktail in hand…at your private retreat at Botany Bay on St. Thomas.
4. Good Life by OneRepublic – Life is certainly good when you’re lounging with friends at Esperanza in Mexico. Celebrate it with this track.
5. Surfin’ Safari by The Beach Boys – You really can’t go wrong with any Beach Boys song but “Surfin’ Safari” is the undisputed classic. If you still can’t get enough, round out your list with “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Kokomo,” “California Girls” and “Surfin’ USA.”
6. Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow – This 2008 summer anthem has transitioned from top 40 to beach classic.
7. Surf’s Up by Brian Wilson – Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson churned out more great beach music on the album SMiLE.
8. Upside Down by Jack Johnson – Surf-inspired beats are in Hawaiian-born singer Jack Johnson’s DNA.
9. 

   Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

   Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett – This Buffett track just barely edged out “Cheeseburgers in Paradise.”

10. We are Young by Fun. featuring Janelle Monet – A song for those who are young or young at heart.
11. Summertime by Billy Stewart – Stewart’s scat-laced interpretation of a Gershwin classic is perfection.
12. The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars – A celebration of laziness is ideal for taking a cat nap in the sun.
13. Santeria by Sublime – This song combines reggae inspiration with a touch of punk.
14. Minha Galera by Manu Chao – Multi-lingual Manu Chao sings in French, Spanish, English, Italian, Galician, Arabic and Portuguese. The title of this soothing Portuguese song means “My People.”
15. Smooth by Santana – Close out your playlist with this jazzy favorite from guitarist Carlos Santana.

And if you’re still itching for more, tack on a few of your own favorites… or just hit repeat and head back to the beach.

For more information about Botany Bay, contact us at 866.963.5003, info@thepreserveatbotanybay.com or visit www.thepreserveatbotanybay.com.

“To have such a distinguished organization sing our praises is an honor,” Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty said in a press release. “The Lonely Planet editors hit the nail on the head in recognizing the affordability and range of vacation experiences we offer travelers visiting St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. It’s proof that our key messages are being delivered in our ongoing media relations efforts.”

The slide show that accompanies the Lonely Planet article on the Top 10 includes an iconic photo of Trunk Bay on St. John.

Lonely Planet stated in the Top 10 article that “in a year when travelers are apt to still be watching their wallets, this is our #1 choice for an American tropical getaway. It’s eternally 80 degrees, rimmed with white-sand beaches on turquoise water, and, yes, it’s a US territory. Each of the US Virgin Islands has their own identity: if you want a break from resorts, St John is nearly two-thirds a lush national park with tent cabins amid trees and hikes to secluded beaches – this sadly may be the last year for the Maho Bay Camps, a long-standing eco-resort which is the place to stay if you’re watching your budget; or try the St John Inn which offers great-value rooms with kitchenettes. For more action, the previously inaccessible Hassel Island, now part of Virgin Islands National Park (St Thomas), can be explored by snorkel or kayak. And word is that the Captain Morgan Rum Distillery on St. Croix will open its new visitor center in spring 2012 – ahoy!”

According to the press release, Lonely Planet compiles a list of the best places to visit in the United States for the upcoming year based on recommendations from the organization’s editorial team. The editors make their selections based on what’s new, interesting, up-and-coming, or likely to be overlooked by travelers in various cities and destinations across the United States.

To view the list and article see: www.lonelyplanet.com. The site receives more than 10 million unique monthly visitors from around the world.

To visit The Preserve at Botany Bay, contact us or call 866.963.5003 or 843.415.3828.

I have been fortunate to see some amazing underwater seascapes. Recently, I was introduced to a new one at The Preserve at Botany Bay on St. Thomas, the site of the Timbers Resorts development. For The Sea Productions was created by Ziggy Livnat to promote marine environmental protection by sharing compelling visuals of underwater habitats. We endeavor to expose both the beauty and struggles of marine environments but all too often the struggles are easier to find. So a chance to see a relatively untouched piece of paradise like Botany Bay is a rare treat, and I knew that this habitat, located at the far western end of the island, would have something lovely to reveal.

As we geared up and lugged our 85-pound camera into the crystal clear water, the sun shone down from a cloudless sky. The sea was calm as I entered the water with a peaceful smile.  It was a beautiful day for a dive and nothing excites me more than a new dive site.

We kicked out a little ways and descended over a hard bottom strewn with gorgonians and purple and green sea fans.  The visibility was good and we were able to see about 60 feet in all directions. As we came closer to the point, we approached a beautiful living landscape. The reef was teeming with life. The biodiversity of the coral species was impressive in this small corner of the ocean, and the reef was in good health.

As we swam through passages between large boulders, we came across an entire wall of orange cup corals – my favorite coral species. Rarely have I seen so many of them in one place. An abundance of fish surrounded us as well. Brown chromis flitted about in a large school while a few large and colorful parrotfish patrolled the area. We also encountered quite a few snapper and squirrelfish, as well as many of my favorite little guys, red-lipped blennies. The treat of the day, however, was the moon jellyfish. They move in an elegant almost serene way as they swim though the ocean, all the while giving off a periwinkle blue glow. This was a rare gem to encounter and I have a feeling Botany Bay has quite a few more in store.  All in all, it was a beautiful dive in a refreshingly healthy marine environment.

Collecting footage in a place like Botany Bay is the best part of my job, especially since such footage has a wide variety of uses. For instance, we leverage it to promote marine conservation through positive messages in environmental education. Ziggy presents our work to St. Thomas children in summer camps and in schools. These exciting presentations give students a global view on coral reefs and how humans affect them, impressing upon them the message that “you can make a difference.” This is important since many of these kids grew up on St. Thomas but have never been snorkeling or diving.  We hope to highlight that the beauty that surrounds the island is both fragile and fleeting if we don’t make caring for it a priority.

To view stunning clips of our work from around the world, visit For The Sea Productions.  There you can see the current episode of our latest project “Learning To Sea – in the USVI,” a series of 13 three-minute films featuring a different marine animal in its natural environment.  You can also view “Caribbean Marine Etiquette,” a public service announcement targeting tourists to the islands, which stars Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro.

It was a pleasure for us to document the vibrant underwater ecosystem of Botany Bay.  Future Owners will be delighted when they see the underwater world of this little corner or paradise. I know I was.