WestJet will fly between Toronto and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos three times per week from now until May 1, 2010. It joins Air Canada in offering non-stop service from Canada, which this winter is introducing weekly service from Montreal and Ottawa to go along with thrice-weekly service from Toronto.

“The Turks and Caicos islands are an exciting new adventure for WestJet,” said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet Executive Vice-President of Strategy and Planning. “We are going to keep expanding our reach into the Caribbean, because we know that Canadian travellers want to get somewhere hot each winter!”

Following are the schedule details of WestJet’s new service.

From November 4, 2009 to May 1, 2010:

    Toronto - Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (three times weekly until
    May 1 2010)

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    Flight                             Departure                     Arrival
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From Toronto - WS2668              10:00 a.m.                   1:50 p.m.
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    From Providenciales - WS2669        2:45 p.m.                   6:45 p.m.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

One-way fares, available in both directions on non-stop flights only, are available from $149, plus applicable taxes and fees. Fares are available by calling WestJet’s Sales Super Centre at 1-888-WESTJET(937-8538), your preferred travel agent or by visiting www.westjet.com.

WestJet Vacations offers customized vacation packages for most of WestJet’s scheduled destinations, including packages to Turks and Caicos starting at $869, plus applicable fees and taxes, for a seven-night stay. For more information, visit westjetvacations.com.

    Connect with WestJet on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westjet

    Follow WestJet on Twitter at www.twitter.com/westjet

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Many resorts feature super-low room rates and are even offering 4th, 5th or 6th night free packages. Special bonuses and perks like discounts on spa treatments or dining are also available for summer travelers.

Air fares typically come down a bit in the summer, too, so instead of a long drive on hot, crowded highways to your ‘local’ beach, why not consider a short hop to the island this summer?

For sampling of some of the deals and packages available this summer, click here today.

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And, it’s not just smooth drinking - it celebrates an important historical and cultural aspect of our islands.

Bambarra takes its name from the settlement on Middle Caicos. This is the spot that was settled by the survivors of the shipwreck Trouvadore, which crashed on the reef just off East Caicos in 1841. The ship was a slave trader from Africa (with passengers coming from the village of Bambarra in East Africa), and when they made it to land in the Turks & Caicos they were granted freedom since slavery had been abolished years before in the UK Territory.

Ask for Bambarra by name when you visit Turks & Caicos and be sure to take home a bottle for your friends or as a souvenir. To learn more about the Trouvadore, visit the TCI National Museum in Grand Turk, or go to http://www.slaveshiptrouvadore.com/

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Our local Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) is urging the public to cooperate with a new project that aims to improve the management of the Turks and Caicos Islands marine turtle fishery.

The three-year Turks and Caicos Islands Turtle Project has been running since November 2008 and involves close collaboration between the DECR, the UK Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the University of Exeter’s Marine Turtle Research Group (MTRG), Duke University in the USA, and The School for Field Studies (SFS) on South Caicos.

“This new project seeks to gather as much information as possible about our turtles here in TCI so we can develop a plan to manage them in a more sustainable manner. That way, future generations can enjoy our turtles too,” said DECR Director Wesley Clerveaux, adding: “We are asking folks who find a turtle nest, who land or buy a turtle to eat, or who see turtles in the sea to call us with their information.”

The TCI turtle fishery is regulated by the Fisheries Protection Ordinance 1998. The Ordinance protects nesting turtles and their eggs on TCI beaches, but permits the capture at sea of any turtle weighing over 20lbs, or measuring over 20inches shell length, at any time of year. The new project came about in response to concerns regarding TCI’s own nesting turtle populations. Previous research by DECR, MCS and the MTRG indicated that TCI’s nesting populations of turtles have dramatically declined in recent decades, with nesting now rarely occurring on inhabited islands.

The TCI Turtle Project is coordinated in the field by Project Officer Amdeep Sanghera, a social scientist hired by MCS who is based in South Caicos. Amdeep works with Project Assistant Tommy Philips, a former South Caicos fishermen now employed by the DECR. Since November, Amdeep and Tommy have been meeting fishermen in South Caicos, Provo and Grand Turk to explain the project’s aims and to request their cooperation in developing a turtle fishery management plan.

In order to complement the data gathered by the project team, the DECR is requesting public cooperation and requesting that any sightings of turtles, turtle nests or turtles landed for consumption be reported to the TCI Turtle Project at 1 (649) 243-4895 or on e-mail amdeep.sanghera@mcsuk.org.

All information will be treated in confidence and will be of great value in ensuring that the project has national coverage and provides a full assessment of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ turtle populations.

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Our islands feature luxurious resorts, rejuvenating spas and world class dining spots to spend quality time with your partner and rekindle that flame. Many of our resorts offer special romance packages featuring his and her spa treatments, romantic dinners for two, and special touches like champagne, chocolates and flowers to help enjoy your stay even more. Or how about an intimate candle-lit dinner for two on the beach, a relaxing sunset sail, or a private beach getaway to a secluded island? When it comes to romance in the Turks & Caicos, the only limit is your imagination.

Of course there are the miles of unspoiled sandy white beaches, fantastic diving and water sports, and endless warm sunny weather to tempt you to visit us, too - even if you’re single! And Valentine’s Day is just one of 365 days of the year that are always a good time to enjoy our Beautiful by Nature islands.

Enjoy our Valentine’s Day edition of Island Insights, and we hope to see you soon in the Turks & Caicos.

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The top spas on the island offer a wide range of treatments, from massages to facials, pedicures and manicures to complete makeovers. Aromatherapy, reflexology, mud treatments and the latest European and Asian inspired massage techniques are readily available. Special packages for couples can make your Valentine’s Day - or any day - an even more relaxing and rejuvenating one.

Click here for a list of spas in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

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Our dining scene features a range of romantic options. For beach front dining where you can hear the gentle lapping of the waves and feel the fresh sea breezes, try Anacaona at Grace Bay Club, Hemingway’s at The Sands, The Orchid at The Alexandra, or Bay Bistro at Sibonne. For a truly special experience, book a table at Amanayara.

Al fresco dining under the stars makes Coco Bistro, Opus, Magnolia, Atlantic Bar & Grille and Nikki Cafe popular spots, while Coyaba is a long time favorite for true romantics. Other elegant dining options include Grace’s Cottage at Point Grace, O’Soleil at The Somerset, Parallel 23 at The Regent Palms, Simba at Turks & Caicos Club, Mango Reef at Royal West Indies, and Le Pergola at Seven Stars.

If a restaurant just isn’t romantic enough, ask your resort for a private beach dinner - most will accommodate. Private chef services are also available for a romantic dinner without leaving your room.

To truly capture the magic of Turks & Caicos, check with one of our popular boat charters, like Sail Provo, Atabeyra or Kenard Cruises for a romantic dinner at sea on a luxury sailboat or motor yacht, or a private beach BBQ for you and your partner.

And of course, there’s always room service!

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Streeter, set a world record free dive in the Turks & Caicos in 2003 - plunging to a depth of 370 feet - and is a frequent visitor to our islands.

Amanyara will offer gentle stretching and breathing classes in which Tanya will teach the breathing techniques that helped her achieve her deepest dives. Streeter has a personal breath-hold of close to six-and-a-half minutes. She will also lead private sessions in the open sea, including snorkeling tours and free diving lessons in Amanyara Bay. She will be free diving around participants at depths of more than 50 feet. On dry land, she will host several short presentations and film screenings of her documentary “Diving with Whales” and will be available to chat with guests.

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Salt Cay

The Villas of Salt Cay are offering a free whale watching trip for four with a full week’s booking. Check out this great blog for more information on Salt Cay, which has many useful links.

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The Italian Village will feature 162 luxury family suites, a magnificent collection of two-bedroom suites - all designed to meet the needs and wants of the modern day family.

The Italian Village will feature its own lobby, check-in area, 18 Imperial rooms that will also include Beaches Butler Service, a day bed and a pullout out sofa to accommodate four or more people. It will also feature five new gourmet-dining restaurants, along with brand new amenities, attractions and retail space to keep travelers of all ages engaged and enchanted.

The expansion project will add a brand new 45,000 square foot waterpark, ten times the size of the original Pirate’s Island area and soon-to-be one of the largest in the Caribbean, set for opening in March 2009.

With the addition of the luxury suites, and the current 453-room, the resort will then have 633 rooms - bringing the total occupancy up to just over 2,500 guests. Call 1-888-Beaches or go to www.beaches.com for more info.

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