By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Nassau Paradise Island in the Bahamas is promoting an “Instant Savings” deal this spring and part of summer. Travelers who book by May 20 at participating hotels get $300 in savings when booking an air-inclusive six-night minimum stay, or $200 for a four- or five-night stay. Travel can take place through Nov. 3, but with blackout dates of June 20 through Aug. 18. The offer is valid for travel starting in the United States and Canada. Participating resorts include Atlantis Paradise Island, Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Harborside Resort at Atlantis, Marley Resort & Spa and 13 others. For the full list and to book, visit www.NassauParadiseIsland.com

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

There are a few long weekends coming up, for Americans and our neighbors to the north, and the Alexandra Resort on Providenciales in the Caribbean islands of Turks & Caicos are offering deals. The Memorial Day weekend special cuts 20 percent off any one- or two-bedroom suite, based on a minimum four-night stay, and includes breakfast for two from the Mango Reef B&B menu and 20-percent off Spa Sanay services. Book by May 17 for travel between May 24-31.

Canada gets in on the deal, too, in honor of Canada Day July 1, and you don’t have to be Canadian to get it. The “Super Summer Savings” package gets you seven nights while paying for five, plus other perks like two free passes to the Pelican Kids’ Club or $50 resort credit, 20-percent spa discount, 20-percent off Caicos Dream Tours excursions, a $100 dinner credit at Mango Reef on July 1, plus a free bottle of wine on arrival. Book by June 23 for travel June 29-July 7.

On the July 4 weekend, travelers can save 20 percent off a minimum four-night stay in any room category, plus get a free bottle of wine upon arrival. Book by June 27 for stays between July 3-8.

Duffers make out, too: Alexandra guests can play 18 holes at the championship Provo Golf Club, plus use of a cart, for $125, when combined with any of the getaway packages, a savings of $55 off normal green fees. Guests can buy as many of the discounted packages as they want, with any three-night minimum stay.

For more information and additional package details visit www.alexandraresort.com or call 888-695-7591.
 

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

According to a survey by Marriott Caribbean & Mexico Resorts, the celebrity respondents would most like to vacation with was Halle Berry, followed by Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Denzel Washington. The fun question was part of a more serious survey that was seeking out the source of stress in people and why they vacation, a polling of 1,400 travelers that found 72 percent saying they plan a vacation specifically to de-stress and forget the daily grind, with most of them citing workplace tension as being ahead of financial concerns as their greatest source of daily pressure. A third of respondents also admitted they didn’t use all their available vacation time, the survey said.

Marriott Caribbean & Mexico Resorts is offering an antidote to all that during April, which believe it or not is “National Stress Awareness Month,” and has been since 1992, sponsored by the nonprofit Health Resource Network. The resort chain, with properties in Cancun, Aruba, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, St. Kitts, Curacao and Puerto Vallarta,  is cashing in on traveling stress with a special “De-Stress for Less Event,” offering guests 20-30 percent off leisure rates on travel through Aug. 31, with bookings made before April 30, minimum two-night stay required. Travelers can learn more by visiting www.paradisebymarriott.com, using promotional code X32 when booking.

Sorry to say, Berry and the others are not included in the deal. But it’s nice to think about.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St. Thomas of the American Virgin Islands, and the St. Thomas Diving Club, have partnered to offer stay-and-dive savings to travelers this spring and summer with a five-night package deal, that reflects a savings of more than $550 per couple. It includes five nights in an oceanview room for two; a pair of six-dive passes; scuba gear for each person; and a sunset sail for two on Bolongo’s 53-foot cat, Heavenly Days. The deal also includes free use of a Go Pro camera for a day, one per couple.

The package runs through Aug. 31, starting at $2,405 per couple, and $2,082 from May 1-Aug. 31. Rates represent a 20-percent savings and include taxes and service charge. All guests get free use of non-motorized water-sports gear, including kayaks, Hobie cats, stand-up paddleboards and snorkel equipment. 

And if you go, check out the resort’s Iggies Beach Bar, which has live music every night of the year. A couple years back, Stevie Wonder showed up one night and did an impromptu show, later joined by Dave Mason for a little jam session.

For reservations, book at www.bolongobay.com, using promo code DIVEPKG, or call 800-524-4746

Bolongo Beach photo by Paul E. Kandarian

Tiny it may be, but for the 8th year running, Water Island in the lee of St. Thomas, USVI has a major league house concert coming up Feb. 8, 9 and 10 featuring the likes of Carnegie Hall pianist Julian Gargiulo, Russian pianist Maria Yefimova, jazz pianist and composer Wells Hanley, and more. Ten musicians will play three different programs for three nights at the beautiful waterside home of Alex Randall from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Everyone's invited. The concerts are free. Donations to cover the artists' expenses recommended.

From St. Thomas, take the ferry from Crown Bay Marina to Water Island. The Randall home is a short walk from the pier. Contact Alex Randall for more information and to reserve an indoor seat:

Phone: (340) 514-9995

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Marriott Caribbean & Mexico Resorts is offering a new "Lose the Blues, Find Some Green Event," where guests can book now and get 20-percent off regular leisure rates plus $200 "Bonus Bucks" per stay at a choice of eight resorts in seven locations in the Caribbean and Mexico. Bookings must be made before Feb. 28 for travel from March 1 to May 31, with minimum two-night stay. Travelers must use the code 1CL when booking. To book and find participating resorts, visit www.paradisebymarriott.com/lose-the-blues-find-some-green

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

This probably won't come as much of a surprise to many, but at least now a survey backs it up: Many people are ticked off by technology.

Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts recently surveyed travelers about the tech ties that bind us all on vacation, some 1,184 people in all (53 percent male, 47 percent female), and made some notable and completely understandable findings:

--85 percent of respondents had experienced being annoyed by someone chatting loudly on their cell phone while traveling
--50 percent reported checking their own emails and voicemails several times a day - while on vacation
--36 percent said they did it on the beach
--82 percent used their social-network channels to stay connected
--More than 50 percent felt staying connected to work added to their stress while vacation
--30 percent said they gave their cell numbers to clients while on vacation
--31 percent reported being tempted to toss their cell phones into the ocean (frankly, we thought that would be higher)

So who does that bother? Not the spouses or traveling companions of those taking the survey. A scant 15 percent of respondents felt that their connectivity bugged their spouses, partners or fellow travelers.

Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts has engineered a solution - if you're willing to take it. The company has launched a new "Braincation" program, offering tech-free zones at each of its nine properties in the Caribbean and Mexico. Starting in December and running through winter, designated "peaceful" areas at each resort will encourage tech-loving guests to disconnect and not use anything with a plug or battery and to just enjoy themselves. Which, technically, is what being on vacation is all about. And you don't need a survey to know that.

For info on the resorts, visit www.paradisebymarriott.com

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts is giving travelers a little cash incentive to run away this winter with its "You Deserve Some Credit" program. Visit any one of nine resorts in seven locations and get up to $200 in resort credit to wine and dine as you see fit. Travelers must book through Nov. 30 for stays at one of the resorts between Jan. 1 and April 30 to get the deal, which can be applied to any room category.

With this offer, travelers to any of the three Mexican resorts in the Collection will receive a $50 resort credit daily for a three-night stay ($150 credit maximum). The Caribbean resorts are offering guests who book a $50 resort credit daily for a four-night stay, and the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino is offering $40 daily resort credit for a five-night stay ($200 credit maximum). Use promotional code LLF when booking.

The resorts are: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino; Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino; JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa; CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort; Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino; Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort; CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa; St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino; and Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. For info, visit www.paradisebymarriott.com/

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Montpelier Plantation & Beach, a 19-room Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel on Nevis in the Caribbean, reopened Oct. 6 after a summer of renovations that included all-new culinary offerings. The resort renovated Indigo, the poolside bar and restaurant, which included expanding the dining and drinking area, which hotel officials said bring a contemporary element to the hotel's aesthetic landscape. The new bar area showcases Montpelier's rum collection including a selection of home-made spirits infused with local ingredients, such as coconut, passion fruit, pineapple and other fruits.

To mark the occasion, the resort is giving guests a $500 resort credit package. Book by Jan. 1 to get the credit, good for dining and resort amenities. The offer is valid for a minimum stay of five nights and blackout dates apply. For info, visit www.montpeliernevis.com or call 869-469-3462 for details or to book.

The resort is made up of 19 contemporary plantation-style guestrooms, plus two guesthouses, and features a hand-laid, 60-foot mosaic-tiled pool, tennis court and a private, two-acre beach. It was build around one of the island's original 17th-century sugar plantations, and is an AAA Four Diamond award recipient.
 

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa in Jamaica, and Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa were named number one and two respectively as "Top Family Hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas," in the "World's Best Awards 2012" poll from Travel + Leisure magazine, that asked more than 970,000 readers to vote on the most sought-after hotels around the world.

As someone who stayed at the Turks & Caicos Beaches a couple of years ago, I can attest to the luxury digs, and though I was there sans family, it never had a kid-intensive feel to it. The place was huge, with 16 restaurants and so much to do, the humanity was spread out quite a bit and there was, mercifully, no noticeable squealing and screaming from teeming hordes of children. There was just so much going on for children in a variety of programs for all ages, it never had that overrun feeling a lot of family resorts have.

For the complete list of awards, visit www.travelandleisure.com For info on Beaches resorts check out www.beaches.com

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Call it barefoot chic: At the new Beach House Turks and Caicos, slated to open Oct. 22 as Grace Bay's first boutique hotel, "No Socks Allowed" signage will be found on specialty items throughout, reminding guests to kick off their shoes and socks and relax. Beach House has 21 one- and two-bedroom suites (each a minimum 1,150 square feet) with what hotel officials call interior designs melding Caribbean with New England, showcasing crisp whites and blue hues. French doors frame views of the expansive beach and open to oversized patios that have daybeds. Suites also have culinary nooks where private chef dinners and surprise treats can be placed in the refrigerator.

The hotel also has a 90-seat Beach House Restaurant, run by Chef Eric Vernice, a native of France, who has created eight-course meals. According to hotel folks, menus will focus on one item, such as lobster, a unique spice or a country, with each course more unique than the last, paired with wines and cocktail teasers.

If it sounds pricey, it is: Nightly rates run from $532 to $1,038 on weekends and holidays, with special rates available in shoulder seasons. For more information, visit www.beachhousetci.com or call 855-946-5800.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

The Definitive Caribbean Guide, an online destination resource, will be available via a new e-book list and mobile content as part of major expansion plans announced by its owners, Definitive World Guides Ltd. The announcement was made along with news of the appointment of Adrian Moss as publishing director and opening of new offices in Cheltenham, England. The e-book list, when launched, will offer in-depth and comprehensive island coverage for the Caribbean traveller, with user-friendly features and independent reviews. The first titles are expected later this fall, followed by the launch of the mobile app next year. For more information, visit www.definitivecaribbean.com

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Kirani James won Gold at the Olympics this summer in the men's 400-meter race. It also gave Grenada tourism officials a hook. To showcase what they call the humble and gracious spirit of the Grenadian people on the tiny Caribbean island, demonstrated to a worldwide audience by James (wearing number 7 in photo), the tourism department launched a campaign targeted to reinforce the key brand message for potential visitors.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Travelers to the Bahamas can snag some savings this fall and winter at Nassau Paradise Island, which is offering an "Instant Savings" promotion. Book up until Oct. 15 and get $300 instant savings when booking an air-inclusive, six-night stay, or $200 on a four- or five-night stay at any of Nassau Paradise Island's participating hotels. Travel must be completed by Feb. 28. For info on the deals and hotels offering them, and to book, visit www.nassauparadiseisland.com

By Hilary Nangle, Globe Correspondent

Thanks to shows such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, swing dancing is surging in popularity. Sugar Ridge, on the Caribbean island of Antigua, is offering a chance to demonstrate your best jitterbug, foxtrot, swing, and shag moves and also learn new ones.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Single-parent families are getting a break this fall at Beaches Resorts. For bookings from Sept. 4 to Oct. 31, Beaches will waive the single supplement fee of up to $220 per night, for a minimum three-night stay. The deal is for Beaches Resorts in Turks and Caicos and Jamaica. When booking, travelers can use reference code SPF124 to qualify for the promotion. For reservations, visit www.beaches.com, or call 888-232-2437.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Elite Island Resorts, which has properties throughout the Caribbean, is now doing sales, marketing and reservations for The Club Barbados Resort and Spa, formerly Almond Beach Club Barbados, and is offering a deal at the resort with introductory rates of up to 50 percent off through Dec. 20. The resort has 161 rooms, two restaurants (indoor and outdoor), three freshwater pools and a variety of water sports. Elite Island Resorts has hotels in Antigua, St. Lucia, Tortola, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Anguilla.

All-inclusive rates start at $335 per night, per person. Booking by Sept. 15 pretty much guarantees the 50-percent off that rate, hotel officials said, but after that, the discount is less hefty as the Caribbean enters its busier seasons. For reservations and information visit www.theclubbarbados.com, or call 866-317-8009.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Abaco Beach Resort in the Bahamas is offering a Labor Day weekend getaway, with rates starting at $275 per person per night, that includes entry to two One Night Rodeo country-music concerts held at the resort. The deal includes oceanfront room for three nights, round-trip air from Fort Lauderdale, breakfast daily, island-hopping trip to Nipper's Beach Bar, all resort fees, use of non-motorized water sports gear and Wi-Fi. Booking can be done through Aug. 31 online at www.abacobeachresort.com or by calling 800-468-4799.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Spotting the sun in a new contest from Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts running through Aug. 30, will net winners up to five free room nights, redeemable at their choice of nine resorts within the resort properties. The "Spot the Sun" game will feature a new photo daily on the "Spot the Sun" tab on the Marriott Resorts Caribbean and Mexico Facebook page. To play, fans of the Facebook page must search the photo and click on the hidden sun graphic; when successful, they will be entered into the contest. Three winners will be randomly selected each day of the promotion, with the exception of Aug. 13, when 13 winners will be chosen. The contest can be played once a day.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

I love surprises when traveling. I was in St. Thomas recently, at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, and was pleasantly surprised when I ran into a most remarkable young man, Mikael Doumeng, who works at the activity center at the resort owned by his family, a young man with a keen sense of vision and eagerness to help others.

This sale continues this summer's trend of deals with tightly limited dates and destinations. For this one you must book by midnight for travel July 9 -  Oct. 3. Blackout dates include Aug. 29, Sept. 5, and other restrictions vary by route. Here are some sample one-way fares from Boston: $50 to Buffalo, N.Y.; $59 to Newark, N.J.; $66 to Nantucket; $85 to Washington, DC (Dulles); $110 to Raleigh-Durham, NC; $120 to Tampa; $130 to Ft. Myers; $143 to Bermuda; $160 to Phoenix; $174 to Santiago; and $223 to Aruba.

By Patricia Borns, Globe Correspondent

Haiti and travel aren't words that naturally pair in our minds. But photojournalist Maggie Steber, who's visited and revisited the country on and off assignment for 30 years, sees beauty there.

"Maybe it's not what we outsiders would recognize as beauty," says Steber in a series of videos on her new website, Audacity of Beauty. But there's beauty in abundance in Steber's images that populate the site, and in her stories of the people, events, and culture behind the scenes. Explaining the title of the site, the photographer said, "Maybe it's an audacious idea that there's beauty in poor places. But in Haiti, it exists in ways that we will never ever see, and we will never understand. But that's what we have to aim for." Steber hopes the site will help people see Haiti in a different way.

While tourism as we know it isn't likely in Haiti for some time to come, hundreds of NGOs invite volunteers to experience its side of the island of Hispaniola that it shares with the Dominican Republic. If you're the philanthropic travel type, check out the organizations on this mind boggling Haiti Aid Map.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Sure, it's hot in the Caribbean in summer, but consider this: The average summer temperature in the U.S. Virgin Islands is 82 degrees, according to visitusvi.com, while the average temperature in July in Boston is - you got it, 82 degrees, according to weather.com It's just a matter of whether you want to be hot here or there - and there has some pretty good beaches to stay cool on.

And that includes the U.S. Virgin Islands, which offers a "Sizzlin' Sampler" this year, a summer package with $350 in savings, which includes a $200 instant credit towards any booking for a minimum five-night stay at participating hotels, along with $50 each in certificates for shopping, attractions and dining, and the fifth night free. The promotion can be booked through June 15 for travel between June 1 and Sept 30. It's available at participating hotels and can be booked through a number of tour operators using the booking code VISS12. For info, visit http://www.visitusvi.com/package_and_promotions

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Imagine how the customers felt getting this kind of free show.

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, has live and free entertainment every night at Iggies, its beach bar. A couple months ago, Stevie Wonder was eating there, and a local band was playing "Living for the City," a cover for one of Wonder's songs. Well, Stevie got up to join the group on stage and played his harp to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun," then sat back down and posed for photos with fans.

Not done yet. Later, Dave Mason stopped by (he was staying at Bolongo and is a friend of the Doumeng family which owns the resort). He and Stevie got on stage for a blues jam, and there are two videos on Bolongo's YouTube channel showing the fun: http://www.youtube.com/user/BolongoBayResort/feed. There are also some photos that are on Bolongo's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/bolongobay

In addition to the occasional star spotting, Bolongo is noted for diving, and now through Aug. 31, when diving conditions are idea in the area, Bolongo is running a stay-and-dive package which includes five nights for two in an ocean-view room; two six-dive passes with the St. Thomas Diving Club, a five-star PADI training facility on site; free scuba rental; and free sail on Bolongo's 53-foot cat, for either the swim with the turtles half-day snorkel trip or the sunset harbor cocktail cruise.

The five-night package is $1,731 (34 percent off regular rates) for room only or $2,870 (23 percent discount) for all inclusive. Rates are for two and include taxes and resort fees.

For information, visit www.bolongobay.com or call 800-524-4746 - and ask what star has been spotted at Iggies lately, a popular spot voted Best Beach Bar in the Caribbean by readers of Caribbean Travel & Leisure for 2012, the second time it's snagged the honor. Maybe the star power is part of the reason why.

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

Ever go by a school in the Caribbean, see some cute kids and wonder if there was any way to maybe help them out in some way? Now you can.

The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts, is asking guests to lend a hand when they're on vacation through a "voluntourism" literacy program aimed at improving listening, reading and comprehension skills of local Caribbean children.

Available to all guests at Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts or Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, the "Reading Road Trip" program is a two-hour adventure that takes guests into the community to one of the foundation's participating adopted schools in Saint Lucia, Antigua, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos or Jamaica, to engage small groups of kids in active reading strategies.

The cost is $20 per guest, which covers round-trip transportation and all supplies. Children ages eight to 12 can participate at no costs and all minors must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are encouraged to bring along a favorite new or used book (in good shape) to donate to the library of the school they visit.

For information on the Sandals Foundation and its programs, visit www.sandalsfoundation.org