| Norm Goldman interviews Caribbean experts Dale | | | | Ladera, St. Lucia Ladera has won just about every |
| Leatherman, Editorial Director and Glenn Harris, the | | | | award for excellence in the Caribbean. It's also |
| Founder and Publisher of Caribbean Escapes. | | | | blessed with arguably the best view across from the |
| Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of and is pleased to | | | | Piton Mountains in St. Lucia. The villas are high up in |
| have as our guest, Dale Leatherman, Editorial Director | | | | elevation so there is never a bug problem which |
| and Glenn Harris, the Founder and Publisher of | | | | allows for the villas to have an open wall with |
| Caribbean Escapes. | | | | awesome views of the Pitons. Many of the villas |
| | | | have plunge pools as well. The meals are to die for |
| Good day to you both and thank you for | | | | as their restaurant Dansheen also wins numerous |
| participating in our interview. | | | | awards. |
| Norm: | | | | Le Toiny Le Toiny is a ultra posh resort in St. Barth. |
| Dale, can you tell our readers something about | | | | It is comprised of private villas each with its own |
| yourself and what does travel mean to you? | | | | pool, large bathroom, living room, and separate |
| Dale: Norm, I've had the writing bug since third grade, | | | | bedroom. Every conceivable amenity is included from |
| and the travel bug since junior high. But my love of | | | | high end stereo to flat screen TV. Breakfast is |
| horses came first. After college I became a | | | | served on the lanai next to pool in the villa. The |
| professional trainer, exhibitor and coach on New | | | | restaurant is also one of the best on the island. |
| York's hunter-jumper circuit. I retired from | | | | Norm: |
| competition to become an editor at an upscale | | | | What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while |
| equestrian lifestyle magazine, and after several years | | | | editing Caribbean Escapes? How did you overcome |
| realized that doing travel articles was what I enjoyed | | | | these challenges? |
| most. | | | | Dale: The sheer size of it was a bit dauntingmore |
| My first trip to the Caribbean in the early 1980s was | | | | than 120 articles, many by writers with vastly |
| for POLO magazine, and I knew that this would | | | | different voices. My job was to perform delicate nips |
| forever be one of my favorite places. Eventually I | | | | and tucks in places no one would notice, like a plastic |
| became a freelancer specializing in golf, adventure | | | | surgeon enhancing the beauty of a subject. It was |
| and the Caribbean. | | | | time-consuming work that took the better part of a |
| Norm: | | | | year, with the staggered deadlines. But the writing |
| Why did you feel compelled to put together | | | | was so good I sometimes found myself reading copy |
| Caribbean Escapes and how did you get the | | | | aloud, admiring the creativity. |
| inspiration for this book? | | | | Norm: |
| Dale: The inspiration was Glenn Harris's and I will let | | | | How safe is it to travel in the Caribbean? |
| him answer that. When he approached me with the | | | | Dale: I have always felt safe in the Caribbean, often |
| idea of a multi-faceted marketing program focusing | | | | safer than in cities at home. There's no terrorism and |
| on the Caribbean for affluent travelers, I was | | | | the islanders for the most part are genuinely |
| immediately hooked. | | | | welcoming. But, as in anyplace you travel, including |
| Glenn had the vision and experience on the marketing | | | | the U.S., you have to be sensible and keep track of |
| end and I was honored to lend my writing/editing | | | | your possessions. Glenn can comment further on this. |
| skills to the project. Together with a team of | | | | Glenn: Most of the islands are relatively safe as the |
| talented writers, photographers and designers, I think | | | | governments and the locals know that their |
| we've produced something rather grand. The most | | | | economies depend on tourism. But be mindful that |
| visible aspect of the program is Caribbean Escapes, | | | | you are not a local. Travelers should use the same |
| an oversized, 400-page coffee table book that is a | | | | common sense that they would use in traveling in a |
| page-turner of good writing as well as a handy tool | | | | city such as New York, Miami, or LA. If the traveler is |
| for choosing a vacation destination, resort and | | | | unsure if an area is safe, they should talk to their |
| activitiesincluding dining and shopping. | | | | front desk or concierge. |
| Glenn: I've worked in the Caribbean for 15 years, | | | | Norm: |
| most recently as the head of marketing and public | | | | When is the best time of the year to visit the |
| relations for American Express. I love the region: the | | | | Caribbean? |
| people, culture, and of course the sun and sand. Each | | | | Dale: Unlike the "old days" when winter was |
| island has something unique and special but I felt that | | | | considered "the season" for the Caribbean, there is |
| many travelers were not informed. | | | | no longer an off season. Many travelers go in the |
| There are over 35 countries in the Caribbean, our | | | | summer, when their children are off from school or it |
| goal is to educate potential travelers on the | | | | is easier for them to take vacations from their |
| uniqueness of the islands and the upscale resorts | | | | businesses. |
| options. We do this through the book and a TV | | | | The islands in summer are often cooler than at home, |
| show that weve produced which covers 25 of the | | | | because of the constant sea breezesand the days |
| destinations and 100 resorts. | | | | are blissfully long. That said, I think it is absolute bliss |
| Norm: | | | | to leave home when there is snow piled head high |
| How did you go about choosing the contributing | | | | and, after a short plane ride, step out into a warm |
| writers and photographers? | | | | Caribbean breeze carrying the scent of the sea and |
| Dale: I started with my trusted fellow members of | | | | flowering plants. |
| the Society of Travel Writers who specialize in the | | | | The fall hurricane season is on everyone's minds after |
| Caribbean, then added more writers that they | | | | the devastation on our own southern coasts, but |
| recommended until we had a cadre of experts who | | | | what travelers need to realize is that the islands of |
| are passionate about the region. Glenn chose SATW | | | | the Caribbean are very storm savvy. Resorts and |
| Photographer of the Year Greg Johnston and his | | | | services bounce back within days. And top resorts |
| savvy wife France to coordinate the images, most | | | | are liberal about rescheduling or refunds if your |
| of which are Greg's. An inspired choice, as it turned | | | | vacation is cancelled because of a storm. |
| out, for the book's artwork is a show in itself. | | | | GLENN: Dale's covered it. In agreement with Dale, the |
| Norm: | | | | Caribbean is not just for the wintering anymore. |
| If you had your choice of 10 of the most unique | | | | They are a great destination in any season. The |
| romantic venues in the Caribbean and limiting one | | | | spring, summer, and fall also provide much lower |
| venue to each island, which ones would they be and | | | | rates and more value. |
| why? eg. parks, beaches, etc | | | | Norm: |
| Dale: | | | | Any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that |
| I particularly like Raffles Canouan in the Grenadines. | | | | is different from how others authors market their |
| The spa has over-water palapas that you get to by | | | | books? |
| rowboat. During your massage you're looking down | | | | GLENN -- Caribbean Escapes is more than a |
| through a window in the floor at the fish swimming | | | | publication. It's a comprehensive way of providing |
| below. After your spa treatments, you and your | | | | information about what the Caribbean has to offer |
| mate lounge there in your own private palapa. The | | | | for the affluent traveler. In addition to book fairs and |
| villas are secluded by dense foliage, so there's plenty | | | | direct sales to bookstores, we also have a TV show |
| of privacy. There's also a secluded beach on the | | | | and website focusing on upscale Caribbean travel. In |
| other side of the island that's usually deserted. | | | | the TV show and website we promote the |
| Cayo Espanto, a small private island resort off Belize | | | | publication. The website is and the TV show airs |
| offers the ultimate in privacy and service. A handful | | | | through out the US. Books can also be purchased on |
| of luxury beachfront casitas with alfresco showers | | | | line. |
| and plunge pools are scattered around the island. You | | | | Norm: |
| could stay here for a week and never see another | | | | What's your advice to achieve success as a travel |
| soul except the maid and the fellow who brings your | | | | writer? |
| drinks and serves your meals anywhere you want | | | | Dale: It's a very tough field to break into these days |
| them. | | | | even harder if you intend to actually make a decent |
| Even though Casa de Campo in the Dominican | | | | living rather than depend on the support of a spouse. |
| Republic is a big, bustling resort, it's also romantic. | | | | I'm glad I have a long track record 25+ |
| Strolling through the cobblestone streets of Altos de | | | | years--because it lands the assignments I need to |
| Chavon by lamplight and dining in outdoor cafes is | | | | make a living and enables me to visit new, exciting |
| wonderful. It's a cliff-top Medieval village recreated by | | | | places. |
| hand of stone, wood and iron in the 1970s to house | | | | Wannabes who think it's all about free travel must |
| an artists' colony, shops and restaurants. | | | | understand that it's really all about getting |
| I also love the beach at Half Moon Resort in Jamaica, | | | | assignments to write about the places you want to |
| particularly watching the sunset from the gazebo out | | | | go. The assignments come first, when you've finally |
| on the water. The villas along the beach are secluded | | | | gotten an editor's attention with a good query. That's |
| by hedges and many have private pools that are | | | | not easy in this very competitive environment there's |
| perfect for a moonlight skinny dip. | | | | a lot of self-marketing involved. In other words, don't |
| Four Seasons Nevis has a great beach to stroll at | | | | quit your day job. |
| sunset, and you can arrange to have a private dinner | | | | My advice is to prospective travel writers is to |
| for two served at a table right on the beach. The | | | | specialize in something at work or play so that it can |
| spa is also exceptional. After your treatments you | | | | be a unique twist to travel editors business travel, |
| can swim in the secluded garden waterfall pool, or | | | | travel with children or pets, sports travel, etc. |
| relax in a lounge chair listening to the waterfall. | | | | As I mentioned before, my equestrian background |
| Glenn | | | | opened the door to travel and travel writing. |
| Laluna LaLuna is a small 17 cottage resort on a | | | | Eventually I took the plunge into full-time freelancing, |
| secluded white sand bay in Grenada. It's owned and | | | | which is really tightrope walking without a net, but |
| designed by fashion designer Bernardo Bertucci. | | | | I've been at it a lot of years and wouldn't trade it for |
| Canopy beds, outdoor showers, excellent meals and | | | | anything. This is a lengthy answer, but you can tell I |
| a great private beach. Couples only. If someone | | | | love the business and I admire the writers who are |
| doesn't find this place romantic, I'd advise that they | | | | good at it, like those who contributed to Caribbean |
| check their pulse! | | | | Escapes. |
| Island Outpost Island Outpost has small intimate | | | | Norm: |
| properties in Jamaica and one in the Bahamas. Golden | | | | Is there anything else you wish to add that we have |
| Eye, Strawberry Hill, The Caves, Jakes, and Pink | | | | not covered? |
| Sands. IO is owned by Chris Blackwell of Island | | | | Glenn: I would say that the Caribbean is a beautiful |
| Records and who discovered Bob Marley. Each of the | | | | and exotic destination. It has a range of travel |
| resorts is very romantic and developed for lovers. | | | | options from rustic to opulent. The same goes for |
| They are all very special properties. | | | | the hotels. The informed travelers will determine for |
| Kamalamae Cay Kamalamae Cay is a small property | | | | themselves what they are looking for is it peace and |
| on a private island in Andros in the Out Islands of the | | | | quiet, adventure travel, night life. What ever it is, the |
| Bahamas. This is the ultimate in seclusion. You'll only | | | | Caribbean has it and Caribbean Escapes has been |
| see the other guests there&if you wish. There | | | | developed to provide the information for the affluent |
| is plenty of space on the island to explore. The | | | | traveler to pick the perfect destination and resort. |
| cottages themselves are made for romance with | | | | Thanks once again and good luck with Caribbean |
| wonderful bathrooms, amenities, and beds. The staff | | | | Escapes. |
| in very attentive and catering to the couples needs. | | | | |