French Gypsy Music at the Carl Gustaf

From July 19 until August 21, the Carl Gustaf Hotel in Gustavia is hosting musician Richard Manetti on Thursday and Fridays evenings at its Sunset Bar, starting at 6:00 pm. Manetti plays jazz manouche, “Gypsy jazz”, and was heavily influenced by guitarist Django Reinhardt, who was popular in the 1930s. Reinhardt combined the dark, chromatic Gypsy flavor with the Swing music that was popular at the time. The combination of Gypsy music with swing is critical to the style of “jazz manouche.” In this style of music, the rhythm guitar is playing using a percussive technique, “la pompe”, that serves to replace drums.
Manetti has been playing the guitar since age 10 and will be accompanied by Christophe Lagane or Natacha Lockwood.

Summer Evenings at Le Ti St-Barth

Le Ti St-Barth, a Caribbean tavern and restaurant located in Pointe Milou, has a different event planned for each day of the week throughout August.

On Mondays, you’re invited to the Marrakech Party with belly dancers, shopping at “Ti Souk”, and fresh mint tea. Couscous Royal is served for dinner along with traditional accompaniments for 59 €. The theme every Tuesday is “Night Fever.” Dress code is “wigs and colors.” Wednesday nights go a little retro with the “Plastic Boots Party” mixed by Carole, the owner. The dress code, of course, is plastic boots. Thursday is “Angel Night” when everyone is asked to wear white. “The Crazy Nights” take place on Friday and Saturday. It is almost certain that you’ll see people dancing on the tables and…well, you’ll just have to find out for yourself!

Reservations are recommended: 05 90 27 97 71 or info@ksplaces.com. Closed on Sundays.

Premium IV Now Offers Wedding Planning Services

Premium IV, whose office is located in St Jean, provides VIP concierge services including assistance with arrival and departure, yacht and villa provisioning and special events. They have contracted over 120 companies to provide the best products and services available. Now, in addition to their already broad array of services, they are offering assistance with planning a wedding and/or honeymoon on beautiful St Barth. Assistance is available with catering, decorations, fireworks, flowers, musicians, photographers, transportation, hotels, lighting, and more.

For a complete list of their wedding planning services, including required legal documentation, visit their web site or call them at 011 590 590 290 007. (Please note that 011 is required when calling from the United States.) Since Premium IV’s very amiable management comes from Canada, Britain and France, you’ll be able to communicate easily in English or French. Bon mariage!

American Airlines Imposes a Baggage Embargo

Due to expectations of high passenger traffic this summer, American Airlines enforced an embargo on boxes and additional baggage on June 9 for those traveling to and from many Caribbean destinations. The baggage embargo applies to Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Port-au-Prince and Kingston as well as all American Eagle flights to and from San Juan. While St Maarten is not listed, it would be prudent to check with American before heading to the airport. In addition, American has imposed a year-round box embargo for flights originating from and passing through New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to all Caribbean and Latin America destinations.

Oversize, overweight and excess baggage will not be accepted for flights to the targeted destinations. Passengers may check two bags weighing a maximum of 50 pounds each at no charge. The maximum weight for cities on the embargo list is 70 pounds. Bags weighing between 51 and 70 pounds are subject to a $25 fee. One carry-on bag will be allowed with a maximum size of 45” and a maximum weight of 40 pounds. Sports equipment, such as golf bags, bikes and surfboards, will be accepted as part of the total checked bag allowance; additional charges may apply. Walkers, wheelchairs and any other assistive devices are welcomed for customers with disabilities.

Welcome to Saline Beach!

Located on the southern coast, Saline is a large, unspoiled expanse of white sand and rolling surf. There is a good-sized parking lot just past the salt pond. From there, you must walk up the rocky path and over the dunes to reach the beach. The view, as you reach the crest, is spectacular and makes the walk well worth the effort. If you continue walking left, you will arrive at another beautiful bay, known locally as Petit Saline. You will need to walk over some large rocks to reach this beach, but the path is short and not difficult. Petit Saline is a small, beautiful, crescent bay, and there are usually not more that four to six other people on the beach. Although nude sunbathing is not legal in St Barth, Saline beach is known and tolerated for its nude sunbathers. The mountains behind the beach are home to wild goats, which can be seen and heard at different times throughout the day. Although there are no restaurants or bars directly on the beach, there are three restaurants just before you arrive at the parking lot.

The Hideaway - A Favorite of Locals and Tourists
A local favorite and one of the best values on the island, The Hideaway was the winner for the Best Pizza in the 2004 Best of St Barth Awards. Qwned by the very amiable Andy Hall, The Hideaway, or Chez Andy as it is called locally, serves a variety of dishes suitable for lunch or dinner. Dishes range from huge salads, steak and fries, shrimp, pasta, and a large selection of delicious pizzas. Enjoy an informal, relaxed setting with ceiling fans in the center of St. Jean. In addition to the regular menu, The Hideaway offers a plat du jour at lunchtime for 10 €. Closed on Mondays. Dinner only on Sundays. Major credit cards are accepted.
Lunch: 12:00 – 2:00
Dinner: 7:00 – 10:30

Phone: (590 590) 27 63 62

Full menu

Big Savings at the Hotel Guanahani & Spa

From now until October 31, 2007, the Hotel Guanahani & Spa is offering a special rate where US$1 = 1 euro. With the current exchange rate, this is a savings of 34% to 36%! The Guanahani Hotel & Spa, located on the northeastern coast of St Barts at Grand Cul de Sac on a 15-acre peninsula, is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. One of its beaches is on the calm waters of Grand Cul de Sac with a beach bar, while the other faces the ocean. The hotel was completely renovated in 2004 and offers 69 rooms: 30 suites, 14 of which have their own pool; 38 double rooms; and one three-bedroom suite with a pool and ocean view. The hotel boasts a new state-of-the-art Clarins spa (the only Clarins spa on the island), a large swimming pool with a Jacuzzi, room service, a boutique, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a gym, two tennis courts, two restaurants, wireless internet, satellite TV and three internet work stations.

Phone: 05 90 27 66 60
Fax: 05 90 27 70 70
USA Toll Free: 800-223-6800
Email: guanahani@wanadoo.fr

Web Site: www.leguanahani.com