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

For those of you don’t like to snorkel or dive but would love to see the abundant underwater life of St Barth, you can now schedule a one-hour trip on Plongée Caraïbes’ new Yellow Submarine. The trip leaves from the quay in Gustavia and will take you through the Marine Park and around Gros Ilets, toward Les Petits Saints where you will see schools of colorful fish, sea turtles, coral reefs and three wrecks, including one of the yacht Non Stop. The two crew members will provide information about the marine life and St Barth. The submarine remains on the surface while you view the underwater world of St Barth six feet below the surface through 24 large windows along the sides, plus one large window in the front and the back. The new submarine, built in Europe, can carry 22 passengers and departs at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. The price is 40 euros for adults and 25 euros for children. Contact Plongée Caraïbes at 590 590 52 40 51 to make reservations.

Live from St Barth!

The next time the weather is stormy and the cold winds are blowing, take a look at a live shot from St Barth from one of the following Web cam sites. At the same time, you can listen to music on one of the local radio stations. Add a piña colada or a ti punch, and you’re almost here. Guaranteed to lift your spirits!

Web Cam Sites
View of St Jean Bay from Lurin
http://www.st-barths.com/a_cam/index.html

View of the Corossol Bay, a quaint fishing village
http://www.corossol.info/productssimple32.html

View of the air strip in St Jean
http://perso.orange.fr/sbh1/webcam.html


Radio Stations
www.saintbarth-tvradio.com
www.radiostbarth.com

Getting from St Maarten to St Barth

You've made it as far as St Maarten. Now what? You can always book a flight on one of the small commuter flights from Princess Juliana International Airport. But, if you don't like small planes and dramatic landings, you might want to consider taking The Voyager, a high-speed ferry that leaves from Marigot or Oyster Pond. The trip from Marigot, on the French side of St Maarten, takes 75 minutes; from Oyster Pond, it takes 40 minutes. A taxi from the airport to Marigot will cost you $20, and you'll pay $30 for a taxi from the airport to Oyster Pond. A round-trip ticket costs 71 euros for adults and 35 euros for children under 12. To check their schedule and to make reservations, visit their web site at http://www.voyager-st-barths.com/us/index.php.