Paradise Found in Turks & Caicos
There is no paradise found closer to the city than Turks & Caicos. After a mere two hour flight, you are on the island of Turks and Caicos, and likely no more than a half hour drive to your hotel. Only a tad longer journey than the Hamptons! Yet, the reward is beyond your expectations. Immaculate beaches, crystal clear waters, and mouthwatering seafood are yours for the weekend. I rented a bright red scooter and drove from beach to beach, stopping for conch fritters along the way. This gave the trip that extra ounce of adventure, for those who get bored just sitting on the beach.
Stay: Amanyura is a phenomenal hotel with the best views of the sunset on the entire island, and an amazing spa. For modern luxury with a bit of a New York-y scene, stay at The Gansevoort. For even more seclusion, head to Parrot Cay, a resort on its own private island, and keep your eye out for celebrities! (Just don't try to save any of the birds there).
Eat: One of the best things about coming to Turks & Caicos is the conch fritters! The two best places to go are Da Conk Shack and Bugaloos. They are both situated right on the beach, so you can take in views of the sand and sea while you bite into ocean-fresh deliciousness and sip on rum cocktails. I visited both by scooter!
Do: Turks and Caicos has some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. In my opinion, the stand out beaches are Long Bay Beach and Grace Bay Beach. Rent a scooter at one of the many rental shops around the island, grab a map, and check the all out. Just don't forget to pack a bottle of wine!
Hotels: Amanyura, Gansevoort, Parrot Cay, the Meridian Club, Grace Bay Club .
Restaurants: Infiniti (formerly, Anaconda), Tiki Hut, and Gekko Grille. For casual, beach side seafood and conk fritters you can enjoy in your swim suit, try Da Conk Shack, Bugaloo's.
