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Spring’s here, people are being vaccinated, and I’m feeling cautiously optimistic about the world finally opening up to leisure travelers after more than a year of lockdown. Hooray! I’m also hoping that this roundup of articles I’m reading; things I’m buying; people I’m meeting; and stuff I’m writing will inspire you to blow the dust off your own carry-on and start planning a post-vaccine trip. And I’d love to hear about where you’re going, so feel free to slide into my DMs on Instagram or to message me on Facebook.
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Beyond the arrival of the vaccine, I’m also celebrating some professional wins. The biggest: I’m now a special correspondent for Travel + Leisure! I’ve been contributing to the 50-year-old brand since 2012, so formalizing our relationship with a position on the masthead is a dream come true. I’ll be reporting about “touchless” Caribbean vacations in the May issue, but keep your eyes peeled for even more Caribbean coverage in future issues and on www.travelandleisure.com.
I’m also particularly proud of my collaboration with writer Heather Greenwood Davis on Black Joy, a package of features commissioned by TripAdvisor for Black History Month, which celebrates our long heritage as global travelers and the places Black people enrich by their presence. The collection of stories is relevant (and online) all year, so check it out – especially these practical tips for vacationing responsibly in the Caribbean.
After trips to Anguilla in January and the Turks and Caicos Islands in February, I shared what to expect if you visit both destinations with the readers of Islands. I haven’t written for The Washington Post (yet!) but I was thrilled to give my opinion in Hannah Sampson’s article about wearing facemasks when we travel. And I shared my candid thoughts on what it’s really like to travel during a pandemic with Medium (spoiler: It’s really not fun!) and on The Folo, Travel Weekly’s podcast.
Speaking of podcasts, I’m proud to announce that I’ll be co-hosting a bi-monthly podcast dedicated to Caribbean travel for TravelPulse with my colleague, Brian Major, the brand’s managing editor. Launching later this month, each half-hour episode of Complete Caribbean will be jam-packed with island intel, so I hope you’ll tune in. In the meantime, find out everything you need to know about traveling to St. Kitts and Nevis in my latest TravelPulse story, here.
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As you probably know, I’m a longtime runner.
Apart from the opportunity t hat running gives me to explore new destinations on a macro level when I travel, one of my favorite things about the sport is the opportunity it gives me to wear cute running outfits! My “runfits” have to be both functional and fun, and of course, they have to be bright and colorful. Designed by Trinidad-based creative Rachel Lee Young, this set ticks all the boxes.
The sweat-wicking fabric is silky smooth and feels great against the skin. And can we talk about the colorful pattern?! It’s actually from a photo Rachel took of a heliconia flower, and her website sells dresses, swimwear and athleisure pieces – all perfect for travel – in the same tropical abstract print. Go to www.landofthehummingbird.com to score yours, and use the code SARAH10 for an exclusive 10 percent discount. (Want to see more of my style and shopping finds? Follow me on Insta at JetSetShops.)
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Truth is, modern travel writing is rooted in colonialism. Much of what we think we know about destinations – particularly the Caribbean – comes from stories and images we’ve consumed, written largely from a white, male and European perspective. So how do we finally “decolonize” travel writing and be more mindful when we travel? I found Meera Dattani’s thoughtful article to be illuminating.
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In the Before Times, I often saw Stacy Cox’s smiling face beaming from behind the Turks and Caicos Islands’ booth at trade shows and meetings – remember those?! But in February, while I was on assignment in Provo (the island’s tourism hub), I had a chance to get to know the CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association a bit better. As we feasted on conch (of course!) the travel industry pro shared her favorite beaches, hotels and restaurants. Save her recommendations, so when you go, you can go like a pro!
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Stacy's Top Three
Beaches
- When I’m on Provo, I start my day by watching the sunrise and listening to an audiobook as I walk along the sand at Sunset Beach.
- On our sister island of Middle Caicos, Bambarra Beach is paradise for an island girl like me, with shallow, crystal-clear water and plenty of shade trees.
- Even though it’s lined with hotels, you can still find privacy on Provo’s 12-mile-long Grace Bay beach.
Resorts
- Amanyara’s tranquil atmosphere and luxurious amenities make it feel as if it’s my own private oasis. My kids love it here!
- The plush villas at The Shore Club are perfect for a girls’ getaway.
- My family and I stayed in a villa at Beach Enclave and really enjoyed the service and seclusion.
Restaurants
- The Deck at Seven Stars Resort is one of the best places to watch the sunset, and their mango and avocado salad is ah-mazing!
- I love sitting with my feet in the sand at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl, gazing at the shoreline while enjoying great conch salad.
- Going to Mango Reef bar and restaurant at Turtle Cove Marina is like going to the mall, where all of your favorite local people hang out and the food is consistently good.
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