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seasonedtraveler.ca

  • Destinations
  • Beach Bar Bingo
  • Health on the Go
  • Classic Caribbean
  • Island ABCs
  • About Us
seasonedtraveler.ca
  • Destinations
  • Beach Bar Bingo
  • Health on the Go
  • Classic Caribbean
  • Island ABCs
  • About Us

About Us

The Seasoned Traveler Magazine is an independent site offering travel reviews, insights and news to Canadians and international travelers.  Based in Toronto, our focus is the Caribbean and other sun-kissed destinations, but we will occasionally, and gleefully, wander off track!


Editor: Ian Corks (IC) 

An award-winning medical/healthcare journalist and lifestyle writer, Ian loves to travel, with the Caribbean being his favourite destination. He has visited over 45 individual islands to date (the Bahamas and Bermuda included), writing about his travels for a number of publications and media outlets.  Ian is an enthusiastic amateur bartender, cancer warrior* and certified beach bar aficionado.

*For more on Ian’s cancer journey, click here.

Follow Ian at @SeasonedTrav

Special Correspondent: Nadine Hubert (NH)

An accomplished communications professional with over 35 years of writing and editing experience, Nadine has a special affinity for island life. She has travelled to over 40 islands of the Bahamas and Caribbean over the past 26 years and fully subscribes to the maxim ‘Sun. Sea. Rum. Repeat’. 

Follow Nadine at @Turtledean

Contributor: Kristofer Lam (KL) 

Kristofer is a Registered Massage Therapist and Massage Therapy professor. He is the sole proprietor of High Performance Rehab, located just north of Toronto. He has competed at a high level in several sports ranging from track and field to powerlifting and bodybuilding. Through High Performance Rehab, he has worked with professional hockey players and instructed in massage therapy in the Caribbean.  Kristofer is continuing his studies in the field of wellness and is dedicated to improving the health of everyone he comes in contact with.

kristoferlam@highperformancerehab.com

Follow Kristofer on Instagram: @highperformancerehab

Contributor: Kathy Parsons (KP) 

Kathy is a Toronto-based yoga teacher and meditation guide who specializes in helping people connect to themselves through movement and breath. Having been on over 25 international health retreats over the years, Kathy is a self-proclaimed ‘retreat addict’ (and a type-A in recovery).  Kathy left the corporate world of marketing and fund raising in 2014 to provide the ultimate energizing and balanced yoga and retreat experience for others through her company: The Santosha Life:  Cultivating Contentment through Yoga • Meditation • Retreats  www.thesantoshalife.com.

Follow Kathy @Retreatinsider

Contributor: Caribbean Essence

Founder Rachele Viard was born in Stone Mountain Georgia, and as a child was a frequent visitor to her parents’ homeland of Haiti. Moving to Haiti in 2009, she started working for Magic Haiti, a local magazine.  This provided the opportunity to discover the magic, charm, and richness of the island, its culture and people.

Follow on Instagram @cari.bbeanessence

Contributors: Kerry Houston Glover & Byron Glover (KHG/BG)

Kerry and Byron are a couple of beach-loving Canadians who try to escape the snow as often as possible.  Their Caribbean travel adventures landed them in Turks and Caicos a few years back instantly capturing their hearts. Having immersed themselves in TCI’s “Beautiful By Nature” culture they were inspired to launch Corks and Tacos Apparel, a line of sustainable, ethical, responsible luxury beachwear.

www.corksandtacos.com / corksandtacosapparel.com

Follow Kerry and Byron at @corksandtacos 

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I could sit (with a cold drink in my hand, of cour I could sit (with a cold drink in my hand, of course) and stare at the view from Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke for hours.  Not only can you see Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬, but  St. John and (on a clear day) even St. Thomas in the USVI🇻🇮. Views like this are just one of the reasons to love Jost Van Dyke, along with its beach bars and distinct swashbuckling vibe - particularly apt for an island (reputedly) named after a Dutch pirate🏴‍☠️. @britishvirginis.uk #bvi #jostvandyke #britishvirginislands #beachphotography #bestbeach #beachbum #islandhopping #caribbean #tortola #pirates #seaview #travelphotography #fridayfeeling
Jost Van Dyke (JVD) is a fascinating little island Jost Van Dyke (JVD) is a fascinating little island. And with a total area of slightly less than 8 square kilometres (3 square miles) and a population under 300, small is the operative word. Yet it manages to pack a lot of fun - mainly in the form of a string of world famous beach bars -  into those few kilometres, primarily on White Bay and here at Great Harbour.  We had stopped at the former on our @seadreamyc cruise, but with JVD being just a 30 minute ferry ride from our base on Tortola, we were soon headed back to visit some old haunts in Great Harbour. Nothing like island hopping in the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬. @britishvirginis @bviblackbook #bvi #britishvirginislands #jostvandyke #caribbeanyachting #caribbeancruise #harbours #islandbum #islandhopping #traveltuesday
The best way to really experience all that Tortola The best way to really experience all that Tortola has to offer is to rent a car and explore. We spent a great few days driving up, down and around (literally) this lovely isle, the largest of the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬. Sure, it’s a bit hilly, but the roads are good and the traffic generally light. Thanks to  @islandtimecarrentalbvi for the truly great service! Really like the new Jimny - perfect for a terrain like Tortola’s. @britishvirginis #tortola #bvi #britishvirginislands #caribbean #islandtouring #seniortravel #travelphotography #suzukijimny #islandhopping # @bviblackbook
We’ve visited over 40 islands in the Caribbean a We’ve visited over 40 islands in the Caribbean and Bahamas, several of them multiple times. And while I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed them all, I naturally have my favourites. And sitting firmly among my ‘Top Three’ is the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬. In fact, it was a visit to this small, low-key island some 20 years ago that helped to inspire our passion for Caribbean travel. Tortola has a surprising lot to offer, including amazing vistas like this. The aptly-named Stoutt’s Lookout Bar (my, how it has grown) is a must stop whenever we go - not only for the amazing views of the famous Cane Garden Bay, but for the genuine and always sunny welcome from owner Prince Stoutt, no matter how long it’s been between our visits. 😎 @britishvirginis @tortolabvi #bvi #britishvirginislands #tortola #caribbeanbar #islandviews #travelphotography #ruminthesun #caribbeancruise #islandhopping #canegardenbay #stouttslookout #traveltuesday
Sadly😢, our cruise had to come to an end, back Sadly😢, our cruise had to come to an end, back where it started in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands🇻🇮. It really was an exceptional trip, and I salute the amazing officers and crew of the Sea Dream II for helping to make it so special (especially as it was our ‘25th Anniversary cruise’ - delayed two years by COVID and my cancer🎗). But, fortunately, things weren’t all bad😎, as we had already planned to extend our holiday and so immediately hopped on the fast ferry back to the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬 for a few days on Tortola, with its lush greenery and inviting beaches, like this one at Long Bay. @seadreamyc @britishvirginis #caribbeancruise #bvi #tortola #britishvirginislands #bestbeach #beachphotography #traveltuesday #beachscape #islandhoping #longbaytortola
You never know who’ll you meet strolling along t You never know who’ll you meet strolling along the beach at White Bay, Jost Van Dyke (JVD)🇻🇬. We were on our way for a bit of a mini beach bar crawl (with Seddy’s One Love, the Soggy Dollar and Hendo’s in our immediate sights) when we came across the intrepid captain of our @seadreamyc cruise, Capt. Charles Teige, returning from??? And why shouldn’t he enjoy some well-earned time-off on this beautiful little island? The last stop on our cruise😢. @britishvirginis @seadreamyc @seddysonelovebarandgrill @soggydollarbar @hendoshideoutbvi @beachbarbums #caribbeancruise #bvi #jostvandyke #whitebay #britishvirginislands #beachbars #bestbeach #beachphotography #seniortravel
White Bay on the tiny island of Jost Van Dyke (JVD White Bay on the tiny island of Jost Van Dyke (JVD) in the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬 marked the final port-of-call on our @seadreamyc cruise. This was a stop I was really looking forward to🤗. White Bay is known primarily for two things: this gorgeous stretch of sparkling beach and a remarkable row of famous, and nearly famous, beach bars that is the envy of islands ten times the size of JVD.  Here you’ll find Seddy’s One Love, Gertrude’s, Hendo’s Hideout and the famous Soggy Dollar, among others. (We’ll save that equally famous bar🦊 just over the hill for another post.) So, naturally, I felt right at home! 😎 @britishvirginis @seddysonelovebarandgrill @gertrudesbeachbar @hendoshideoutbvi @soggydollarbar @beachbarbums #bvi #britishvirginislands #jostvandyke #beachbars #bestbeach #caribbeancruise #beachphotography #ruminthesun  #traveltuesday
Happy Independence Day to the beautiful nation and Happy Independence Day to the beautiful nation and people of St. Lucia🇱🇨 from your friends in Canada 🇨🇦 and around the world! @travelstlucia #stlucia #caribbean #cruise #travelphotography #islandhopping #pitons #scenery #islands
With our @seadreamyc ship still anchored off Norma With our @seadreamyc ship still anchored off Norman Island, BVI🇻🇬, we moved on from the serenity of Pirates Bight to the bustle of the infamous Willy T, a floating bar where, I am told, when the rum is flowing, anything goes🙄. We grabbed a seat and a beer on the more sedate upper deck and left the raucous main deck, with it’s packed bar, pumping music and body shots to the (somewhat younger) party crowd🥳. But, hey, it was fun and we can now say ‘been there, done that, got the sticker’.😅 @willytbvi @britishvirginis #bvi @normanisland #normanisland #britishvirginislands  #beachbars #floatingbars #ruminthesun #seniortravel #caribbeancruise #seadreamyachtclub #traveltuesday
It would be hard to imagine a more picturesque set It would be hard to imagine a more picturesque setting for a beach bar than this - Pirates Bight on Norman Island in the BVI🇻🇬. After a short sail, our @seadreamyc cruise moored just offshore, allowing us to spend a good part of the day enjoying the excellent facilities, as well as the lovely beach, on this idyllic little island.  And the bar is a good one, with a happy, friendly serving crew, plenty of cold beer and their signature drink, the ‘spirited’ Pirate’s Punch 🏴‍☠️🍹. @normanisland @britishvirginis @seadreamyc #britishvirginislands #bvi #cruising #caribbean #caribbeancuisine #islandhopping #beachbar #ruminthesun #traveltuesday
It would seem that my wife and I have two somewhat It would seem that my wife and I have two somewhat different cruising styles😄. I’ll let you guys decide which looks the most appealing to you.  Of course, some people (not me🙄) did both.  Anyway, we had to find something to occupy our time on a beautiful afternoon while moored in North Sound, Virgin Gorda🇻🇬. Glad we were anchored, as our intrepid Captain was among the first in line for the water slide! 😯 @seadreamyc @britishvirginis @hiho_caribbean #britishvirginislands #bvi #cruise #caribbean #virgingorda #islandcruise #islandhopping #seniortravel #funinthesun #fridayfun
After departing St. Barth we embarked on the ‘ra After departing St. Barth we embarked on the ‘raison d’être’ of our @seadreamyc cruise - visiting some of the smaller isles and cays that make up the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬. From this point on it would be all about amazing beaches, calm turquoise waters and, of course, legendary beach bars. We anchored in North Sound, Virgin Gorda within sight of Leverick Bay and Prickly Pear Island. A tender to Leverick Bay, followed by a short jaunt over the hill (courtesy of Tiger Taxi) and a brief ferry ride took us to the famous Bitter End Yacht Club, with its lovely beach and killer views. More about this great place in future posts. 😎 @britishvirginis @bitter_end_yacht_club #bvi #britishvirginislands #virgingorda #caribbeancuisine #beachbar #bestbeach #caribbean #yachtclub #leverickbay #beachphotography #cruising #traveltuesday
The next port of call on our @seadreamyc cruise wa The next port of call on our @seadreamyc cruise was the island of St. Barth🇧🇱 in the French West Indies. A mere 53km from the sleepy island of Saba, St. Barth might as well be on another planet. Where Saba is quiet, peaceful and low key, St. Barth is vibrant, brash and bustling. It’s a place to be seen and live large (and to be prepared to drop more than a few Euros). But it’s addictive and we love it, especially St. Jean Beach, with its mix of upscale and laidback beach bars. Places like Nikki Beach, Eden Rock, Nao, Pearl Beach and a relative newcomer, the stylish Gyp Sea Beach Club, where this photo was taken. As you can see, I’m in my element! 😎 Review to follow on the website. @gypsea_beach @stbarthtourisme @seadreamyc #beachbars #stbarth #frenchwestindies #stjeanbeach #beachbum #caribbeanrestaurant #islanddining #bestbeaches #ruminthesun #seniortravel #caribbeancruise #traveltuesday
The first stop on our @seadreamyc cruise was the r The first stop on our @seadreamyc cruise was the remarkable small island nation of Saba🇱🇺. It was our first visit since a brief stay several years ago, and we were thrilled to be back.  Somewhat off-the-beaten-path for most Caribbean travellers, Saba is a wonderfully peaceful, friendly and beautiful place. The island is alive with colour, traditional colonial Dutch gingerbread cottages and incredible views at every turn, including of the capital town, The Bottom. Saba’s remarkable airport is located in the aptly named Hell’s Gate. It boasts the shortest commercial runway in the world, a mere 400 metres long (less than 300 metres of which is ‘active’), with sheer drops into the ocean at either end😱. Flying in and out I guess you just have to sit back, close your eyes and hope the pilots know what they are doing (they do)🙂. @seadreamyc @sabatouristbureau #caribbean #caribbeancruise #saba #dutchcaribbean #travelphotography #islandhopping #airports #seniortravel
Kicking off a series of posts of highlights from o Kicking off a series of posts of highlights from our recent @seadreamyc cruise. Have to admit that this is probably one of the most gorgeous rainbows I have ever seen. And if it isn’t beautiful enough by itself,  check out the ghostly second one floating above it. Taken after a brief but heavy early morning shower at Emerald Bay, St.Thomas, USVI🇻🇮, on departure day of our cruise - the perfect good omen.🙂 🌈@visitusvi @seadreamyc @emeraldbeachvi #stthomasusvirginislands #usvirginislands #beachphotography #rainbow #caribbeancruising #beaches #caribbean #virginislands #beachbum #seniortravel# #travelthursday #cruiseport
Owner Seddy Callwood referred to Seddy’s One Lov Owner Seddy Callwood referred to Seddy’s One Love as the “only TRUE beach bar” on White’s Bay in Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬. Quite the statement for a magnificent stretch of sand that is home to a couple of the world’s top-rated establishments. But you can see what he meant. It’s an authentic, old school place - right on the sand, delightfully ramshackle and refreshingly low key and laid back.  Had the pleasure of dropping by on our cruise last week and chatting, albeit briefly, with Seddy.  So, we were shocked to hear of his tragic death in a car accident just six days after our visit. He was only 59. So sad. RIP. 💚💛💔 @seddysonelovebarandgrill @britishvirginis @seadreamyc @beachbarbums #bvi #jostvandyke #beachbars #ruminthesun #beachphotography #caribbean #caribbeancruise
And that’s a wrap! Saluting the end of a glorio And that’s a wrap!  Saluting the end of a glorious two weeks.  We started with a seven day cruise of the British Virgin Islands, Saba and St. Barths on @seadreamyc. Saw some beautiful places and met some great people along the way (Cheers Greg and Donna!). Then finished off on Tortola🇻🇬, one of our favourite islands.  Spent the last few days at the lovely Sugar Mill Hotel. To top it off, I had the chance to visit/revisit some of the World’s most storied beach bars, including Nikki Beach, Seddy’s One Love, the Bitter End, Quito’s Gazebo, the Soggy Dollar and the legendary Foxys, to name but a few.  My idea of a perfect holiday😎. Will be posting a record of our adventures soon - and watch for new reviews in Beach Bar Bingo on the website (link in profile). @thesugarmillhotel @britishvirginis @sea @nikkibeachsaintbarth @soggydollarbar @foxysjvd @quitosgazebo1 @bitter_end_yacht_club @seddysonelovebarandgrill @beachbarbums #caribbeancruise  #bvi #beachbars #beachbum #islandhopping #tortola #seniortraveler
Enjoying a Margarita in paradise. Well, at NAO Be Enjoying a Margarita in paradise.  Well, at NAO Beach Club on the vibrant island of St. Barths🇧🇱 to be exact. Always bustling and never boring, St Jean beach in St. Barths literally has a place for every mood, from super high-end to totally laid back. NAO seems to fit perfectly in the middle. Watch for a future review. @naobeachstbarths @seadreamyc #stbarths #caribbean #beachbars #stjeanbeach #bestbeach #bestbars #ruminthesun #seniortravel #caribbeancruise #margarita #beachphotography #beachbum
It’s hard to imagine a Caribbean island with as It’s hard to imagine a Caribbean island with as dramatic scenery as Saba in the Dutch West Indies🇳🇱. This tiny nation of just over 13 square kilometres (5 square miles) has a permanent population of approximately 1,700 and boasts some amazing feats of engineering, including it’s one road and remarkable airport (having the shortest commercial runway in the world). Don’t be put off by it’s rather industrial port. Saba is an absolutely beautiful and charming little island.  @sabatouristbureau @seadreamyc #saba #caribbeancruise #dutchwestindies #cruising #caribbean #islands #seniortravel #exoticlocale #travelphotography #cruisephotography
Enjoying yesterday evening’s sunset over Emerald Enjoying yesterday evening’s sunset over Emerald Bay, St. Thomas, USVI🇻🇮. Today we embark on a 7 day cruise of the British Virgin Islands🇻🇬with additional stops on Saba🇳🇱 and St. Barths🇧🇱. This is our long-awaited 25th Anniversary cruise, delayed over two years due to our personal ‘perfect storm’ of COVID and my cancer treatment🎗. Well, they say the best things are worth waiting for!  Looking forward to hitting some of the world’s most famous beach bars (and taking in some spectacular views, of course). Sketchy and super-pricey onboard WiFi may delay most posts till we get home, but hope to squeeze in a couple along the way.😎#usvi #bvi #usvirginislands #britishvirginislands @britishvirginis @seadreamyc #beachbars #caribbeancruise #cruising #sunsets #caribbeansunset #seniortravel #travelphotography #saba @sabatouristbureau
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Recent posts

Sugar Mill Hotel, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Sugar Mill Hotel, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

March 12, 2023
The Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

The Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

February 6, 2023
Catherine’s Café, Pigeon Point Beach, Antigua

Catherine’s Café, Pigeon Point Beach, Antigua

December 31, 2022

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