Belize Romantic Vacation Get Away

Mediteribbean Seafood Stew, served with a romantic view....the only thing missing, is you.

Belize has long been known for its adventurous travel....Adrenalin charged Zip Lining, Waterfall Rappelling, Scuba Diving the largest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere and cave tubing underground in the Mayan gateway to the underworld land and just about any type of hiking you want. But Belize is also a fantastic romantic destination. Honeymoons, weddings and anniversaries are all a great reason for planning a trip to Belize. An all inclusive vacation to Belize encompassing just the right amount of adventure and romance, which of course includes intimate dining, are pretty easily attainable and can be customized to your interests. I recently had a couple married for 25 years coming for their anniversary. Both were avid birders and i was able to put together 10 perfect days that included 3 different types of birding days, romantic meals on our dock, a sunset river cruise / wine tasting and then to Anderson Lagoon to observe the phosphorescent plankton and some night birds as well. We added in a couples massage and a trip to the Mystical Xunantunich ruins coupled with all transports and meals which left a very stress free couple ecstatic and planning a return in 2015 already.

Beaches and Dreams is still that little intimate place where we as owners, interact with guests daily and the favorite part of my job is corresponding with people before the trip down to see just what it is that they want to achieve from the trip.

There is nothing like an 8 course tapas tasting dinner coupled with wine and served on our dock or a beach picnic with shrimp cocktail, smokey chicken pasta salad and crunchy sourdough bread to make memories that will last forever.

Just take a look at all of the fantastic things there are to do right from our centrally located little beach spot in Hopkins, Belize.

Your 10 day all inclusive Belize Romantic vacation:
Day one:
Transfer from Belize International Airport to Dangriga by plane (15 minute flight) and a half hour ride to Beaches and Dreams Seafront Inn for  welcoming cocktail and room sign in.

Dinner at the Barracuda Bar and Grill./  Mediteribbean Seafood Stew, all our fresh seafood served in a seafood, wine and tomato herb broth with linguini  marinara. Or  Tuscan Beef Tenderloin Bruchetta, 2 medallions of beef tenderloin with tuscan spice crust served over garlic Crostini and topped with ripe tomatoes and basil in olive oil, served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. You won't be able to choose any one of Angela's fabulous dessert so she will agree to make you a dessert sampler for 2.

Day 2...Decompress with a couples massage out on our deck. Hang out by the pool and have a lunch of Seafood salad and a glass of Pinot Grigio. Take a long walk on our perfect beach and browse a few gift shops. Back for another extraordinary dinner.

Day 3 Take a private boat with just you and a captain/ guide to explore the reef while snorkeling along the barrier islands. Enjoy a cozy picnic lunch in the sand at Bread  and Butter Caye and a little more snorkeling before returning and enjoying a little more beach time before your 8 course tapas tasting dock dinner.

Day 4 . Rise early to make the drive to the Ruins of Xunantunich where you will have a guided tour of the ruins, then lunch at one of the local hotspots and shop for Mayan carvings and handicrafts. Stop at the Blue Hole national park on the way home, getting back in time to shower and another award winning meal that Barracuda Bar and Grill

Day 5- Down day to explore the quaint village of Hopkins on bikes or kayak around the point of Sittee To see if you can spot some manatees. Visit some of the many local artisan shops in the village and have beer at the local watering holes. An early dinner and a champagne sunset cruise on the Sittee river, then spot crocodiles and night life by spot life as the nocturnal creatures awake for the evening.Cruise through the cut from the River to Anderson Lagoon to see the mysterious "Burn Water", a bio luminescent glow given off by plankton when they are disturbed. Back for dessert after the cruise and enjoy a glss of wine on our deck while you watch the moon over the waves abnd the whispering of the wind through the palms.


 Day 6-Culinary Day...You will leave at 10 am to visit Miss Emma's Farm for a fram tour that will show you more varieties of fruit in one location than anywhere in Belize. Miss Emma herself will show you her orchard and botanical gardens that are the envy of any gardener. she will personally explain the variety of fruits, many imported from her native Philippines, then make you an astounding lunch from her farm made products. Then on to visit a working Spice Farm and  you will excite the olfactory senses as you smell and taste an amazing varieties of native Belizean spices as well as Indian spices brought here by the East Indian developers of this property.  Back to the beach to enjoy the rest of the evening and a roof top 3rd story appetizer and wine tasting while we watch the sun set over the mystic Mayan Mountains and Victoria's Peak. Visit and enjoy each others company, then enjoy another fabulous gourmet feast.

Day 7-Open day to do as you wish or get caught up on some afternoon naps in the hammock. Go to the Marina and rent some kayaks to check out the Sittee river during the day if you like.

Day 8-Catamaran Sailing- we've signed you up for a full day trip to snorkel or just relax aboard the luxury Catamaran Utopia for a day of cruising, lunching and cocktailing. Another great meal and late night walk on the beach.

Day 9- A guided waterfall hike to one of the waterfalls at Cockscomb Basin jaguar preserve and ajungle picnic lunch followed by a leisurely half hour tube float while you cool off .Back for another best of Belize dinner at the Barracuda Bar and Grill and then maybe an evening swim.

Day 10- Start planning your return trip to Hopkins Belize, the perfect destination for a romantic getaway......you'd better Belize it!

 

A sunset stroll on the beach in Hopkins , Belize   www.beachesanddreams.com

 

Belize Culinary Tours

The amazing setting for our Culinary Vacation 2013

                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                           

  The season at Beaches and Dreams Seafront Inn, of course home of the famous Barracuda Bar and Grill, started early and is going strong here in beautiful Hopkins, Belize. 

So much so that we will, for the first time since moving here 8 years ago, be keeping the restaurant open until September, when we will close the restaurant for 6-8 weeks for a little sabbatical. The last couple of seasons, I have been out and about checking out different things that are attractions to me, but not necessarily on the  average tourist check list of things to do in Belize. But our little spot seems to be evolving into a sort of Foodies Place and that being the case, we are now offering a list of Culinary Tours that can be taken from a few hours to a full day to a complete culinary vacation. Here is a little list of some, but not all the things that we are offering our Foodie guests:                                                                             

Miss Emma’s Farm Tour– Take the half hour ride to Miss Emma’s farm to se one of the largest varieties of fruit trees in one location in

Belize. She will personally take you on a tour of her gardens and

orchards. You can even have her make a gourmet lunch for you, she has been chef for US Ambassadors and other dignitaries of Belize.

Marie Sharps Factory Tour– Marie Sharp is famous all over the world for her hot sauce made from the local habanera peppers grown in Belize. Tour her small factory and purchase factory direct gifts to bring home.

Spice Farm Tour– Tour a working Spice Farm . The Mathews spice farm and botanical gardens features a mobile tour of the farm. The founders of the Golden Stream Plantation are originally from India and noticed a similar climate here on a vacation and decided to import plants from India with the blessing of the Belize Government. You will see a plethora of flowering plants, Mahogany and Teak Trees as well as

cardamom, vanilla, Black Pepper, nutmeg, Cocoa, and exotics like

Rambuttan and Bismarchia Nobilis. We include a stop at some Mayan Ruins on the way back as well.

Cyrilia’s Chocolate Factory Tour– An organic cocoa farm producing chocolate in the Ancient Mayan way melded with modern methods this all day tour shows chocolate from the beans to finished product and is also an olfactory delight.

Chef’s Tasting Dinner– Let Chef Tony prepare a Tapas Tasting dinner to include from 6-10 courses designed especially for your tastes. Perfect for you final dinner at the Barracuda Bar and Grill.

                                                                                        These individual tours can be taken while staying at our place, and now , for the first time, and in conjunction with our  first of September restaurant closing, we are offering a complete culinary vacation, including gourmet meals, tours guided by Angela and I, cooking demonstrations and some really great accommodations at our 5 star neighboring property, Villa Verano. 

www.villaveranobelize.com

We chose Villa Verano for our stay mainly because of the open kitchen , plus a roof top kitchen for cooking demonstrations, but also because the owners and close personal friends and fellow Foodies offered me the place for an affordable price that didn't price me out of the Culinary Tour Market. 

The accommodations are perfect for a gathering of Foodies. This will be 7 nights, 8 days of all things gastronimical. we've filled the days and nights with a plethora of Foodie based trips and have the luxurious accomodations to go with. Check out the itinerary below or check out our new Facebook page,

 http://www.facebook.com/BelizeCulinaryTours 

               

Introducing Tony and Angela Marsico, lifelong foodies who have lived their lives in the fine dining industry for more than 35 years.

The Marsico’s have taken their passion for food and culture all the way from Alaska where they owned and operated one of

Alaska’s premier Fine Dining restaurants for over 30 years to

Belize, where they now own a 5 room beachfront guesthouse which is home to one of Belize’s finest restaurants, The Barracuda Bar and Grill. Tony remains one of the most highly acclaimed Chef’s in Belize and Angela, one of the most talented pastry chefs.

Join them for a weeklong Culinary adventure  personally guided by them and let them show you the diverse cultures that meld together to help form a constantly evolving culinary frontier.

Enjoy evenings of gourmet meals prepared by Tony and Angela and their wonderful staff in the open kitchen where you can observe and if you like or sit back and enjoy the Caribbean views from your home for 7 nights, the 5 star Villa Verano.

Days are filled with all things gastronomical as we will tour this small Central American Country exploring Ancient Mayan Cacao farms and chocolate factories to modern day Hot Pepper sauce producers. Food and culture intermingle with 3 distinct ethnic cultures of Mayan, Garifuna and Creole and the cuisine that has melded together this little gem of the Caribbean.

This tour is limited to 5 couples in order to allow an intimate

experience in touring, cooking and eating.

2013 tour dates September 1-7th.

The Rooms

Tony and Angela have partnered with a neighboring property with 5 star accommodations with an open kitchen and roof top outdoor kitchen in order to provide the ultimate in comfort and facilitate evening cooking demonstrations and meals in the outstanding kitchen. We will spend 7 luxurious nights in the spacious Sea grape Suites at Villa Verano.

Www.villaveranobelize.com

With 5 separate suites all with private baths, a main dining room overlooking the sea and generous open kitchen, this is the perfect spot for a gathering of Foodies. We’ll enjoy roof top BBQ’s on the 3rd story as we take In stunning sunsets over the Mayan Mountains and early breakfasts watching the sunrise over the Caribbean Sea. There is a pool as well as a roof top hot tub for guests to enjoy and the beach in Hopkins is the best in Belize for swimming and sunning.

       

The Tours

DAY 1-  We will fly you from the International Airport at Belize       City to Dangriga where we will pick you up for the short ride to Villa Verano. We’ll have a reception with complimentary rum and beer and appetizers, then let everyone get settled in to their suites to meet in the dining and kitchen area for a tour briefing and multi course dinner.

 Day 2– After a breakfast of local fry jacks, fresh fruit, local granola, yogurt and smoothies, we will head out to the Habanera Pepper Sauce factory of the World renown Marie Sharps' Pepper Sauce to tour the factory, sample her wares and be able to purchase some of her great products and learn how she came to be one of the world’s highly acclaimed pepper sauce producers.

Next we will head south Ms. Emma’s farm and Botanical gardens. Ms. Emma will personally guide us through one of Belize’s most varying tropical plantations home to a plethora of fruit bearing trees all in one location. We’ll sample fruits, see beautiful and exotic flowers and gardens and then settle in for a gourmet lunch prepared by Emma and her talented staff. Back to Villa Verano for some afternoon beach and pool time before we convene on the roof top for Mojitos, beer and BBQ feast featuring Jerk delicacies from the land and sea. Bring your suit and you can relax in the roof top hot tub afterwards.

Day 3– After a breakfast of Seafood Omelet's, we will again head south to an Organic Cacao farm and working Chocolate Factory, Cyrilia’s Chocolates. We will see first hand the care that goes into this ancient Mayan Art form and witness the melding of Ancient practices and modern technology. We il enjoy a traditional Mayan style lunch before heading back to our home on the beach. Convening in the dining room for fresh fish sampling.

Day 4– Early breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt Tuscan Style eggs, then out to sea aboard the 44 foot Catamaran Utopia. We’ll sail to the Islands where we can snorkel the northern hemisphere’s largest and most living barrier reef while enjoying tapas tasters the entire way and imbibing on local drinks, sangria and beer. We will return around 4 pm and head back to the villa and

reconvene for an evening dinner featuring wild game and wine sampling.

Day 5– Early breakfast of build your own breakfast burritos then off to tour an exotic spice farm in the heart of Belize's agricultural hot bed.  We will tour the farm with the owners who came from India to farm in this very similar climate. Spice sampling and demonstration and lunch will be followed by a one hour stop at the mystic Mayan ruins of Lim Ni Punit before we head back to the beach.  We’ll be dining on lobster with 3 different preparations in the evening as well as a chardonnay sampling.

Day 6– After local style late breakfast, we’ll head into the Jungle at Mayflower Bocawina National Park where you can choose to do

Belize’s longest Zip Line or just go on a guided hike to waterfalls and tour the beautiful grounds, complete with unexcavated Mayan ruins. We’ll have a lunch of Shrimp Tacos then head back to the Villa where you will be free until dinner for another roof tip BBQ featuring the local poultry and grilled vegetables.

Day 7– The final day we’ll have a leisurely American style breakfast before we go head down to Placencia for a day of shopping and exploring. Lunch will be on your own here and we’ll head back to the Villa around 2pm for total decompression time and a final feast of a 10 course Tapas and dessert sampling.

Day 8– Transport back to Belize City for your flight home. 

contact me at vacation_belize@yahoo.com  for more information on the Culinary Tour Belize 2013, Sept . 1st- 8th.

  

 What else is new?  How about this great Osso Bucco of Wild Boar.......

I've found a great supply of game products from one of the local Yeagermeisters. These guys live on the Hummingbird highway and are licensed to hunt commercially. They can offer a regular supply of venison, Wild Boar and  gibnut. these guys aren't the kill all animals variety for profit, rather they watch over their scertain peice, know the animal populations and mange it as micro eco system for sustainable harvest.

 

Osso Bucco of Wild Boar

Until next time....You'd better Belize it!