I’m sharing ten of my favorite island products and Caribbean escapes this season. They remain favorites of mine when I want a tropical gift.

Brinleys Gold Rum, This is my all time favorite. I discovered this Rum on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts. This is a gift Rum lovers will treasure at any holiday. Brinley’s Gold Rum comes in Coconut, Coffee, Vanilla, Mango and Lime. Brinley’s is smooth and they use only the best ingredients, Madagascar vanilla, Brazilian coffee, Tahitian lime, Brazilian mango and natural coconut. To order Brinley’s Gold Rum online.

The Spice Necklace By Ann Vanderhoof This book is a Caribbean island delight. It’s filled with Ann and her husbands travel adventures on their sailboat Receta throughout the Caribbean. This is Ann’s second book about life in the Caribbean. The book is filled with tropical flavor both for travelers and cooks. Her recipes are exquisite and offer a true taste of Caribbean island cooking.

Maui CookKwies These are one of my Hawaiian favorites. They are crisp, delicious morsels of island goodness. I order them when I want a taste of the islands. They come in variety of flavors including Macadamia nut, Coconut Macadamia Nut Shortbread, Pineapple Macadamia Nut, Kona Coffee Macadamia Nut, Shortbread and other assorted flavors.

Maui Tropical Soaps
Maui Tropical Soaps offer a feel of Hawaii with soaps, body washes, lotions and other island products. Maui Tropical Soaps offer organic ingredients, Hawaiian ingredients including Kukui nut oil, Macadamia nut oil, island coconut and the scent of beautiful, Maui grown flowers. My particular favorite is the pineapple glycerin soap. It brings the islands home with every shower. Another delight is that Maui Tropical Soaps supports Juvenile Diabetes Research so you’re purchasing products from a company which cares and supports charitable causes.

I’ve had an opportunity to experience three of Marriotts Caribbean resorts in the past year. I enjoyed Marriott’s Aruba, St. Kitts and Grand Caymen resorts. I delighted in my experiences there and recommend their destinations as excellent vacation escapes. Marriott offers some outstanding Caribbean travel deals.

Cyber Monday Offers
San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

Follow @SanJuanMarriott on Twitter and any time on Cyber Monday (November 29th) tweet “I want to book a #CyberMonday vacation at @SanJuanMarriott” to receive a reply direct message with an exclusive booking code and details for a special offer. Must book and travel in December 2010, *subject to availability.

Marriott Hotels and Resorts of Costa Rica is offering a Cyber Monday (November, 29th) Deal. Book your 2011 Costa Rica vacation on Cyber Monday and receive $99 to $119 nightly rates at the following Costa Rica hotels. Marriott Hotel San Jose (deluxe room) Courtyard San Jose Escazu (standard room), Residence Inn San Jose Escazu (studio) Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort (standard room.) This offer is valid for travel January 1, 2011 until Dec 19th, 2011. Reservations *Request promo code PR5.

Marriott Hotel and Resort Deals

Buy two nights at the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino at the leisure rate and get two nights free. Rates start at $249.00 and this offer is valid for travel April 26th to December 2011. To reserve call 1-800-223-6388 or visit Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino and request Promo Code D52.

Kura Hulanda Resorts, Curacao

Buy two nights and get a third night free at Hotel Kura Hulanda or Lodge Kura Hulanda. This is valid on all room rates. Rates start at $130.00, this offer is valid for travel until Dec 23, 2010 as well as January 3, 2011- April 16, 2011. For reservations call 1-877-264-3106 or email reservations@kurahulanda.com and mention Cyber Monday.

Lodge at Kura Hulanda and Beach Club is now offering guests an all inclusive style vacation in an upscale setting. This deal offers guests the access of their sister property as well as three area restaurants, providing the convenience of an all inclusive coupled with the freedom of a traditional vacation. Four nights “All Inclusive Packages” start as low as $890 per person, which includes access to nine different restaurants.

Terra Nova

Kusmi Tea

Kusmi’s extensive tea line offers some delicious favorites. I love the Spicy Chocolate Tea as well as the Prince Vladimir Tea, which comes from their Russian collection of closely guarded recipes. They also offer Wellness Teas, Green Teas and Black Teas. Their Christmas Tea tastes like an almond, orange, vanilla and spice Christmas cake. With such an extensive selection, Kusmi Teas has something for everyone.

Lokohi Cocomango Body Lotion

When I visited the Moana Spa for a massage treatment on the island of Maui I discovered their line of body products. One smell of this exquisite lotion takes me back to the islands I love. They offer an extensive line of these body care products, including shower gel, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.

Each of these gifts offers a beautiful taste of the tropics that will please most anyone on your gift list. Mele Kalikimaka or Merry Christmas in Hawaiian.

The North Shore of Oahu is one of my favorite destinations. While I go to the North Shore to enjoy the surf and to view the sea turtles some times spotted there; I always treasure a stop at Global Creations Interiors, found in Haleiwa, Hawaii. This little shop is a gem of gorgeous, unique, interesting and island style creations made by wonderful artists. The mood of the store is such that you want to linger and absorb the beauty and tranquility found there. I have been visiting this store since 1996 and I love it just as much today as I did during my first visit. It is always one of my favorite stops when visiting the north shore of Oahu.

Another must visit on the North Shore is the Coffee Gallery. This is a great place to take a break, enjoy some Hawaiian coffee or one of the many yummy treats offered. They have an excellent breakfast selection and a wonderful outdoor screened patio to enjoy breakfast with friends. I spent many Saturday mornings eating at The Coffee Gallery in Haleiwa with friends and visitors. It is a laid back, local delight to add to your Oahu day trip. If you click on their website you can then select random photos of the shop and see the interior of the Coffee Gallery and the wonderful outdoor patio.

The North Shore is a slice of life that one needs to just linger over to fully enjoy. The town of Haleiwa on the North Shore is a little slice of diversity with sweet shops, restaurants, street stands and beach stops to enjoy. A definitely delightful Hawaiian treat is a cool shaved ice. This local Hawaiian treat is made by filling a paper cone with shaved ice, a choice of flavored syrups, ice cream and or Azuki beans. It’s a must try for visitors new to the islands.

Photo Credit: flickr photo by: bobster1985