Wine With Wanda

Mango Madness in St. Lucia at Jade Mountain Resort

"On St. Lucia, each mango offers a different flavor, texture and color. Each dictates its own culinary destination."
Chef Allen Susser - author of The Great Mango Book and National Mango Board Spokesman   

Juicy, sweet, and simply irresistible, mangos always take your tastebuds on a trip to the tropics. Well, why not go right to the source in St. Lucia and indulge in some delicious mango madness at Jade Mountain Resort' s 6th Annual Mango Festival from June 7-11.

Hosted by James Beard award-winning Chef Allen Susser, the Mango Madness Festival is also known as "1001 Things To Do With Mangos Before You Die."  The festival includes an interactive mango cooking class, a Mango Madness Cocktail Party, a tasting trip with Chef Allen to sample 10 varieties of St. Lucia mangos, the Night of the 1000 Mangos -  a 5-course exotic dinner at the Jade Mountain Club, and many more mango-centric events.


A Condé Nast Gold List winner, Jade Mountain Resort rises majestically above the 600 acre beach front resort of Anse Chastanet.  The property expands upon architect & owner Nick Troubetzkoy's philosophy of building in harmony with Caribbean nature.

To learn more about Jade Mountain Resort and the Mango Madness Festival, visit their website.

Wanderlust Wishlist: The Exumas (Bahamas)

Staniel Cay, The Exumas

Blue skies, bluer water, and white sand beaches have earned The Exumas a spot on the Wanderlust Wishlist. An archipelago of 365 cays and islands beginning just 35 miles southeast of Nassau, The Exumas are considered one of the most beautiful destinations in the Bahamas.

A favorite hideaway of celebrities like Johnny Depp and David Copperfield, The Exumas were recently featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit  2013 Issue. The Sports Illustrated crew spent a week on location at the Grand Isle Resort & Spa on Great Exuma. A unique villa resort property, Grand Isle was recently named in TripAdvisor’s 2013 Travelers’ Choice Award as the third top hotel in the Caribbean.


Grand Isle Resort & Spa, Great Exuma

Do you need more of an incentive to pack your bathing suits and head to The Exumas? Well, if you stay three or more nights in a one-bedroom or two-bedroom villa at Grand Isle through September 15, 2013, you will get a free upgrade to an ocean front view, spa credits and dinner for up to four people.

To learn more about The Exumas and to plan your trip, visit The Islands of The Bahamas website.

A Private Isle of Your Own: Eagle Island in Georgia

Haven't we all had those days where we wanted to retreat from the world and bask in the luxury of our own private island? A recent story in the Wall Street Journal, Your Own Island, on a Dime, showcased 5 islands around the world where you can vacation in seclusion without needing to win the Mega Millions.

Only one US island was featured in the article - Eagle Island in Southern Georgia. I included Eagle Island on my site last year as a possible honeymoon site for Prince William and Duchess Kate. Alas, the royals didn't take my advice but they can surely afford a second honeymoon!

Located 60 miles south of Savannah in Georgia's salt marsh, Eagle Island is a ten acre wonder that is only accessible by boat (just 10 minutes from Darien, GA). The recently built Eagle Lodge sleeps a maximum of 12 guests in rustic luxury and has a 1,500-square-foot screened-in porch with hot tub and fireplace. You must bring your own food and beverages but fresh crab (yummy)and round-trip boat transportation is included in the rental price. From $400 per night.

PS. The other private islands included in the Wall Street Journal piece were Isle des Indes in Indonesia, St. Ivan Na Pucini in Croatia, Enedrik Island in Micronesia, and Louie Caye in Belize.