Personal Concierge Services on the Cape and Islands

As I am writing this I’ve just returned from an incredible nine days aboard Sea Dream 1. We started in the US Virgin Islands yachting from St. Thomas to St. John for a day of fun and snorkeling at Knell Bay. The next evening we left for the French Virgin Islands, which included two fun filled days at Gustavia, St. Barts.

This is the tropics version of the French Rivera; lots of high end shops, galleries and some very beautiful beaches. After some shopping it was off to Road Town, Tortola and Norman Island of the British Virgin Islands. One of the reason Sea Dream is so unique is that it can anchor up in the small harbors that larger cruise ships cannot, thus why their slogan, It’s Yachting, not Cruising. Anchored at Norman Island we were among some of the most stunning yachts in the world.

Continuing on in the BVIs the next day we anchored off Spanish Town and North Sound, not far from Virgin Gorda. After a relaxing morning of yoga on the deck it was off to Virgin Gorda and the every popular trip through the caves and baths.

A trip on Sea Dream through the Caribbean would not be complete without the famous Champagne & Caviar splash, served in Sea Dream style, in the surf, off Jost Van Dykes; complete with lunch on the beach. The swells and waves proved to be a bit over powering that day, which resulted in the first set of caviar and champagne ending up in the sea.

One of the last days on the yacht was once again unique, with a trip to Culebrita, a small island south of Puerto Rico, where we discovered a diamond in the rough. About a two mile bike ride, using Sea Dreams mountain bikes, we ended up on one of the most expansive white sand beaches where just a few relaxing soles could be found swimming in the teal blue water.

Casual, sophisticated and unpretentious, the Sea Dream dining experience, consist of outstanding service and delicious cuisine. If you are a “Foodie” Sea Dream is the place for you. A full hour cocktail party on the deck or in the main salon each evening gives guest a chance to relish about their day at sea. Three full sit down meals a day were creatively prepared by Chef Tomasz Kozlowski and carefully paired to a fine selections of wines, by sommelier, Tyrell Francis Passengers can order items from a comprehensive menu to be delivered anywhere on board the yacht, including dinning privately at a table for two on the deck under the stars .

For me the nine course degustation evening was certainly the highlight of our trip, enjoying L’Oeuf Poule au Caviar surprise which came served in a hens egg to Cappuccino of white tomato soup with basil dumpling, Chateaubriand of Beef with Gaufrette Napoleon potato, green asparagus and an Earl Grey Suffle with Cream Fraiche ice cream desert was almost more than one person can imagine.

This summer Sea Dream will be offering some new Ports of Call in Stockholm, Finland and Amsterdam, along with the ever popular Mediterranean vogues of Italy, the Greek Islands and Croatia. In addition to the Caribbean look for the exciting river cruises through the Amazon region including Brazil and Peru next winter.

La Mer Concierge is proud to be an official ambassador of Sea Dream, enabling us to offer you the best rates possible for you, your family or friends. Please give us a call and let your Sea Dream begin.

La Mer Concierge of Cotuit will supply a package of  Off Season Home Supervision  valued at over $600.00 to this years Gifts From The Sea  Auction & Lawn party to benefit Barstable’s Land Trust for open spaces.  Enjoy the view of Nantucket Sound from this private home on Ocean view Avenue in Cotuit, while sampling delicious foods, a raw bar and delectable deserts. Live music and an open bar under the tent will kick off this years event on Saturday August 1, 2009 at 5pm.

For additional information and tickets please call 508 -771-2585

Art around Cotuit
This summer, while visiting Cape Cod, create a memorable and unique vacation experience.
David Sigel, painter, and Hilary Hutchison, sculptor, will be offering outdoor sculpture and painting lessons in and around the quintessential Cape village of Cotuit. An Art Excursion may involve a landscape painting lesson of your most favorite seaside view.
All ages and experience levels are welcome for private or group instruction. Contact Hilary and David: sighut@aol.com.
Summer Art at CCftA
Additionally, Hutchison and Sigel offer an intensive studio-based program for kids, ages 12 – 16, at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. This is a unique opportunity for students to explore a wide range of media- drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography- inspired by the Cape environment.
Sigel and Hutchison are experienced art educators and enthusiasts and practicing artists. They spend their summers in Cotuit and reside outside of Philadelphia, teaching art to high school students at Episcopal Academy.
For additional information about Summer Art please contact CCftA: www.cotuitcenterforthearts.org.