The art of jerk—pork, chicken, fish—begins with quality meat (or fish), but the secret’s in the spice. Most restaurants hold dear their recipes for spicy rubs, and Scotchies is no exception, except this intrepid journalist dug deep to discover a key rub ingredient: Scotch bonnet pepper, or Caribbean red pepper, a distant cousin of the habañero. It’s got kick, the kind of spice that hits you between the eyes after you think, That wasn’t so bad.

Grilled pork and chicken at Scotchies

Of course, the coals play an important part too, and getting them to the exact temperature before grilling the meat is key. The grill masters at Scotchies use an open-pit grill featuring scrap tin roof material, strips of felled wood (sweetwood and pimento), and a time-tested method of burning two sets of wood for every set of meat cooked. Typically, most meats take about two-and-a-half hours to cook, on average.

The perfect complement? An ice-cold Red Stripe to wash down the tasty jerk goodness. Jamaican me hungry, mon.

Ice cold goodness

Hurricane Irene was no match for this sunny Caribbean isle, filled with white sand beaches, glistening waters, sun-drenched skies and enough rum to make the world a better place—not to mention the Red Stripe.

Save yourself the hassle and go all-inclusive: it’s one-stop shopping for relaxation with no worry that you’ll run up a high tab at the end. (Who needs that added pressure on vacation?)

Stellar sunset, RIU style

Check out Montego Bay’s RIU:  picture-perfect sunsets, all-you-can-eat-and drink buffets, a campus-sized pool, state-of-the-art gym and spa, daily activities and entertainment, and in-room bar.  Round out the day with daily activities and entertainment, and your Caribbean’s complete.

As they say in Jamaica, “Once you go, you know.”

Pour your own, in room

SANDPEARL RESORT www.sandpearl.com*www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFlorida

Facebook users who “like” Sandpearl and post a photo of themselves on property (tagging Sandpearl Resort in their photo), receive 25% off an Ice Cream pedicure at the Spa. (Must be booked on Social Media Day, but can be redeemed on a future date.)

SAN JUAN MARRIOTT www.marriottsanjuan.com* www.facebook.com/sanjuanmarriott @sanjuanmarriott

Keep an eye on the San Juan Marriott’s Facebook page and Twitter feeds for offers throughout the day. The resort will be posting and sharing special “Social Media Day Only” offers such as free upgrades, complimentary drinks and value-added amenities.

ARUBA MARRIOTT RESORT & STELLARIS CASINO www.arubamarriott.com @arubamarriott

Follow @ArubaMarriott on Twitter and on June 30th, tweet the message: “Tweet me with a trip to @ArubaMarriott #SMDay” for an entry in to a drawing for a 3 night/4 day stay for two.

MARRIOTT COSTA RICA COLLECTION www.marriott.com/costarica* www.facebook.com/marriottcostarica

Post a photo of something you find beautiful in Costa Rica (for example, a sunset, a scarlet macaw, zip lining, etc.) Then get your friends to “like” your photo and the photo with the most likes at the end of the day (midnight, EST) will win a free night at your choice of any of the four Costa Rica Resorts.

ST. KITTS MARRIOTT RESORT

www.stkittsmarriott.com * www.facebook.com/stkittsmarriott

On June 30th, visit St. Kitts Marriott’s Facebook page where you can answer the question posted in their status: “Which one of your friends is the most glued to his/her social networks?”  Submit your answer on the resort’s Facebook wall and tag your socially addicted friend to receive a voucher for a 40% discount off a spa treatment at the Emerald Mist Spa.

JW MARRIOTT CANCUN RESORT & SPA  www.jwmarriottcancun.com*www.facebook.com/JWMarriottCancun

and CASA MAGNA MARRIOTT CANCUN RESORT www.casamagnacancun.com * www.facebook.com/casamagnacancun

Facebook users who tag themselves in a specified property photo (which will be announced on the resorts’ Facebook pages) on Social Media Day will be entered to win a three night stay at the resort. Winners will be drawn at random.

And why on Earth were we itchin’ to go to the superstore? Because there’s snow in Yellowstone. That’s right, we leave Michigan where winter is seemingly eternal on our summer vaca and we end up in the sweatshirt aisle at WM because apparently the big guy thinks it’s funny to torture me with more winter.

No worries, though, because after all, we are at Walmart, where the scenery inside rivals that at Old Faithful. And who can pass up a Toby Keith kerchief, right?

Manny, who is usually not such a big Wal-mart fan, is meandering around the country with his family and a camping trailer.

David Copperfield’s very own idea of paradise.

Perhaps in the midst of a mid-life crisis, David Copperfield purchased a series of 11 islands in the Bahamas—roughly 85 miles southeast of Nassau—and transformed them into his idea of a perfect paradise called “The Islands of Copperfield Bay.”  One of the islands, Musha Cay, is now a private island resort open to tourists.

The remote island is replete with monkeys, swaying palm trees and postcard views of crystal waters and sugar sand beaches. Five villas can accommodate up to 24 guests and each villa is adorned with unique artifacts and antiques collected from around the world.

Paradise comes at a cost: The rate runs $37,500 a night to stay on Musha Cay, and there is a four night minimum. For those of you without a calculator, that’s $150,000 pre-tax, or your kid’s college education.

Granted, it’s an all-inclusive experience with impressive amenities, and once on the island, it’s yours for however long you stay. (David does not interact with his guests.) There’s an on-call, world-class chef who will whip up anything you want; Dave’s Drive-In outdoor movie theater showing nightly movies, featuring comfy chairs, cashmere throws and a candy bar with 20 different varieties of goodies to snack on; a beach-front gym; two Hobie Cat sailboats and Yamaha Jet Skis for your enjoyment; a helipad, should you decide to fly your own ‘copter; and a three-mile-long sandbar called Heaven on Earth, complete with two beach chairs and an umbrella.

As part of his next act, Copperfield is working on adding a Secret Village to Musha Cay to create a more mystical, magical experience. Guests will be able to walk down a winding staircase that leads them through a secret underground tunnel which emerges on the other side to a lush, tropical landscape full of interactive monkeys.

Beats a weekend at the Jersey Shore.

Photos from MushaCay.com.

A screen grab of StMartin.com.

take you to the same place: StMartin.com and StMaartin.com.

Both follow the little island’s philosophy of being the same destination for the vacation island.

While the site is just launching, we think it’ll be part of House Hunters any time now as it includes more than just hotel listings and a big Google Map.

There are some real estate listings on the site and, we think, it’ll continue to grow and take on a stronger look. If it contained some news from the island, that might help it not look like an advertising platform. But still, it has plenty of information and if you want to know a little more about St. Martin — or Maartin.

The site also asks you to join it — giving up your precious email address — which we’re not sure why. We didn’t join, more because it’s just another email address we don’t want to memorize.

Now, HTG may not agree with this assessment, but we do like that CC is offering up to 55 percent off on some of the resorts it represents.

Check out the deals here.

The resorts are offering 50 percent off of a connected room if you pay for the first room. That’s like two rooms for 75 percent the regular cost. (There are a few other ways to do the math on this formula — such as booking three rooms and getting one free.)

We keep waiting for the resorts to invite us down there — perhaps offering us that family deal, without actually connecting our room to anyone else’s — even with our Marriott point card.

This particular package requires you book the rooms before May 31 and you have to travel before Oct. 31.

According to resort officials: “Rates for Friends and Family package start at $269 per room per night at CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort and $349 per room per night at JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa.  Taxes not included.  Offer is based on availability and subject to blackout dates.”

The Friends and Family package can be booked online at www.jwmarriottcancun.com for JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, at www.casamagnacancun.com for CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort, or by phone at 1.800.223.6388.  When booking this package, request promotion code XFEM.

Just because you didn’t (or won’t) marry an actual prince doesn’t mean you can’t feel like a king or queen and travel in proper (that’s “prop-ah”) style. Tons of tony resorts are offering special Royal Wedding packages and deals in honor of the upcoming nuptials. Help William and Kate celebrate in style by booking a trip to sunny St. Kitts, Curacao, or St. Thomas, or opt to stay state-side in Florida. You can watch the ceremony via YouTube with your feet in the sand and a fruity drink in your hand.

All of the offers below are valid for reservations booked between 12:00 am and 11:59 pm on Friday, April 29^th ONLY.

**************************

CUISINART RESORT & SPA

www.cuisinartresort.com

Offer: In celebration of England’s Royal Wedding, CuisinArt Resort & Spa is offering the “Royalty in Paradise” package on April 29th, 2011.

Package includes:

- 4 Nights in a beachfront junior suite

- 1 Romantic beachfront dinner for two

- 1 Bottle Veuve Cliquot champagne

- 1 Couples Rendezvous spa package:

- Couples massage

- Floral bath soak

- Anguillian coconut pineapple scrub

- Swiss duet rain shower

Rates: From $2,250 (A $925 savings)

Valid for Travel: April 30 – November 22, 2011. Based on availability, blackout dates apply.

Reservations: www.cuisinartresort.com

CASAMAGNA MARRIOTT CANCUN RESORT

www.casamagnacancun.com

Offer: In celebration of England’s Royal Wedding, the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort is offering the “Royal Romance Package,” available for one day only on April 29th, 2011.

Package includes:

- Transportation to and from the Cancun Airport
- Daily breakfast buffet for 2 adults
- One bottle of sparkling wine per stay
- Free upgrade to Ocean view (room already upgraded at the time of booking)
- 40% discount on Spa treatments
- 20% discount on food and beverage, and gift shop purchases

Rates: From $149 USD per night

Valid for Travel: May 1 – November 20, 2011. Based on availability, blackout dates apply.

Reservations: Visit www.casamagnacancun.com ; use promo code L9Z

JW MARRIOTT CANCUN RESORT & SPA

www.jwmarriottcancun.com

Offer: In celebration of England’s Royal Wedding, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa is offering the “Royal Romance Package,” available for one day only on April 29th, 2011.

Package includes:

- Transportation to and from the Cancun Airport
- Daily breakfast buffet for 2 adults
- One bottle of sparkling wine per stay
- Free upgrade to Ocean view (room already upgraded at the time of booking)
- 40% discount on Spa treatments
- 20% discount on food and beverage and gift shop purchases

Rates: From $189 USD per night

Valid for Travel: May 1 – November 20. Based on availability, blackout dates apply.

Reservations: Visit www.jwmarriottcancun.com; use promo code L9Z

HOTEL KURA HULANDA SPA & CASINO, CURACAO

www.kurahulanda.com

Offer: the Royal Treatment Package includes three night accommodations in a Deluxe Room and a half-day of pampering at the spa for two guests. Spa treatments include a 50 minute relaxing massage, 60 minute food reflexology and your choice of a Mini Facial or Gentleman’s Total Care Facial.

Rates: Three night package: $1,180

Valid for Travel: Now until Dec. 23, 2011

Reservations: Call 877-264-3106 or email reservations@kurahulanda.com

SANDPEARL RESORT / CLEARWATER BEACH, FLORIDA

www.sandpearl.com

Offer: Enjoy a royal getaway to the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida, when you book the “Royal Romance Berries & Bubbly Package” on April 29, 2011. The package includes accommodations in a luxury room or resort suite category of choice, champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries on the night of arrival, and complimentary breakfast for two each morning- a package savings of over 20 percent.

Rates start at: $299 per night

Valid for travel: April 29 through December 30, 2011

Reservations: Visit www.sandpearl.com and use promo code ROYAL in the Corporate / Promotion box, or call 1-877-726-3111 and ask for promotional code ROYAL.

MORNING STAR MARRIOTT BEACH CLUB/ ST. THOMAS, US Virgin Islands

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sttfr/

Offer:  The “Royal Bliss Package” includes accommodations in room category of choice, bottle of champagne and rum punch drink upon arrival, welcome gift, $200 food and beverage credit per room for entire stay, and breakfast buffet for two each morning.- a package savings of 20 percent.

Rates start at: $288 per night

Valid for travel: April 29 through December 30, 2011

Reservations: Visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sttfr/ and use promo code EAT in the Corporate/ Promotion box, or call 1-800-524-2000 and ask for promotional code EAT.

ST. KITTS MARRIOTT RESORT

www.stkittsmarriott.com

Offer: In celebration of England’s Royal Wedding, St. Kitts Marriott Resort is offering a free room upgrade and bottle of sparkling wine when the “Escape! For Two” package is booked on April 29th, 2011, only.

Package includes:

-Accommodations (automatic room upgrade)

-1 massage per person (per room, per stay)

-1 facial per person (per room, per stay)

-Breakfast buffet for two, daily

-1 Bottle of sparkling wine

-Spa amenity basket and welcome gift

Rates: From $238 per room/night, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Based on double occupancy.  Subject to availability / blackout dates.

Reservations: www.stkittsmarriott.com / Promo code ES8

MIAMI MARRIOTT BISCAYNE BAY

www.marriottbiscaynebay.com

Offer: The “Royal Escape Package” includes complimentary breakfast for two and a bottle of champagne and strawberries upon arrival.

Rates: From $239 per night

Reservations: Call 305.374.3900 or visit www.marriottbiscaynebay.com; use promotional code ROM

Next month, The Aruba Marriott will play host to the 2012 New England Patriots Cheerleaders Calendar shoot and they’re looking for an extra fan to help celebrate in true Bon Bini style.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to be considered the biggest, baddest fan, here’s what you have to do to prove it:

*Become a fan of the Aruba Marriott’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/arubamarriott

*Submit a video testimonial explaining why you’re the #1 Patriots fan between now and April 22, 2011. (Videos should be no more than 30 seconds in length and be creative, fun and showcase why you are their best fan.)

*Beg (or bribe) your friends to vote for your video from April 23 through May 10, 2011.

The video with the most votes by May 10, 2011 will win two (2) round-trip tickets to Aruba for a four-day, three-night stay at the Aruba Marriott.

The winner of the contest can redeem his or her prize from May 22, 2011 through May 22, 2012. (If you want to be there while the video is being shot, the cheerleaders will be on-site at the Marriott from May 22 through May 29.)

Check out all the rules and regs on the contest entry page (www.facebook.com/arubamarriott) and may the best fan win!