Imagine a Luxury Vacation Without TV

September is just about here, and with that comes the need to start focusing on warmer holiday spots to plan for. After all, as lovely as the northern states and countries are for beach vacations, once the autumn rolls around, we start thinking more of maple syrup gathering, leaves falling, walking through the woods to enjoy the colors of change, and pulling out our sweaters for the gorgeous season coming.

So…having a place to go after the delusion falls away as we drive through blizzard conditions and talk about the freezing weather, helps keep us focused on those warmer climates we may not want to move to, but definitely want to visit when we’ve had enough of winter, as I did last year.

Bitter End Yacht Club needs to be considered in your quest for winter vacations – for one, it is in a gorgeous location – the last island of the British Virgin Islands, before you hit the Atlantic with both feet. Second, there are no televisions in the rooms here. No tv in the room is a vacation for some people in and of itself. The timing for this place is perfect, as it opens during October after hurricane season ends, having a hiatus from July till then to keep the place intact and deal with any storm concerns.

Activities: if that competitive edge has you itching for something to join, why not try the Regatta at the resort, where you’ll get to race other alpha personalities like yourself in small sailboats. World champions from around the world will be there from Oct. 31 to November 7 to race while other non-professionals get to join in regardless of experience. There is a day outing sailing on a 40 foot Catamaran to Baths National Park where you can encounter monsters of the tame kind – huge boulders to climb or walk around on the beach, which is like a maze of boulders with even wooden ladders to climb as you explore further.

As with all inclusive family vacations, this resort has several options including nightly visits, a three night package, and inclusive packages such as the Admiral’s Family package which keeps you busy if you so choose with the sailing school, and access to all the water sports equipment, plus meals, children and teen programs, for those of us trying to find satisfying vacations for teenagers, cruises, etc. The children’s programs are top-notch, and if you’re feeling guilty about taking your child away from his/her chance at a summer camp, drop the guilt, as there are incredible junior sailing camps, and watersport camps as well as a myriad of other options. You can take outdoor yoga classes by the water and imagine you’re in one of the videos you tried to exercise to every day once upon a time. There are over 100 boats to use, including some dinghies with motors for those who prefer not to sail.

In the evening you can watch movies on a huge outdoor screen at the Sand Palace, and for the news buffs who have to know what is going on in the world, CNN runs on a satellite screen throughout the day.

Prices: for seven nights for a family of four, they have a special on starting at $4647 for seven nights. Just remember that kids under five are free, so you may be able to fit five into that price. Having said that, you can also save over 3000.00 this autumn with the Admiral Package, and this sale is definitely tempting if you’re looking for family vacation deals. There are also early bird specials advertised for 2010 to catch that best rate before it is gone.

Accommodations: room renovations have been completed, and this luxury resort will not disappoint. If you choose the beach front villas, you’ll have the wrap-around porch and hammock to lie on and contemplate life.  You can ask for air-conditioned or ones without because the ocean breezes cool off the rooms nicely without ac depending on where the room is located. The bungalows have the most space, more beds, and unfortunately you can actually request a tv and vcr be installed in your room. VCR? Yes, that’s what they said.

With the renovations, has also come the replacement of chefs and sous chefs. The food was the one complaint you’ll see as a theme in reviews, and so the resort has dealt with this lately. You’ll have to read up for yourself on changes regarding this.

Directions: You fly into Beef Island Airport in Tortola, and take a ferry to the resort on a ride lasting about 30 minutes. It is on 75 acres of land, and is on the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. The trade winds keep humidity from ruining your locks – hair for those of you who don’t claim English as a first language.

Site is beyc.com