TUSCANYRESORT TUSCANY RESORT TURKS AND CAICOS

TURKS AND CAICOS

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The Tuscany Resort in Turks and Caicos
By Valinda Almeida

Located on the shores of Grace Bay Beach in the quiet West
Caribbean nation of Turks and Caicos, The Tuscany Resort offers
visitors an upscale option for families, groups traveling together or
lovers who desire the luxury of lots of space. Surrounded by the blue
hues of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Turks and
Caicos is an archipelago of eight islands and 40 small cays, most
of which are uninhabited. The elegant condo villa, which opened in
the summer of 2007, occupies a prime spot on the island of
Providenciales, commonly called Provo. Blessed with wide beaches
and dramatic offshore diving sites, the 38-mile isle is known for its
fresh conch and lobster. Less developed than many other
Caribbean destinations, this British territory has a couple of casinos
for those who crave action, as well as an array of casual and fine
dining venues, a highly-acclaimed golf course, spa retreats, and
shops that display the work of local artisans. With so much to offer,
including exquisite beachfront accommodations, it's no wonder the
nation's motto is "Beautiful by Nature."

Accommodations
The Tuscany Resort's 30 suites are all beachfront
2,000-square-feet, three-bedroom and three-bathroom condo units
with extended screened patios, fully-equipped gourmet kitchens and
laundry rooms. The spacious master bedroom opens to the patio
with sweeping ocean views and boasts two huge walk-in closets. In
the tranquil adjoining master bathroom are a soaking tub with a
showering device, a separate large shower with a European glass
door, double sinks and an assortment of spa toiletries. Two guest
rooms with full baths make this the perfect place for a large family
gathering. Honeymooners who don't require the extra space can
save money by having these rooms closed off.

In the kitchen are a full-size fridge, stove with oven, microwave,
dishwasher, a wide assortment of pots and pans, colorful dishes
and cups, as well as fancy wine and martini glasses. And, of course,
a coffeemaker, for those who can't face the day without a shot of
java. In short, there are all the comforts of a cozy nest.
Phone service can sometimes be a problem in foreign lands, but
the Tuscany has that problem under control. Guests receive a
complimentary cell phone with $20 worth of free minutes that allows
calls to the U.S. Additional minutes can be added at the concierge.
The units contain four television sets, with a wide range of satellite
and cable stations, including all your favorite U.S. shows. You can
borrow CDs, movies and books for free at the concierge desk. There
you will also find a big binder filled with brochures of local
businesses that provide diving, sailing, horseback-riding, dining and
spa experiences.

Three therapists from Spa Tropique, specializing in mobile services,
came to the condo with portable tables to relax my body and those of
two friends. On the patio, we melted to sounds of the ocean and
hands of experts who gently massaged us into a state of euphoria
and limpness.

The Tuscany's Italian-inspired courtyard houses an Olympic-size
swimming pool, Jacuzzi and lounge areas. The property also has a
gym and a lighted tennis court. We visited the Provo Golf Course,
voted one of the best courses in the Caribbean, which is within
walking distance of the property. Then we drove to Conch World
Provo, billed as "The world's only sea farm that raises Caribbean
queens fit for a king." For the past 23 years, the farm has been
growing and selling various sizes of the shellfish, including the
well-known pink-lipped Queen Conch. The farm's conch is sold
ocean-fresh to local eateries and exported elsewhere to be served
as ceviche appetizers, ocean escargot and main dishes.

Dining
Although The Tuscany offers no dining facilities of its own, several
fantastic restaurants are within walking or driving distance. Shortly
after we arrived, my friends and I plunged through the sand to the
next-door open-air Cabana Bar & Grill, where I ordered the fresh fish
and chip meal and a bottle of locally brewed Turks Head Lager. A
few hours later we drove to the lively Jimmy's Dive Bar and Grill, a
casual restaurant that offers an awesome $29 Shark Bite drink - a
128-ounce alcoholic concoction served in a gallon fishbowl
complete with a shark conch. Menu items include St. Louis-style
ribs, fresh snapper or grouper, and a 24-ounce Porterhouse steak. I
opted for the $12 crab cakes.

At the Caicos Café my Greek salad, beautifully presented with
triangles of whole feta cheese, black olives and large grilled shrimp
on a bed of baby greens, was a taste delight. My liquid refreshment
was Presidente beer, brewed in the nearby Dominican Republic. For
dinner, my friends and I walked to the Gecko Grille, where the
description of the homemade cannelloni enticed me: lobster and
mascarpone served with a rosé cream sauce. It was scrumptious.
A dining highlight was the funky da Conch Shack. The famed casual
eatery and rum bar is set on a gorgeous slice of the Caribbean Sea
on Blue Hills Beach Road. Here I enjoyed a generous plate of fried
shrimp with plantains and cole slaw. Afterwards, my group toddled
next door to the Blue Hills Artisan Studio & Outlet, where we
discovered an assortment of locally made straw hats and
pink-tinged bowls and spoons created from conch shells.
Our last dinner was at the sophisticated Coco Bistro, where I
ordered the Caicos lobster bisque with roasted butternut squash
and grilled lobster with jasmine rice and snow peas. It was a
delicious ending to a terrific Turks and Caicos adventure.

Prices for the three-bedroom villa at The Tuscany Resort ranges
from $700 per night during the summer to $1,325 during the weeks
of Christmas and New Year's. The summer rate with the two guest
rooms closed off is $525 per night.
For more information, please visit www.thetuscanyresort.com or call
649.941.4667.