Grand Cayman Vacation Rentals

Grand Cayman Annual Events & Festivals
www.wordtravels.com

Pirate Festival (November): The Pirates invade George Town, Grand Cayman each November for a fiesta of music, dancing, costumes, food, drink and fireworks. Pirate Week is a one of a kind and the only place to celebrate the colourful characters of the past is in the warm sun of the Caribbean. The 'Pirates' land in George Town Harbour in renovated pirate ships, hoisting their Jolly Rogers high to the delight of thousands of families who gather to enjoy the Islands' heritage. A variety of parties, sporting events and cultural heritage celebrations take place throughout the week and leading up to it. There is something for the whole family.

Cayman Cookout (January): The Cayman Islands Cookout is a world class food and wine event that draws well-known international chefs, wine experts and spirit blenders from all over the world. Events for the cookout include cooking demonstrations, special gala dinners, culinary island tours and wine tastings. While one of the big focuses of the event is delicious food and fine wine, another focus is the Cayman Islands and enjoying the natural beauty and splendour of the islands.

Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon (December): The Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon - including a full marathon, a half marathon, a team relay race and a kids' fun run - gives runners the opportunity to run a race on a beautiful, fast and very flat course, one loop for half marathoners and two for the marathoners, with the option to extend the trip into a relaxing post-marathon island holiday. The race has been rated as very well organised, with plenty of special touches and freebies such as greeters at the airport, free shuttle services to and from the start and finish, a carb-loading dinner included in the cost, and more. It is also a Boston qualifier for those aiming for the prestigious marathon the following year. Local crownd support for the races is inspiring, with people crowding onto sidewalks to watch the runners and cheer them along. With the early start time, runners avoid the worst of the day's heat and have the opportunity to start running under the clear starry skies, and watch the sunrise as the run continues.

The Family Travel Network
10 Spectacular Places for Families to See Sea Turtles
By Nancy Schretter, Editor
http://www.familytravelnetwork.com/articles/10_family_seaturtles.asp

One spot in the Caribbean that is often associated with sea turtles is the Cayman Islands. Over 340,000 cruise passengers and visitors to Grand Cayman Island stop to visit the Cayman Islands Turtle Farm, home to over 16,000 Green sea turtles. Visitors have the opportunity to observe tiny baby sea turtles as well as massive adults, and a small group of young Green sea turtles are available to be held by guests. Each year, over 28,000 hatchlings and yearlings are released by the Farm into the waters surrounding the Cayman Islands.

It is quite rare to have the opportunity to see sea turtles in the wild. Along the adjoining sidebar, you'll find 10 spectacular locations for families to see marine turtles nesting, hatching, and swimming in their natural environment. One or two are in rather remote locations, but almost all offer excellent accommodations for families combined with outstanding eco-tourism opportunities. If your family loves nature, pick any of these destinations and you'll be likely to have the opportunity to make vivid vacation memories of your own.

Point of Interest - Stingray City
www.caymanislands.ky/activities/attractions/stingraycity.aspx

Ever pet a stingray in an aquarium? How about petting a few dozen while wading in the Caribbean? The Stingray City Sandbar is one of the top Cayman attractions and a must-do on your Grand Cayman vacation. Stingray City is home to a whole fleet of southern stingrays who congregate near the shore.

The stingrays began gathering in the area decades ago when fisherman used to clean fish on the shallow sand bars. The stingrays would forget their normally shy dispositions and feast on the guts of the cleaned fish. Soon the stingrays began to associate the sound of a boat motor with food. In the late 1980s, divers started feeding squid to the stingrays, one of their favourites.

Today, Stingray City is a readily accessible, once-in-a-lifetime Grand Cayman experience for anyone who wishes to see one of nature’s most majestic creatures up close.