The Telegraph released its annual list of the World’s Top Ten Places to Live this week and the TCI featured in one of the top spots for 2012.

The country’s stunning vistas, beautiful warm turquoise waters, year round sunshine and laid back lifestyle beat Tasmania, Hawaii and Buenos Aires to secure its place.

Dubbed “the perfect location”, the TCI was only outshone by Hong Kong, New York City and North Island, New Zealand.

The article speaks of the Islands’ high class amenities, reefs, diving and snorkeling locations and fine restaurants.” January, 2012

Instead of hotels (not our first preference), we had decided to rent the “Cottage” at South Fleetwood (SF). There was an alternate choice with a rental located on Turtle Cove that said, SF won out because of its central location and a better stretch of beach. Our hosts, Kit and Colin, are transplanted Canadians, and had built the property from scratch and operated it for over 20 years. It is well maintained and on really beautiful grounds.
Both Colin and Kit are very nice folk and eager to chat you up if you are around. So is their resident feline, KC, who really knows how to lime. Our “hut” is one of three options available at SF (they have a studio, and a 2 BR suite). Located right by the pool and away from the main building, we enjoyed our privacy, and Grace Bay Beach is a 60 second walk away. We highly recommend this place. In essence, two words: GRACE BAY
This stretch of sand is simply gorgeous. And to be honest, seeing is believing. Peg and I had been to our fair share of islands, and Grace Bay (GB) has to rank one of our top beaches. The water is blue, sand so soft, and really not busy. After the debacle we had in Curacao with beaches over used and full of debris and trash, GB is a breath of fresh air. We like our morning walks, and some days we would stroll the beach for shells. While the sand is fine and powdery you would be surprised how many intact shells we were able to find. We found the sight of the beach so mesmerizing that time passes without us recognizing it. When we felt too hot we always took a dip in the turquoise waters. The water temperature is simply perfect.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS, it was a great time. Since we are beach bums, Grace Bay is truly impressive, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The food, while expensive, was good overall, and we balanced by hitting a few choice spots and we ate in for certain meals too. Crime and safety was not a concern. It was a great time, and simply said, “Sweet!!” July, 2011. Peg and Ed, New York