Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Top 10 Highest Paid Musicians of 2010

                                          10. Black Eyed Peas - $48 million



Since crossing over to the mainstream in the early 2000s, the Black Eyed Peas have been everywhere from the Super Bowl pre-game show to discussing politics on CNN. A worldwide tour that took them from Switzerland to Mexico brought in $800,000 a night, while the band’s openness to endorsement deals led them to ink commitments with Target, Honda, Bacardi and Apple

What does it take to become one of the highest-paid musicians of the 2010s? A career that peaked in the 1980s. Nearly half of the artists that make up this year’s list of the top-earning music acts have been around long enough that they could have appeared on the soundtrack to Back to the Future. Here are top ten earning musicians of 2010.




                                              9. Kenny Chesney - $50 million




Chesney continued his reign atop the country music industry by out-touring everyone else. His 2009 tour grossed $71 million and brought in an average of $1.6 million every night, nearly doubling the box office receipts of his closest competitor, Keith Urban. Prominent sponsorships with companies like Corona and MasterCard keep tour costs down, making the tours even more profitable.





                                                     8. Madonna - $58 million



The Material Girl isn’t quite ready to cede her spot in pop music’s hierarchy to Lady Gaga or Britney Spears just yet. The 52-year-old singer had the fourth highest-grossing tour of 2009, bringing in $6 million a night and $138 million overall. An episode of the Fox hit sitcom Glee, which featured cast members singing several of her songs, added to her already high profile and cushioned her significant earnings from publishing royalties.







                                                       7. Lady Gaga - $62 million

 

A newcomer to the Celebrity 100, Lady Gaga broke down the door to fame with outlandish outfits and quirky videos, including one that featured her and Beyonce poisoning an unappreciative boyfriend. With a 106-date tour that grossed $95 million, Lady Gaga is also a marketer’s dream, teaming up with Polaroid, Virgin Mobile, Monster Cable and Viva Glam.





                                                            6. Jay-Z - $63 million

 

Jay-Z likes to say he’s not a businessman; he’s a business, man–and it’s not idle boasting. The rapper-turned-mogul retains his crown as hip-hop’s cash king thanks to a new album and investments in the 40/40 nightclub chain, the Broadway show “Fela!” and the New Jersey Nets basketball team. Jay-Z’s biggest boost comes from his Blueprint 3 tour, which grossed over $1 million per concert this year. He still makes less than wife Beyoncé.


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                                                      5. Britney Spears - $64 million

 

Not long ago, most of the entertainment world had written Britney Spears off as a celebrity flameout. But over the last year Spears logged the fifth highest-grossing tour in the world, bringing in $130 million in gross box office receipts by playing 98 dates. High-profile endorsement deals with Elizabeth Arden and Candies’ prove that the public expects Spears to stay in the spotlight for good.







                                                        4. Bruce Springsteen -$70 million

 

The poet laureate of New Jersey continues to connect with fans around the world. Backed by the E Street Band, Springsteen sold more than 2 million tickets on his world tour, which grossed $167 million, enough to make it the third highest-grossing tour in the world. Heavy radio play on classic rock stations and a steady-selling backlist adds to his bottom line.











                                                  3. Beyonce Knowles -$87 million




One half of the most famous couple in hip-hop (Jay-Z, No. 6, is the other half), Beyoncé continues to expand her business empire beyond music. Endorsement deals with companies ranging from Nintendo to L’Oreal and her growing House of Dereon fashion line bring in millions of dollars per year on top of the $86 million she grossed from a 93-stop world tour.







                                                            2. AC/DC - $114 million



This Australian heavy metal group has been shaking audiences all night long since 1973 and shows few signs of stopping. Second only to U2 in band tour earnings, AC/DC grossed a staggering $226 million on a worldwide tour that included 99 dates and brought in more than $2 million a night.



                                                               1. U2 - $130 million

 

The world’s biggest rock band, U2 launched a massive world tour in 2009 that has brought in more than $311 million in gross box office receipts. Each tour stop brings in $10 million in gross ticket sales. Add in lucrative merchandise sales, heavy radio play and a steady-selling back catalog, and you have the highest-earning band on the planet.

Monday, November 29, 2010

World’s Top 20 Most Expensive Watches

Diamonds, platinum, fancy tourbillons, chronographs, and perpetual calendars are only a few of the features watchmakers use to create the world’s rarest and most expensive timepieces. Scroll down to see the list of the 20 most expensive watches of the world.










                                                                       20. Hublot








Million $ Black Caviar Bang


Price: $1,000,000






The case, crown dial, and clasp of Hublot’s Black Caviar Bang are encrusted in baguette-cut black diamonds. The watch, which has no numbers on the face, has 544 diamonds, a total of 34.5 carats. It is 18 carat white gold and has an adjustable leather strap. In 2009, it won the Grand Prix de Genève Jewellery Watch prize. Founded in 1980, Hublot today is a subsidiary of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.






                                                      19. Jacob & Co.







Crystal Tourbillion


Price: $900,000






The 18 carat white gold case of the Crystal Tourbillion is covered in 17.48 carats of baguette diamonds and has a transparent skeleton tourbillion dial. The piece is finished with an alligator band with a 2.22 carat baguette diamond buckle. Jacob & Co. manufactured 18 pieces of the white gold Crystal Tourbillion, available in the New York City boutique.






                                                  18. Audemars Piguet








Jules Audemars Grande Complication


Price: $780,600






Audemars Piguet’s one-of-a-kind, self-winding skeleton watch has a titanium case and features a perpetual calendar indicating the hours, minutes, day, date, week, moon phases, month, and leap years. There is also a minute repeater and chronograph. It has a crocodile leather strap. The Jules Audemars Grande Complication is available exclusively at the watchmaker’s New York City boutique.










                                                          17. Breguet








Classique 5349 Grande Complication


Price: $755,000






This piece has twin rotating tourbillons in a platinum case lined with baguette-cut diamonds. The dial is pavéed with more diamonds. It contains more than 570 parts and has three patents to protect its “superior precision and technological mastery,” according to Breguet, which is today owned by Swatch.










                                                                 16. Omega








Constellation Baguette


Price: $708,742






The one-of-a-kind piece, available at the Omega boutique in Geneva, shines with 459 Top Wesselton diamonds, totaling just over 30 carats. There are 146 baguette and trapeze diamonds on the dial, completely covering the 18 carat white gold case. Omega is owned by Swatch Group.






                                                 15. Vacheron Constantin








Malte Tourbillion Regulator


Price: $700,000






Part of Vacheron Constantin’s High Jewelry collection, the Malte Tourbillion Regulator has 263 baguette-cut diamonds in the dial and 274 baguette-cut diamonds in the case. It features a Tourbillion and is finished on a black leather strap. The case is in the classic tonneau (or barrel) shape of the Malte collection. Founded in 1755, Geneva’s Vacheron Constantin is one of the world’s oldest watchmakers. Today it is part of the Richemont Group.










                                                       14. Greubel Forsey









Quadruple Tourbillion


Price: $690,000






A total of 531 parts are used for two separate double tourbillons. This complex watch has an asymmetrical platinum case and alligator leather strap. Founded by watchmakers Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey at Baselworld in 2004, the company (in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) is known for offering two and four tourbillion mechanisms in the same watch case.






                                                         13. de Grisogono









Meccanico dG S25D


Price: $590,000






Founded in Geneva in 1993 by Fawaz Gruosi, de Grisogono recently launched a Meccanico dG set with baguette diamonds at this year’s Baselworld. This Meccanico dG, of which there are 20 units, was designed in three variants: with baguette diamonds (in photo), with white pavé diamonds, and with black pavé diamonds. The version featured above, made of 18 carat pink gold, is set with 126 baguette-cut white diamonds. It displays two time zones and has analog and digital displays and a power reserve indicator. It is also water-resistant to a depth of 30 meters.






                                         12. A. Lange & Söhne










Tourbograph “Pour le Mérite”


Price: $508,900






Honey gold was used for the case of this limited edition watch, of which A. Lange & Söhne has manufactured only 50 units. The watch has a one-minute tourbillion as well as a double chronograph. The Tourbograph “Pour le Mérite” can be purchased in New York City, Dresden, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Like Glashütte Original, the company is based in the former East Germany. After the Soviet occupation, the region’s once-thriving watchmaking industry foundered. Lange, which had been founded in 1845, shut down and was revived in 1990. Today it is part of the Richemont Group.






                                                                     11. Chopard










Secret


Price: $508,000






This watch has a square pavé-set diamond dial and frame inside a case composed of brilliant, square and baguette-cut diamonds (19 carats) on the satin strap and baguette-cut diamond clasp. Chopard has manufactured only two Secret watches so far. Geneva-based Chopard, which was founded in 1860, is still privately owned.






                                                                  10. Montblanc











Grand Tourbillion Heures Mysterieuses in platinum


Price: $365,750






Although once known primarily for its signature fountain pens, Richemont-owned Montblanc in recent years has transformed its brand into that of a jeweler and watchmaker. Its most expensive watch is the Grand Tourbillion Heures Mysterieuses in platinum, of which only one has been made so far. This tourbillion is also available in 18 carat white gold (in photo), limited to eight pieces at $319,000 each. The 18 carat red gold version, also limited to eight pieces, is $302,500.






                                                                   09. Concord










C1 Tourbillion Gravity


Price: $320,000






One of the unique features of this watch, which has an 18 carat white gold case, is the seconds display on the side of the tourbillion carriage. The C1 Tourbillion Gravity also features a flyback chronograph and 84-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 30 meters. Although founded in Biel, Switzerland, in 1908, Concord today is owned by Movado Group, which is based in Paramus, N.J.






                                                                            08. IWC










Grande Complication


Price: $318,000






IWC first launched the Grande Complication about 20 years ago. It combines a perpetual calendar with moon phase, minute repeater, and chronograph with an automatic movement. This version has a platinum case and bracelet. The Richemont-owned IWC recently redesigned it in a Portuguese-style case ($220,567). A total of 50 pieces are produced annually.










                                                                   07. Breitling











Grande Complication


Price: $280,716






Unveiled at Baselworld 2010, this pocket watch has a perpetual calendar that displays the date, day, month, leap years, and moon phases and a minute repeater that strikes the hours, quarters, and minutes on demand. It comprises almost 700 parts. The case, made of 18 carat yellow gold, features an engraving of Walter Owen Bentley, founder of Bentley Motors, one of Breitling’s partners.






                                                                 06. Panerai











L’Astronomo Luminor Tourbillion 1950 Equation of Time in rose gold


Price: $235,000






Recently presented at the 2010 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva as a tribute to Galileo Galilei, the L’Astronomo will be made in a limited number of about 30. While ordering the piece, clients must specify their hometown, which is engraved on the back near a rotating sky chart of the city. The dial also displays the sunrise and sunset times of the chosen city. Panerai is owned by Richemont.






                                                              05. Porsche Design











Indicator P´6910 in rose gold


Price: $225,000






Made of about 800 individual parts and developed by 12 engineers and watchmakers, the Porsche Design Indicator P´6910 is the world’s first chronograph with a mechanical-digital stopwatch function display. It can record up to 9 hours and 59 minutes. In 2008 the Indicator, available in three design variants, was presented in rose gold with PVD coated titanium.






                                                          04. Glashütte Original










Julius Assmann 4 in white gold


Price: $161,000






Glashütte Original introduced this piece for the Assmann edition in 2007. It can be worn as a wristwatch or pocket watch and features a unique retrograde hour display and tourbillion. The watch is also offered in red gold and rose gold ($145,000). More information is available through Tourbillion Boutiques in New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Based in the former East Germany, Glashütte Original is one of the few watchmakers that uses its own proprietary movements. It is owned by Switzerland’s Swatch Group.






                                                                 03. JeanRichard











Paramount Tourbillion Linear Power Reserve


Price: $128,000






This unique tourbillion watch from independent Swiss watchmaker JeanRichard uses a linear indicator for the 72-hour power reserve. It has an 18 carat white gold case and rubber covered alligator strap.






                                                                     02. Tag Heuer











Monaco V4


Price: $80,000






Tag Heuer, which is owned by French luxury conglomerate Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, used cars as a model for rethinking watches’ mechanical movement and engineered the world’s first and only belt-driven timepiece. This design is more shock-resistant and requires less maintenance because of the belts and micro ball bearings, according to the company. The Monaco V4 has a platinum case and alligator leather strap. Only 150 pieces were manufactured.






                                                             01. Baume & Mercier











William Baume Flying Tourbillion


Price: $75,000*






This new edition of the William Baume Tourbillion has a “flying tourbillion,”—a tourbillion held in place on only one side rather than on the top and bottom—black dial, and black alligator strap. The tourbillion escapement is in the 9 o’clock position and a small seconds display at 6 o’clock. It has a 52-hour power reserve. This timepiece is limited to 10 editions worldwide. Baume & Mercier is owned by Swiss luxury goods giant Compagnie Financière Richemont.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Top 10 Fastest Bikes 2010

Top 10 fastest bikes, hopefully we’ll be impressing the boys with this post. Here is an exhaustive list of top 10 fastest superbikes. We have tried our level best to gather information from various sources, and inter-tallied them. This seems to be a viable answer. Top speed would be considered here under testing driving conditions. If you’re about own anyone please do let us know how it feels to ride them. Here goes top 10 fastest bikes in the world.





           
                                                             10. Ducati 848

Engine: 849 cc (51.8 cu in), 4 valves per cylinder desmodromic liquid cooled L-twin


Top speed: 159 miles per hour (256km/h)


Power: 100 kW (134 hp) @ 10,000 rpm


Transmission: 6-speed, wet clutch


Replacing the Ducati 749, the 848 weighs 370 pounds and was announced in 2007. The 2009 model was available in Red and Pearl White color. The 848 shares more features with 1198 than its predecessor, the 749, like single-sided swingarm, same rake and trail and same valve angles among many.


                                                                

                                          09. Aprilia RSV4



Engine: 999.6 cc V4


Top speed: 175 miles per hour (281km/h)

Power: 132 kW (178 hp) @ 12,500 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed, wet clutch



This is the successor to the Aprilia RSV 1000 R motorcycle which began manufacturing in 2004. The RSV4 was unveiled at the International Piaggio Group Convention in Milan, Italy. During its first full season of World Superbike racing, Max Biaggi aboard the RSV4 reached the podium 9 times, and won one race at the Brno Circuit.






                                                        08. Suzuki GSX-R750



Engine: 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC



Top speed: 190 miles per hour (306km/h)


Power: 110.3 kW (150 hp) @ 13,200 rpm


Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh


Introduced in 1985, the Suzuki GSX-R750 features a 750 CC 4-stroke engine and weighs 437 pounds. It easily goes to 300+ km/h and is priced at $12,000. It has an excellent body work and is the most powerful, efficient and cleanest running production engine Suzuki has ever produced.










                                                   07. Yamaha YZF R1


Engine: Forward Inclined Parallel 4-cylinder, 20 valves, DOHC, liquid-cooled



Top Speed: 186miles per hour (297 km/h)


Power: 128.2 horsepower (95.6 kW) at 10000 rpm


Transmission: Constant mesh 6-speed




Lets discuss 7th position in the list of top 10 current fastest bikes in the world. Yamaha launched the YZF-R1 after redesigning the Genesis engine to offset the crankshaft, gearbox input and output shafts and this “compacting” of the engine yielded a huge dividend in that the total engine length was now very short. The Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle, introduced in 1998, was the first significant motorcycle in the true liter class (1,000 cc) “handling arms race” between the Japanese Big Four motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha). When introduced, it took the class closer to a true racing motorcycle, and increased the handling capabilities. May be some more improvements it might push it further to the top among the top 10 fastest bikes in the world.










                                                   06. Ducati 1198R







Engine: 90° V-twin cylinder, 4-valve per cylinder Desmodromic, liquid cooled



Top speed: 185 miles per hour (299km/h)


Power: 134 kW (180 hp) @ 9,750 rpm


Transmission: 6-speed


Introduced in 2009, the Ducati 1998 is a successor to the Ducati 1098. The 1198R from the Italian manufacturer is available in red, black and white.






                        05. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 – Electronically limited to 299 km/h

Engine: 1352 cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled,DOHC, four valve per cylinder,inline-four



Top speed: 185 miles per hour (299km/h)


Power: 142 kW (190 hp) @ 12,500 rpm


Transmission: 6-speed






This is Kawasaki’s most powerful current bike. Introduced in Tokyo 2005 show, the ZX-14 does 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Also known as ZZR1400, it was also featured in Fifth Gear. It can cover one-fourth of a mile in 9.783 seconds.




                                                      04. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Engine: 998 cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve cylinder head



Top speed: 186 miles per hour (300km/h)


Power: 147 kW (197 hp) @ 12,500 rpm


Transmission: 6-speed


With the highest theft and damage loss claim rate of any registered motorcycle, the Ninja ZX-10R is at number four. It is a successor to the ZX-9R sport bike. It boasts ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, and radial brakes.




                                                           03. Suzuki Hayabusa




                                                               
Engine: 1340 cc (82 cu in), 4-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve



Top Speed: 188 miles per hour (303 km/h)


Power: 197 horsepower (147 kW) @ 6750 rpm


Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh


Standing 3rd in the list of top 10 fastest superbikes the name Hayabusa, translates directly from the Japanese as Pergerine Falcon, the bird commonly attributed of achieving speeds of over 180 mph (290 km/h) and predator of the common blackbird. The name Suzuki Hayabusa is a subtle reference to Honda’s competing Hawk models. When introduced in 1999, Suzuki Hayabusa overtook the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird as the fastest production motorcycle. The first generation of the Hayabusa was called the GSX1300R and was powered by a 1299 cc (79.2 cu in) inline-4 liquid-cooled engine. In the US, the 2008 suzuki hayabusa will boast a price tag of $11,999 and stands still in the list of top 10 fastest bikes.






                                                    02. Suzuki GSX-R1000


Engine: 999 cc four-cylinder 4-stroke, DOHC, 16-valve, TSCC



Top speed: 185 miles per hour (299km/h)


Power: 142 kW (191 hp) @ 12,000 rpm


Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh, Back-torque limiting clutch


Introduced in 2001, the YZF R1 is powered by a liquid-cooled 999 cc inline four-cylinder 4-stroke engine. It too tops at 185 miles per hour. It features dual hydraulic disc brakes at the front and single ones at the rear.










                                      01. MTT Turbine Superbike Y2K


Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turbo shaft



Top Speed: 227 miles per hour (365 km/h)


Power: 320 horsepower (239 kW) @ 52,000 rpm


Transmission: 2-speed automatic




MTT Turbine Superbike, also known as Y2K Turbine Superbike, is the world’s second wheel driven motorcycle powered by a turbine engine, created by Ted McIntyre of Marine Turbine Technologies Inc and it appears just below Suzuki GSX-R750. Powered by a Rolls Royce Allison 250 series turboshaft engine, producing 238kW (320hp), this motorcycle has a recorded top speed of 227 mph (365 km/h), with a price tag of US$150,000. It is recognized by Guinness World Records as the “Most powerful production motorcycle” and the “Most expensive production motorcycle”. Unlike other contemporary motorcycles (such as the Hayabusa), 2001 and later models of MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE do not have the 300 km/h speed limit self-imposed by Japanese manufacturers. MTT has achieved the 1st rank among the top 10 fastest bikes.




 



 

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Top 10 Caribbean Islands for 2010

                                                                     1. Anguilla


A sister of the Leeward island chain, Anguilla is truly one of the most romantic places on earth. Tucked away in the middle of the tranquil Caribbean Sea, a magical island lives and breathes a dynamic culture amidst a Garden of Eden of white sandy beaches and scintillating azure waters. As one sways with the ebb and flow of the gentle currents, you become a witness to nature’s perfect functions when left untouched.





The Caribbean is unlike any other place in the world. It is home to some of the most beautiful islands and waters you will find anywhere. You will see white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters filled with some amazing marine life. The cultures that you will encounter are among the most carefree and relaxing in the world.




                                                              2. Antigua


Antigua means ancient or antique in Spanish, and it is the perfect name for that tropical and charming island in the Caribbean. Located in the West Indies, Antigua was colonized by the Spanish in the fifteenth century, and makes the absolute perfect destination of Caribbeans. Antigua is also famous as a best wedding destination in the world. Antigua is historic but not run down, and it has a special charm and beauty that makes it the most desired tourist destination in the Caribbean.





                                                3. British Virgin Islands


The pristine BVI has long attracted yachties and royalty to its turquoise waters, thanks to posh resorts like Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, and Peter Island. The British Virgin Islands are part of the British Territories in the Caribbean. They are located northeast of the US Virgin Islands, on the northeast corner of the Caribbean Sea. Their exotic beaches are considered among the best Caribbean Beaches and the Islands are famous for Caribbean fishing, Sailing, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling.





                                                                      4. Curacao



Curacao has historically trailed its sister Caribbean islands of Aruba and Bonaire when it comes to attracting vacationers, largely because oil refining and financial services, rather than tourism, dominate its prosperous economy. Sea Aquarium is a must for any one in Curacao for holiday. You can swim with the dolphins, kiss the sea lions (or get kissed by them actually) and see the beautiful flamingos.





                                                     5. Dominican Republic






Dominican Republic is an island with many features and incredible history. Dominican Republic main attractions gets the attention of many tourists with its great historical landmarks and nice people. The country has too many places to see and explore. One of the places located in the capital is the Cathedral of Santa Maria. The Aquarium with lots of beautiful marine life to see is another great attraction. The beaches are something you cannot forget. There is more than a 1000 miles of beaches all around. Punta Cana and Cabarete are worldwide known to have incredibly beautiful beaches. You can also go to a tour that will take you to Saona island and Catalina island for some of the best scuba diving you have ever seen.



                                                              6. Grenada




Grenada is a spectacular beautiful island that has golden beaches; crystal water falls, flourishing green mountains and aromatic spice trees, which give this island its nickname as the Isle of Spice. There are 46 sun soaked beaches around the Spice Island of Grenada. One important reason to visit Grenada is its wild and lively carnival held every year in the third quarter. It seems that anyone who visits will not be lacking in things to do and sights to see because of the many beautiful spots and year-round festivities Grenada is known for.


         
                                                           7. Jamaica


Jamaica vacations don’t just mean luxurious resorts with all amenities at your fingertips. Besides its pristine beaches lapped by warm turquoise water, Jamaica boasts a host of natural scenic wonders which are well worth a visit. Well, the most exciting is Dunn’s River Falls, where visitors can climb up the falls as part of a human chain, and enjoy the soothing effect of the massage parlor’s rushing waters as they cascade to the ocean. There are also nature trails through the lush tropical foliage of bamboos, ferns, ginger lilies, orchids, crotons, palms and breadfruit trees. Shoppers will delight in the straw crafts, wood carvings, and other artworks available at the craft park and there is a cafeteria specializing in Jamaican delights such as jerked chicken and curried goat.



                                                                    8. St. Lucia



St Lucia is one of the smaller more leisurely Islands in the Caribbean, boasting beautiful beaches with a welcoming light breeze, like the popular Anse de Sable beach. As most Caribbean Islands, it has the typical white sands where the calm ocean waves are ideal for water sports, like sailing and para-gliding. The island is a popular stop for both cruise visitors and vacationers coming for a long-term stay at nearly 100 hotels, resorts and inns.




                                                  9. St. Vincent and the Grenadines



Before St. Vincent served as the setting for “Pirates of the Caribbean”, this remote island and the whole Grenadine chain was primarily known only to sailors and seclusion-seeking rock stars. Indeed, Mick Jagger and David Bowie discreetly frequent the exclusive Grenadine isle of Mustique. These days, however, the even prettier, quiet island of Bequia is on the rise, thanks to buzz about newcomer Firefly Plantation Bequia and the halfway complete Bequia Beach Hotel. Canouan Island already boasts a sprawling, superluxe Raffles resort that evokes the South Pacific. And lush St. Vincent is touching up its popular sights like the panoramic Belmont Lookout and the canopied Vermont Nature Trail.




                                                 10. Vieques, Puerto Rico



Vieques, Puerto Rico is one of the most unspoiled islands of the Caribbean. It is an unforgettable and very affordable destination for any traveler. Since embracing tourism in 2003 after decades as a U.S. naval base, the tiny island of Vieques has been the most accessible “uncharted territory” in the Caribbean. With Vieques harboring more than 40 miles of unspoiled sand and the Caribbean’s largest wildlife refuge, its small hotels and casual restaurants have attracted easygoing, eco-minded tourists.