Holiday inspired ideas to brighten your day PLUS Travel competition round-up                                                                                                                              

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It's Caribbean Week at Travelscoop! While we're all stuck at home, we thought we'd bring the Caribbean to you. Grab some rum, whack the heating up and transport yourself to somewhere exotic with some great food and a good film or book. Please note that we are not promoting any travel deals at the moment. If you'd rather pause our emails until you can travel again, click here.

The Caribbean is made up of a string of islands spanning the Caribbean Sea from the tip of Florida to the northern coast of South America. Tropical white-sand beaches, azure blue seas, rum cocktails and blissful sunshine. Quite simply, paradise. Post lockdown, it's a bucket list destination you need to tick off. Until then, join us in recreating a bit of Caribbean magic at home...
 
 
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What to watch

With all this time on our hands, we've got the perfect excuse to get binging, so here are my favourite Caribbean inspired TV show and movies. Missed something or want to have your say? Hop over to our Facebook post to join the conversation.

Deals chosen by Andy

 
Death in Paradise
Netflix
An Irish detective inspector in the UK Police is transferred to Saint-Marie's police department, but he hates the sun, sea and sand. The series follow his investigations into murders on the island. Later series see other British DI's head the investigative team.
 
Black Sails
Amazon
BLACK SAILS centres on the tales of Captain Flint and his notorious crew as they fight for fortune and survival prior to the events portrayed in the book "Treasure Island".
 
Ainsley's Caribbean Kitchen
ITV
TV Chef Ainsley Harriott takes a trip across the Caribbean, visiting the islands that have inspired his cooking from an early age.
 
Pirates of the Caribbean
Amazon
There are heroes and villains aplenty in this swashbuckling tale. Roguish Captain Jack is caught up in an adventure involving a legendary pirate ship, the Black Pearl, whose captain kidnaps the governor's daughter to get her doubloon necklace.
 
Wild Caribbean
Netflix
Explore the turbulent natural history and rich diversity of wildlife that make the shores, reefs and isles of the Caribbean a paradise like no other.
 
Caribbean with Simon Reeve
BBC
Simon Reeve travels around the edge of the Caribbean Sea for a stunning three-part series. With loads of beautiful islands and a long mainland coast, the Caribbean is a vast area spanning 1m square miles. Home to some of the most dangerous places on the planet, it is also one of the most vibrant, exciting and extreme regions on earth.
 
Joanna Lumley's Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti
ITV
Joanna Lumley travels across two of the most enigmatic countries in the Caribbean Cuba and Haiti to explore and uncover the hidden gems that these countries have to offer.
 
Amazon Prime Membership
Amazon
As a Prime member, you can watch loads of popular movies and TV shows at no extra cost, including Prime Originals and with their 30-day offer, you can get all this and more for £0 for the first 30-days! Why not take advantage, you can always cancel before the end and not have to pay a thing.
 
 
 
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What to eat
Caribbean-Spiced Black Bean Curry from HelloFresh. If I had to describe this curry in three words, it would have to be sweet, smoky and spicy. And a fourth would be YUM. Served on a bed of zesty quinoa and sprinkled in desiccated coconut for added sweetness, this recipe will have you wishing for warmer climes!
 
 
Serves: 2-4 people
Prep & Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Under 600 Calories

What you'll need:
Shallot | Garlic | Yellow Pepper | Coriander | Lime | Black Beans | Vegetable Stock | Quinoa | Desiccated Coconut | Jerk Spice Mix | Coconut Milk | Tomato Passata | Baby Spinach

Get the full ingredient list and method at HelloFresh here. You can also order all the ingredients from HelloFresh. While you're there, you'll find loads of other recipes to keep you occupied, like Caribbean Chicken Rice Bowl, Jerk-Spiced Pork or Veggie Coconut Caribbean Soup. See their full Caribbean collection here.
 
 
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What to read

I've picked out my favourite travel books based in the Caribbean below. If you've got any suggestions, let everyone know on our Facebook post here

For years I swore by "physical" books, but a few years ago I begrudgingly took the plunge and bought my first Kindle. I haven't looked back. I'm reading more, watching less TV, playing fewer games and saving much-needed funds. I cannot recommend the switch more highly so what better time to try it for yourself.

My personal preference is the Paperwhite. It's small and compact, offers the benefits of 3G (although not necessary in my opinion), a stronger backlight for reading in the dark and a higher screen resolution. But the entry-level Kindle is also a great piece of kit with the same 6" screen and back-light included, and at just £69.99 it's also great value.

Deals chosen by Stuart

 
When We Left Cuba
£7.99
Chanel Cleeton
Beatriz Perez is a Cuban exile tasked by the CIA to infiltrate Fidel Castro’s inner circle. Beatriz quickly becomes embroiled in the political tug of war between the two nations and faces a tough decision with everything at stake. A page-turner which brings 1960s Cuba and Florida alive in all its glorious colour.
 
An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude
£3.99
Ann Vanderhoof
Ann and her husband quit their jobs to fulfil their dreams of sailing the Caribbean. "One of the most enjoyable travelogues in modern literature", this follows their incredible journey across 16 countries and 47 different islands. Travelscoop's Stuart loved this and said at times it felt like he was there!
 
The Confessions of Frannie Langton
£5.99
Sara Collins
Follows the case of a servant and former slave accused of murdering her employer in 1926 London. Frannie has a story to share: of her childhood on a Jamaican plantation, her apprenticeship under a debauched scientist, and the events that brought her into her employers' London home. Historical novel meets murder mystery - a powerful debut from 2019.
 
Pirate Latitudes
£3.99
Michael Crichton
Set in the 17th century, this novel by the Jurassic Park author invites readers on a fearless, treasure-hunting, swashbuckling, bootlegging piracy adventure in the Caribbean seas. Wonderful escapism.
 
Kidnap in the Caribbean
£3.99
Lauren St John
Laura becomes the lucky recipient of a trip to the Caribbean with her uncle who then disappears. Adventure, excitement and a race against time - perfect for 9-12 year olds. Part of the Laura Marlin Mysteries.
 
Kindle
£69.99
Amazon
Meet Kindle with a built-in adjustable front light so you can read indoors, outdoors and at more times of the day. Purpose-built for reading, Kindle features a non-glare touchscreen display that reads like printed paper, even in direct sunlight.
 
Kindle Paperwhite (waterproof)
£119.99
Amazon
The thinnest, lightest Kindle Paperwhite yet, with a sleek, modern design so you can read comfortably for hours. With Audible, Kindle Paperwhite lets you switch seamlessly between reading and listening via Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones.
 
Kindle Oasis (waterproof)
£229.99
Amazon
Kindle Oasis features their largest 7-inch 300ppi display using the latest E Ink technology and a sleek ergonomic design with page-turn buttons, perfect for one-handed reading. Introducing an adjustable warm light for a richer reading experience in any lighting.
 
 
 
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What to drink
With a perfectly balanced mix of light and dark rums and all your favourite fruit juices, this Rum Punch will whisk you away to your very own Caribbean home from home. If you want to make it a little less strong, just add 2 cups sparkling water.
 
 
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes

What you'll need:
Light Rum | Dark Rum | Fresh Orange Juice | Pineapple Juice | Cranberry Juice | Grenadine | Ice | Orange Slice | Sparkling Water (optional)

Get the full ingredient list and method at Delish.com here.

Fancy something different?
While a Rum Punch is a pretty iconic Caribbean cocktail when you're lazing by the pool or surrounded by white sand and crystal clear waters, every island has it's own speciality so if you're feeling more adventurous, perhaps you'd prefer to try a selection:

Pina Colada - Puerto Rico
Mojito - Cuba
Planters Punch - Jamaica
Mama Juana - Dominican Republic
Ti Punch - Martinique & Guadeloupe
Bahama Mama - The Bahamas
Margarita - Mexico

 
Get your full Caribbean kitchen fix with Ainsley's guide to Caribbean cooking and bring the tropical tastes right into your own home.
 
 

Ainsley Harriott

 
 
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Travel competitions

The ultimate travel hack is to bag yourself a holiday without spending a penny, so we're bringing you our pick of the best contests launched this week. Fingers crossed

Chosen by Stuart → View online

A Back to the Future trip to Los Angeles + Universal Studios tickets
Eaglemoss
Closes 6th Apr 2020
A family ticket & overnight stay at Marwell Zoo, Hampshire
Marwell Zoo
Closes 14th May 2020
£1,000 for a microgap break for two in the UK
Expedia
Closes 30th Mar 2020
A pair of Eurostar return tickets to Amsterdam
King's Cross Quarterly
Closes 31st May 2020
A six-night Botswana safari holiday
National Geographic
Closes 31st May 2020
A trip for two to LA & the Funko Hollywood Store
EMP
Closes 5th Apr 2020
A short break for two in North Yorkshire
Condé Nast
Closes 23rd Apr 2020
 
 
 
Photo of Stuart
Stuart
Stuart Lewis
Travel Editor

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