We know that celebrity culture can be toxic and pernicious and is not a realistic standard for how we, the common man, should live our lives. However, no matter how hard we try to resist it, we cannot escape the influence of the rich and famous, especially when it comes to how they spend their holidays. Your girlfriend will love to follow them to the destinations they choose to unwind from their hectic official duties.
So when Beaches Turks & Caicos invited me to their annual BFF Girls Getaway Retreat on Providenciales, Turks & Caicos last fall, my first thought wasn’t, “Wow! What a great opportunity to soak up some sun and unplug!”, but rather, “Oh, that’s where Beyoncé, the Kardashians, Justin Bieber, and Drake always vacation!” Anyway, I begged my sister to join me in some celeb cosplay, and off we went to Turks in the hopes of (temporarily) living like a Hollywood dignitary and forming some healthy sisterly bonding along the way.
Luckily, Provo (as locals call the island of Providenciales) is the perfect place for both, so we did a little stalking to pinpoint the celeb hotspots. and We also discovered some other exciting activities and attractions the island has to offer that you should all know about. So read on for the official guide to travelling Turkey like an A-list celebrity… but on a normal budget like me.
Stay
Turks and Caicos Islands Beaches: Beaches is an all-inclusive resort (I guess the name makes sense) located along 12 miles of Provo’s beautiful beachfront. With 21 restaurants, 14 bars, and personal butler service for guests to choose from (I did), you’re sure to feel extra pampered by the time you’re ready to check out. The BFF Girls Getaway Retreat was an even more wonderful experience for my sister and I. The year-long program aims to strengthen the bond between best friends through travel and an itinerary of specially designed self-care activities. It was so well-planned that even if we never left the location, it would still have been a great trip.
The resort also offers a luxurious spa, expert water sports instruction, and plenty of live entertainment day and night. My sister and I enjoyed relaxing massages, oceanfront yoga, and a catamaran cruise, all of which have officially raised the bar for future beach vacation expectations. And the “BFF” branding is no joke; our best friends flew in from all over for the trip, allowing us to meet and bond with new and old friend groups, re-establishing our faith in sisterhood and, honestly, humanity as a whole. Cliché? Yes. Fact? Yes again.
Book your stay Find out more about the BFF Girls Getaway Program here!
play
Water Tours: A walking tour is of course great for sightseeing, exercise, and more. But in the spirit of vacationing like a star, we opted for a yacht tour. My sister and I took a snorkeling cruise with Caicos Dream Tours, where we snorkeled, explored quiet, secluded beaches, learned about the history of Providenciales, and sipped the best rum punch all the while. The whole experience lasted 4 hours, and we felt like we knew every inch of the island. I highly recommend booking an early morning tour so that after the tour, you can spend the day lounging, dancing, and spending time on the beach. Trust me, you’ll forget it’s still early when you step on the boat in your sexy snorkeling gear.
I enjoy snorkeling, something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.
My sister is truly living the dream life.
A sisterly toast to the yachting life, baby.
Going to market: Every Thursday from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, a popular spot in Provo is the Island Fish Fry at Bight Park. (Past celebs like Drake and the Kardashians have made sneaky appearances.) This “fish fry” isn’t your typical barbecue, though; it features a ton of local vendors selling snacks, jewelry, art, drinks and more. There are also plenty of DJ sets and live performances; you’ll want to stay late to watch the bands and hosts get the crowd going. It’s a great time, guaranteed.
Let’s take a break: If you can’t budget for a stay at the Amanyara (a favorite of stars like Justin Bieber, Will Smith, and Kylie Jenner, where nightly rates run around $1,500), book a treatment at the Aman Spa, a luxury wellness center. Set in private villas within the hotel’s gorgeous grounds, it offers a range of massages, facials, and scrubs. A hot stone treatment here might just give you a new lease on life. Trust us.
I’ll eat and drink!
Aziza Restaurant & Lounge: This chic restaurant transforms into a popular lounge as the night progresses, making it the perfect spot for a nightcap. The Mediterranean menu is full of standout dishes, including lamb lollipops and garlic chicken wings. Pro tip: break out one of those nice outfits you brought with you for this outing; Aziza has the perfect backdrop for photos. (The restaurant’s cool rattan chandeliers really get the “I’m on an island” message across.)
Mr. Grouper’s Restaurant: I’ve been craving the chickpea curry here ever since I got back to NYC. It’s a great lunch spot for large groups, and the cocktails are pretty generous. (I was moonlighting as a pina colada connoisseur on this trip, and Mr. Grouper’s version is pretty much at the top of my list.) I’m not a sports fan, but the place is also perfectly equipped to watch sports, if you are. Each screen was showing a different game. You know, touchdowns! goals! everything!
Noah’s Ark: You’ll hear the word about this place from the moment you arrive in Provo. Not only are Drake, J. Cole and DJ Khaled regulars, but the Sunday parties at this floating (!!!) bar are legendary. You’ll need to arrange a ferry to get here, which will cost you $30 round trip, but it’s worth it. Once you’re there, try the conch salad or jerk chicken – both are hugely popular.
Packing list for Turks and Caicos Islands!
Kimeze Zawe Ruby Sunglasses
Maple’s Weekend Base
Kiehl’s UV Defense SPF 50+
Stella Vermillion Shoulder Bag
WDIRARA Halter Bikini Swimsuit
Annabelle Iwegbue is cosmopolitan She focuses primarily on lifestyle and fashion. Cosmo, She was in charge of entertainment Harper’s Bazaar, The Nocturnal, and Black film. Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, she is now based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a BA in Journalism and Film Studies from New York University. You can see some of Annabelle’s work here, and follow her on Instagram and twitter.
