San Juan -first our hotel in the Condado resort area

Why San Juan? An easy one-plane flight from the DC area to reliably warm weather, good food, and interesting culture are the attractions. The San Juan Marriott & Resort is a bit too big and busy for our taste, but it gave us a chance to scout the area and think about our next trip.

Old San Juan - excellent architecture, food, & culture

just after lunch at St. Germain - a swell cafe in Old San Juan

Small, but informative and enjoyable, museum. We particularly enjoyed a videotape interview and performance recorded before he left southern France's Pyrenees, where he lived for many years in exile from Franco's Spain. Casals spent the last 15 years of his long life in San Juan. His mother was a Puerto Rico native. Our guide was the highlight of the visit.

Picoteo-El Convento Hotel

Mojito for Louie

La Forteleza-governor's residence

1-1-12 dinner Picoteo tapas in El Convento Hotel

Plaza de Armas

gorgeous holiday lights and market near the port on Paseo de la Princesa

Horned Dorset Primavera Resort, Rincon, PR

We rented a car for the day and drove almost all the way 'round the island, highlighted by lunch New Years Eve-12-31-11 at this Relais et Chateaux hotel. It's a small property with private beach & extremely relaxed atmosphere - just beautiful. It's on the NW coast of the island about 2.5 hours from San Juan.

lunch on the shaded patio

Dining room is upstairs with indoor and outdoor options - just gorgeous. They were preparing for New Years Eve.

One of three pools at the resort, plus plunge pools at the individual villas. Enticing, eh?

Hooray! Reconnaissance complete for our next visit.