TV legend Bruce Forsyth tells Travel Weekly why he loves Puerto Rico
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If you’re going to meet a national treasure, then an iconic British hotel is the place to do it.
So it was fitting that we caught up with Sir Bruce Forsyth and Lady Wilnelia Merced at the Caribtours brochure launch ball at Claridge’s.
The couple took time out to share their love for the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, a new destination for Caribtours this year and the couple’s home for four or five months of the year.
The first lovely thing about the island is the music. Latin American music is so beautiful, great to dance to and so much nicer than those steel bands in so many other places in the Caribbean, which I hate.
The people make it very special. They are very hospitable, friendly and music plays everywhere you go. They cannot have a party without music.
The experience of being there is unrivalled because it has a lovely Caribbean atmosphere.
In terms of food it isn’t just rice and beans, which I love, but top restaurants with all kinds of food; Chinese, Japanese, American, French and Spanish.
We have explored many other Caribbean islands but often we’ll think, what are we doing here? We feel so at home in Puerto Rico that we just want to get back.
We go there from end of December and usually come back in April to miss out January, February and March, which I hate in the UK.
People do not know enough about the island. The Americans keep it a secret as lots of them visit, and not so many British. But the new flights will make a difference and Brits will soon know all about it.
They’ll find out the shopping is wonderful with plenty of high-end stores, great golf courses and beautiful beaches – Flamingo Beach is one of the most beautiful in the world.
The rainforest and caves are worth visiting, you can see the flying fish at Viajes, there are wonderful museums in Ponce and beautiful Old San Juan is stunning with some wonderful colonial houses.
People get off the cruise ships and walk straight into the Spanish town’s cobbled streets and lovely old houses. And there are some great places to stay. Condado has a strip of top hotels including the Marriot, there’s a new Ritz-Carlton opening and if you want classic,
Il Convento is very special. It’s worth visiting and eating there.
