jnm196

I am looking to go away with my boyfriend during christmas week. We are looking for islands that have nice hotels, great restaurants, not all inclusive and not touristy. Also, we are looking for a short flight and easy to get to. I know this is the worst time to travel and many places are booked up already.
Has anyone been to St. Lucia during Christmas week? We are open to other suggestions besides traveling to the Caribbean.
Hope to hear from you!

schmerl

I have stopped in St. Lucia on a cruise during Christmas week. Weather was great. In St. Lucia the roads are not really that great and driving is difficult so if you don't want an all inclusive, you would have to drive to places which is not fun.

blamona

Do you have a budget? Do you know for how many nights? During Christmas this might limit you more.

jnm196

Thank you for your responses! St. Lucia does not seem like it would be for us anymore. We are looking to getaway for 5-7 nights. What other islands do you recommend?

sharona

Well, can you tell us what exactly you are looking for other than nice hotels, great restaurants and not touristy? Most islands to some extent fit that bill. What was it about St. Lucia that swayed you to not pursue a trip there? And where are you traveling from? It's hard to know if a "short flight and easy to get to" are possible from your home unless we know where that is. Generally, I consider someplace easy to get to if I can reach it via direct flight, even if that flight is 4.5 hours (e.g., Boston to Aruba).

Do you plan to simply relax on the beach? Sightsee? Water activities? Do you want nightlife? Shopping? Hiking? Snorkeling? Diving? If you can come back and let us know a little bit more about what you're looking for, along with a general budget, we'll be happy to help.

jnm196

Thanks for your help! We will be coming from New Jersey. St. Lucia sounds beautiful, but Schmerl said the roads aren't great there, and we do not plan on staying at an all inclusive hotel. Do you know anything about St. Marteen? We are not divers, but enjoy snorkeling and water activities. We enjoy sightseeing and cute towns. We are open to ideas.

Caribzack

You can get a direct flight to Turks & Caicos from NYC-be on the beach so fast!! Look at The Somerset www.thesomerset.com great resort(condos) 2 onsite restaurants-1 pool/beachfront, 1 hi end. Wonderful beach location, excellent restaurants close by. Nice staff, free watersports etc

dominick2

If I were you, I wouldn't eliminate an island because one person said that the roads aren't great. The roads in St. Lucia aren't up to North American standards, but they're not terrible either. Unless you are intimidated by driving on the left, the island is certainly "driveable." The weather at Christmas is usually georgeous -- beach weather during the day and really comfortable at night. One potential drawback -- during the winter, some of the beaches (i.e., the ones exposed to the north) sometimes get a little rough.

jnm196

Thanks. Most of the hotels in St. Lucia are already booked or have a minimum night stay. We are looking to getaway from Dec 23-26 or Dec 30-Jan 2nd.
What are your feelings about Jamaica? I have heard mixed reviews about it. Do you know anything about the Ritz Carlton there? Is Jamaica safe?