Diana, re Barbados again. If the Boathouse is what I think it is, it is designed for cruise ship passengers on a not-very-special beach, and where they will have lots of touristy things for sale. You'll have a better beach experience at Coral Reef or Sandy Lane's beach.

Here here to summer04! Really Caribtravler, summer04 poster explained my thoughts very well. I don't want Mc Donalds on vacation, but a sense of security in a foreign place. I don't want to worry about looking over my shoulder on vacation or about food poisioning or bad water. If I want to worry about safety there are plenty of places in the US I could wander into. At least I know where many of them are. I don't wish to pay thousands of dollars to visit those bad neighborhoods, so why would I do that on vacation. I don't care what you think of my kind of vacations or the fact that I think America is great. You go to your places and I will go to mine. I am sure we won't be on the same islands. That being said, Xkenx:Barbados sounds wonderful. Do you know anything about the new Hilton they are putting up? I am asking because we are HHonors members. I have never been to Barbados, but it does sound like a place that I would like.

girlonthego,
IMHO,no one should have to "defend" his or her likes. We should all gain from what this forum has to offer and do what suits each of us best. There would not be 40 plus responses to this thread if we were not all unique.

brenandg: You are so right. I got hot under the collar and tried to defend why I like what I like. Silly stuff. That is why I usually like this forum because of all of the different opinions. Not so much the attacking type of opinions though. Good night all.

I too would be interested in any info on the new Hilton in Barbados to use up some Hilton points. By the way, my wife told me last night that she went with her family to Germany when she was a teenager. One of her fondest memories was meeting some locals and being invited to a local festival. She always thought that was a once in a lifetime kind of thing. It sounds like some others have had that kind of experience traveling in the caribbean. But it does raise the issue of how do you know who you can trust, especially when you are obviously a tourist? There are many places where we live where we don't just wander into a bar, make friends and then follow them off to a party. Now, put yourself in another country, and the prospect can seem intimidating. I don't think you can be completely naive and think that everyone is out to show the tourist a good time, just like we can't expect to walk into a new situation in our own city and expect that everyone will be looking out for our best interest. I guess it just comes down to having some "street smarts" about the situations you put yourself into.

Hi Diana , I think I have answered my own question re Tortola versus Tobago . found some super sites with info. and incredible photos . Tobago it is ! Your thoughts are still welcome ! Faith

Hi, Faithie,
I'm heading to Tobago next month for our sixth visit. Yes, there are good places to stay.
The island is lush. Centuries ago, much of the north central part of the island was declared offlimits to development; some pretty smart growers decided that if that area was denuded, the island might lose rainfall.
Most tourist spots are at the developed south end of the island. The beauty is at the north end.
About 85% of visitors to the island are British, so it's not off-the-beaten track for them. In fact, there are many charter flights from Britain. Some hotels (like the Grafton and its sister and neighbor Le Grand Courlan have gone all-inclusive to attract these package tourists. I think they've also gone downhill.)
But there are still small fishing villages at the north end that are much as they were decades ago.
Let me know if you have other questions. I've got a little more than 32 days to go before we return -- this time we're staying at the Hilton.
Here near Boston, it's snowing right now with sleet expected to follow. I'm really looking forward to the trip.

Since others (notably Diana, Enya et al) have already more than adequately expressed my same views on Americanization in travel, I'm hoping to piggyback a post of my own. Y'all may recall that a few months ago I was beginning to research a trip to take next summer with my husband's granddaughter. We had settled on Provo but have now changed our minds and want to make it Tortola instead. We're still looking for recs for accommodations that are moderate in budget--something in the $700-850 range for 4 nights. My husband and I would prefer to be on the beach, granddaughter would prefer a place with a pool, but at this point everything is negotiable. We'll rent a car to see as much of the island as we can in the short time we have. Would prefer not to have to drive anywhere to get breakfast. In terms of style, the Sugar Mill is more of our cup of tea than Long Bay, to give you an idea of our preferences based on the two spots that seems to get the most attention on the island. Thanks!

girlonthego: Where do you see me attacking your choice of vacations? I was NOT attacking your likes or dislikes. Have you ever heard someone say "oh I want to go on vacation somewhere unsafe, with unfriendly people where I don't feel uncomfortable"?? We all want safe places with friendly people. We all have different level of comforts which come from our life experiences or lack of it. And that's OKAY. My point is that safety and friendliness has NOTHING to do with americanization. An "americanized" country is a country that accepts dollars in any stores/restaurants while they have their own currency, it's turning on the tv and most of the programming is U.S. shows, it's turning on the radio and American music playing, it's casinos, big malls, fast foods, it's dozens of U.S. hotels along a beach.
All you have to say, girlonthego, is that you want some place safe and friendly. No one can argue with you then. But to equate safety and friendliness with americanization IS SAYING that those are characteristics FROM THE U.S.
Would you define, oh let's say Sweden, as Americanized because it's a safe, clean and friendly country? That sounds silly doesn't it? So why do you think it's okay to do that with a Caribbean nation?
Yes, I know, that's not what you meant, but guess what, that IS the definition of Americanization. You can't define it that way and then be surprised that some people take issue with it. Again, pick up any dictionary and look it up.

Thanx Marigold . We are fairly easy to please with regards to accomodations , Small , non-A.I. ,little inns etc. we were actually thinking something in the north . This is all just future planning and info. gathering . Here on Fodors it is not discussed very much , so it feels off the beaten track which is kind of fun ! Probably will ask more questions ! Faith , Thank - You !!

Okay Caribtraveler we can argue the point back and forth, but this is getting old and tired. What I think of what an Americanized means and what you do are totally different. You are being literal which was not meant by the original poster to begin with. Now I am bumbling my words. Oh well. We all want safe, friendly, good food, nice beaches, etc...That is why we all post on the Caribbean section. I agree no one wants unfriendly, unsafe, etc... Some islands are more developed and modernized and some are not. To me, americanized is something that is more developed. I am not comfortable in the jungle setting or the off the beaten path places that some are. That is all. Now a truce. Let's get on with good travel talk and positive feedbacks!

Hey EVERYBODY !!! Enjoy this , I am sure ALL will agree on the beauty !Ahhh.... Only to be there , have fun looking ! Faith . www.oneorchid.com/tobago

Faith,
For more photos and an amusing trip report on tobago, try this:

http://ktravers.smugmug.com/Travel/12476

GRAND CAYMAN - little America!!!

Caribtraveler wrote: "An "americanized" country is a country that accepts dollars in any stores/restaurants while they have their own currency..."

By this measure, just about every island in the Caribbean is "americanized." The BVI, with a decidedly West Indian flavor, would fly to the top of the charts of "americanization" because they haven't even bothered to establish their own currency and use the USD as their legal tender. Other places, really deep down island like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, accept US dollars as readily (if not moreso) than EC dollars. In Cancun, on the other hand, with its high-rises and U.S. chains, you pay for everything in pesos.

But, as others have said more eloquently than I, it's all a matter of perspective and preference. Whatever floats your boat (as long as you are not floating past my quiet, deserted beach....)!

Great pics Marigold ! I am so wanting to be there ! Faith

ejcrowe: Not to hijack this post, but my husband and I stayed in the perfect villa on Tortola, owned by a US couple named the Frittons (I wonder if Enya knows them?). They live in Fla and rent out their home, but don't have an internet site. I found their ad in the back of Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine, I will retype the text of the ad:

BVI - TORTOLA - PARADISE FOUND. Charming, airy, secluded villa. 2 BR/ 2 BA, pool. Spectacular view of Brewer's Bay. Short walk to beach/snorkeling. 904-725-2832.

Me again: This villa was awesome, with pool, doors that open all around, homelike furnishings including games, spices, etc. Friends of ours rented it for their family the following year, and loved it also. Call them and ask for photos, you will not be disappointed!

P.S. to Diana: I have a similar funny story about the North Shore Shell Museum. We went for breakfast, were the only ones there. After a long wait, we saw the owner returning in his car with eggs for our breakfast. Too cute! Also, the owner's mom is named Mrs. Scatliffe, and has her own restaurant, in her home, we took our children for dinner (once again the only folks there) and afterwards she came out of the kitchen and sang for us! I wonder if she is still there...Enya?

Joan: Thank you for the info. I will check it out right away. I'd be very interested in staying in a villa, particularly if it had a plunge pool or hot tub for enjoying cocktails at the end of the day. Unfortunately all of the ones I've looked at are out of our price range. :(

Callaloo: I was in Cancun in June and on a couple of occasions we ran out of pesos and the 2 stores we went to readily accepted our U.S. dollars and just gave us back our change in pesos.
I'm not sure what is your other point. Part of the definition of the word is to fall under the commercial influence of the U.S. Ah...the power of the U.S. dollar, or maybe not so powerful these days at least against the Euro. The country I used to live in in Africa only deals with U.S. dollars these days because their money is not worth anything anymore. Believe me, it's still very much an African country. A place could be very americanized or just a little. No?
I think everybody agrees it's all about perspective and preference.
Now, moving on...

Joan so glad you found your little piece of heaven in our paradise Tortola. I have not heard of or met the Frittons but from what you describe of the location of the villa, it sounds like a first class location in the hills of Brewers Bay overlooking the bay. How did you like those steep hills leading down to Brewers though? Those are some of the steepest hills on the island but it is still a very lovely side of the island. It is also great that you were able to find a villa that is beautiful but yet affordable. That is a true find in the BVI! There are some fabulous villas here but the cost is generally prohibitive. Certainly more affordable if you have a few people sharing.
To answer your question about Mrs Scattliffe, you know I have always been very curious about that restuarant but I have to confess I have never been there in all of my 8 plus years on this island - terrible, I know. But now you really have my curiousity perked and I will definetly have to suggest to my husband that we try it very soon. I will let you know if she is still around.
Ejcrowe, if you wish to go the villa route for your upcoming stay on Tortola, there is a website that contains a comprehensive listing of villas on Tortola and the other islands that you might find interesting should Joan's suggestion not pan out or if you wish to explore other options - www.mclaughlinanderson.com. I used it when I was looking for a villa a couple of years ago to house some of our wedding guests and found it very useful.