you all must think I'm crazy, asking about all these different places and I'm not even sure when i'm going!

Latest plan is to wait to take our next trip after the baby is born...proabbly next december for our 2nd anniversary.

Anyway, I realized I haven't really investigated Antigua. So knowing I nejoyed Aruba, Anguilla and Grand Cayman, would I like Antigua??

My requirements are: great beach, great food, godd snorkeling, and as far as nighlife, just some fun, laid back beach bar type places would be great.

We would consider all-inclusive for this trip if there is one with decent food.

I need to have a trip to look forward to and plan! Thanks for your help!

Hi, Kristen--

Even though I don't really have a favorite island, I've been back to Antigua a few times, mostly because of the hotel I found there and because it was where I got married last year. I think it's a great island that offers moderate shopping; nice cultural/historical sites in the ways of its ruined forts, local museum and Nelson's Dockyard; lots of beaches ranging from the busy Dickenson Bay to secluded patches of sand just right for two people.

I know you've been to Anguilla, and it doesn't have the restaurants or the fabulous, endless stretches of sand that Anguilla has. Nor is it as built up as 7 mile beach on GC or Eagle & Palm beaches in Aruba. But I've had some very nice meals there and enjoyed the snorkeling, even if they weren't the best I've experienced in the region.

I'm not a nightlife kind of person at all--I like to retire early with a good book so I can be up at sunrise. But there's one place that I can personally recommend on Antigua, called simply The Beach. My husband and I had dinner there one night, good simple fare at a good price. Right on the beach, you could even eat barefoot in the sand if you chose. Anyway, as we were getting ready to leave, a band was setting up to play, and there was a good mix of both tourists and Antiguans in the bar area when we left.

I stay at Long Bay Hotel when I'm there, which is on the northeastern tip of the island. Very lowkey there, on a beach shared with one other hotel and pretty decent snorkeling just off the beach. The best snorkeling I experienced on the island was on a catamaran day sail with Wadadli Cats to Great Bird Island just off the northern coastline. Lots of colorful fish, coralheads, etc.

If you're planning to take the little one with you on the trip, one of the cottages at Long Bay could be good for you--full kitchen, extra space, the hotel can provide a crib--and they still include 2 meals a day per person with the cottage rates.

I get the feeling that you might rather be closer to the action, however. If so, Siboney Beach Club on Dickenson Bay is small getaway with beautiful gardens and a good restaurant. (Coconut Grove, nic atmostphere and yummy food.) Blue Waters is a more upscale place with an AI option where I've visited and had lunch before. Galley Bay is one of the nicer AI places--I've seen the property but not stayed or eaten there. I also like the look of the individual cottages at the AI Cocobay, which is often featured on luxurylink.com.

Let me know if you have more specific questions about Antigua that I can answer for you. Isn't the research half the fun?!

Thanks Emily!

Antigua sounds like it might be a good choice for us. It's funny, I ask about some laid back nightlife just because I always think we'll end up going out, but we always seem to be in bed by 10 pm when we're on vacation. We come home from dinner, take a walk o the beach sometimes, then watch some TV and read, and we're out! I guess we're more happy hour people

Anyway, all the places you mention all sound great and I will definitely do some research. You are right, researching and planning is half the fun! It's always such a letdown when it's over

We seemt o be leaning more and more toward low key places. The condo we stayed at in GC was quiet and nice (loved just watching the sunet from our patio or the beach) and Frangipani was also very low key and we enjoyed it very much. I don't know that I could do one of those mega resorts.

Not sure yet if we will take Jr or leave him/her with the grandparents but it's definitely a possibility that we will be bring baby along! I menat to ask which places would be good to take a baby so I am glad you mentioned that. I'm sure I will have lots more questions as I go...

What would say is your favorite island? or one of your favorites? Also, have you been to the BVIs?

Kristen

That's just it--I don't think I could pick a favorite island. St. Lucia was the first place I visited, and I fell in love with the region nearly at first sight--all that lusheness and beauty. I spend 4 nights on Barbados in a truly lovely hotel and had a great experience, but that trip didn't feel as islandy because it was so short (didn't have anything to do with the fact that it was Barbados). I got married in Antigua, so it will always vie for my happiest Caribbean memories. It's also the island I've visited most often (3 times) and I feel very comfortable there. Long Bay Hotel feels like coming home. Then I honeymooned in the BVI last summer at Guana, which was definitely the best vacation I've ever had. But again, happy memories of being on a honeymoon are pretty hard to compete with. I definitely want to go back to the BVIs and really see them by staying on Virgin Gorda or Tortola. But, perhaps because I am too indiscriminate because I loved them all. Can't pick a clear favorite. Will no doubt need years and dozens more vacations in order to truly choose my favorite place. On my short list of places I want to visit, Nevis, Anguilla, and the Grenadines are at the top.

Let me make thios easier

Is there anywhere you wouldn't go back to?

You definitely need to visit Anguilla!

If you want to stay on Antigua, check out Galley Bay. . .