Becca

We are both collectors and return visitors. We try to collect a new island once or twice each year, but we've been to St. John three times and to Anguilla and St. Barts two times. We've also been to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Vieques, Culebra, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Aruba once. Of all of those, we would return to Vieques, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. We will be in Nevis in November, so it will be interesting to see if that island becomes part of the "return to" category.

pijeta

Interesting question and good responses.

I'm a collector at this point, but once I'm older, wiser, and richer I'd like to be a repeater

JeanH

I've been sort of a collector, really more of a researcher for a place to retire to. We got a relatively late start to island hopping, pushing 50 when we started.

We've enjoyed pretty much everywhere we've been, Cancun being the exception.

However, now retirement is close, and we'll be spending our time on Ambergris Caye, Belize. Once we get down here for six months at a time, we'll start exploring more of Central America by bus.

highflyer

I crave the excitement of going to somewhere new. It's all about anticipation and usually we have so much fun I can't imagine a repeat trip being as good so I avoid them mainly to avoid disappointment.
So, I'm not a collector for the sake of collecting but generally we aren't repeat visitors. When we do return to somewhere special I try to add a day or two somewhere else or enroute.
Places we've been to more than once include Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico (about to make our 3rd trip and include a 2nd trip to Vieques)and we lived on St.Kitts & Nevis for a couple of years and enjoyed weekends on many nearby islands.

However, the pattern changes for our European jaunts.... many repeat visits to France and the UK our former home.

Overall, we're looking for two things; the ultimate place to call home and somewhere to vacation... looking is half the fun!

luvtotravl

I am a "B - repeat visitor", but also a little "C - somewhere in between". For example, we visit the Cayman Islands every year, but last year we also went on vacation to London and Scotland, Shanghai, and Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. As you can see, we like variety, but our love for Grand Cayman always brings us back to the east end for R&R.

foodiechan

My wife and I had been to quite a few islands before and I think we are mostly a "collector." That said I think I will consider a "repeat" if the there is a good deal or that enough time had transpired since our original visit that we would like to return for a second visit to see the progress etc.

As an American at this time, I think economics will weigh heavily on our decision as to where to visit next. So for example, as much as we had heard great things about 7 Mile Beach I think Cayman had priced itself out of our list of candidates to visit!

Cheers

brenandg

Well, we started to collect some islands. Then we discovered STJ and it has become our home away from home after 5 trips in just over two years. It also allows for some island hopping to the BVI's. We just love the roling hills and islands everywhere to look at. We did a boat day last trip and were still in awe of the scenery. I'm actually hoping we will tire of it and want to explore more. Grenada would definitely be on my list to check out because of all of the good things I have read about it and also the proximity to The Grenadine's where we have day tripped once and loved.

vinceygirl

Over the past 17 years I was lucky to visit a number of different islands via Windjammmer but when it's time to spend a few days I always come back to the Grenadines, especially St. Vincent and Bequia. I do the same here in the States. I began vacationing in St. Augustine FL in 1986 missing only 2 years of the past 22.
I prefer the islands and destinations less commercial althought sadly St. Augustine has become VERY commercialized and is no longer the quaint friendly town I first fell in love with. What was once a 2 lane highway is now 4 with turning lanes If the big guys have their way I guess the same will soon happen in the Grenadines

cm318

Definitely a collector. While I usually fall in love with most destinations -- I try resist the temptation to repeat a location. The few times I have returned to a beloved destination -- the second time was a slight let down. Not that the place wasn't as wonderful as I had remembered -- but because that thrill of discovery was missing. At this point in my life I'm still an explorer . . . I suspect there will be a time when I will prefer the comforts of repeating a destination. In truth . . . it is all good!

bluefan

Definitely A. Too much of the world to see in such a short lifespan.

With a young family now, islands with nice beaches and tranquil waters seem to be our preferred vacation destination. The only islands I have visited more than once have been Kauai and Oahu being that they're relatively close to LA, my hometown.

I just returned from a blissful stay in Anguilla (wouldn't mind revisiting soon) and a hectic stay on St Martin (wouldn't mind if I never revisit). Talk about extremes - like St John & St Thomas. The only other Caribbean island I've stayed at other than those mentioned above was Provo, Turks and Caicos. Give me peaceful destinations like Anguilla, St John, Jost Van Dyke or T&C and I wouldn't mind switching to B (repeat) mode becuz that's why I flew so many darn miles and hours for.

But like others, I'm too excited about visiting other Caribbean islands (Caymans, Grenada, Bahama Out Islands, St Barth, St Vincent and Grenadines hopefully someday soon), South Pacific islands (Fiji, Palau, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Huahine, Rangiroa and Manihi in French Polynesia) and Indian Ocean islands (Maldives, Phi Phi, Seychelles, Mauritius) before deciding upon a favorite(s) for repeat visits.

Happy travels everyone!

WannabeinaMontserrat

I'm both, but more a repeater. If I have to choose, I'll always take the known quantity.

blamona

I'm lucky to do both-we have a place in T&C, so go 1-2 times a year, and then we always pick somewhere else to go too.  I'm obssessed with travel, so I just don't stick to islands-but what got me to travel was feeling my destiny was to find the world's most perfect beach! ;-)        & nbsp;       &nb sp;       &nbsp ;    

There are places I've repeated frequently (Anguilla, Virgin Islands, Harbour Island) and some I've been too a couple of times (Paradise Island, Caymans-but before I knew of Fodors-so I would have introduced myself to you!, Grenadines, Mexico) some I'm happy to just go 1 time (Bequia, Jamaica, Grenada, Antigua, Anegada, Fiji, Phuket-just not my style) some I've only been once and would love to return (Bermuda, Exumas)  Some are to far to repeat-but would love too (Cook Islands, Bora Bora, Maldives)        

I also like to "collect" counties (I love your term!)  Last year trying Peru, Ecuador and Galapagos Islands.)  My thing was, when I first started out, I thought I had a small "list" of places I wanted to see in the world.  then when I started talking to others in my travels, I'd hear about other places to consider.  So instead of being content with my list, I have found the more I travel, the more places I find I want to see.  I been fortunate too-I've been to about 75% of the islands in Caribbean, and about 70 countries myself. 

Bottom line though, I'm happy to be anywhere as long as I'm traveling!

BeachGirl247

c) somewhere in the middle

Some trips I need a known quantity to unwind from the world and not worry about where to go and what to do.

Other times, I'm an adventurer and want to see something new and experience whatever that island has to offer.

I love the Out Islands of the Bahamas. I'm off to my first trip to Cat Island in June. I have a feeling it will be the first of many.

It's all good.

TomCayman

Some great answers... glad I got this started... single most interesting thing was the idea that the advent of the internet (and sites and forums like this!) mean that we are all so much more comfortable in choosing to go to new places, as we can research them before we go.

Heck, in new cities in the US, UK etc, I can research them while on the move while there.. Google Maps with the GPS on my BB8800 is an amazing tool.

Last year I flew on an overnight trip to see Genesis in Chicago. As we taxi'd in, my buddy said "hey, Chelsea are playing in the Champions League"... 10 minutes later, we were in a taxi to an Irish pub in downtown Chicago that was showing the game... thx to Google Maps... then we jumped out of the cab in the middle of a traffic jam and walked the last two blocks... following the GPS.....felt like a local !

Now, if Google would load the right zoom level on Caribbean islands, I wouldn't have to "fake" Google directions to my resort on my website using manual stuff pasted on a Google Earth satellite map !

CaymanSue

Tom, if I'd known you were there, I would have stood up and yelled your name!!! How about R.E.M in Chicago?

iw

Def. in the middle, as well! We had been to the same 2 islands for the last 3 years and, while we love them, found ourselves wanting to branch out. It was a hard decision since you meet so many wonderful people that you want to stay in touch with when visiting an island more than once (St. Kitts: Tony, Leroy and Wilma. Nevis: Jason,
Vaden, Stacy, Chip, Karin, Gary, Moi)
Fun question!!
I just received my renewed passport today, so who knows what's next???

KVR

We started out as an Island collectors. Now that we've been to so many Islands, we started going back to the ones we really liked. We usually end up in the Caribbean side of Mexico. Easy to get to and inexpensive from Texas. But we plan on going back to Aruba in the future. We've loved Grand Cayman also and have been twice. Once for a land vacation and once on a cruise. We love 7 Mile Beach and the snorkeling, but it's just too expensive to go back to anytime soon.

There are still also a few more Island destinations we would like to add to our collection in the future like Curacao, Antigua, and Barbados with day trips to the Grenedines, Tobago Cays and Grenada.

Knowing

Mostly we are island collectors. Visiting new places just gets in your blood! Sometimes we say how much we'd love to go back to such and such island, but it doesn't happen very often that we actually do. We have been to Hawaii a number of times and Barbados twice. Someday soon we will start returning to all our most favorites and we will be as excited as two little kids!!! Right now though even the hard to reach places have all been worth visiting and as long as we are able to visit new islands we will continue to do so.

Kimberly

I also am in between...love to visit new places but also return to our favorite people & places.

TomCayman

CaymanSue... Coldplay in Miami in November ?