Aruba? Barbados?
 

We are two women in our 40s traveling without the husbands looking for a nice Caribbean vacation with great beach, good shopping, good food, easy to get around...not AI - any suggestions?

Aruba gets my vote. We just got back and loved it. Stayed at the Wyndham and would definitely go back. Got the best rates from www.travelunlimited.com

<BR>Carol, I have not been to Aruba, but I can tell you from experience that women traveling alone in Barbados will be the object of flirtatious Bajan men on the public beaches. I never felt in danger, but it did get a little tiresome. Most are nice enough fellows. Best shopping is in Holetown & the Gap, food is great all over the island. Going AI would be a mistake on Barbados, so if you end up there, you're on the right track. Driving is a little stressful, but there's always taxis & the bus. <BR> <BR>Have you thought about Grand Cayman? It's a wonderful place for women traveling alone. Food's not as good as Barbados, but it's super safe & very, very easy to drive. SMB is beautiful & the water superb. Shopping is fun in Georgetown & on the SMB strip. We like visiting the shops in the different hotels. Never know what you'll find.

Hi Carol, <BR>We went to Aruba last august and stayed at the Marriott. It was lovely. Our breakfasts were included, but we were so full that we always skipped lunch and then dined out for dinner. Aruba is a very safe island and I must say their motto is "One happy little island" which it most certainly is! Wonderful restaurants in Oranjestad. Enjoy!

Hi Carol,<BR>My wife and I have been to both Aruba and Barbados. By the sounds of your message you should take a look at the Sonesta in Aruba. Great shopping behind the hotel, private island for tanning and water sports and a 24 hours casino within the hotel mall. We also loved Barbados but found the Sonesta location in Aruba to be prime for a well rounded vacation.

If you are looking for a tropical Carib experience, head to Barbados. If you are looking for an arid barren island with oasis of high rise hotels to Aruba! Very different islands but Barbados offers lots to do aside from beaching it. Also some wonderful restaurants, culture and charming hotels! Aruba was much like a Miami-beach vacation with LasVegas type attractions while Barbados was just lovely. If budget is a consideration, Aruba might fall into the lower priced catagory. The people on Barbados are wonderfully welcoming and polite - not what I found on Aruba!

My husband and I went to Barbados 2 years ago and loved it there. Friendly people, good food, good beaches, and a variety of things to do. We went shopping in the capital one day and we were disappointed with the "duty free" prices--we did not find any bargains. Other than that aspect I would definitely recommend the island.<BR>We are trying Aruba this year for a change; supposedly there is good shopping there. However, this is not our main concern when vacationing.