We are thinking of going to the Caribbean but do not want to be trapped in resort--any recommendations of places?

The Caribbean is made up of at least one thousand islands - When do you want to go? What is your budget? What are you looking for? Great beaches, snorkeling, diving, relaxing, shopping, siteseeing, hiking.....The only time you are "trapped" at a resort is when you go to an All Inclusive. There are many diverse islands with diverse people, food and activites. First you need to know the answers to the above, narrow it down to a few destinations by doing a search. This forum is a great place to start, you may also try a google search for different islands/resorts websites so you can see their rates and what they have to offer you. When you have that done you can post a more specific question so others may be able to help you. First you must do your "homework"

Go to Bermuda!! We were married there, and it is awesome, beautiful, fun. There are many great places to stay, you rent scooters and ride around island, play in water, plus it's so close, a short plane ride out of Boston.

Bermuda is lovely. Extremely expensive.<BR><BR>We got married on the island of St. John, USVI and loved it there. More casual but as picturesque and more to do. The beaches are magnificent, the town of Cruz Bay is great. You can rent charter boats for sails to the BVI. Great place to be married on the beach. Tons to choose from.<BR><BR>Favorite beaches for wedding are Hawksnest and Trunk. Get married after 5:00pm. Not a soul on the beach. Trunk Bay was breataking....<BR><BR>Just a preference. Both are lovely.

Bermuda, Bermuda, Bermuda....it is expensive, but you can cruise out of NYC, Boston and I think Baltimore or Philadelphia. The NCL Majesty cruises out of Boston on Sunday to accomodate honeymooners...The people actually like tourists...lol

May is a PERFECT time to go to Bermuda. The only thing is, I would only recommend a resort...sorry.<BR><BR>You didn't specify what your wants are, i.e., diving, etc. That might help for the the folks here to assist you.<BR><BR>Anway, congrats on your upcoming wedding!

Anna -<BR>Bermuda is lovely, and May would be a great time to go. There are plenty of places on Bermuda - in fact most - where you are not &quot;stuck at a resort&quot;. Two that I would recommend, depending on your budget, are Pink Beaches, and The Reefs. They are both on the South Shore, the nicest beach side of the island.<BR><BR>If you chose to go to the caribbean instead, my husband and I loved St. Barts. We heard that it was very pricey, but did not find it to be so. We stayed at Village St. Jean - again not a resort (I don't like them either), and were within walking distance of St. Jean beach (the liveliest beach on the island), and several restaurants and shops.<BR><BR>I think you'll find Bermuda more &quot;Americanized&quot; than the caribbean. Depends what you are looking for.<BR><BR>All 3 of these places - Pink Beaches, The Reefs, and Village St. Jean have web sites. You may want to look at them to get an idea if that is what you are looking for. <BR><BR>Good luck and congratulations on your wedding.