My 40-something parents are planning on visiting an island for their 20th wedding anniversary in January or February. Anyone have any ideas on where they should go? My mom has only been to Aruba, and my dad's never been to an island. Thanks a lot!

Sorry for the multiple messages, everyone. My browser was malfunctioning.

Hi Dani. Congrats on your parent's anniversary. <BR> <BR>You need to tell us more about their interests and what is impt. to them in a vacation. <BR> <BR>Some things to consider are: <BR> <BR>Do they like bustling activity and nightlife or do they prefer to be off-the-beaten path? <BR> <BR>How much sightseeing do they want to do? What type of sightseeing? Are they more interested in historical and cultural sites or natural wonders? <BR> <BR>Do they mind crowded beaches? What other activities do they want to do? golf? snorkelling? tennis? diving? boating? gambling? <BR> <BR>What is their budget? How long a trip and how many connections are they willing to tolerate? <BR> <BR>These are just some of the things they need to consider in choosing an island. <BR> <BR>Scroll down to my post of travel url's for links which will help in researching and comparing the islands. <BR> <BR>Let us know what happens!

Ok. Answers to those questions: <BR>1. My parents aren't the night club type. <BR>2. My mother loves to sightsee; my father doesn't. I don't think they care what kind of things to see, but this is definatly a relaxing trip. My mother squeezes in thousands of things to do everyday when we're in Europe or the States on a trip. My dad usually stays home! <BR>3. They do want to dive and see the fish, beyond that, they obviously don't prefer really crowded touristy areas. <BR>4. They're going for 1-1 and 1/2 weeks; their budget is not high but comfortable, and they hate changing planes: the less, the better. <BR>Thanks.

I forgot to ask you where your parents live. It is essential to know that in order to know which islands are the most easily accessible to them. <BR> <BR>From the New York Metro area, where I live, there are non-stop flights to the following islands. Next to each I give an *idea* of what the r.t. per person airfare will be if you were to book now for Feb. 2000. <BR>Of course, fares can vary and if you shop around you may find better deals and of course there are many pkge. deals available. <BR> <BR>-Puerto Rico (SJU) : 280- <BR> <BR>-Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata) 415- <BR> <BR>-Barbados (BGI): 600- <BR> <BR>-Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ): 500- <BR> <BR>-St. Maarten (SXM): 750- <BR> <BR>-St. Thomas, USVI (STT): 650- <BR> <BR>-Antigua (ANU): 700- <BR> <BR> <BR>The following have one changeover on the way: <BR> <BR>-Grenada (GND): 515- <BR> <BR>-Dominica: (DOM): 550- <BR> <BR>-Curacao: (CUR)570- <BR> <BR>-St. Maarten (SXM): 460- (from St. Maarten you can take a ferry or a very small plane to Saba.) <BR> <BR>-St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. (STT): 450- <BR> <BR>-Tortola, BVI (EIS): 430- <BR> <BR>-Antigua (ANU): 480- <BR> <BR>-Anguilla (AXA): 500- <BR> <BR>-Grand Cayman (GCM): 590- <BR> <BR>Also, it might help if you told us what your mother thought of Aruba. <BR> <BR>Finally, do be sure to scroll down for my post of travel URL's and if you have a chance, check-out some of the links there. They should help you to research and compare dif. islands. <BR> <BR>You may want to start with www.where2stay.com <BR>

That was not necessarily a complete listing of Caribbean islands which are accessible via non-stop flights from New York and it certainly was not a complete list of those islands for which only one stop or changeover is required. <BR> <BR>If anyone has any additions, please post them.

If your parents want to go in this coming Jan. or Feb., they have to act quickly. That is the high season in the Caribbean and many accomodations may already be booked. There are probably still at least some good options now but I wouldn't wait too long. <BR> <BR>You may want to go to www.frommers.com and subscribe to their daily email newsletter which requently features good deals available on short-notice. <BR> <BR>

Skip the islands completely and consider the RIU Yucatan in the Cancun-Tulum corridor. It's a very good price for all-inclusive ("comfortable pricing") and there are tonnes of things to do and see for your mother and just sitting around the beach or the pool for your father. <BR>It's one plane into Cancun with excellent transfer to the bus to take them down to the resort just outside of Playa del Carmen. They won't even have to think when they get off the plane, they merely follow the signs or their travel company reps to the right bus and get on. Cancun airport and the Mexican people are wonderful in getting you to your resort. <BR>The resort will have the standard set of excursions - your Mom can tour Tulum and your dad can sit on the beach there. They can go to Xcaret and your mom can do all the things the park has to offer and your dad can laze in a hammock. <BR>Your mom can shop in Playa del Carmen and your dad can sit on the benches and just hand her his credit card. <BR>There is a dive shop right on the resort and often, a videographer goes on the dive trips so they might even get a video of their dive and wouldn't that be a special memory! <BR>Think about the Playa del Carmen area. They won't go wrong. <BR>

Consider a cruise. Unpack once, see multiple islands, all inclusive, as many or few activities as you want. <BR>Good value for money.

Dani, if you are still around, please update us!

Most packages will be more cost effect and air will most likely be less as opposed to buying air and land separate.

How is their Spanish? I'd recommend Puerto Rico -- but probably the areas away from San Juan -- Boqueron and Buye Beach on the Southeast (that is where Spanish would be useful), Ponce (directly South of San Juan, and a gorgeous drive on a new highway). They might also want to take a ferry to Vieques Island from the West Coast. <BR> <BR>

Sara- <BR> <BR>I've seen a lot of pkges. which were overpriced and where you could probably do better on your own, so always be sure to look carfully and figure out just how much, if any, you are really saving.

Dani, I have a perfect suggestion for them in the Bahamas, a small island called Harbour Island. I have been all over the Carribean and never found a nicer place. Great beach, and even during high season is deserted most of the time. They can walk on 3 miles of one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. <BR> <BR>Our favorite place to stay is Runaway Hill Club, only 10 rooms and GREAT food. <BR> <BR>Harbour Island was damaged a bit by the storm, but will be back and up by November for the "season". There are several other nice resorts on the island and you can see picture of alot of resorts at www.where2stay.com and "kalik" on the island of your choice and you will find info, rates and pictures. <BR> <BR>Hope they have a great time. <BR> <BR>If I can be of any more help, please email or post here. <BR> <BR>tweedy email [email protected]

Dani, I think I have the perfect answer for them. Bypass the Caribbean which is very crowded and expensive in the winter and send them to Bermuda. The weather is springlike not summery, and they'll find nothing negative about it.It's beatiful, colorful and very foreign.

Allow me to offer a new suggestion. ST Kitts!!!!!! I have not seen it mentioned as of yet and it is a wonderful choice. The island is amazing, laidback, and there are lots of things to do, or not to do.... you can just spend your days on the beach OR taking sight seeing tours, day trips... everything you do there I can assure you that you will enjoy you time.... If you decide on St Kitts I recommend Jack Tar Village as a great place to stay. Well that is my advice. Good luck <BR>KRista

Dani, it would be really nice to hear what your parents have decided.

Dani, <BR> <BR>I agree completely with Debbie several messages back. Skip the islands and go to the Mayan Riviera/Tulum Corridor. There is so much to do and so much to see PLUS the beaches are perfect and the fartherest from crowded that I've ever been on. The weather is perfect in Jan/Feb and the prices are definitely reasonable compared to some of the islands. In addition, the snorkelling and diving is extraordinary. If you stay in this area you seem to be in the middle of nowhere but most resort offer a free 15-20 shuttle to Playa del Carmen for the day. From there a 30-min ferry ride takes you to Cozumel for the day. Definitely gets my vote!

Hi Dani: You have certainly received alot of suggestions on were to send your parents. Since your dad hasn't travelled to the Caribbean and your mom has just been to Aruba (one of my favorites) a cruise would be an ideal vacation. They are very good value for your money and can give a good overview of the Caribbean for future trips. My husband and I are in our forties and really enjoy cruises. I, like your mother like to see everything and my husband likes to sit and relax. It works for us because on the ship I am safe to go do things on my own and I have even ventured out on shore excursions myself with the safety of fellow cruisers. I also like the idea of not having to make alot of decisions while on vacation and the cruise takes away alot of the frustration of picking good restaurants and making reservations ect.. Especially in the evenings when safety concerns on certain islands can put a damper on where you can venture. If you really want a stay put Island vacation maybe Barbados would be a great choice. There is alot to do for your mother and beautiful beaches for your dad to relax at. It would be very hard not to have a good week in Barbados as it has a very good combination of historic landmarks, great restaurants,,beautiful beaches and lots of tours and sea excursions. There are also some quiet out of the way places like Bottom Beach that you can have to yourself! Hope I've helped.Karen