corinne

What are your votes for my getaway vacation.<BR><BR>A Grand Lido or<BR><BR>Club Med Turks<BR><BR> I will be traveling by myself and have done a little research on this site for traveling singles. I am in my late 30's, very active and fit, like playing volleyball and participate in water sports. I would also enjoy a nightlife where I could dance and have fun, but not looking for "a companion". <BR><BR>I have read Club Med Turks is great for singles, but I am worried it is a younger 'meat market' crowd. <BR><BR>I am considering a Grand Lido resort, but I am afraid these may be a little too laid back and I would not meet people.<BR><BR>Any input is appreciated.

caribbean specialist

You won't find many other singles at a Grand Lido Resort. But you will find beautiful surroundings and good food and service. These are luxury properties.<BR><BR>Club Med is more active but the rooms are very spartan. They have better water sports equipment and instructors. They food is buffet style generally.<BR>In T/C you might be better off at the Allegro, but it is also a moderate property.

Gail

A fair amount of single women go to Le Sport. Plenty of activity and I believe it may also include some spa treatments.

caribbean specialist

Yes La Sport located on St. Lucia does include Spa Treatments as does Grand Lido San Souci.<BR>

Hedo

Why not Hedonism in Jamaica?<BR><BR>It is AWESOME...ANYTHING goes...

Corinne

<BR><BR>Won't I be too old for the crowd at Hedo? I imagine it to be a college crowd.<BR><BR>How would the cliental at Club Med Turks compare with that at a Hedo. Which Hedo has a more mature crowd, is this an oxymoron?

Corrine

Hey, Corrine:<BR><BR>You would have more success meeting singles your age at another Club Med village. Club Med Paradise Island might be a good option.<BR><BR>--Lara<BR><BR>

caribbean specialist

Actually Hedonism's DO NOT have a young crowd.<BR>I alway describe them as a frat party for people from 18-102.<BR>I saw couples in their 70's.<BR>Also there are single males than females.<BR>Hedo III tends to get a slightly older crowd.<BR>Most of the people I have booked to Hedo's are in their 30's or 40's.<BR>Club Med T and C caters to divers.<BR>There are some villages that cater more to singles and others that cater to families.<BR>

corinne

Thanks Caribbean specialist,<BR><BR>I will take your comments into consideration. I have been to Jamaica twice before and loved it, so maybe I will check out your suggestions.

corinne

Bump...<BR><BR>I am leaning toward Club Med Turks, I don't think I could handle the craziness of Hedo.<BR><BR>Any other comments of either resort?

island girl

Jolly Beach Resort on Antigua<BR>Real mixture of vacationers (inc. lots of Europeans)<BR>No single supplement<BR>Great watersports<BR>Fabulous beach<BR>Friendly people who understand "no"

ann

corinne,<BR><BR>last time i was at club med turks & caicos, the age ranges that i saw were mostly late 20's to late 30's. there were very, very few people younger than that. i did see people in their 40's there as well - they seemed to be having a good time. i think most were in their early to mid 30's but i understand it really depends on the week you visit for some reason. the majority of the guests were single, most were professionals. as for the "meat market", yes, it is there, but no more than what you'd find at any bar or other place where unattached people converge. it was a very social place and it was extremely easy to meet people. overall, i found it to be a great place to relax and soak up the sun, which is all i was looking for. i did some diving, went on some excursions, tried out the trapeeze - most of the guests were active and athletic. there was always a volleyball game going on somewhere. the rooms are spartan, the food is average. the drinks and diving are not included. the nightlife there is very good, but not "frat party" crazy. i'm in my early 30's - when i travel alone to beach destinations, it's usually to a club med for safety and convenience purposes. i've never had a bad time.<BR><BR>i've never been to a grand lido, but i hear it's very sedate and quiet. i've walked through the hedonism in negril. i guess it's up to what you like/don't like, but the whole place was not very upscale (even less than club med) and just looked uncomfortable. the beach was rocky and small and people were practically piled up on top of one another. the only draw or extra that the resort seemed to offer that others don't is the nudity and sex bit. the people on the beach were varied in age, but looked to be mostly 40's to 50's. <BR><BR>those are just my impressions. hope this helped a little bit.

ann

corinne,<BR><BR>one more thing i forgot to mention, the beach at club med turks was absolutely the most beautiful that i've ever seen in my life, bar none. i was there in july, and it was practically deserted. you could walk for a mile and only see a few people. even the beaches in thailand and the bahamas couldn't compare. the beaches in jamica don't even come semi-close.

corinne

Ann,<BR><BR>Thank you foy reply, could you tell me about the drinks and snacks on off meal hours?<BR><BR>Is it worth buying the "bracelet" to get the drinks and snacks? I am not a big drinker so I don't think I will get my money's worth.<BR><BR>Also, what things should I take with me? Is there something you wished you had that you did not take?

ann

corinne,<BR><BR>i've only used tickets since i also don't really drink enough to justify the cost. the drinks at the bar are average, they have some good alcohol brands, but you pay for it. i got the feeling it was a bit expensive, but at the end of the week, i couldn't really tell because they just grab your book and pull out the tickets when you're paying. i stuck mostly with fruity rum drinks and vodka based stuff. the restaurant offers free beer in pitchers and wine in bottles (house white/red) during meal hours so a lot of people just drank their fill during dinner. a couple of people i know also surreptitiously slipped a bottle of wine or two into their bag for drinking at the beach later in the evening. as for the food, now that i think about it it wasn't too bad - i always found something i liked eating at every meal. the snacks are pretty much non-existent. i think they may have offered burgers late at night, but you had to buy them. food is definitely something i would have brought with me since i get hungry at night. a couple of days into the trip, about 4 of us split a cab into town to the local grocery store where we stocked up on snacks, sodas and bottled water (very important because it's expensive at the village) and alcohol. prices were definitely much better than in the village. i would suggest bringing some water and drinks to tide you over for a couple days until you can get to the store. also, make sure you bring enough sunblock because again, the store at the village charges a mint. as for other stuff, i pretty much had everything i needed. it's very casual during the day, shorts, bathing suits, t-shirts and sandals. at night, people would dress up a bit more, depending on their individual style. the standard for women ranged from nice shorts to skirts and dresses. some of the women also wore what i would term toned down club clothes. it's really a whole range. as for equipment, i was really glad i brought my own snorkel and mask since it meant i didn't have to keep finding one that fit. i would definitely recommend doing one of the off site trips because they'll take your group to beaches that are even more deserted. it really is gorgeous there!

corinne

<BR><BR>Ann,<BR><BR>Thanks so much for the report. I booked my trip today. You sound so much like me, I know I would only drink a few rum or vodka drinks a day. I was thinking about taking some rum, coke and bottled water from home, but didn't know if that would be too nerdy.<BR><BR>I am traveling by myself. I have traveled a lot, but never alone. Should be interesting. I am really looking forward to meeting new people and doing my own thing. When I travel with others, I find myself being the tour guide for my traveling companion(s) or worse, the follower. It will be great to read, play volleyball, beach it or go to dinner on my own time.<BR><BR>Is there a certain excursion that you would recommend?<BR><BR>Thanks again.

Kate

Corinne,<BR>I have a very good friend who is 42 who went to Club Med Turks last year by herself and had the best time. She met some great people that she is still in touch with..enjoy!!

ann

corinne,<BR><BR>i think you'll have tons of fun. and in no way is bringing your own stuff nerdy - i think i'll do it next time i go. i really think doing a solo trip is a great experience. i love traveling with friends, but i also find that you tend miss out a bit on meeting new people when you do. in fact, i still talk to a couple people i met on a club med trip from 4 years ago, even though some of them live on a different continent. and it really is nice to be able to relax and do things at your own pace. as for excursions, i personally did the one where you visit the iguana island, then they take you snorkeling for sand dollars and you visit a deserted beach. i have a friend who did the one where you snorkel for your own conch, then the boat staff prepare a conch salad using what you caught, and everyone gets to take home their shell. he absolutely loved that excursion. i also did the west caicos dive, which was great. whichever one you go on, i think you'll have a great time.

corinne

<BR>Ann,<BR><BR>A few more questions. Can I drink the water from the tap, or is bottled water the way to go. <BR><BR>Also, is the departure tax in Provo really over $100, did you have to pay this or was it included in your package? I had to book my flights and hotel separately (it was much cheaper this way for me).<BR><BR>Thanks, Corinne

Jill

I am interested in hearing about your trip. I am a single 36 yr old and want to find a fun place for singles. I went to Super Clubs Bahamas last spring and had a great time but I would like to try a new place. There weren't alot of singles there but I did meet a couple. Please let me know about your experience. Thanks