i_am_kane

This is the problem: I love Europe and my husband loves the beach/island type of vacation.

We've been to Europe on our last three vacations, and now it's time for some sun, fun and relaxing. Over the years, we have visited the Bahamas twice, and I did not enjoy myself.

My husband doesn't have an opinion as to where he wants to go, but I don't want to spend over 3-4 hours flying to get to a beach (that's how I look at it). He would like to take this trip anytime between January and March, 2007.

Can anyone help me sort this out?

chasechow

Was wondering, where would you be flying from? How long would you be staying at your destination? What are some of your interests?

A_Traveller

It's hard to make recommendation without more information from you but I get the impression you may think all islands are alike which they are definitely not. Also without knowing where you are flying from it's impossible to figure out where you can reach in 3 or 4 hours of flying time. That short time frame may severly limit your choices.

Since you like Europe you might want to consider one of the French islands as most have a decidedly European feel to them. St. Martin will probably be the easiest to reach but it is quite built up. While it is a bit difficult to get to St. Barth's may be perfect for the two of you. He'll have his beach and water and you'll have sophisticated shops, wonderful scenery and plenty of gourmet restaurants that rival many found in Paris.

Give us a bit more info about your likes and dislikes, what type of island you are seeking, your departure city, your budget range for accomodations (try to be specific - comments like luxurious but not too pricey are meaningless), airfare and meals and let us know if you'd be willing to travel extra to reaqch that "one special place" and you'll get lots of great suggestions.

vinceygirl

Agree with St. Barts. A bit of a hassle to reach but very much worth the effort.

i_am_kane

Sorry for the omissions: East Coast, so we can fly out of Hartford, CT, JFK, or LaGuardia. (Big benefit living in Connecticut so close to NY). I do not want to go down to Newark.

As far as budget is concerned, I think $150 -$175 per night would be the high end.

A_Traveller you are right on the money: I have this vision that all islands are alike, and since I disliked the Bahamas I guess I am transferring that attitude to all islands.

I do not want to be solicited on the beach every 10 minutes to purchase trinkets or have my hair braided.

I also do not want to be in a fun, mature environment. Drinking, staying out late, dancing the night away are not the reason we will be there. It's all about relaxation, but not boring.

St. Bart/St. Barths...which spelling is correct?

Is there a "dry" season as opposed to a "rainy" season when vacationing in the Caribbean?

So many questions...

i_am_kane

Oops, still must have jet lag from Italy! I meant that I DO want a fun, mature environment.

Carrybean

The time you will be going is usually not very rainy. You'd might have a problem finding a place to stay in St. Bart's in that price range, though.

Angler973

We have been all over the Caribbean over the years, and I agree that St. Barts sounds just like what you are looking for. Definitely worth the trouble to get to. Smart, sophisticated, adult and chic, with great shopping and great restaurants. Within your budget, I'd recommend Hotel Village St. Jean. It's a short (uphill) walk from St. Jean beach, and an excellent value for the money. Rent a car (mini-moke) for at least a couple of days. It's a fun island to tour. It definitely helps if you speak a little French, but not absolutely necessary. Go -- you and your husband will both love it.

A_Traveller

You'll find it spelled both way's - St. Bart's & St. Barth's. The locals prefer the latter - Americans seem to use the former.

A_Traveller

As a point of clarification the island is actually named St. Barthelemy which is why you see the shortened version St. Barth's (prounounced Barts) - that's where the confusion come from.

i_am_kane

Thanks everyone and A-Traveller for explaining the St. Bart's confusion.

I've been doing some research myself without a world map to look at, and this is what I may be interested in:

The Turks & Caicos Islands
Aruba
Tortola, BVI
Anguilla
Puerto Rico
Cozumel/Cancun/Playa

Am I way off base?

iw

Out of the islands that you mentioned, Aruba may not be for you. I have been to Europe and Aruba is nothing like it. It is a very Americanized island. It is a very dry island and the vegetation is scrubby, at best. Although I enjoyed it, it is not an island that I will visit again. I felt like I was in Florida or Myrtle Beach. Keep in mind that this is my opinion, only.
I have heard great things about T&C and Anguilla and am considering those for our next trip. I haven't visited the others on your list. I have had numerous friends that have gone to Cancun and Cozumel...again very built up places and they all got sick from the water. There are ruins to see, which is a plus.

charles777

The Andros Beach Club is one of the most private and relaxing places in all of the Caribbean. You have a nearly private 4 mile beach on which you won't find another tourist or local. There is also plenty to do. Check it out. Good luck.

Carrybean

According to their site Hotel Village St. Jean would be about $240/night per the current Euro/Dollar conversion for a hotel room, not a cottage including breakfast.

blamona

i_am_kane: I hate to say this about some of my favorite places, but yes, you are way off base.
Aruba and Puerto Rico are about casinos, nightlife, etc. There is spanish culture there, but not enough to keep you busy. (2 forts and a couple of blocks of "old town" in Puerto Rico)
Most of your choices are about the beach: Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, even Tortola.
Your best bet for both of you is the Playa Del Carmen area. (Cancun is more "party&quot Nice beaches for him, pyrimid ruins and Mayan culture for her. You can also island hop to Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, and go to Tulum, Chitzen Itza, Cancun, etc. While it doesn't feel European, it does have a culture, plus beaches, both win.
I hate discouraging you from Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and Tortola, I just love them! (I'll even take them over Europe any day-but I do love Europe) I'm just trying to base it on what you're asking for.
Of course, there are always beaches in Europe! 8-)

i_am_kane

Charles, Would you please tell me where Andros Beach Club is? I haven't a clue although it sounds like Greece!

CarryBean, I am willing to boost up my budget for hotel rooms.

Puerto Rico and gambling? Aha, now I know why my ex-boss liked his trips to Puerto Rico.

Blamona, We have booked Europe for May, 2007 (Amalfi Coast). I see Playa del Carmen is your recommendation. Hmm, it's a little late right now (10 p.m.), so I will research it tomorrow. Plus, the conversion of USD into Pesos should be good.

iw, Looks like you can still run the risk of getting sick in Mexico. You compare Aruba to Florida and Myrtle Beach, and that is not what we are looking for. Thanks for the comparison. I would never have known that.

I've never had a problem planning a trip, but this one is tricky trying to please both myself and my husband. He's been very good about going to Italy/France for the past three trips and one planned for next year, so I'm trying very hard to make him happy.

iw

i_am_kane.. Someone else is totally welcome to disagree with my assessment, but I stand by my original comments. (Although, if you have looked at a post I did earlier today, we are going to an AI, groan, with many other couples, so I have to play nice and agree.
Please don't poopoo a flight with a connection to a great and fabulous tropical destination. My DH dearly loves the caribbean, as do I , but after some island visits, which I have loved, I want to get him to Europe, so our situation is reversed!

We loved St. Kitts and Nevis along with Guadeloupe. Lots to do on each island, including tours and volcano and/or rainforest hikes. Something to think about. The first two that I mentioned have plantation places to stay at, which are beautiful. Guadeloupe was some year ago for us, but we loved it. It does help if you know French, at least 10 years ago.
This was not mentioned, but Hawaii is very nice...yes, a long flight, as we are also from the east coast, but Maui is very beautiful....expensive, but aren't all vacation destinations???
Good luck and you will have fun no matter where you visit!!

jackiehammond

i really like caneel bay in st john...SO relaxing. it is definitely a mature environment. it is expensive though, but worth every penny. good luck with your search!

Stephie

I think by saying you didn't like "the Bahamas" you may be refering to Nassau? "The Bahamas" is so much more than Nassau, many "out islands" comprise "The Bahamas" - Harbor Island, Eleuthera, Abaco. These islands are much less developed and have some stunning beaches. One of them which we have visited that was tiny, quaint and lovely (pink sand beach) was Harbor Island. We flew out of Ft. Lauderdale on a little plane to get there, about 1 1/2 hrs. if I remember correctly. And by saying in your original post that you prefer Europe, do you actually want your beach vacation to feel European?

The reason I mention the Bahamas out islands is that they are about the closest destinations with the shortest flights. Same goes for Turks. It's just adjacent to the Bahamas, and a beautiful island itself.

To get to some of the other incredibly beautiful beaches/islands esp. between Jan & Mar (the more northern islands will be cooler then) you really may have to rethink your travel time as others have mentioned. Anguilla, St. John, US Virgin Islands, and Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands would definitely be worth the extra travel time, but you might have trouble finding a room in your price range on any of them.

Good Luck! Wish I had your decision to make!

i_am_kane

I appreciate everyone's input. I think everyone should know that a cruise is not an option, and I will not fly on a turbo prop plane (unless my life depended on it).

Stephie, You hit the nail on the head...Nassau! We were there twice and it left a bad taste in my mouth. It was Paradise Island, and both times we bought an all-inclusive package. I was a lot younger back then.

No, I don't think I'm looking for a "Europe" feeling in the Caribbean, just some interesting things to do and see besides sitting on a beach chair and looking at the water.

You wrote favorably about The Turks, and I would love to hear more about that island. Do you know anything about Caicos? These islands would be a shorter, doable plane ride from New York and about 75 min. by plane further south from Miami.

To keep the costs down, I do have lots of AA frequent flyer points I can try to use, which will free up $ for a hotel room and meals. (Too bad Southwest doesn't fly to the Caribbean, they usually have such great low fares.)

I must keep plugging away at this trip until I have a good handle on it, otherwise, I'll start working on my May-Italy trip.

I'm going to the AAA web site and see if I can order Caribbean travel information online, otherwise I will call AAA tomorrow for their free brochures.