Help! We need strong opinions and suggestions. We are planning a honeymoon for seven nights beginning Jan. 1, 1998. Have thought of St. Lucia only to hear unfavorable things and now are considering the Turks & Caicos. We are active, love diving and golf, desire an all-inclusive with good food and spirits, and comfortable accommodations. We also are looking for an island that is not so "touristy." Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! We are on somewhat of a budget, so looking for something upscale but not exclusive.

It really depends on what your likes are...Turks &
Caicos are fairly quiet other than diving....Bonaire is fantastic for diving and the Sand Dollar
Condominiums have everything you could want. The
island is quiet...no shopping malls and no golf..
.there isn't a stop light on the island but it's
super friendly, food is excellent and cheap and if
you enjoy the water it's the place...Grand Cayman is
extremely expensive and the diving is pretty much
from boats...little to no shore diving. I haven't
been to St. Lucia but have also heard "not so good"
things.

You could fly to Bimini for a few days from Miami
or Ft.Lauderdale...excellent diving and little else
to do...then go back to Florida for the rest of
the week where you could get some golf in.

Aruba is another thought...night life if you deside,
golfing, diving (again from boats) but expensive...
again that probably depends on your definition of
expensive...I've found purchasing (or going to the
library) and getting Fodor's Caribbean will give
you an idea of what is available on the various islands. I've used it for the last seven years and
it's never led me wrong.

My last thought are cruises...they can offer up to
50%25 off for honeymooners...we did this our first year and it was less than going to an island...again
do your homework...they aren't all the same and your
first cruise (if it is) could make or break whether
you ever go again.

I know I've probably given you way more than you wanted but I love travel and enjoy sharing any
information I have on my personal experiences.

(Curaco may be something else to look into...quaint
with good diving...the market downtown is something
to see along with the floating bridge)....let me
know what you decide, when you do and if I can help
you out....Enjoy!

I've only been to a few places in the Carribean...a day each in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. I did, however, spend a week in Barbados this past November and loved it! There are a few beautiful resorts and lots of things to see. If I hadn't already been there I'd consider it for my own honeymoon. The most expensive and exclusive resort on the island is Sandy Lane; it has its own golf course. We stayed at the Almond Beach Club which is nearby. We had a beautiful room with a balcony that faced the ocean (gorgeous sunsets every night...surf put us to sleep). It was literally an all-inclusive, meaning everything was taken care of, ie. food, drinks, water sports (except for SeaDoo-ing). You have to be careful when booking some all-inclusives because they say that everything is included, but then they hit you for gas for the boat, or something like that. They also entertainment each night - nothing fancy, but always fun. They even had an off-site picnic where they bused us to the other side of the island (the ocean side) and we spent the day there - swimming, eating, playing cricket with the natives. The Bajans are very friendly. We rented a Moke one day (it's a roofless & doorless car - lots of fun) and got lost a lot, but the locals helped us find our way around (there's only 7 or so highways, so it's not too bad). They also have a sister hotel - the Almond Beach Village which is bigger and a bit newer. We went there for a day. I didn't like it as much because they have kids there and we wanted peace and quiet - the Club is for adults only. We loved the resort, the people and the island. If you want more information, feel free to e-mail me. Best wishes and good luck.

am also considering st. lucia for our honeymoon. what unfavorable things have you heard? thanks.

It has been awhile since I went, but my uncle goes to an island just off the coast of Belize, to Ambergris Caye, about twice a year. He likes it so much he went in with a friend and built a house there, then his friend bought him out so he could live in it permanently! The roads (and runway) aren't even paved and shoes are considered formalwear -- even in restaurants. You have to get a charter from Belize City I think, (avail. thru any travel agent or airline) but the scenery is worth it. There isn't even a stop sign to be found I don't think because the 2 cars on the island are very aware of each other! Just kidding, but the few restaurants (of fair quality) and tiny shops are in short walking distance, and the island is surrounded by a coral reef, within diving distance from shore, I think. If not, the locals are at your service to take you out pretty reasonably. I've never dived, only snorkled, but it was BEAUTIFUL! This is definitely where I would go for a honeymoon myself, if I'd married someone who liked the water as much as I do. There is a new 'resort' I read about called 'Journey's End' there on one end of the island.I stayed in some thatched roof cabins at a place called Paradise. The water lapped at the front stoop, practically. It is worth a looking into -- have a great time and congrats! -- Angie

Hi. Angie again. I just wanted to say that I'm comparing this to the touristy/crowded atmosphere of Jamaica. I loved Jamaica, and would go back again, but for peace and quiet and solitude with a non-touristy feel, def. Ambergris Caye. Let us all know what you decide to do and how it goes. Good luck. If you want more up to date and specific info.,e-mail me and I'll get with my uncle for more current news. He just got back last week. Also, if you are on a budget, this is the place. They haven't got their "tourist traps" perfected yet, and it isn't popular enough to be expensive -- YET.

So many choices. Cruising is always nice plus honeymooners get great discounts. For more privacy I would recommend one of the smaller ships. Less people more pampering.
Belize would be a great choice. The town of Placencia is great. Good diving and lots of shore excursions available. Several good places to stay theres a place called Kittys that is highly recommended, Singing Sands and Nautical Inn(they are willing to discount rooms and have their own dive service).
For more intimacy I would suggest Cay Caulker, a nice little island transportation is in the form of golf carts. Only about 700 people on the island. Rooms as low as $25/night. Food is reasonable. Very romantic location away from the tourist area but easy to arrange excursions. Diving would recommend Belize Dive Service.
Good luck with your marriage and honeymoon plans.

Club Med Columbus Isle meets all your criteria, with "active" and "diving" being its strong points. The only hangup may be the price, depending on your budget. Depnding where you live, flights can also be expensive to San Salvador. But it is defintitely worth looking into!

Why don't you try the French Carribeans??? Meaning Guadeloupe or Martinique (not St Martin or St-Barth). Accomodation is not expensive in regards to the other english-speaking Carribeans and this is not too "touristy". There are many things to discover off the beaten track.
You will also be able to enjoy Creole/French food and French wines of course! Regards. Joelle.