Phil

I am getting married in Sept 2000 and looking for a place in the Carribean to <BR>honeymoon. My fiance' and I are 30/28 yrs. I have researched extensively on islands <BR>and I have ended up more confused than anything. I want to have the perfect <BR>honeymoon for us but don't really know which island to choose. We want to keep the <BR>cost of the trip under around $4000. <BR>Our interests are relaxing and enjoying the beach/pool and sun but also want to be able <BR>to see the nightlife or spend the day walking/hiking/biking around the island and not <BR>have to worry about our safety. <BR>We have been told by a travel agent that we should go to St. Thomas in the USVI but <BR>am open to all suggestions. Any and all opinions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks...

Mike

I am approaching my one year anniversary this April and I understand where you're coming from. If you are set on the Caribbean (as we originally were) try looking at St. Lucia. But I would advise not to get caught up in the Sandals scene. We opted to do a two week trip to the Hawaiian Islands and it was worth every penny. It even costed under $4,500 (departing from NYC). We hit every island except the Big Island and had the most memorable time of our lives. Good luck!

Kay

Hi Phil: <BR> <BR>I am a prt-time travel agent myself and I disagree with the advice about St. Thomas in some ways. St. Thomas is a big cruise ship port and it is packed with people most of the time. There are some dangerous areas of St. Thomas also so you do ahve to be somewhat careful where you go. <BR> <BR>Here is what I recommend. Now the cost depends on wher eyou will need air froma nd what tour company you use. <BR> <BR>Aruba - great beaches, sun, windsurfing, flat for biking, casinos, great food, water sports, golf etc. As for hotels: if on a budget I recommend The Mill in a room with a kitchenette, or Bucuti Reosrt which is a wonderful charming europon hotel on a fabulous beach with an equally fabulous restaurant. For all -inclusive I recommend the Allergro REsort. <BR> <BR>Grand Cayman: <BR> <BR>Very nice clean and safe. With much of the same amenities as Aruba but no casinos. Treasure Island REsort is good for a budget or the Marriott or Westin is good if not on a budget. <BR> <BR>I will be spending my honeymoon this summer on St. Luica my favorite island. It is lush and beautiful. quiet not casinos or must shopping but great for hikes, horseback riding and other nature oriented things. I am staying at Ladera www.ladera-resort.com. Which is out of this world romantic but other resorts which are very good for a budget there are Windjammer Landing and for a little more money Anse Chastanet and Jalouise Hilton and Le Sport. Sandals is way to cookie cutter for my tase but they are very nice. <BR> <BR>Good luck

Nicole

Phil- <BR>I've been to some of the places people have listed, and I would argue against St. Lucia for you as well. I went there, stayed at Jalousie plantation, inbetween the Pitons, and while it was spectacular, and beautiful, there wasn't much to do. (I don't think you can rent a car, from what I recall.) If you want totally peaceful, relaxing, but not a lot to do. St. Maarten/Martin had a lot to do, but they were slammed once again this past fall. I would HIGHLY recommend Turks & Caicos. There was plenty to do, you could go to the Conch Farm, the Tiki huts (highly recommend, you rent, by 4WD) there are desolate islands in the Turks that are inhabited by wonderful little fast running creatures (Iguanas) and the snorkling there was to die for. But even better, the people on the island were happy, extremely hospitable and it has that wonderful Carribean charm. And , last but certainly not least, the waters and the sand are unlike all others. Turks is for Turquoise, and if you are lucky enough to run into dolphins that roam the shore waters, even better. <BR> <BR>I am actually about to book my honeymoon for July and have found Barbados to have SO much to offer. Helicopter tours to horsebackriding to half and full day hiking, to a lively southern coast and a beautiful more peaceful western coast, but the island is big, and plenty to do. It's a well to do country, so poverty isn't rampant, and if you are looking for a romantic place in that price range (That is very nice and shares priviledges with 4 other hotels) Look at Coconut Creek. You can find pictures at: http://www.wheretostay.com/islands/0...038/index.html (It's in your budget-- all-inclusive --talk to your travel agent)And, Barbados is safer from hurricane threats in September.. My sister honeymooned on Barbados and loved it. I've done a lot of research on it, and since I have been to the Caribbean a few times, I knew what I was looking for. My fiancee and I will be 28 and 29 when we honeymoon, and it sounds like you two have similar interests.. We like to relax, but also want to go out and explore.. Feel free to email me if you want.. <BR>Best of luck..

Juli

Phil, <BR> <BR>I myself planned a trip to St. Lucia in April and I'm planning on staying at the Ladera. I have done a ton of research as well and St. Lucia also has horseback riding, helicopter tours, fishing, rainforests, etc. I'm looking forward to it and I also plan on taking a hopper to Barbados for a day. You are able to rent a car there as well. I can't wait. Check out www.ladera-resort.com It's beautiful.

waggie

To confuse the issue even more..my recommendations would be either Grand Cayman or St. John. They are very different but both great islands. Both are pretty safe and uncrowded. Both have good restaurants. GC offers fantastic snorkeling, waverunners, parasailing, stingray city, and a few more sites. The island is pretty flat with good roads and easy to get around. SJ is more scenic, has a national forest, lots of beaches, decent snorkeling but not as good as GC. From SJ, you could also do day trips over to the BVI. Also, on SJ the way to go is to rent a villa for the week -- one with your own private pool. Roads are not as good on SJ -- hairpin curves, hills, etc., but then that is part of the adventure. Spend a lot of time asking questions and surfing the web before you make your decision. Take your time with this, and you're sure to pick the right place for you!

Christie

A word of caution: Hurricane Season runs from July through November, and you will be traveling during the height of it! You may be lucky and have a wonderful vacation, or you could be in for a disaster...there is no way to tell, and there are plenty of posts here to support both sides!

George W.

Hi Phil, <BR> <BR>Have you ever heard about BEQUIA! <BR> <BR>George. <BR> <BR>

Karen

I must respond to the "part time travel agent's" post regarding St. Thomas and please do not eliminate it because of her misinformation. Although it can be crowded in Charolette Amalie and surrounding area on cruise ship days, as it it the "mecca" for shopping, there are lovely resorts and places to stay on the excellent beaches that dot St. Thomas that are totally unaffected by the "crowds" on those days! Especially on East End you will find some excellent accomodations that are not the Americanized commercialized chain hotels that blight the beaches of some other islands. I have been in Charolette Amailie on non-cruise ship days and felt lonely - even in "season!" St. Thomas offers much including good dining options for all budgets, inexpensive ferrys to St. John for wonderful laid back quiet beaches and trips to the BVI. As for the "crime," it is a metropolitian island and there is crime such as you might find at home or on any destination ... but the Islanders are as safety concious as the visitors and give good advice as to where to go and where not to go - but it is not some crime-infested island where you have to be afraid during your trip! Good judgment and common sense should prevail whatever your destination and it is obvious what and where to avoid - so you normally would not be in some of those areas anyway! I have traveled to STT for many years and drive all over the island and have had no encounter with crime of any kind nor has any of my onIsland friends who live there full time. Trouble will find you if you look for it! I suggest that you find a good travel agent, not one who relys on inuendo and unfounded rumors and not one who offers misinformation and really does not know of what she speaks!!! Although St. Thomas might not be my choice for a honeymoon - one of my STT friends who lives there full time - just chose St. Kitts for her honeymoon! - it can offer a wonderful destination with lots of options. Also be sure to include "trip cancellation insurance" with the trip as you are going at a very volitle time, weather wise. Do not rely on resorts (eg. Sandals) to make good on their policy re: hurricanes! Have a wonderful trip where ever you decide to go!

C.Clark

Hi Phil, we've been to everyone of the places mentioned here including all of the Hawaiian Islands and I think that Dominica is by far the most beautiful, even more beautful than St. Lucia or Kauai. And there's lots of stuff to do. Dominica is right between Guadeloupe and Martinique. Have fun where ever you decide. <BR>

Kim

Try looking into Sandals Negril.Its heaven, was there last Feb and plan to go back, just the place to veg by the pool and soak up those razes! The resort is beautiful and the staff is great.Its allinclusive so you dont have to do anything.

Betsy

Hi - I recommend Aruba - my hubby and I went there for the first time in 1983 and have returned 6 times (the past 5 Januarys) - always to relive the magic of that first visit. Aruba is still very laid back despite some building up over the years. Very friendly and safe and you cannot beat the beaches! We are sun people and cannot get enough of walking on that gorgeous beach. Our first time we stayed at the Tamarijn and would recommend that still. Ask for buildings 11 or 12 on the ground floor. I think this resort has become an all inclusive which I think is fine when you're on your honeymoon - you don't have to think about planning meals or money at all. There are however many wonderful places to eat in Aruba that you can try when you return and I can pretty much guarantee that you will! If you talk to people I think you'll find that people tend to go back there again and again. Very romantic, good food, reasonable prices, great shopping (especially jewelry) and really nice people - guests included. Just stay away from the big hotels - they don't have the same atmosphere. You want to hear the waves hitting the beach!! Other hotels we like are the Divi Divi, Manchebo, and other "beach hotels." Our time share is at LaCabana and we like it because we have kids but don't recommend it for honeymooners (although there are plenty there). It does have a fabulous beach but you can walk to it from the Tamarijn, Divi or other beach hotels. Good luck and best wishes!! <BR>Betsy

Lisa

I married and honeymooned at the Wyndham Sugar Bay in St. Thomas this past July .This is an all-inclusive resort on the east end of the island away from the crowds and close to Cruz Bay for an easy boat ride to St. John which was awesome.Since you are going in low season the crowds shouldnt be bad downtown, just read the local cruise schedule and shop on the day that the ships arent in port.I highly recommend this resort and it falls well within your price range . E-mail me if you have any questions.

lisa

Question for C. Clark -- Where is a great place to stay on the island of Dominica???

John

We honeymooned in Barbados four years ago. We chose it because it was a large island and had more to do and see than many other islands, since we were planning on staying for 10 days. The locals we met were very friendly, which was helpful because we kept getting lost in our rental car. We stayed at the Coral Reef Club and were able to keep it to $3000 plus spending money (drinks, gifts, etc.) We got a food plan included. Given the time of year, you should get pretty good discounts off the high season rates where ever you go.

C.Clark

Hi Lisa, from reading your posts on where you stayed when in St.Lucia and Costa Rica you'd probably like the Petit Coulibri Guest Cottages on the high end or on the lower end Papillote Wilderness Retreat. If you go make sure that you do the Indian River trip by canoe not power boat so that you don't miss any of the sights and sounds. It's really beautiful!!!! Also try and hike to the Boiling Lake but make sure that you have an experienced guide. There's so much to see here and the people are great. If you go have fun and I'll bet that you like more than any place that you've been to in the caribbean. The best part is that it's not reall touristy. <BR>

lisa

Thanks C. Clark -- You obviously know what I like! I was looking into Petit Coulibri but unfortunately it's closed through October of this year. I think they're remodeling. I think I'll wait and hear what people say about it when it reopens.

lbody

PJ, <BR> <BR>We are in the same boat, 31 an 28 with a Sept 2000 honeymoon. We have been looking at the same places, also Cozumel, which travel agents have said is beautiful and great value. Maybe worth checking out. Best of luck!

gary taylor

You don't say where you're traveling from, so airfare is an unknown, but that said: <BR> <BR>Consider Anguilla in a nice resort for a few days of relaxing, beaches and whatever immediately after the wedding, and then ferry back to St. Maarten for the duration of your honeymoon in a resort complex dictated by how much money you have left. You can find nice accomodations from $85 to $500 per night. <BR> <BR>You'll have the nightlife, restaurants, casinos, etc. available as well as great beaches and shopping. <BR> <BR>The earlier mention of hurricanes is a distinct possibility, but we've visited St. Maarten well over 20 times since 1981, and were even on island while two hurricanes blew past -- enjoyed every day of every visit. <BR> <BR>Post additional questions here for continuity, but e-mail separately since I don't check here every day. <BR> <BR>Congratulations! <BR> <BR>Gary and Mary Ann