susan

hello fellow traveller enthusiasts...<BR>planning a trip in june using f/f miles.<BR>it's a toss-up. renting a villa in nevis or kauai? we've been to kauai before, north shore last year, absolutely heaven, albeit, rainy heaven. we're up for a change..is it worth the effort to go to nevis from CA.? are the beaches as disappointing as many have posted here? c'mon, offer your insight....

Tim

You are joking, aren't you?!? Nevis as nice as Kauai?!? N E V E R ! ! ! ! Go to the Four Seasons Maui or Mauan Kea Big Island!!

Beenthere

Please don't listen to Timmy - I think he's a ten-year-old kid whose parents took him to Hawaii, and he liked it soooo much he wants to tell everybody about it, and trash the Caribbean. I've seen his posts all over the place - please Timmy, go away to your Hawaii board and let the adults talk among themselves about travel!

xxx

I agree. You'd think he worked for the Hawaiian Tourist Board or something. He's probably been to one Caribbean island in his life, saw a little poverty, and freaked out. <BR><BR>Timmy, why don't you go to Hawaii and stay there and forget about all of us who like the Caribbean for all it's got to offer. After all, this is a CARIBBEAN board! Not a HAWAII board!

Lori

I've never been to Kauai (just Maui, Oahu and Hawaii), but I have been all over the Caribbean, including Nevis. I stayed at Montpellier (this is where Princess Diana stayed when she was on the island, it was a delightful place and they have a private stretch of Pinnes beach, just a short taxi ride. It was beautiful. The locals are very friendly, and there are many interesting sites. If your are the big resort type, the Four Seasons is for you. Check out Ms. Junes for dinner...interesting.

Brad

I agree with the votes for Nevis... St. Kitts and Nevis are spectacular and I believe superior to anyplace in Hawaii.

Tim

I suggest that all of you go back and READ Susan's questions! I simply stated my opinion as all of you have done. She said she's been to Kauai and absolutely loved it and was wondering if it was WORTH THE TROUBLE flying all the way to Nevis from California. The answer is a resounding NO in MY opinion -- NOT for the people, not for the environment, not for the beaches, NOTHING!! And Pinnel beach where the Four Seasons is located is NOT one of the better beaches in the Carbbean by a long shot!!

Mary

Hi Karen: IMHO, since you've already done Kauai why not try Nevis and see for yourself. I've heard great things about both destinations. Is Nevis really that much farther for you than Kauai?

Incognito

The Caribbean always beats Hawaii. <BR><BR>Nevis, hands down.

LizO

My vote would definitely be for Nevis. We stayed at the wonderful Hermitage Plantation Inn - cottages scattered through botancial gardens. So relaxing and so beautiful. You can see our review, with photos, at www.i-escape.com

jenn

I live on the west coast too and have been to the main 4 Hawaiian islands, Mexico, and took our first trip to the Caribbean this fall. Since you've been to Kuaui, I would recommend the Caribbean. The flight time was a little longer and we had to change planes a couple times. But we count on taking almost a day to get to an outer Hawaiian island and it takes that to get to the Caribbean. I loved seeing the colors and the clarity of the water in the Caribbean. You don't get that in Kuaui. You also know you're not in the US (no Walmarts, Costco's, etc.) so you get a much different cultural experience.

doug

Kauaii is a beautiful island, but for a different cultural experience, I'd recommend Nevis. It is lovely, too. Very low key and the Nevisians are famous for their hospitality. My wife and I were in the Peace Corps in St. Kitt 20 years ago and we return to St Kitts/Nevis for the first time in 15 days. Can't wait!

Susan

Thanks everyone!<BR>I think it will be Nevis, we are looking for a cultural experience--along with hiking and relaxin. kauai is gorgeous, but yes, we've been there, it is american in essence and we're craving west indian food. i've found a house to rent--no big resorts for us. cant keep up with the matching bathing suit and cover up crowd and guys that smoke $100 cigars by the pool.<BR>so long---

Beverly

Have been both to Kauai and Nevis and I have to agree with Tim. I would not go back to Nevis even if it was to 4S again. I like a feast for the eyes as well as my stomach and Nevis/St. Kitts was disappointing for me. I personally think you will be disappointed after Kauai. The beach on Nevis is not blue, the sand not nice, as other caribbean islands so if that is what you would want to experience I'd change plans. What about chartering a sailboat and sailing around to the different British Virgin Islands? Not only will you get the feast for your eyes and plenty of blue water, you will get the cultural experience of being around courteous non-resentful Caribbean people who seem to appreciate that tourism is the boon for their islands - sometimes don't find this on other islands. Look for the website for The Moorings on Tortola for the boat charter. The sailboats are quite nice. It is the most popular thing to do on BVIs. Or stay on one island, I'd recommend St. John for its natural beauty, and take a catamaran tour to other US and BVIs.

Dana

Perhaps I'm biased because I've only recently returned from Kauai but I can't imagine going anywhere else. I've been to a few Caribbean Islands but nothing could even come close to comparing to Hawaii. Perhaps instead of Kauai you could try one of the other islands-The Big Island is dramatically different from Kauai. Have fun wherever you end up!

Ed

I have been to both, and though we loved Kauai, we prefer the caribbean. As far as landscape goes, Kauai blows Nevis away...hands down. But we feel, the beaches in the Caribbean are far more beauiful. If you really like the landscape part of your vacations, I would try St John for sure. St John has amazing landscapes, and some of the prettiest beaches in the caribbean. A true paradise. Nevis was nice, but just didn't compare to an island like St John, and surrounding BVI's.

xxx

Dont miss going to Ms. June's for dinner in Nevis!

Lorraine

I've been to both places. Stayed at Princeville on Kauai and Four Seasons on Nevis. Hawaii used to be my favorite place, until I went to Nevis.

karen

For total ambiance, Kauai wins, IMHO. However, I agree with others in that the waters of the Sandwich Isles do not compare with the Caribbean - at least not in the winter months. However, for its sheer beauty, Kauai is unbeatable. The North Shore, NaPali, Hanalei Bay and Bali Hai are incredibly difficult to beat. If you've tried the North Shore of Kauai, spend your next trip on the South shore, i.e., Poipu area and the West side of the island and experience some of those beaches. Also, the Big Island has always been a favorite, especially the golden Kohala coast to experience some diversity in islands. Nevis has never been one of my favorite islands in the Caribbean. Try St. John instead for its wonderfully pristine beaches and spectacular scenery if you want to do the Caribbean.