OK...now where do I go?
 

OK...my travel agent said for the narrow time frame (5 days, 4 nights) and the fact that I am traveling from Atlanta, I should consider (1) Cayman Islands (I'm not much into diving, but watersports might be OK) (2) Aruba (3) a lesser expensive hotel on Bermuda (their high season) (4) Cancun/Cozumel or (5) an all-inclusive in Jamaica. I have not been impressed by the things I've heard of Jamaica, and particularly the surroundings away from the resorts themselves, and then there's the latest unrest. I've done Cancun and think it is getting just a little too impersonal, even for the masses. Any other thoughts from anyone who's been there, done that on the above places?

Hi Phil, of the places you listed I would choose Aruba. The island is blessed with near perfect weather year-round, it is clean, safe, the people are very friendly and the beaches are lovely. <BR> <BR>Let me know if you have any further questions. <BR> <BR>Laura <BR>

I've been to Aruba--last May. We stayed at the Sonesta Hotel downtown. Pluses: Arubians are very nice. Aruba is safe--no worries about walking around at night. Nice beaches and pretty water (at least on Sonesta Island--I've heard of seaweed down by the high rises...). Constant (!) breeze keeps the heat at bay most of the time. Minuses: Aruba can be boring after the first couple of days on the beach and a day spent "exploring." It is truly a desert island--not much to look at except cacti. Food was lacking--in our opinion! Very few really good restaurants (El Gaucho, Boonoonoonoos and Ruinas del Mar were our favorites). Few watersports besides diving and snorkling--and those were iffy depending on the water conditions. Basically, we chose Aruba because we got a GREAT deal for what our travel agent referred to as the "5-Star Surprise," meaning--you could be placed in any one of a few 5-star hotels. You didn't know which hotel you were going to be put in, but that was ok if you liked all the options. The trip cost $639 pp for 6 nights, seven days from Atlanta, air included. (I told you it was a good deal!). We won't be back to Aruba--I really feel that we did everything there was to do in the time we were there. Check out the Aruba website www.aruba.com for lots of details on all the hotels. Most of the people who post on that website are BIG fans of Aruba--so keep that in mind. What about something on one of the outislands of the Bahamas--or St. John/Thomas?

Hi Phil - Great choices you have to pick from !! Laura's response was great, except I would substitute the word Bermuda for Aruba ... everything else applies. <BR> <BR>One note on Bermuda is that there aren't any rental cars permitted, so you have to rely either on the buses, taxis, or rent a moped to get around, but by not having rental car charges reduces the cost of your vacation even more!! <BR> <BR>Have heard that Margarita Island is becoming a popular destination, and at this point, is still inexpensive compared to other islands in the Caribbean. An all inclusive package there might be the cheapest way to go. <BR> <BR>Enjoy wherever you wind up. <BR> <BR>

Consider Bonaire. You can take ALM right from ATL and be there in a couple hours.

Debbie, Maragrita might have low cost packages, but it isn't easy to get there. Of all our trips to the Caribbean (30+) we refer to our trip to Margarita as the vacation from hell.

Phil: The Aruba advice is right on. <BR> <BR>Be forewarned: Aruba is dry, it's a desert. It does have beautiful beaches, great restaurants, fantastic people and no rain. <BR> <BR>Aruba is part of the Netherlands Antilles, as is Curacao and Bonaire. It has the best to offer except Bonaire is a diver's paradise and you mentioned that wasn't a high priority. <BR> <BR>Aruba has the same weather all year long. There should be direct flights from Atlanta and stay at a place on Palm Beach, if possible. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>

Phil, I agree with the outislands of the Bahamas. You can fly from Atlanta to Nassau directly on Delta in an hour and be on one of the outislands half an hour later and be on one of the most spectacular beaches you will find in like 3 hours from leaving home. If you wanted to stay on Nassau that time would even be less. With a short time frame <BR>spending less time in the air and more time on the beach would be important to me. <BR> <BR>Just had a thought, have your travel agent look into Compas Point on Nassau, small huts on the ocean, quiet, beautiful and easy to get to, AND away from the crowds. Great food and very nice ammenities. <BR> <BR>Have a great time whever you go. <BR>

Thanks for all of your input...decided on a 5 day/4 night stay at the Hyatt Regency on Aruba. I got a fairly decent flight itinerary through American Airlines that gets me from Atlanta in the AM to the island by 1:45 PM on day 1. Figured if I was going all that way, I should experience what everyone is saying about the Hyatt. If you have any suggestions of island actvities for the 3 full days, and 2 partial days, lay 'em on me. This forum is excellent. <BR> <BR>Phil

Phil: Good move. Here goes: <BR> <BR>Palm Beach is great. Calm, clear water, sugar-white sand. There are catamarans lined up at the beaches, so pick one and take a snorkel trip one morning (take sunscreen & t-shirt). You can walk along the beach (forget the towel, it's hot!) and stop at the different hotels, get a drink, swim, etc., they don't know if you are a guest or not and probably could care less. Watch that sun between 11:00-1:00, it's hot! Catch some shade, have a drink. Rent scooters at your hotel and drive to the Casabari Rock Formation and over to the windward (east) side and check out the Natural Bridge, among other things. Go swimming/snorkeling at Baby Beach. Sign up for a sunset cruise one evening on one of those catamarans. Late afternoons, shower, dress and take the bus into Oranjestad (outside the hotel) and shop, sightsee and have dinner. Come back to Palm Beach or go to the Alhambra casino, whatever. You will not be bored. <BR> <BR>Tips: The running water is pure, but it runs above ground, therefore it's very warm. You can shower in only "cold" water, it doesn't get cool. If you want to take pictures from your balcony, leave the camera outside for 1/2 hour or it will be totally fogged up. Each hotel has a different shindig every night. Avoid the sales pitches for time-shares. You only have time for fun. <BR> <BR>Lastly, the island is DRY. From the air, it looks brown, like a desert. Don't worry, although not lush, it's beautiful in it's own way. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Phil, are you flying non-stop on ALM? What time of year are you going? Mind sharing how much your tickets and hotel cost? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

Last Sept. through Apple Tours we paid $450 pp for air and hotel (Wyndham) from Detroit. We had dinner at the Hyatt which was very good and the hotel is beautiful!!! The next time we go we will stay at the Hyatt. We did a Jeep Safari trip was alot of fun. The people are very friendly and the island is clean and safe. Have fun!!

we stayed at the Hyatt in Aruba in April and LOVED IT. If you need a shade hut on the beach (the sun is intense)you need to reserve one at the towel hut ist thing in the morning(7am). I think the Hyatt is the best hotel on the island- you made a good choice. <BR>E-mail me with any questions.