Unfortunately, my worst bouts with obsessive trip planning-itis come when I have the most work and other commitments to take care of...Nonetheless, I'm seriously considering Anguilla for next summer.

Yes, it is a long time away. But I'm a super Type-A personality and I think I actually enjoy the planning of a vacation more than the vacation itself (joking!).

Anguilla seems terrific. I know people that have visited there and loved it. I've read HowardC's raves about it, and initially started considering it because he wrote that the island is most similar to Turks and Caicos. I've been to Turks and Caicos, really liked it, but also thought that maybe there was something missing on the island. I'm hoping that Anguilla has that "X" factor that turns a great vacation into an unforgettable trip.

My questions for the Anguilla addicts on this board:

1) When are the best fare sales for Anguilla via St. Martin? I'm planning on going in June, so I was thinking that March is probably the best time to get a deal.

2) Does Anguilla have something a little more special than Turks and Caicos? Again, I really like the latter but there were way too many families there when we went last month. I'm not anti-children, but it takes away from our trip if half the people at the hotel are under the age of 6.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!

American just had a fare sale in May -- that's cutting it close, I know but it was $200-250 off the prices in March. What Anguilla has that makes it special are the warmest, friendliest people you will ever encounter (the 33 gorgeous beaches & 80+ restaurants go a long way to making it special, as well!). What it doesn't have is cruise ships, casinos, much night life or shopping. It's a wonderfully relaxing place to unwind!

We were in anguilla in '98 april. I think we paid around $450-500 in airfare from Newark. Hotel rates will be lower significantly if you go in April (I think after the 15th) than in March (high season). In response to your second question I have to say in my opinion YES anguilla does have something special that I found missing on T&C. We visited T&C earlier this year. Maybe Anguilla is so special to us since it was our first Carribbean vacation but I thought the beaches on Anguilla were spectacular. Grace bay is nice and I thought Sapoddilla bay on the other end of the island was very special (gorgeous sunset and calm water for 50 feet or so). I think Anguilla wins because the beaches were so empty (hopefully that has not changed) and there were many different ones to explore each day. I think the restaurants in Anguilla blow away the ones on T&C (again my opinion only...and they are Expensive). The locals were very friendly. And lastly I remember the roads on Anguilla being a lot wider and less bumpy than on T&C.

I have no specific experience with Anguila beyond reading A Trip to the Beach (which you should read before you leave, or take it to read with you on your trip), but I have been paying attention to airfares, mostly on American Airlines, for the last 4 years. Typically during the spring/March fare sale, it is for travel through June 15. Between June 15 and August 15, airfare prices tend to be higher, most likely to take advantage of family travel during school break. Airfares for travel in the August 15 to October 15 range typically are on sale at about this time.

Wouldn't it be a lot easier if airlines had strict in season, shoulder season, and low season prices?

Yes, I think you would like Anguilla more than T & C. I lived in the Turks and Caicos and I like Anguilla better than Provo. which I assume is where you went.

The beaches are beautiful and its flat and arid like T & C so it looks similar... we only encountered 1 family during our last Anguilla trip. Plus its not as consentrated like provo, there are many beaches with hotels so it never feels crowded. (again not sure where you stayed in T & C because a lot of beaches are deserted)

Anyway, if you can get a good price to SXM you can take the ferry to Anguilla that is easy, water can be rough, so it depends on if you ever feel sea sick. Also, you can fly Winair from SXM to AXA too. GL

Thanks for the great info. We are open to going anytime in the summer; if we can get a better deal by going after Aug. 15th then that's fine (of course, we'd purchase travel insurance).

I really did like T&C, but I think that it was all of the kids that put me off. And we went before most of the schools were out.

I'll have to do more researching into Anguilla. At this time, it's down to Frangipani on Anguilla and Hotel Secreto on Isla Mujeres in Mexico.

I would pick Anguilla over Isla Mujeres, just becuase Isla Mujeres is crowded! And Anguilla has a lot less kids than Turks and Caicos.

I agree with Blamona - definitely Anguilla over Isla Mujeres

Only problem with going after Aug. 15th is that many restaurants and hotels will close for the hurricane season. Once Carnival is finished, things wind down on th island.

Anguilla seems to have quite a lead over Isla Mujeres (I might add that Hotel Secreto seems to be a coveted place to stay; it's on the Hot 100 list for CN and has been praised in a bunch of magazines).

That being said, is it doable to get a five night stay in Anguilla at Frangipani in perhaps June or July, for $2000 for air and hotel? We'd probably do dinner at two nice restaurants, and then have more reasonable priced meals the remainder of our trip. Trying to keep the other expenses to about $800-1000, for a grand total of $3000. Is this possible?

A while back I did a comparison of Provo and Anguilla. Might be on this site --do a search for HowardC and you can pull up all my posts. If not it may be on caribbean-on-line.com Anguilla forum. The beaches on both islands are great but none on Anguilla are like Grace bay beach which stretches for miles. The only place the colors of the water are like Provo is at Shoal Bay Beach East. Lots of beaches to explore on Anguilla. Anguilla is not as developed as Provo where construction is getting out of control. Anguilla is more laid back. Anguilla does have more musical entertainment than Provo. Excellent restaurants on Anguilla in all price ranges. Maybe a little better than Provo. Going to Anguilla in the summer you will want A/C and some of the less expensive resorts don't have any. I would consider going the first week in August when they have Carnival. We are doing it this year. Lots of fun, sailboat races, parades etc. Sort of the last blowout before things begin to shut down for Sept and Oct. For carnival info and pictures go to www.festival.ai Re Frangipani--Don't think you can do it for $2000 including air fare. The best deal is the Sun, Sea and Sand package which is a condo suite with kitchen and continental breakfast buffet and is for seven days for about $1900 including taxes. You might check into the cost of Junior suite 7A which has a small kitchen. Don't think there is a package for that suite. Don't have a current rate schedule but the second and third bedrooms of a suite are probably $250/night. Just a room no mini fridge and no view except for 6C which has a balcony facing inland. Anywhere you stay you will need a car to go out to eat, to the grocery store and explore the beaches. A car will run about $240/week plus $20 for an Anguilla drivers license. Since Frangipani has only 8 suites there usually aren't any kids. More of an adult resort. You might also check out Carimar Beach Club which is also on Meads Bay. They have condo suites with kitchens however no restaurant and pool like Frangipani.
The best buildings are 1 and 6 which are oceanfront. Carimar does not have central A/C but you can rent a portable unit for the bedroom. Carimar does have some pretty decent summer rates as I recall. In my opinion I wouldn't limit myself to 5 days. You'll really wish you had stayed for seven. You can never spend too much time on Anguilla. If you decide to go for Carnival make reservations early as resorts fill up fast. Most resorts ask for a three night deposit which is refundable up to two months before arrival. The majority of the best restaurants with a few exceptions are on the West end west of the Sandy Ground roundabout. You might also check out Nathans Cove which is also on Meads Bay. They have two bedroom condo suites and look nice and not too pricy. Have A/C but no pool or restaurant. Feel free to e-mail me if you have more [email protected]

Thanks HowardC for your comprehensive reply. Unfortunately, my husband just started working for a new firm and he refuses to take a vacation longer than 5 nights because he thinks it gives the wrong impression to the higher ups (I know it's super boring!).

That's why I wanted to see if we should try to go to Anguilla next year in 5 nights/6 days, or rather, put it off a couple of years when he feels more comfortable taking off more time. I'm of the school that you should use up your free vacation time, but he doesn't agree with me. Maybe we should wait a couple of years until we can stay at Cap or Mallihouna (sp?).

I think I've read that you've traveled extensively to the Out Islands of the Bahamas in addition to your frequent visits to Turks & Caicos and Anguilla. Is that correct? If so, do you think that trip would lend itself to 5 nights? We're coming from New Orleans. We're seriously considering going to Mexico due to the short and inexpensive flight, but I've got some Mexico issues stemming from a terrible cruise I went on a couple of years ago.

I think Anguilla is too far for 6 days from New orleans. You will waste 1 day going there, and most of the last day coming back. I also don't think you can realistically do it for $3000. Airfares to Anguilla are usually in the $600-$800 range, and rarely go on sale. You can save some money flying into St. Martin, but then you have to jump on a sale. About 2 weeks ago, Usairways had St. Martin on sale from DC at $350!! Then you would have to take a taxi to Marigot, then take the ferry to Anguilla, then take a taxi to resort. (and thats if you can find a sale on airfare!) So add $20 for taxi, $40 for ferry, another $20 for another taxi.
Also keep in mind that restaurants are expensive! (but they are the best in the Caribbean) You can try to eat cheaper, It could be done, but you would be doing a disservice to yourself, as Anguilla's restaurants are the best in Caribbean, they are about $120-$150 for 2 for dinner. (without a BOTTLE of wine)
I'm not trying to discourage you, Anguilla is one of my favorite places on earth, I'm just trying to be realistic.
The out islands in Bahamas may be closer to get to, In Exumas look into Club Peace and Plenty (Usairways had a sale on Exumas last week! hope it's not gone) or Coral Sands in Harbour Island.
Anguilla is terrific, just try to have a bigger budget.
Also, call Cuisinart directly, sometimes they run specials, $295 nightly with 5th night free.

Blamona and I must be on the same page. We took our 23rd trip to Great Exuma in April and it was our 16th stay at Club Peace and Plenty. Great Exuma is quite different from Anguilla and Provo. It is like going back 30 years in time before all the islands became developed. With the exception of the Four Seasons there is virtually no development on Great Exuma. Club P&P is in town on the water. Pool but no beach. They run a boat to Stocking Island twice a day They have a small beach club there and the beach on the Exuma Sound side is awesome. You could do this trip well within your budget. Think our air fare from Orlando via Miami was about $350 on AA. There are also some flights out of Ft Lauderdale. An ocean front room with mini fridge and microwave will be about $200/night. P&P has a managers cocktail party on Mon night, diners cocktail party on Fri Night and Dance on Sat night. Two Turtles has a dance of Fri night so there is some activity. Have too much info to post here so suggest you e-mail me. Web site is www.peaceandplenty.com

Wondering wether Anguilla or Provo has better snorkeling from the island itself without doing excursions? Thanks for the help. Sometimes the more research you do the complex things get.

On Provo the only snorkeling from the beach is in front of Coral Gardens and Smiths Reef in Turtle Cove. The best snorkeling from the beach in Anguilla is at Shoal Bay East. Better snorkeling on Provo

Thanks Howard, We are looking for the best snorkeling, with kids of varied ages. I think Provo seems to fit the bill. Thanks again!