St. Lucia, St. Martin, Bermuda, USVII?
 

My husband & I are looking for a tropical island vacation for the 1st week of August. We want:
1) great food,
2) warm water, nice beaches and water sports,
3) historical/cultural sights, &
4) some nightlife.
We are 30 years old, married for 1 year w/no kids. We enjoy relaxing but also enjoy hikes through rainforests, water sports, and historical/cultural sightseeing. We've narrowed the list down to St. Lucia, St. Martin, Bermuda or the USVI. Any suggestions?

St. John, USVI. Gorgeous, lots of stunning beaches, no highrises. It has lots of villas to rent which is so very romantic. Bermuda would be 2nd choice.

We got married and honeymooned there and can't wait to get back. I truly have not seen so many gorgeous beaches and a beautiful town to shop and dine in. So clean and picturesque.

Thank you for your response. We're now trying to decide between St. John & St. Lucia.

My husband and I are also 30/ no kids. We absolutley love St.John! We have been to St. Lucia and think that it is gorgeous. However it is volcanic so white sand beaches and turquoise waters are non-existant. Also, St. John is smaller and easier to navigate and explore on your own.

Just so you won't be surprised, the Carribean is very hot in August. It will generally be above 85 F every day, and some days will be in the 90s. With the humidity, this can be a little unpleasant, esp when hiking or walking distances.

I, also agree with other poster. St. John over St. Lucia. Go to USVI on-line, there is a forum there and other sites to navigate around. The villa agency that we used: www.vacationvistas.com. They were great and you get a lot more for your $$ than staying at a resort. Plus, it's low season and prices for villas are much lower.

If you want a bed and breakfast that is beautiful and very close to the the town of Cruz Bay that people love is "Estate Lindholm".

The reason I suggest a villa and they come in all price ranges is that you have you own privacy, your own pool/spa and can come an go as you please. I was glad that many people on the USVI suggested the villa route to us when I was inquiring.

Good luck in your choice. I don't think you will be disappointed at all with choosing St. John.

The USVI on-line forum has villa reviews and the people on that forum are extremely helpful.

Hi,

There are some big differences between STJ and STL.

Overall, while on STJ, you will still feel very much like you are in familiar surrounds. Being part of the US will give you that comfort zone. STL will feel to be much more 'third world'.

The beaches on STJ are far, far nicer than those on STL. Snorkeling is good on either island.

The food is much better on STJ than on STL. Plus STJ allows you to make easy day trips over to St. Thomas or the BVI if you are interested.

If shopping is important to you, the USVI will offer far superior choices. Shopping on STL is very limited.

Both islands are hilly and green and while 2/3 of STJ is national park, large areas on STL will be similar. STL is also much larger than STJ and will allow you to do lots of exploring. You can also find actual fishing villages along the coast of STL which you will not see on STJ.

Lots of things to consider in making your choice.

Schultz

Here is one major vote for BERMUDA--

Easy access around the island on MOPEDS or buses..cannot even rent a car there..

WONDERFUL resorts---great food...

Caves to explore--ferry to ride around and see all the resorts on the inner harbor...golf,tennis,spas, everything...

WE went on Honeymoon, then went back years later and kept going back...LOVE it there..

Way way more civilized than the Caribbean...IMHO...

By the way, beaches are pink from the shells...

You can access lots of public beaches ( that are way way private) with your mopeds...VERY romantic settings...

I too would recommend the USVI over St. Lucia. Nice beaches, nightlife on STT as well as modern shopping malls, and more. You will get on eyeful of beauty.

From what I can see in your original description of what you are looking for I have an alternative suggestion - Grenada. Wonderful country with all you can imagine - rainforests, beaches, quaint villages, upmarket hotels, local food and gourmet food, etc., etc., etc. Probabaly the most beautiful island we have visited and I am trying to spread the word.

Suggestions for resorts, Spice Island or Bel Air Plantation. SP being more of a typical upmarket resort and BAP a small very special gem.

Both St. John and Bermuda are gorgeous. For us, the one difference is that St. John beaches are all public and majority have easy access. Bermuda was the most expensive island we have ever been too. Also, St. John is more casual and the beaches are more beautiful. It was a little too formal in the evenings.
Again, both are beautiful but our first choice is St. John. Again, either or.

Thank you all SO much for your advice and suggestions. Although St. Lucia, Grenada and Bermuda all sound so nice, they will have to be future trips. This one, w/o a doubt, will be to St. John. Thank you again for your input :)

You made the right choice in picking St. John. Once you go there it seems to lure you back over and over again.

I also say Bermuda. I've been back many times after having my honeymoon there. Give it a try - it will be an experience like no other and you will be counting the days for a return trip.

So you have decided on St John. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend Caneel Bay. The rough decision each day is which of the 7 beaches to sit on or which of the 3 restaurants to eat in. You check in and they give you snorkeling equipment that you don't need to return until you check out - great snorkeling right on site. (they do a snorkeling slide show one night you can go to and learn alot about what is underwater) Great national park on the island where you can hike. Caneel is not cheap but you will never forget your trip. Very good food. Have a great trip!