TCI and Antigua
 

I have been reading a lot about how boring TCI and Antigua are. Has anyone been there that may explain or refute this statement? I would like to go to either place for a honeymoon but am afraid to book out of fear we will arrive and be bored. Is there anything else to do there other than lie on the beach and do some snorkeling/diving? Are there any shops, tourist attractions, ziplines, horsebackriding, nice restaurants?

Some shops
yes, horseback riding
great restaurants
long walks on talcum powder soft beaches--clear water, a color you have never seen, so beautiful!
no zip lines
The TCI is all about the water, snorkel trips, sunset cruises, wonderful high end condo style resorts..have been to over 15 islands, TCI is the only one we repeat!

thanks for the info and prompt response!

Antigua has Nelson's Dockyard which is Georgian and really worthwhile seeing. There is quite alot to see in the area around Shirley Heights. You can take trips to neighbouring Barbuda or to Monserrat to see the volcano. The area in St John around Redcliffe Street has been renovated and is nice to walk around, there are some little restaurants in the back streets as well. There are shops but not many upscale ones, same with restaurants. You can take a trip to Stingray City and swim with the stingrays.

I have to agree with Caribzack! I've been to both and TCI is the only one I have gone back to repeatedly. I didn't like Antigua AT ALL and wouldn't go back. TCI probably has THE MOST beautiful beaches in the Caribbean....and it's all about the water! You say this is your honeymoon.....I can't think of a better destination than TCI for a romantic vacation.

After 20+ islands----Grace Bay, TCI.

We have been to Antigua twice. If you can afford Curtain Bluff or better it's OK, Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights are worth a look, but other than that it wasn't our favorite. We only went back a second time to catch a sailboat out of there. Maybe it's just me, but it seemed kind of dangerous.

TCI has some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean along with Anguilla----you might want to look at that also. As far as shops, some in the high end resorts. Ziplines? Not that I saw. IMO, TCI is the one you will want to go back to again & again.

THanks all. Very helpful! We are not leaning toward TCI! Any thoughts on the best all inclusives? From what I can tell there is only beaches and club med and both of those are a NO for us. We heard good things about the Veranda resort. Anyone been there?

Sorry I meant to say that WE ARE LEANING TOWARD TCI!

My opinion, but TCI is not a typical AI type island, it doesn't really match the personality.

Plus the restaurants there are amazing, with some of the best settings in the Caribbean. You'd be doing a disservice if you locked yourself into an AI in Provo. Another factor to consider is that the 3 AIs in Provo are actually quite expensive, so you can stay for ultra luxury and eat out for about the same.

Are you stuck on an AI property?

Thanks blamona- no I'm not stuck on an AI property. What resorts would you suggest?

There is not a bad place to stay, but they all have different personalities.

Please tell me what you look for in a vacation: budget, snorkel, quiet or active, people watching, spa, self-catering or service, full kitchen or eating out, who's going, I'd be happy to make recomendations.

My fiancee and I are going for our honeymoon. We want snokeling, parasailing, horseback riding on the beach. Some shoppoing, maybe golf. We are NOT the partying type- somewhat active, want to do spa treatments and prefer to maybe cook breakfast in and eat out lunch and dinner. Budget-6k USD

That helps, but I forgot to ask the time of year you're going!

the first week in June

6k, including airfare will get you some gorgeous properties in TCI.

West Bay Club is stunning, and they run terrific specials. They are on a quiet end of Grace Bay, next to off the beach snorkeling. It has ultra luxury, stainless steel appliances, granite, traventine floors. It's a 3 minute walk to snorkel, and you can walk 10 minutes in another direction to snorkel. They have kayaks and hobie cats for use, and snorkel equipment. (included) Also includes a small breakfast. The 1 bedroom suite has a full kitchen, so you can make snacks and lunches. Lately they even offer free rental cars-which is needed staying on that end to get to golf, shops and the best restaurants. It's easy to drive there, flat mostly straight roads.

There is a horse stable nearby, but most excursions and horseback riding usually includes some type of transportation to do these activities.

Keep in mind, shopping is not huge in T&C, there is a sprinkle of shoping strips, and most resorts have some small shops.

If you need a little more action, you may want to consider either Gansevoort or Regent Palms. Gansevoort is modern chic, where all the beautiful people (think celbrities) go. They have some nightlife on Fridays and Saturdays, including a giant TV screen they put on the beach during sports games. It is right next to WBC, so you can actually stay at WBC for less, yet just walk over to Gansevoort. Regent Palms is a people watching type atmosphere, but is more popular with families. They run some terrific specials in the summer, and they have a gorgeous spa. (go to this spa regardless of where you stay.) The spa has made it to numerous travel magazine covers, it's amazing.

One of my favorite resorts is The Somerset. With specials, you may get it in your budget. Gorgeous resort, right next to Regent Palms, so you can walk over to the spa. You can also walk over to the small shopping strips and numerous restaurants-you're closer to the "hub."

Golf requires a ride from most places. There is 1 golf course on the island, and it's in really good shape.

Provo Ponies are the best for horseback riding on the beach.

Caicos Dream Tours excursion is a must! You snorkel, dive for conch (thigh high water) stop at the stunning Half Moon Bay Beach.

2 ultra romantic things to do: Beach getaway takes you to an isolated cay with stunning beaches, they leave you (by boat) with lounge chairs, food, all kinds of drinks, umbrella, etc and pick you up late afternoon. You can also call Bay Bistro to set up an ultra romantic dinner ON the beach, with tiki torches. You'll be the only one on the beach, eating while wiggling your toes in the sand.

If you're there during a full moon, there will be pig roasts and bonfires at night at Bay Bistro.

Tuesday nights has live music at Somerset on the beach, with bbq and live music, so you can dance under the stars.

A great source to get started is www.WhereWhenHow.com You can also email them and they'll send you a copy of the printed magazine. A great source of everything T&C.

I personally think you'll have a terrific honeymoon!

Wow Blamona! Thanks for all the insight and helpful info! You really convinced me that TCI is going to be great! Do you know anything about the new Veranda Resort, the Tuscany or the Seven Stars?

Veranda is AI, and with the terrific restaurants in T&C, I wouldn't confine myself to it quite yet.

Tuscany is gorgeous, but at the end of the strip with no restaurant, it's luxury, but more self-catering.

Seven Stars is awesome! Middle of the hub, really luxurious rooms, middle of the "hub." An amazing deal at 7 Stars can be gotten from www.AscentDestinations.com. Email Tamara, the deals are better than directly thru the website or anywhere else.

PS To let you know, i've stayed at probably 75% of the resorts there, and viewed and hang out at the others--I wrote Fodors In Focus: Turks and Caicos.

Great! Thanks blamona, for all of your advice and insight! VERY Helpful! God Bless!

I just came back from T&C and I happened to stop in the Veranda one day while I was walking down the beach from The Sands. The rooms are beautiful and it seems like they have memory foam beds, I would have loved to have that for my stay! We went to T&C for our 25th anniversary, and loved the island,amazing beaches and super amazing water! I'm sure you will love it.