Interested in an island with lush foliage and hills, not crowded, quiet, beautiful water for snorkeling and safe to hike. I was considering Anguilla or Virgin Gorda. Also, would like advise on the most direct flight information. Can fly out of toronto or NYC. Would prefer non-stop as I hate to fly. Any way to do this with United would be great as I have enough miles with them to fly first class free. Thanks a bunch!!!!!

Gretchen,<BR>Anguilla is definitely not lush, but it is gorgeous. <BR>Virgin Gorda is not really what you are looking for either.<BR>I'd suggest St. John, Tortola, St. Kitts/Nevis or St. Lucia.<BR>Of those, probably Tortola would be the easiest to get to. St. John and St. Lucia have the best snorkeling. St John and Tortola have the best beaches/prettiest water.<BR>Also consider Puerto Rico and Jamaica. (Either of those could be gotten to via a direct flight from NYC.)

Agree with Nancy's recommendation of St. John. You can fly non-stop to St. Thomas and take the ferry over.<BR><BR>Nancy--I'm curious why you recommend Tortola over Virgin Gorda? We're thinking of going to the BVIs next year and I was under the imnpression that VG had all the things Gretchen listed (except easy accessibility). Am I wrong?

Hi Julie,<BR>Really the only reasons were because Gretchen was specific about wanting lush foliage and hills and hiking.I felt Tortola fit those requests better than Virgin Gorda.<BR>Tortola has a lot of really amazing vistas on their winding roads, and hiking to the various hot spots, beaches and restaurants there kept us from gaining an ounce.<BR>But you would not be sorry if you went to Virgin Gorda - it is great also.

Thanks for the input. I will investigate St. John and Tortola as I have already been to St. Lucia. Now as to hotel/resort recomendations at either of the two. Looking for more upscale and private. Any help here would be great too! <BR>Thanks again.

Anguilla won't get you the pretty island with lush foliage but will give you the others especially the wonderful beaches but not much snorkeling. Virgin Gorda would be a great choice in the BVIs and the beaches there are lovely with excellent snorkeling. You will have lots of opportunity to hike and the beaches are numerous while on Tortola the choices of really nice beaches are just a few. Since you mention upscale there are no upscale properties on Tortola. The best snorkeling on Tortola is by day trip and from boats. I would absolutely choose St. John above Tortola. <BR>Neither Anguilla nor Virgin Gorda have direct flights but you can fly into San Juan and take the Eagle or other flights directly to the respective island. Biras Creek is upscale, private, great snorkeling and hiking even though it is accessable by boat from Virgin Gorda. Peter Island would offer good snokeling and hiking as well. Little Dix Bay is on Virgin Gorda but there is also Guana Island and Cooper Island (not as upscale but delightful). St. John offers Caneel Bay with 7 lovely beaches on property all good to excellent for snorkeling. Non-stop to St. Thomas with ferry to St. John; to VG, fly to SJU and Air Sunshine will take you to VG or fly to Beef Island, Tortola, and ferry to VG; or Anguilla direct to St. Martin and ferry or fly to Anguilla.

Wow!!!!!!! Thank you very much for all the input. Now I need to decipher it and make a decision!!<BR>Thanks again!

Gretchen, I love Anguilla, enjoyed Virgin Gorda, wasn't impressed with Tortola. You can fly non-stop from JFK to St. Martin and get the ferry over to Anguilla. I have done this many times!<BR>I hate small planes. To get to Virgin Gorda, fly to San Juan and then a 48 seater American Eagle to Tortola. Most resorts Biras, Little Dix, Peter Island have their own ferry pick-up. In fact Little Dix now has ferry service from St. Thomas. Little Dix has always had service 3 days a week to Caneel on ST. John. We split our time between the two ans it was great. Virgin Gorda is alot easier to get around then St. Lucia.<BR>As far as United, I do not think they service the caribbean. Mostly American,<BR>and some Continential!

Gretchen,<BR><BR>Agree with everyone's response. I don't think there is much bad snorkeling between St. John's or the BVI. Would also recommend the Westin on St. John.<BR><BR>TravelPro - did you stay at Biras Creek? Thinking of staying there, but like really clean surroundings. I've seen it recommended. Would rather pay a little more and have a really pretty place. Thoughts?