Where would you go?
 

My wife and I are in our late 20s, no kids. We've been to Aruba and Grand Cayman and loved them both? We're looking for an affordable vacation that's SAFE, quiet (no kids), non-touristy, good beach, good snorkeling, and affordable food and drink(unlike Cayman). We're thinking May. We're thinking Anguilla, St. Martin, Bermuda, or Antigua. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated...

You might want to look up Anguilla/St. Maarten in the archives of this forum - I know there have been many comments on how it's great to do them both. We have done them both and loved it. Anguilla is only a 15 min. ferry ride from St. Maarten. We stayed 4 nights in St. Maarten & 3 nights in Anguilla. There is a sharp contrast between the two. St. Maarten in a busy island with a lot of traffic in the bigger cities and casinos and night life - but still has a wide array of interesting beaches and nice resorts and some quaint inns that are priced fairly resonably. Anguilla on the other hand is quiet, safe and there isn't much to do, but enjoy the beach, water, swimming pools - but it's heavenly! This can be a very expensive vacation, but if you do some research I am sure you can make it affordable. Look up the Anguilla online Tourist Guide at www.turq.com/anguilla for accomodations & food. There is a little beach restaurant on Shoal Bay called Uncle Ernie's with $2.00 little Heinekens & basic grill food at good prices where we ate a lot. I've heard great things about the Allamanda Beach Resort on Shoal Bay - with rates of $125/nt. winter or $85/nt. summer for 1 bedr. apt. If I could, I'd go back to Anguilla in a second!

I agree with previous post. I'd suggest staying in or near Grand Case, St.Martin. The restaurants are incredible and it is a sleepy town during the day. It's a quick drive to Orient Beach if you want more lively activities, Snorkel at Ilet Pinel, people watch, etc. Then definately do some Anquilla time. We want to do a trip like that again. We stayed in St. Maartin but did two day trips to Anguilla, plus drove all over the island of St Martin/St Maarten. Very nice vacation.

I would definitely stay on Orient beach St. Martin. Part of the beach is clothing optional and all up and down the beach are little open air restaraunts and bars as well as places to shop. I loved it!

Consider Barrymore Beach Club, Runaway Bay, Antigua. We are small and quiet, beautiful apartments on a lovely beach. Our beach bar, Sizzles, offers moderately priced drinks and meals, in a beautiful setting. In addition, there are 7 other bars/restaurants, plus a casino, water sports, diving and shopping, all within walking distance.

Grenada - if you want quiet, no shopping, very little night life try this place. English speaking, hotels are a bit isolated, small beaches, friendly folks. Age bracket at our hotel was 40's - 50's. Weather is like Aruba, but no casinos. Rennaisance was very nice located on Grand Anse beach about 1 mi long, Mahagany Run/Mimosa is more european and very secluded; gorgeous beach, small. Rennaisance would be about $195 per night double/airfare Boston $750 ea; meals about $100 daily. Island is beautiful, green, flora, fauna, hilly.

Hi Mark: We also loved Aruba and our second favorite island would be St. <BR> <BR>

My brother and sister-in-law have been to Anguilla twice. Stayed at Cinnamon Reef. They love it. It may be a litte pricey for what you are looking for. Worth checking into?

Anguilla does have gorgeous beaches. If you stay on St. Martin, you can also hop over to St. Bart's for a day. Scenically St. Martin is a little dull. Since Alice mentioned Grenada, I'd have to say it was a highlight of my first island hopping trip. Antigua seemed spoiled the second time around. I haven't stayed in the Bahamas so can't offer any advice there... but what little I've seen looked quite nice! <BR>