If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
Please help us find what we are looking for in a *new* (for us!)
relaxing Caribbean vacation destination. We have been going together for 3 years now and have very different tastes and histories in terms of prior winter vacationing. "He" is 52 and has always been a St. Martin guy at heart with its uncrowded natural beauty, low hassle factor, low crime, laid-back ways, endless gourmet food & restaurants, easy getting around in a rental car, etc. "He" tried South Florida and Aruba (one time each) and hated both for their crowds, noise, traffic (in Florida), stark commercialism and high costs. The Bahamas likewise hold some bad memories. "She" is 47 and comes from an all-inclusive "stay in one place and like it" Cancun and Dominican Republic perspective most recently... liking both for what they were... with mostly Northern European vacations under her belt prior to that. No mobility need for her to enjoy an island... and little need for culinary variety or true gourmet food either! For her, it's simply plunk down and veg out with a good book! After a whirlwind Caribbean cruise and several quick mini-vacations, we are both ready again for a truly relaxing Caribbean vacation... but she doesn't *get" the mobility and French island things at all... and he doesn't *get* the Mexican and DR "all-inclusive" things... feeling captive and having worked (with very little fun or pleasure to remember) in both of those locations in years past. The only thing we can agree on is that we want clean, uncrowded white sand beaches and a very low crime location. The multi-island cruise taught us quite well to avoid those islands and places where crime is currently a bit out of control. It seems hopeless right now. Especially on our relatively tight budget for this year. Other than separate vacations... any ideas? TIA, Chuck and Chris |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
On 3/1/2007 2:04 PM Chuck & Chris wrote:
Please help us find what we are looking for in a *new* (for us!) relaxing Caribbean vacation destination. We have been going together for 3 years now and have very different tastes and histories in terms of prior winter vacationing. "He" is 52 and has always been a St. Martin guy at heart with its uncrowded natural beauty, low hassle factor, low crime, laid-back ways, endless gourmet food & restaurants, easy getting around in a rental car, etc. "He" tried South Florida and Aruba (one time each) and hated both for their crowds, noise, traffic (in Florida), stark commercialism and high costs. The Bahamas likewise hold some bad memories. "She" is 47 and comes from an all-inclusive "stay in one place and like it" Cancun and Dominican Republic perspective most recently... liking both for what they were... with mostly Northern European vacations under her belt prior to that. No mobility need for her to enjoy an island... and little need for culinary variety or true gourmet food either! For her, it's simply plunk down and veg out with a good book! After a whirlwind Caribbean cruise and several quick mini-vacations, we are both ready again for a truly relaxing Caribbean vacation... but she doesn't *get" the mobility and French island things at all... and he doesn't *get* the Mexican and DR "all-inclusive" things... feeling captive and having worked (with very little fun or pleasure to remember) in both of those locations in years past. The only thing we can agree on is that we want clean, uncrowded white sand beaches and a very low crime location. The multi-island cruise taught us quite well to avoid those islands and places where crime is currently a bit out of control. It seems hopeless right now. Especially on our relatively tight budget for this year. Other than separate vacations... any ideas? TIA, Chuck and Chris You didn't say what time of year. With a tight budget I am assuming Summer? Mexico still gives the best bang for the US Buck. But instead of the overly crowded party-party spots maybe look at smaller locals. Playa del Carmen comes to mind. If you can avoid the cruise crowds downtown during the day, you should have the place to yourself in the evenings. More isolated is Puerto Morales (just south of Cancun), and Tulum Beach. The latter is about an hour and a half ride from the airport. Then for more isolation there's Isla Mujeres, North West of Cancun is reachable by ferry. To get "out of the box" of Isla you can do excursions to colonial town Merida and/or Chichen Itza. For the budget minded you might look into cabañas as opposed to hotels. Some provide all the amenities of an AI, while others are very basic. The most basic (no electricity) go for as little as $40.00 a night. Tulum Beach has a very swank Cabaña next to the archaeological site including free admission to the ruins of Tulum. During the summer it is very reasonable. The property includes a pool, AC units with electricity and a restaurant specializing in local food. Dominica has some great beaches over 100 natural waterfalls, a semi-active caldera, and scattered about the island are geothermal pools that can be used for bathing. In the late Spring and Summer it can be very reasonable. You can be as isolated or as "walking distance to town" as you want to be. To my knowledge there are no direct flights from the US. Your most expensive cost will probably be your air fare. Still, Dominica (not Dominican Republic) is a beautiful island worth visiting. http://www.avirtualdominica.com/tourism.cfm http://www.dominica-cottages.com/ -- ____ Brian M. Kochera "Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!" ____ View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951 |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:01:04 GMT, Brian K
wrote: You didn't say what time of year. With a tight budget I am assuming Summer? Mexico still gives the best bang for the US Buck. But instead of the overly crowded party-party spots maybe look at smaller locals. Playa del Carmen comes to mind. If you can avoid the cruise crowds downtown during the day, you should have the place to yourself in the evenings. More isolated is Puerto Morales (just south of Cancun), and Tulum Beach. The latter is about an hour and a half ride from the airport. Then for more isolation there's Isla Mujeres, North West of Cancun is reachable by ferry. To get "out of the box" of Isla you can do excursions to colonial town Merida and/or Chichen Itza. For the budget minded you might look into cabañas as opposed to hotels. Some provide all the amenities of an AI, while others are very basic. The most basic (no electricity) go for as little as $40.00 a night. Tulum Beach has a very swank Cabaña next to the archaeological site including free admission to the ruins of Tulum. During the summer it is very reasonable. The property includes a pool, AC units with electricity and a restaurant specializing in local food. Dominica has some great beaches over 100 natural waterfalls, a semi-active caldera, and scattered about the island are geothermal pools that can be used for bathing. In the late Spring and Summer it can be very reasonable. You can be as isolated or as "walking distance to town" as you want to be. To my knowledge there are no direct flights from the US. Your most expensive cost will probably be your air fare. Still, Dominica (not Dominican Republic) is a beautiful island worth visiting. Thanks very much Brian. You may be on the right track with the Mayan Riviera. That keeps coming up over and over again as a logical top choice. I just need to get over associating that area with my past work and all of those endless travel and work-related hassles. Don't know about others, but it is very hard for me to think "fun and relaxation" about a place that I only remember for its hassles and difficulties. I should also add that we have both already done the Mayan ruins thing... her while on those past Cancun vacations and me during occasional breaks in my work assignments. I will have to do some serious research on Dominica. Can't say at this point that I know very much about that location. BTW... this vacation is planned for late March or April 2007. I also regret giving the impression that this needs to be a bargain basement vacation. One couple's "relatively tight budget" can be another person's extravagant budget! Let's just say that we are looking for a "mid-range" cost charter vacation for two leaving out of Boston's Logan Airport... not the most expensive package, but not the cheapest either. The point on which we need the most help is that seeming contradiction between "him" wanting an island (or resort area) that provides a little fun, variety, mobility and true gourmet food... while "she" just wants peace, quiet, solitude and privacy. That's the big challenge. What's a new Caribbean place (for us)... definitely with low crime... where we can somehow manage to satisfy us both? Thanks again, Chuck |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
The point on which we need the most help is that seeming contradiction between "him" wanting an island (or resort area) that provides a little fun, variety, mobility and true gourmet food... while "she" just wants peace, quiet, solitude and privacy. That's the big challenge. What's a new Caribbean place (for us)... definitely with low crime... where we can somehow manage to satisfy us both? Eastwinds St Lucia - its all-inclusive with gourmet food and wine; small and peaceful, but with a 'dine around' option, and the island is very beautiful. Or Tobago - beautiful island; fairly quiet (tho I fear it has a Hilton now). Have you ruled out Barbados - you may have to search around a bit for peace and quiet but I'm sure there are places that fit that bill, and the island has a lot to offer in the way of fun, variety etc. -- Rita Daggett |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
Chuck
Check out TNT vacations They charter out of Boston. http://www.tntvacations.com/tntHome.jsp My favorite is always Barbados No hassles very laid back and beautiful. St Lucia is also nice but much harder to get around. -- Dilly http://home.comcast.net/~itsdilly/ http://community.webshots.com/user/savalier People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. "Chuck & Chris" wrote in message ... On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:01:04 GMT, Brian K wrote: You didn't say what time of year. With a tight budget I am assuming Summer? Mexico still gives the best bang for the US Buck. But instead of the overly crowded party-party spots maybe look at smaller locals. Playa del Carmen comes to mind. If you can avoid the cruise crowds downtown during the day, you should have the place to yourself in the evenings. More isolated is Puerto Morales (just south of Cancun), and Tulum Beach. The latter is about an hour and a half ride from the airport. Then for more isolation there's Isla Mujeres, North West of Cancun is reachable by ferry. To get "out of the box" of Isla you can do excursions to colonial town Merida and/or Chichen Itza. For the budget minded you might look into cabañas as opposed to hotels. Some provide all the amenities of an AI, while others are very basic. The most basic (no electricity) go for as little as $40.00 a night. Tulum Beach has a very swank Cabaña next to the archaeological site including free admission to the ruins of Tulum. During the summer it is very reasonable. The property includes a pool, AC units with electricity and a restaurant specializing in local food. Dominica has some great beaches over 100 natural waterfalls, a semi-active caldera, and scattered about the island are geothermal pools that can be used for bathing. In the late Spring and Summer it can be very reasonable. You can be as isolated or as "walking distance to town" as you want to be. To my knowledge there are no direct flights from the US. Your most expensive cost will probably be your air fare. Still, Dominica (not Dominican Republic) is a beautiful island worth visiting. Thanks very much Brian. You may be on the right track with the Mayan Riviera. That keeps coming up over and over again as a logical top choice. I just need to get over associating that area with my past work and all of those endless travel and work-related hassles. Don't know about others, but it is very hard for me to think "fun and relaxation" about a place that I only remember for its hassles and difficulties. I should also add that we have both already done the Mayan ruins thing... her while on those past Cancun vacations and me during occasional breaks in my work assignments. I will have to do some serious research on Dominica. Can't say at this point that I know very much about that location. BTW... this vacation is planned for late March or April 2007. I also regret giving the impression that this needs to be a bargain basement vacation. One couple's "relatively tight budget" can be another person's extravagant budget! Let's just say that we are looking for a "mid-range" cost charter vacation for two leaving out of Boston's Logan Airport... not the most expensive package, but not the cheapest either. The point on which we need the most help is that seeming contradiction between "him" wanting an island (or resort area) that provides a little fun, variety, mobility and true gourmet food... while "she" just wants peace, quiet, solitude and privacy. That's the big challenge. What's a new Caribbean place (for us)... definitely with low crime... where we can somehow manage to satisfy us both? Thanks again, Chuck |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
Try the island of Nevis. Upscale and low stress with no Parrot Heads.
Truly the Caribbean the way it used to be before crass commercialism. See my website on Nevis for more photos. www.nevis1.com Great island but a bit tricky to get to. Hope this helps. On Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:04:47 GMT, Chuck & Chris wrote: Please help us find what we are looking for in a *new* (for us!) relaxing Caribbean vacation destination. We have been going together for 3 years now and have very different tastes and histories in terms of prior winter vacationing. "He" is 52 and has always been a St. Martin guy at heart with its uncrowded natural beauty, low hassle factor, low crime, laid-back ways, endless gourmet food & restaurants, easy getting around in a rental car, etc. "He" tried South Florida and Aruba (one time each) and hated both for their crowds, noise, traffic (in Florida), stark commercialism and high costs. The Bahamas likewise hold some bad memories. "She" is 47 and comes from an all-inclusive "stay in one place and like it" Cancun and Dominican Republic perspective most recently... liking both for what they were... with mostly Northern European vacations under her belt prior to that. No mobility need for her to enjoy an island... and little need for culinary variety or true gourmet food either! For her, it's simply plunk down and veg out with a good book! After a whirlwind Caribbean cruise and several quick mini-vacations, we are both ready again for a truly relaxing Caribbean vacation... but she doesn't *get" the mobility and French island things at all... and he doesn't *get* the Mexican and DR "all-inclusive" things... feeling captive and having worked (with very little fun or pleasure to remember) in both of those locations in years past. The only thing we can agree on is that we want clean, uncrowded white sand beaches and a very low crime location. The multi-island cruise taught us quite well to avoid those islands and places where crime is currently a bit out of control. It seems hopeless right now. Especially on our relatively tight budget for this year. Other than separate vacations... any ideas? TIA, Chuck and Chris |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
On Fri, 2 Mar 2007 16:17:10 -0000, "Rita Daggett"
wrote: Eastwinds St Lucia - its all-inclusive with gourmet food and wine; small and peaceful, but with a 'dine around' option, and the island is very beautiful. Or Tobago - beautiful island; fairly quiet (tho I fear it has a Hilton now). Have you ruled out Barbados - you may have to search around a bit for peace and quiet but I'm sure there are places that fit that bill, and the island has a lot to offer in the way of fun, variety etc. Thanks for the tips. We did like Barbados a lot when we stopped there on our 2005 cruise. Sadly, we never actually got to see any of the beaches in the brief time we had there. We were too busy doing the standard tourist things, which were quite interesting. The people were very nice there. It could fit the bill. St. Lucia was not one of our favorite stops. It was in the midst of a serious crime wave at the time... or so they told us... and we were warned to be extremely careful. In view of that, it's probably not our best choice even if the resort itself is quite fine. Chuck |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
On Fri, 2 Mar 2007 11:35:35 -0500, "Mildred Savalier"
wrote: Chuck Check out TNT vacations They charter out of Boston. My favorite is always Barbados No hassles very laid back and beautiful. St Lucia is also nice but much harder to get around. Thanks Mildred - We know TNT very well... and GWV too. We were both good customers of theirs long before we met. :-) See my previous comments on Barbados and St. Lucia. Barbados may work for us if the price is right... but we'll pass on St. Lucia for now. Chuck |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
On Fri, 02 Mar 2007 12:29:51 -0500, Nevis Island Tourism
wrote: Try the island of Nevis. Upscale and low stress with no Parrot Heads. Truly the Caribbean the way it used to be before crass commercialism. See my website on Nevis for more photos. Great island but a bit tricky to get to. Hope this helps. Thanks for the tip. We'll check out your website. Funny that you should mention "the Caribbean the way it used to be..." because that's really what we are BOTH seeking. Being over 50, I can still remember St. Martin LONG before it went completely over the top with over-development and over-crowding. Those were the good old days. I'd personally do anything to capture that "sophisticated & varied... yet still laid back & unhurried" kind of atmosphere again. It was the very best! :-) Chuck |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Help! Need *New* Caribbean Vacation Destination
There are pictures of Barbados on my webshots page.
The beaches are too good to be true! Snorkeling with the turtles is a real treat and Surfing! Very hard to find surfing in the Caribbean. We stayed at the Savannah and the Amaryllis. Through TNT with real air. Try to avoid Miami airport direct connect if you can get it. GWV merged with Apple and the prices went way up I am very sad to say, We GWV ed our way to St Lucia. -- Dilly http://home.comcast.net/~itsdilly/ http://community.webshots.com/user/savalier People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. "Chuck & Chris" wrote in message ... On Fri, 2 Mar 2007 11:35:35 -0500, "Mildred Savalier" wrote: Chuck Check out TNT vacations They charter out of Boston. My favorite is always Barbados No hassles very laid back and beautiful. St Lucia is also nice but much harder to get around. Thanks Mildred - We know TNT very well... and GWV too. We were both good customers of theirs long before we met. :-) See my previous comments on Barbados and St. Lucia. Barbados may work for us if the price is right... but we'll pass on St. Lucia for now. Chuck |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Looking for a warm vacation destination | STORMIN24 | USA & Canada | 17 | January 22nd, 2007 06:33 PM |
vacation destination | landlbreis | Caribbean | 7 | November 27th, 2006 05:30 AM |
Pick a sunny destination and book your hassle-free vacation today! | snow | Travel Marketplace | 0 | January 9th, 2006 08:09 PM |