How do you choose????

[Up4Travel]

::::Aruba, Jamaica...ooooh, I wanna take ya to Bermuda, Bahamas...::::::

So many glorious islands to choose from...

What is YOUR favorite and why? Share your Caribbean dreams.....

Laura

Laura Sterling
Community Manager

"Montauk on my Mind"

[poptravels]

Aruba is by far my favorite Caribbean Island! The beaches are the best, in my opinion. Also the local cuisine is wonderful. Don't miss Boonoonoonoos and The Old Cunucu House. They are both friendly and serve delicious food.

Viva Aruba!

[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Aimee]

I'm not sure if this counts - but my favorite Caribbean island is Castaway Cay. That's the island that the Disney Magic stops it. But I prefer the private isle experience vs. hitting the heavily trafficked islands.

The water is gorgeous, and it's nice because it's not packed with other beachgoers - just cruisers. It's been a couple years since I've been there - but I liked it! You can't beat the cost of food (included), private cabanas where you can get a massage, and the added bonus of being able to drop your children off in a fantasy playground setting right on the beach.

Aimee [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[mama mia]

St. John in the USVI is my favorite island. If you go to St. Thomas (which is also nice, especially Magens Bay and the east side), you can take the water taxi to St. John for only $3 each way. It is so remote and tropical, not as touristy as St. Thomas, although cruise passengers can often be found on days when there's a lot of ships in port. Pick up a copy of St. Thomas Today at the airport to see when ships are scheduled, and try to avoid going on those days!

Trunk Bay is a great beach on St. John - its a long, white cresent-shaped stretch of sand that you can see from the hilltop as you approach. Most taxis will stop for a photo-op, that's how pretty it is! You have to pay for admission (around $6 I think), but its worth it. There's snack stands, rest rooms and an underwater snorkel trail.

[Up4Travel]

Aimee:

I can't see why Castaway Cay wouldn't count! After all, it *IS* in the Bahamas! The Island has been leased to the Disney company, which now uses it as a popular stop for their cruise ships, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic.

I've visted Castaway Cay, and it offers a wonderful, laid-back experience. The island is lovely, with plenty to do, clear safe swimming and as you mentioned, those great "open air massages".

Laura

Laura Sterling
Community Manager

"Montauk on my Mind"

[Host Bonjour]

*It's French.
*It's small and inaccessible by jets. Take the ferry or puddle jumper from St. Martin to get to St. Barth's.
*It has gorgeous, uncrowded beaches and tidal pools.
*It has high elevations offering spectacular vistas
*Hitch-hiking is a safe form of island transit here!
*Good restaurants and bars in all price ranges.
*There are Luxe AND affordable hotels.
*No "hawking" outside shops or restaurants.
*Little or no pretentiousness; nice people; when I had my unfortunate "scooter crash" [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] locals couldn't have been nicer or more helpful.

**Traveler's Tip: don't ride a scooter on hilly, curvy terrain that has just been rained on [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Luckily I got away with only scrapes and bruises; my new white sundress was, unfortunately, 'morte'.

What can I say: it's easy to spend 10 days in St. Barth's and NOT get restless, bored or "island happy". Fantastic enough to begin planning to return no sooner than stepping off the island.

C'est tres jolie et fantastique!
(A mon avis...)

Colleen Costello, HOST Bonjour
Community Host & Team Leader: England,France & Europe
www.IndependentTraveler.com

[This message was edited by Host Bonjour on Tuesday, 22 May 2001 at 05:14 PM.]

[Up4Travel]

Where did you stay, Colleen???

Laura

Laura Sterling
Community Manager

"Montauk on my Mind"

[Host Bonjour]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Up4Travel:
Where did you stay, Colleen???

Laura

Laura Sterling
Community Manager
http://www.webdeveloper.com/animatio...s/lighthse.gif
"Montauk on my Mind"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I slept and breakfasted (took an occasional siesta) at Les Islets Fleuris, high above the sea in an area called "Haut Lorient" (above Lorient)
There are a few secluded bungalows amid lush palms, floral blooms, & cacti. The front of the bungalow opened wide onto the covered patio area where the kitchen was also located (yes, outside!) There was a large shower, a sofa, a queen bed draped with a ephemeral, delicate white
covering to keep out flying insects; there was another twin bed, and a huge bath with shower. The pool area was set upon the highest point on the property where the island views were spectacular. Across the way, on a nearby hill was a little farm complete with goats, chickens, and roosters who apparently never got the memo that their job was done after sunrise, LOL! They'd ****-a-doodle-doo all darn day but most of the time we were out and about, but one eventually got used to these sounds of nature......it almost helped one to feel truly away from the big, buzzing city!

I was quite comfortable at Les Islets Fleuris but had the good fortune to know some locals as well as some transplanted friends from France working in various hotels. These connections gave us access to some of the finest properties on the island. I enjoyed tranquil afternoon swims in the infinity pool at the Christophe, followed by their famous (and powerful) punch as we sat poolside during the sunset.

Other times we'd swim in the warm waters along the El Sereno beachfront, linger alongside the pool and outdoor gym and dine al fresco at their "West Indies Cafe" restaurant overlooking sparkling waters and swathed by gentle breezes. Then there were sunset ****tails at the Carl Gustaf's lounge with a million dollar view of Gustavia Harbor and floral encircled infinity plunge pools in the foreground of this vista. Also got to hang out inside one of the Carl Gustaf Villas, each one seemingly alone on the property set among lush landscaping and winding paths that encased each villa in exotic, luscious seclusion.

Given the intimacy of this small island (i.e. most folks know one another, locals and hotel staff) I was afforded a wonderful taste of some of the best accomodations on Saint Barthelémy without having to actually move into each place, continually packing and unpacking.

My 10 days on St Barthelémy were as idyllic as I could have ever hoped they would be; in fact, everything was absolutely perfect.......and island fantasy turned reality if ever there were one, and, there IS!!! Even my wipe-out crash on the scooter couldn't spoil a day on St Barth's. I got cleaned up, bandaged & treated my flesh wounds and slipped right back into heaven.

For me, St Barthelémy *is* the Caribbean and if I never saw another Caribbean isle, I'd not feel deprived. I found my paradise [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]
Other islands have their fans too, so it's not so much about one island being the unequivocal best of all; it's a very individual matter of taste. The nice thing about the Caribbean is that there is an island to suit just about everyone's taste [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Just bring your swimsuit, snorkel, sunglasses and sunscreen - once you've found *your* island, these things are all one needs!!

Colleen Costello, HOST Bonjour
Community Host & Team Leader: England, France & Europe
www.independenttraveler.com
AOL Keyword: Traveler

[DebbieH103]

We are so busy, and I get such little time that we are careful to pick and choose what is easy to get to from where we live. Also, those islands that are not very far south tend to be too cold for us South Texans in the winter, while Southern Caribbean is warmer. Some islands are more hurricane-prone than others. That is also a consideration.

HOST DebbieH103
Jamaica Message Board and Community Host
http://members.aol.com/DebbieH103/pr...l/debbiewb.htm

[NyssaLynne]

Jamaica is my favorite Caribbean island. The people are so friendly and the island is quite beautiful. I love the way the land goes from beaches to mountains so quickly and flawlessly. Everything is truly "No problem" and "Irie".

[Tearaway]

I've been to about 10 Caribbean islands and Trinidad wins - hands down! Not just the hiking, the party people, and the sailing scene - also because it is cheap to have fun there. Prices for food, drink, transportation, and guided trips are between 1/10 and 1/2 what they are in the UK! Also, a tip for cutting your airfare price is to take a charter to Tobago and then take the ferry over the Trinidad (it's an experience in itself and costs less than 7 pounds for a 5-hour sea trip and the cabin!)

[NegrilLover]

Guess what mine is? I love Negril, Jamaica. It has this vibe that's hard to describe. It's the beautiful beach, the water, the cliffs, the people, the music, the food. I go almost every year. It's also very affordable. You can stay at hotels along the beach or for a quieter and more reclusive visit, stay in one of the hotels on the cliffs.

You don't need a car in Negril. Everywhere you need to go is just a short taxi ride away, or if I want to do sightseeing, like a trip to the falls, I just arrange that with a driver.

I love Jamican food and I love reggae music. Jamaican people are wonderful. Take the time to talk with them. I love their accents. I love listening to them talk patois to each other. I don't understand them, but it sounds so nice.

I'm also going on my first cruise this December and I'll see 6 islands I've never seen before: Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, St. Maarten & St. Thomas. But I'm still going to Negril in April.