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

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.

We did notice that merger. I had hoped it did not mean the end of
what I'd always felt was a pretty decent charter vacation operation.

We'll check out your pictures tonight! Thanks again for the tips! :-)

Chuck

Another possibility is Provo in Turks & Caicos. There is really little
to do there except sit on the beach. But my wife and I love the place.

Well, guess what? For obvious reasons, Chris had previously chosen
this as her first preference. What a surprise! From the way you
describe it, it might be my hell...but it's her dream vacation.

Chuck

I was thinking about suggesting Provo...
We've been there 6 times. We like and enjoy the Club Med. (If you
haven't stayed at a Club Med in the past 10 years or so, it is probably
nothing like what you think it is.) The beach at Grace Bay is, overall,
about the nicest beach I've seen in the Caribbean (and I've see a lot
of them). Certainly not overcrowded. The Club Med provides an All
Inclusive atmosphere that is unlike any other, or there are a number of
other fine resorts, including a Beaches that is full of kids... By the
way, my wife and I are in our 50s also, so don't let age slow you down.

If you like a slower pace, consider the Club Med at Columbus Isle
(San Salvadore island, Bahamas). You may want to take a look a look at
some of my trip reports with lots of pictures, at my personal web site:
Mike And Susan Page

Good Lord Mike... what an impressive website and Caribbean vacation
resume'! You have us both beat by far! Frankly, we had not thought
of Club Med at all. Perhaps we should do so. Maybe that's the
"missing link" in what it will take to satisfy us both.

We do need to be careful about the *kids* factor... and, frankly,
about the *young studs out to impress the babes* factor as well. While
we are both quite fit and young at heart, we are taking this
particular vacation mainly to unwind and relax. We want a certain
level of quiet adult sophistication rather than muscle beach bingo.

We'll bring up your site tonight and go through it in detail. I love
the high-res pix! Thanks for your input and keep up the good work!

Chuck

We like it specifically because most of the good stuff is
within walking distance of where we usually stay on Grace Bay (Ocean
Club Condos). It is however VERY seriously in the Island Time Zone
(which was best described as sorta like manana but without the same
sense of urgency).

Ha!!! I like that description! I do get the message! :-)

One funny thing to consider is that I have never once enjoyed a
vacation without having a rental car to explore with and to seek out
the very best restaurants. I need to feel mobile and unrestrained to
have a good time (even if the car gets little actual use). I have
almost never been entirely happy at a hotel's private beach (they are
almost always too crowded for me) and generally seek out some privacy
at some remote beach location.

On the other hand, Chris has never had a rental car on any prior
vacation except once or twice with me. All she just wants warmth,
sun, sand, enough food and drink to keep her alive... and a good book.
Any hotel beach (without too many noisy kids) is absolutely fine with
her.

How did we ever end up together???

Chuck

I would suggest St. Kitts except I don't think they have white sand
beaches. It was partly settled by the French, but I haven't eaten
ashore.

St. John has beautiful beaches and nice restaurants, but is pretty
expensive unless you camp at the National Park, and that may not be
your thing.

You might consider some of the places in Belize (like Caye Caulker, or
Ambergris) except that the beaches are very narrow.

Thanks for your input. Narrow beaches are not really our thing. Been
there, done that. And Chris would kill me if I ever made her camp
out. No gourmet-quality food either... right?

Chuck

Easy one - either Virgin Gorda in the BVI or Bequia
in the Grenadines should work for both of you.

We'll check out both! :-) Thanks for your input!

Chuck

I would suggest St. Kitts except I don't think they have white sand
beaches. It was partly settled by the French, but I haven't eaten
ashore.

That's what Nevis is for. Just go to St.K and hang a right. (g).

No there are restaurants which have QUITE good food. It is only the
lodging that is camping. I would say the food was better than in
Barbados.

Yeah, I can see that. The strong English influence probably doesn't
help unless you like Fish & Chips!

The narrow beaches are because of the coral reef offshore of Belize.
But as a compensation, there are very few people on them.

Even still, that is not our vision of Caribbean paradise... especially
when so many other beaches are so l-o-n-g and w-i-d-e.

Again, thanks for your input!

Chuck

Have you ever rented a private house and private beach? I just got
back from a month in Belize on Ambergris Caye. My friend rents out
her house and if you want to write me off list I will be happy to send
you a link to her site.

No rental cars, but you can rent a golf cart or take a boat to explore
and go to town. She has a private beach. The caretaker will cook for
you if your SO really doesn't want to do cooking. There are excellent
restaurants within walking distance. Four villas have their own pool
and private beach, so you won't be swarmed by outsiders. The island
only has 2500 people so that is no problem. There an entire month and
didn't put my shoes on at all. I have been all over Mexico and
limited to the Caribbean, but Belize is going to be my next five
destinations.

Janice