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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: jameskleiss]
#81029
01/08/2016 03:27 PM
01/08/2016 03:27 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,104 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,104
Central Florida!
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I don't know much about air travel between them, but how about Guadelupe? Looks like there are a couple of connections that get you to Guadelupe from SXM. Someone here was asking about the DR also, I think, and I think that is fairly easy. The DR is definitely more tropical, but it's primarily an a/i destination. Not sure whether the reason why you wanted to avoid Jamaica was because it's mostly a/i, or because you've been there before?
Carol Hill
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: jameskleiss]
#81031
01/08/2016 03:39 PM
01/08/2016 03:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 519 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 519
Eastern Caribbean
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Maybe I am spoiled, but I would never go to D/R again.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: jameskleiss]
#81033
01/08/2016 03:46 PM
01/08/2016 03:46 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,323 Vancouver, WA
Todd
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Posts: 4,323
Vancouver, WA
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Not really sure what you are looking for that is "Tropical" but if looking for green rain forest type of terrain you can jump over to Saba and get right into the rain forest pretty easy. If staying at Queens Garden there is a trail that starts from across the street that you can hike over to the main trail that gets you to the top of Mount Scenery. It is a tough hike, basically a goat trail. There are no beaches, but it is a nice relaxing break from SXM. Anguilla is the opposite, nice beaches and little vegetation but I would also call that tropical.
Cheers, Todd
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: dlbert]
#81035
01/08/2016 04:57 PM
01/08/2016 04:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,104 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,104
Central Florida!
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We felt distinctly more welcome on Guadelupe than Martinique, but we have only been to either on a cruise, so it's not at all the same as staying on island.
Carol Hill
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#81036
01/08/2016 04:59 PM
01/08/2016 04:59 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21
DanNJessica
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 21
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St John USVI. Most of Island is a National Park.
We love St Martin
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: Ritchard]
#81037
01/08/2016 05:18 PM
01/08/2016 05:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,575 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,575
Ohio
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Ritchard said: Maybe I am spoiled, but I would never go to D/R again. Same here.
J.D.
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: bigbobthib]
#81040
01/08/2016 06:24 PM
01/08/2016 06:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 763 Chicago area & St-Martin
ChiTownHarry
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 763
Chicago area & St-Martin
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Been there. Done that. When we were in Tortola, it was quiet, real quiet. We were there at the end of October last year. And to get there, the best option is LIAT... The best beach in Tortola is supposed to be Smuggler's Cove. To get there, you must drive on a rocky, pot-hole filled road for about a kilometer. If you are used to Saint-Martin, the dining choices are very limited. We found only a couple decent places.
--ChiTownHarry
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: ChiTownHarry]
#81041
01/08/2016 06:30 PM
01/08/2016 06:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,104 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,104
Central Florida!
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Harry--Tortola is over all much quieter than SXM, that's for sure. Most islands are. Especially in October, as that is the height of hurricane season, and a good part of the clientele of the BVI are boaters.
With regard to flying there, in HIGH season, Winair goes to Tortola every day and most days there are two flights to Tortola, so you don't have to deal with Liat's BS..
Carol Hill
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: dlbert]
#81042
01/08/2016 06:32 PM
01/08/2016 06:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 763 Chicago area & St-Martin
ChiTownHarry
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 763
Chicago area & St-Martin
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dlbert said: I would not recommend Guadeloupe and prefer Martinique. If one is considering a French island, look at leaving from the airport in Grand Case. I saw fares of $204/pp with 1 stop to Martinique and a non-stop to Guadeloupe for $123/pp.
--ChiTownHarry
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: jameskleiss]
#81044
01/08/2016 06:36 PM
01/08/2016 06:36 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
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If you just want a couple of days away from SXM and in a totally tropical environment, I'd take Todds suggestion and try Saba. Queens Garden Inn is lovely and boasts a wonderful restaurant. If you hike, dive or snorkel you will feel like Paradise found. We don't do any of the three but we do like to chill and found three nights four days there to be a perfect and beautiful change of pace. Much more than that would be B O R I N G!! Or at least boring for us as you can only read so many books and take so many photos. The Swinging Door Saloon was the only weekend hotspot when we were there, and it definitely wasn't SXM-like hot but it was a fun place, but note, please, it's been 5 or 6 years since we were last there. Bring your camera as its a gorgeous island with incredible photo ops everywhere. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: Rbailey]
#81046
01/09/2016 01:31 PM
01/09/2016 01:31 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
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Rbailey,
I agree absolutely with regard to Grenada, although it has been quite a few years since we were last there, and fortunately for us, at the time we went we were able to do easy flights from JFK.
I don't know how easy it is to get to Grenada from St. Maarten/St. Martin (which is why I mentioned Saba which does NOT require flying Liat, unless that's changed....) but it is one very beautiful island and boasts a very friendly people, too. It has a very modern airport to go in and out of along with very nice beaches and so many other tropical aspects - mountain falls, rain forests and lakes and incredible vegetation.
The two islands I've really loved besides SXM and have seriously considered returning to are Grenada and Barbados and perhaps one of these days we'll get around to a do-over on both. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: JulieandKarl]
#81049
01/10/2016 12:08 PM
01/10/2016 12:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,104 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,104
Central Florida!
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Honestly, the whole idea of that place apparently is just keep people there inside the 'reservation', as it seems, so I doubt it will do much to alter Tortola itself. Lots of ship traffic, but possibly there will even be LESS bus traffic..
Carol Hill
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: DanNJessica]
#81050
01/10/2016 05:50 PM
01/10/2016 05:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 48 Broken Arrow, OK, USA
OkieGuy
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 48
Broken Arrow, OK, USA
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We were in Gaudelupe last year for two weeks and it was amazing - you will find a tropical rainforest on the western island and the people were amazing. We spoke very little French but got along great! You can see my trip report under General Caribbean.
Life is too short not to be happy!
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Re: more "tropical" island than SXM
[Re: january]
#81052
01/13/2016 12:31 PM
01/13/2016 12:31 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 59 Missouri
hottubdiva
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 59
Missouri
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I would also recommend Nevis for a tropical location. It isn't as commercial as St. Martin, but it has lush vegetation and a very different vibe. It lacks in having lots of nice dining options, but there are enough to experience something different.
V and T
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