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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: JohnandBev]
#121226
02/18/2017 02:51 PM
02/18/2017 02:51 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656
Brookfield, CT.
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I was going to offer both Grenada and Barbados as possible options. Both are totally different than St. Maarten/St. Martin and each one is lovely each in their own way.
Both islands drive on the 'other' side if the road but if you can get beyond that, both islands are great and both are on our 'must go back someday' lists.
I don't think you'll find any other island in the Caribbean that has food that equals that of SXM although there are a few island's we've missed so maybe you might, but we found the food on both of these islands to be good though of the two, I think I enjoyed the food in Barbados more than in Grenada.
The people of both islands are very friendly, or such was our experience in all our encounters. Both islands are throwbacks to their earlier heritage and I think we found Barbados to be the more proper of the two - British leanings I guess. No nude beaches although I know it's done, at least on Barbados, but I don't think it's the norm like it is in SXM. Not really sure about topless as we spent most of our time in Grenada on Grande Anse Beach and didn't notice any topless bathers, but this was a few years ago. While in Barbados, we really only frequented Crane Beach and we were generally the only ones there so who knows?!
As far as shopping, I'm not much into it - just not my thing - but I'm sure Bridgetown is good, it's a huge and fairly modern city atmosphere as I recall, and I know there's a huge marketplace in Grenada and I'm sure they have a shopping hub as well.
My favorite activity in new places is exploring and both islands offer a wealth of different things to see, from rocky coastlines complete with the requisite lighthouse, to inland rain forests and mountain lakes and waterfalls. What you see is mostly dependent on how adventurous you are. We drove all over Barbados and it has a wealth of places to explore but we weren't as optimistic/daring on Grenada and chose to go the private tour guide route. I had studied my trusty Fodors before we went to Grenada and our driver took us everywhere we wanted to go including a stop outside his home to view his love pointsettia bushes. It's a truly beautiful island. For that matter, they both are.
One really nice aspect of Grenada, or so we felt, was that the islanders truly liked and appreciated the American visitors and were still appreciative for having been saved from the plans of the would have been evil dictators there who had their own plans for that island destination.
It's been a while, probably fifteen to twenty years, since we vacationed on either island and sadly, the older we get, the easier it is to keep returning to the places we know the best but if the island's are today even remotely what we experienced when there, I can't see how you could miss with either one. <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: Another Island next Year?
[Re: LBI2SXM]
#121228
02/18/2017 03:43 PM
02/18/2017 03:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656
Brookfield, CT.
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Curaçao is one Caribbean island we've always meant to see and yet somehow, never gotten around to. But if the green flash is that common there, we might just have to because still, over all our years and all our trips to the Caribbean I've yet to see it and have only heard others describe how beautiful it is. Isn't Curacao also known to be a great destination for both snorkeling and diving? One of these days maybe.....
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: whammy]
#121229
02/18/2017 04:24 PM
02/18/2017 04:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,147 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,147
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Having visited many other islands just last year, I would recommend Nevis, St. Kitts, or Grenada. They all have a great island atmosphere and are not so commerialized. I found Barbados to be disappointing as there are a lot of big highways and seemed to be very busy there now. I love spending the day on the beach and Nevis, St. Kit's and Grenada all fit the bill. You won't find shopping as good as on St. Marten and perhaps the dining is not as good either. It is always nice to try something different, but there is a reason why people keep returning to the island we all love!
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: islandgem]
#121231
02/18/2017 05:23 PM
02/18/2017 05:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656
Brookfield, CT.
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Elizabeth,
It's been a while since we vacationed on St. Kitts and while there were some things we loved, like the Fort Brimstone historical site with its incredible views of much of the Caribbean, the thing that stands out most memorably to me is that the beaches weren't remotely as nice as those of SXM, (much nicer than those here in CT, however....) but at the same time, the few beaches we visited on Nevis were gorgeous and you do have the easy convenience of two island's for the price of one. But again, it was so long ago, I can't even recall where we stayed. I do remember the batik factory was interesting and the island itself was very tidy. <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: Another Island next Year?
[Re: TravelHat]
#121235
02/20/2017 12:12 AM
02/20/2017 12:12 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160 Greensboro, NC
charlieh
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160
Greensboro, NC
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TravelHat said: Martinique is a good place to research. Check it out. Lots of history, exploring, and great resorts. I was going to mention this as well. Also Guadeloupe. I am quite willing to send pictures of both islands to Whammy in return for a paid trip to each place. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> You've got the French cooking going for you.
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: whammy]
#121237
02/20/2017 01:33 PM
02/20/2017 01:33 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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Here's an option we've tried. Since we know we love St Martin we've done several trips where we try out another island for 4 or 5 days and then fly to St Martin to end our vacation. Once we flew into St Martin, took a boat over to Anguilla for 4 days, took the boat back to St Martin for a week. Another time we flew to Aruba, stayed there 5 days, flew to St Martin for the rest of our vacation time. My favorite one, though, was flying to St Martin, changing planes and flying to Nevis, staying there 5 days, then flying back to St Martin for the remainder of our time. We love St Martin but this gives us a taste of someplace else too.
V and T
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: pat]
#121240
02/20/2017 09:10 PM
02/20/2017 09:10 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562 Long Island, NY
RICKnGRACE_LI_NY
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,562
Long Island, NY
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pat said: Curaçao is one Caribbean island we've always meant to see and yet somehow, never gotten around to. But if the green flash is that common there, we might just have to because still, over all our years and all our trips to the Caribbean I've yet to see it and have only heard others describe how beautiful it is. Isn't Curacao also known to be a great destination for both snorkeling and diving? One of these days maybe..... We have been to Curacao both as a vacation spot and as a Cruise stop. I think it is fantastic. Certainly different than SXM in certain ways. Quieter, as was mentioned in the post above you. Beautiful beaches, great dining and I always felt safe. It is a place we would like to return to.
Rick and Grace
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: BobandJeana]
#121242
02/21/2017 12:33 AM
02/21/2017 12:33 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656
Brookfield, CT.
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Each of the Hawaiian islands is gorgeous and they all have their own special things to see or do, but that's a lot of flying time, and particularly from the East Coast even if you're flying First Class and even moreso if your main objective is just a beach. They're lovely, for sure, but we didn't find any that we would rate as highly as those of SXM, Anguilla or St. Bart's. Our September trip was only our second to Hawaii and our first to Maui so we sure don't come close to qualifying as experts on the Hawaiian islands but I decided on the flight home, and only due to the flying time, it will most likely be our last. And I understand now why so many from the west coast choose to make the annual trek to the Caribbean instead of Hawaii. <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: Another Island next Year?
[Re: IslandBoi]
#121244
02/21/2017 11:30 PM
02/21/2017 11:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 171
CJIMI
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 171
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Last year we did both SXM and Guadeloupe. We flew to Guadeloupe from BWI on Norwegian Air, for less than $200 RT. Lodging and food are less expensive in Guadeloupe than in SXM - but car rentals cost more. Guadeloupe is huge, compared to SXM. We stayed at the Relais des Chateaux, on the eastern end of the island. Just to give you an idea of the size of Guadeloupe, on the day that we drove to the Botanical Garden, it was a 2 hour drive, one way, and the roads are pretty good. The restaurants are great, and there are CO beaches. It helps - a lot - if you speak French. But I would not let the language issue dissuade you from going. Norwegian has non-stop service from JFK, BWI, and BOS. I think that they also fly from Florida, now. The service is seasonal. I can't wait to get back.
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: HappyNude]
#121246
02/23/2017 11:38 AM
02/23/2017 11:38 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,656
Brookfield, CT.
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We also enjoyed a lovely stay on Vieques but if the OP is looking for many of the same offerings as found on SXM - i.e. Incredible dining and shopping for starters, unless things have changed drastically since we were there, I doubt they will find either. Good food, for sure, but not like on SXM. The beaches are lovely and there are some interesting locations worth taking in but just NOT remotely near that of SXM.
We enjoyed Sun Bay and a few of the former military beaches and the Biolescent Bay was perhaps the most incredible thing I've ever seen, but beyond that, it's all about beaching. Maybe a daytrip to Culebra which we didn't do and which I don't know the logistics for doing?
I think the thing we most enjoyed about Vieques was that it hadn't really been discovered yet and was a more laid back atmosphere without so many of the tourist trappings of other destinations. <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: Another Island next Year?
[Re: whammy]
#121250
03/02/2017 09:15 AM
03/02/2017 09:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,046 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,046
Central Florida!
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St. Lucia is a really beautiful island, sort of reminds one of the south Pacific. However, after visiting there several times on ships, I never really wanted to stay there. It takes a LONG time to get from one side of the island to the other. It's not a big self catering place, I didn't think, as not as lot of places to just go out and pick among dozens of different restaurants like SXM. Not many really nice beaches that are public. It's more an a/I destination to me. If that's what you're going for, it should be nice.
Carol Hill
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: The_Lurker]
#121253
03/02/2017 07:16 PM
03/02/2017 07:16 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160 Greensboro, NC
charlieh
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,160
Greensboro, NC
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The_Lurker said: He also said that he was happy they didn't rent a car, since the driving was not easy and there were lots of mountains. My one visit to St Lucia involved a cab ride to our hotel. It was the worst ride I've had in my entire life, and I have a good 2,000,000 highway miles under my belt as well as some 15 countries. I would be scared to death to drive there, and it is the British left side of the road as well.
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: phillygirl7]
#121256
03/06/2017 12:57 PM
03/06/2017 12:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 64
johngret
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 64
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I would start by listing what you liked in SXM and then finding another Island. You cannot imagine the simple things that you take for granted here and that you won't find on many other Islands
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” ― George Orwell
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Re: Another Island next Year?
[Re: whammy]
#121263
04/05/2017 11:16 PM
04/05/2017 11:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 276 North of Boston
Ted_n_Jan
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 276
North of Boston
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I'm with you on the 20 years ago.
Food was great and beaches and roads not crowded. :-)
And as a bonus the dollar was better than 1 to 1
Last edited by Ted_n_Jan; 04/05/2017 11:18 PM.
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