usvi-on-line
Suggestions of - dare I say - another destination
We are headed to an all inclusive for a week in October on Cozumel! The people there are really nice if you can get past everyone trying to sell you something!
I plan to spend the week in a hammock, on the beach and at the bar! Very low key vacation! St John this summer almost killed me! I was exhausted when we got back!
Needless to say i can't wait to get back to St John but the next trip will be more laid back!
I plan to spend the week in a hammock, on the beach and at the bar! Very low key vacation! St John this summer almost killed me! I was exhausted when we got back!
Needless to say i can't wait to get back to St John but the next trip will be more laid back!
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lpowmacback
- Posts: 517
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:33 pm
- Location: Jersey Shore
Hey everyone - we are still in the process of finding a place - but hey, this is a big part of the fun for me - the investigation!!!!
Husband & I are looking for a more economical trip than STJ (so we can do STJ TOO
)- for only 5-7 nights - so Europe is OUT (that would be at least a 2 week trip for us!!!)
Right now I am looking into the Yukatan. Riviera Maya area sounds interesting - and possibly an AI - which actually sounds like being on a cruise. I like the idea of a big beautiful resort with LOTS to do Many of the couples places (first trip without the kid) seem too stuffy, sophisticated & elegant for us - I would like a more jungle (lush & rustic) feel...
Punta Cana? Anyone been there? Much to do outside of the resort? Which resort?
Thanks again!
Husband & I are looking for a more economical trip than STJ (so we can do STJ TOO
)- for only 5-7 nights - so Europe is OUT (that would be at least a 2 week trip for us!!!)Right now I am looking into the Yukatan. Riviera Maya area sounds interesting - and possibly an AI - which actually sounds like being on a cruise. I like the idea of a big beautiful resort with LOTS to do Many of the couples places (first trip without the kid) seem too stuffy, sophisticated & elegant for us - I would like a more jungle (lush & rustic) feel...
Punta Cana? Anyone been there? Much to do outside of the resort? Which resort?
Thanks again!
Peace,
Lisa
Lisa
lisa, bride and i love stj (7 times in villas since oct 04) her clear waters, shady north shore beaches and beautiful mountains. we needed to get alway in may, bride had lost her dad after long illness and she wasn't up to "getting to and from" stj. she asked isn't there a neat beach place with dal nonstop out of atl where we can just cool it?
well, two soc sec recepts went to club med at caicos, all adult, clean and all liquor food and entertainment you'd ever want. only adults only club med left, water is beautiful and while we didn't leave the grounds except for snorkle trips (included as were wind surfers, hobies etc.) and walks down beach, i believe there would be a lot to see and do on the various T & C islands.
while we thought we had a super rate in may of around 2200 total (except plane fare and we're nonrevers) for 7 nites, they are currently advertising a rate of 1774 for 2 for 7 nites (sat/sat) for most weeks till mid jan 08. now that's an enconomy trip if you can get there and i know spirit has a flt thru ft lauderdale that's usually fairly reasonable.
place is not fancy but bride liked the convenience of it all and we plan to go back at least once this fall. i'll probably get out and about a little more this time and while it will never replace stj, we saved a bunch over what we normally spend on stj trips and still ate and drank ourselves silly. based on ages of most of board members i saw posted on a string, if 2 old f*rts can have fun at cm you young folks surely can.
while you can click through on main club med site, here's link for cm turkoise
http://www.clubmed.us/cgi-bin/clubmed55 ... E&CODRUB=1
papabou
well, two soc sec recepts went to club med at caicos, all adult, clean and all liquor food and entertainment you'd ever want. only adults only club med left, water is beautiful and while we didn't leave the grounds except for snorkle trips (included as were wind surfers, hobies etc.) and walks down beach, i believe there would be a lot to see and do on the various T & C islands.
while we thought we had a super rate in may of around 2200 total (except plane fare and we're nonrevers) for 7 nites, they are currently advertising a rate of 1774 for 2 for 7 nites (sat/sat) for most weeks till mid jan 08. now that's an enconomy trip if you can get there and i know spirit has a flt thru ft lauderdale that's usually fairly reasonable.
place is not fancy but bride liked the convenience of it all and we plan to go back at least once this fall. i'll probably get out and about a little more this time and while it will never replace stj, we saved a bunch over what we normally spend on stj trips and still ate and drank ourselves silly. based on ages of most of board members i saw posted on a string, if 2 old f*rts can have fun at cm you young folks surely can.
while you can click through on main club med site, here's link for cm turkoise
http://www.clubmed.us/cgi-bin/clubmed55 ... E&CODRUB=1
papabou
Just wanted to chime in on getting to Tulum or xel-ha. We do not like to do tours with groups because we don't like to be scheduled. We never rent a car in Mexico. We have hired a driver each time we've gone to Tulum and we get up really early to get there since it gets super hot quick! Then, we'll have the driver leave Tulum when the crowds arrive and we'll head to xel-ha for the rest of the day. That way we beat the crowd to xel-ha too. We've always enjoyed those days. I don't have the number of the transport company with me, but if you need it, PM me and I'll look it up. We love the Riviera Maya and last year got an amazing deal at Barcelo Maya Colonial for 442.00/couple all inclusive for a week. Some of the snorkeling off the far end of that beach was on the same level as St. John. Most recommended resorts are the Iberostars!
Now, I'm interested in checking out Roatan. My brother's friends own a dive resort in Honduras and say it can't be beat!
Now, I'm interested in checking out Roatan. My brother's friends own a dive resort in Honduras and say it can't be beat!
steveo2916 wrote:Well, while the restaurants are not cheap in general, Anguilla is a great place to visit. We honeymooned at this cute little one-bedroom place:
Steveo...I took a look at that villa and it looks huge for a 1 bedroom.
http://www.greatrentals.com/anguilla/4372.html
It's got a great location, right on the water, view of St Martin. The beaches on Anguilla rival STJ. There are fabulous restaurants, or you can cook in.
SteveO.
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lpowmacback
- Posts: 517
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:33 pm
- Location: Jersey Shore
Okay, now, after a few days of research, I am not thinking about Puerto Rico any longer - and not too sure about Riviera Maya area of Mexico... the AIs look fun - but maybe a bit too Disney-like. Other places I've explored are Anguilla - tooooooo flat & not enough green... Punta Cana doesn't fit the bill - so WHAT ABOUT ST. MARTIN? It seems lush & hilly - great snorkeling too! Will I find it to be much like St. Thomas? While we LOVE St. John, St. Thomas is NOT our cup of tea - FAR TOO MANY chains (KFC, McDonalds, K-Mart, etc) UGH...
Thanks again everyone!!
Thanks again everyone!!
Peace,
Lisa
Lisa
IMHO...Certain parts of St. Martin are similar to St. Thomas (fast food places, etc.) But some areas on St. Martin are quite beautiful. We didn't spend a lot of time there, just a few days...we took the ferry over to St. Barth. Sorry I can't be more helpful. 
It takes both the sun and the rain to make a beautiful rainbow. --Unknown
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lpowmacback
- Posts: 517
- Joined: Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:33 pm
- Location: Jersey Shore
Okay - a complete departure from the kind of place I originally was looking into - Now we think we want to go to BELIZE!!!
It has great snorkeling, gorgeous beaches, lots of spectacular flora & fauna!!! It seems to be far less commercialized than a place like Riviera Maya - the place I was thinking of originally.
Any suggestions on a place to stay - we LOVE GALLOWS on STJ and I have seen some places on Belize that have a similar layout. And now that I've been spoiled by Gallows - I can no longer go to the Caribbean and not be ON THE WATER!
THANKS ALL!!
It has great snorkeling, gorgeous beaches, lots of spectacular flora & fauna!!! It seems to be far less commercialized than a place like Riviera Maya - the place I was thinking of originally.
Any suggestions on a place to stay - we LOVE GALLOWS on STJ and I have seen some places on Belize that have a similar layout. And now that I've been spoiled by Gallows - I can no longer go to the Caribbean and not be ON THE WATER!
THANKS ALL!!
Peace,
Lisa
Lisa
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AquaLassie
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:17 pm
- Location: Alabama
lpowmacback, Not sure where in Belize (waterfront) you are looking at (north or south), but I can give you some input on staying north, specifically on Ambergris Caye -- we've been there twice, in 2004 & 2006, off season:
In 2004, we stayed at Calm Caye Villa (http://ambergriscaye.com/calmcaye/), the website pics do not do this place justice -- it was beautiful! Just next door is Sundiver Resort - it is a very small, economical place. We wiled away many hours at their tiki bar. Next door to that is Azul Resort (http://azulbelize.com/), and what a beautiful place that is! Then, next to that is Rojo Lounge (http://azulbelize.com/rojo.html), a gorgeous restaurant and bar. And, finally, a quick walk from there is MataChica Resort (http://matachica.com/belize_resort/index.php), where we stayed in 2006 in a beachfront cabana -- it was lovely!
We enjoyed being able to walk along the beautiful, totally uncrowded beach from place to place. The snorkeling IS truly amazing on the reef there, but it is either a kayak or boat ride out. Ambergris' terrain is flat -- no hills (which we love about STJ), but it is lush and tropical. Flora and fauna abound; lots and lots of palm trees and shade. We like the Ambergris Caye for it's "away from it all" feel, and the locals remain the friendliest we have encountered in all our tropical travels.
Good luck with your search and planning!
In 2004, we stayed at Calm Caye Villa (http://ambergriscaye.com/calmcaye/), the website pics do not do this place justice -- it was beautiful! Just next door is Sundiver Resort - it is a very small, economical place. We wiled away many hours at their tiki bar. Next door to that is Azul Resort (http://azulbelize.com/), and what a beautiful place that is! Then, next to that is Rojo Lounge (http://azulbelize.com/rojo.html), a gorgeous restaurant and bar. And, finally, a quick walk from there is MataChica Resort (http://matachica.com/belize_resort/index.php), where we stayed in 2006 in a beachfront cabana -- it was lovely!
We enjoyed being able to walk along the beautiful, totally uncrowded beach from place to place. The snorkeling IS truly amazing on the reef there, but it is either a kayak or boat ride out. Ambergris' terrain is flat -- no hills (which we love about STJ), but it is lush and tropical. Flora and fauna abound; lots and lots of palm trees and shade. We like the Ambergris Caye for it's "away from it all" feel, and the locals remain the friendliest we have encountered in all our tropical travels.
Good luck with your search and planning!