Help planning a non-STJ vacation?

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:00 pm

I thought I would ask if any STJ lovers have any ideas for other vacations. My husband and I would like to go somewhere warm and not too far away (not Mexico).

When we are on STJ, we spend quiet days reading, cooking, and appreciate the fact that there are good restaurants on the island. He would like to play a little golf, but we would also like a beach. The kind of place where you have to get up at six to save a chair for yourself really makes me shudder, however.

Any ideas for a nice quiet place that has both beach and golf (at least nearby?) Florida is okay but it all seems to be so hi-rise and crowded...

Thanks so much for any help!

loria · Post by **loria** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:03 pm

dont know about golf . but have you tried manasota? it's on the gulf coast (FLA) and quieter (no hi rises)

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:05 pm

Bermuda

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:55 pm

Maryanne- I think the thread that Marcia kicked off about 6 weeks ago has alot of good ideas for US based beach places....let me find it and post it...

Here it is....
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=9914

My suggestions would be Seabrook Island, or Kiawah. I want to try outer banks sometime soon...not sure about golf there...

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:20 pm

Hi Maryanne,

What time of year?

If you're looking at late Spring, I'd also recommend Bermuda. Similar to STJ, you can rent apartments, lots of restaurants, you're never too far from the beach and there are several great golf courses. It's a short flight from Boston; Delta and JetBlue go non-stop. It is a little pricey.

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:55 pm

I'll put in a plug for Bald Head island, NC. Off the coast of Wilmington. We have stayed there at least 3 times for a week at a time.

Take a ferry to get there (no cars allowed-houses have golf carts). They have a golf club (most rentals let you use country club-sure there is added fee for golf). Beaches are very empty. Parts of the island is a nature preserve, have sea turtle preservation program, really a lovely place.

The only "down" thing I can think of is they do not have a huge selection of restaurants. I think most are owned by the resort. There are cottages rented by owner, by realty companies and by the resort. There is also a B and B.

There is a really nice sized grocery store on the island though.

Here is a website
http://www.baldheadisland.com/

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 4:58 pm

It's a bit of a flight from MA, but The Blue Latern Inn in Dana Point, CA has all you will need. Relaxation, golf all around, the ocean, many beaches, great food. Good breakfasts, wine served from 4 p.m. until 11:00 p.m, free!

www.bluelanterninn.com

djmom · Post by **djmom** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 5:01 pm

free wine? I'm there (we are all so obsessed with alcohol, you know.)

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 8:50 pm

U.S. mainland, Kiawah Island or Amelia Island come to mind for golf/beaches/tennis (I know you like tennis

). Or, check out the Buccaneer in St. Croix for golf, restaurants and nice beaches.

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:59 am

Thank you so much for the suggestions.... I should have mentioned that we want to go within the month. Probably 3 weeks from today. I know that the weather in SC, etc., and Bermuda will still be too cool, alas.

I am intrigued by some of these places in Florida, will check out. And California.. Also the Marcia thread helped, thank you. Maybe Bahamas would work.

I found a website that listed best golf courses in Caribbean but none of the places seem quite right. Nevis got wrecked by Omar. DR has a great golf resort but I just can't vacation on that island, knowing that so much misery is happening on the same patch of earth. Guadeloupe doesn't seem to have much in the way of tourism; hotels are not well-reviewed.. Has anyone ever been to Guadeloupe ?

LysaC · Post by **LysaC** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:02 am

sanibel/captiva islands off the cost of florida. i did a lot of research on them before we decide (again) to go back to stj.

sanibel looks really relaxing and quiet (liek the coral bay side of stj). cottage/house/apartment rentals available. might be a bit too chilly in feb though.

KatieH · Post by **KatieH** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:46 pm

Maryanne - How about the Four Seasons Great Exuma at Emerald Bay? The Out Islands of the Bahamas are intriguing to me... very laid back. It looks gorgeous, has golf, and, most importantly, a beach

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:00 pm

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Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:40 pm

Thank you for these suggestions!

(from NJ: my husband's favorite golf course is on the west coast of Ireland, talk about wind!)

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:31 pm

Maryanne wrote:Thank you so much for the suggestions.... I should have mentioned that we want to go within the month. Probably 3 weeks from today. I know that the weather in SC, etc., and Bermuda will still be too cool, alas.

I am intrigued by some of these places in Florida, will check out. And California.. Also the Marcia thread helped, thank you. Maybe Bahamas would work.

I found a website that listed best golf courses in Caribbean but none of the places seem quite right. Nevis got wrecked by Omar. DR has a great golf resort but I just can't vacation on that island, knowing that so much misery is happening on the same patch of earth. Guadeloupe doesn't seem to have much in the way of tourism; hotels are not well-reviewed.. Has anyone ever been to Guadeloupe ?

There is a lot of chatter on the sailing boards about how the threat of civil unrest on Guadeloupe is very real.

http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/200900 ... world.html

usvi-on-line

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Help planning a non-STJ vacation?

Help planning a non-STJ vacation?