Honeymoon Quandary - please help!

[chanijo]

My new husband and I have decided to go to the Caribbean for our honeymoon but we want to find an island that will suit both of our interests. We both love beautiful beaches and would love to find some more secluded ones. He wants to snorkel, go diving, and take nature walks, etc. and I want to be able to go out to the casinos at night, or shop during the day. Is there an island we can go that can accomodate both of our interests? So far, people have mentioned Aruba, Barbados, and St. Lucia....what do you think? Thank you!

[Carib Mark]

You're best bet might be St Kitts. There's a lot of natural beauty and things to do there, and the Marriott has a great resort with casino. The problem is, many of the natural, hidden beach, adventure type islands (St. Lucia, St John, Dominica, Grenada, etc) are geared toward that, and realize people are not the same travelers as those seeking nightclubs and casinos (Aruba, Nassau, etc). You mention Barbados which is beautiful and has lots to do, great beaches, nature and fantastic didning...but at night, it's quiet and not a casino to be found. No place has it all, but I'm sure you can agree to each give up a little something while trying something new.

[chanijo]

Thank you so much for your help and suggestions! I didn't realize that about Barbados. Is St. Kitts safe? What about St. Lucia?

Thanks again!

[klas]

Hi there,
Sounds like you are pretty active, but want romance too. We really enjoyed a few places (have been to about 28 different islands over the years and we are active scuba divers, etc., and still romantic!). So .....here goes:
St. Lucia - Anse Chastanet - WONDERFUL little property - very intimate/personal/great food and service/ unique individual rooms built into the mountain/great beach - diving included for certified divers/good snorkelling
- Sandals Halcyon - older property but beautiful grounds - and lovely like all Sandals properties
- Body Holiday Le Sport - friends have gone there regularly and just love it - especially all the spa treatments - being renovated this year
Antigua - Sandals Antigua (diving extremely poor, but beaches incredible)
- Curtain Bluff - very exclusive
Mexico - Paradisus Riviera Maya
Coast Rica - Paradisus Playa Conchal (no diving but beautiful property, etc.)
Hope this helps! Good Luck! Our favourite has been Anse Chastanet - so unique and they have won best small hotel for quite a few years and the Mgr. Peter (and all the staff) are excellent. Quite a few stairs to walk down to the beach (there is a shuttle) - but the views are incredible!

[Carib Mark]

Thank you so much for your help and suggestions! I didn't realize that about Barbados. Is St. Kitts safe? What about St. Lucia?

Thanks again!



St Kitts and St Lucia are generally safe. As with anywhere, know where you are, who's around and if it's someplace you should be. If you go to the Friday night jump up in St Lucia, be a bit more aware or bring a friend from the island to join you as pick pocketing is a little too easy there. Otherwise it's a great time. As for Barbados, I have walked darkened streets to go to restaurants from my hotel, and in that case and every other always felt safe.

[lpruss]

You could try St Thomas, St Croix, or St John. St Thomas has lots of nightlife and the beaches are nice, St Croix has Casinos, and St John has great parks, nature walks, and beaches. However, St John is relatively quiet at night. This page has some good links for St John: http://stjohnrental.com/stjohnrental/dining.cfm

If you decide you are interested in St John; Try St John's South Shore Villa (www.stjohnrental.com) Located within the US Virgin Island's National Park boundaries and perched high a top a mountain overlooking the azure waters of the Caribbean, the South Shore Villa is the ultimate in private luxury vacation living.

The South Shore Villa is centrally air-conditioned and features four well-appointed bedrooms (all with private bathrooms), a luxurious custom kitchen with restaurant quality stainless steel appliances, a dining room, and a large living room all with panoramic views of the ocean. The villa also features beautiful handmade furniture, art, and high-end electronics (including high definition LCD flat-screen TVs in all of the bedrooms and a premium sound system).

Of additional interest is the spectacular infinity edge swimming pool with fountains, a large travertine patio, covered veranda, and a stainless steel barbeque for entertaining.

Good luck and enjoy your first trip to the caribbean.