My husband is depressed about turning 50 in January. I asked him if he'd rather escape to a Caribbean island instead of turning 50 at a party and he said yes. It will
also be our wedding anniversary trip.

Which island? We've been to Hawaii, Dominica, St. Lucia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We don't dive. We swim, snorkel, walk, and my husband enjoys nature (he's a biologist.) My husband prefers relatively unspoiled places which still have native plant and animal life. I prefer places where there is enough civilization so I can feel pampered. We also enjoy cultural sights, music, food, etc.

We were in Hawaii about 8 years ago. About 23 years ago, for our honeymoon, we were in the U.S. virgin islands. About 24 years ago we visited St. Lucia and Dominica.

We prefer places which aren't too touristy, where nature still thrives, and where you can find nice hotels. Also, while we are both in good health, my husband is in great shape for hiking, but I'm not, I'm out of shape, so I would need to do easier hikes/walks.

Can anyone advise me here? We were considering Bonaire, but as I began to look into it, it seems that there aren't any beaches in Bonaire due to a storm a couple of years ago? We like beaches, not just for sunbathing, but also for beach-walking. Also, apparently Bonaire is great for divers, but we aren't divers, and also, I am a timid snorkeler, easily frightened if I feel like I'm too far from shore...

Has anyone been to St. Lucia or Dominica recently? Or can you recommend your favorite island and tell me about it?

Thanks for any advice! I have a book here, National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations. But I hardly know where to start.

My husband works so many hours, it will be my job to plan the trip for us. It's a combination 50th birthday trip for him and our wedding anniversary trip as well.

Have you considered Guadeloupe in the French West Indies? I visited there a few years ago. It is not heavily traveled, especially by Americans. It has enough civilization for some nice restaurants, a little shopping, etc., but I would definitely not consider it "touristy." The "civilization" is centered only around the towns--lots of nature. The island is quite large compared to most other Caribbean islands and you need a car. The island has a volcano and gorgeous waterfalls with hiking of various levels. It is also a very safe place. The main language spoken is French. Some people speak English but not everyone. We got around fine and enjoyed the European feel.

You can easily find online info, but there is a less "sales-oriented" site that I found before we visited: www.cieux.com. It is not the easiest site to navigate, but it has good info.

I have also been to Puerto Rico, Bahamas, and Grand Cayman if you have any questions on those. Hope this helps!

I went to St. Lucia a couple of years ago and stayed at the Sandals Golf Resort and Spa...we really enjoyed it. They have built a new section up on the cliff...the original main buildings are showing their age, but the property and pools, were wonderful, as was the food. There is a big difference in the 3 properties in St. Lucia. We only liked the Golf Resort. There are many other exclusive resorts there too by the Pitons.

I've stayed in Guadelope as well, but found it extremely expensive for what you get.

Thanks, Wine Woman and Chiaro di Luna, for the suggestions. I am trying to research different islands, but I hardly know where to start. I'll happily look into your suggestions.

Wine Woman, this is totally off the subject, but do you know some good Italian red wines that I can buy in California? I enjoyed some red wines in Italy but I know nothing about wine! Up until now I have been drinking white wine, mainly Chardonnay...probably spelling it wrong. But now I want to get some good red wines.

Grazie!

Check out the web site for Nevis at www.nevisisland.com. A beautiful unspoiled island,very untouristy,dotted with some excellent hotels, splurge at the Four Seasons or the historic Nisbet's Plantation. The island is actually an extinct volcano, the peak of which is usually shrouded in white mist. Lots of nature hikes for all stamina levels. There is a large ex-pat community living there which is how we were lucky enough to receive an invitation to visit,not your run of the mill Caribbean vacation.

After a quick overview of each island listed in the National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations, these islands look promising: Grenada and Carriacou, Puerto Rico, and St. Lucia.

Any help in narrowing it down would be appreciated. I still have to do a lot more research.

Thanks!

You must go to Puerto Rico!

For your nature loving husband there is a plethora of nature sites to explore: Camuy Caverns with the world’s third largest underground river system, Pinones Mangrove Forest, El Yunque Tropical Rainforest with its lush foliage, the bioluminescent bays in La Parguera and in the Island of Vieques, Mona Island known as the "Galapagos of the Caribbean", home to a few endangered species and the list goes on.
In terms of civilization and pampering there are some excellent restaurants in the capital and metro area that offer both the local savory cuisine and also Int'l cuisine. There is first class shopping, particularly close to the pier and in the tourist zone of the Condado. Old San Juan in itself is full of cultural activities to be enjoyed by the visitor: theaters (Ateneo Puertorriqueno, Teatro Tapia), museums and art galleries, two magnificent forts: the San Cristobal, the largest fort built by the Spanish in the New World and the San Felipe Fort "El Morro". Walking around the old town is a unique experience, as there is no other place in the world like Old San Juan (well, maybe in La Habana): thick-walled colonial buildings with inner patios house museums, galleries, shops, restaurants, night clubs and residential homes. Walking on the blue cobble stoned narrow streets is the best way to enjoy the old town, stopping in one of the many quaint little plazas tucked away at the end of a street. The views from the walls that encircle the old town are simply magnificent.

There is so much more to say about Puerto Rico (and I haven't said anything about the beaches and water sports) so feel free to ask me any questions about the island. I am, after all, a native Puerto Rican.

About the other islands you are considering, I don't know much that could help you. I've been to the USVI and to some of the BVI but I was on a sailboat. Whatever island you choose it will be a wonderful and memorable way to celebrate your husband's birthday and your anniversary.

Happy planning!

Since you normally drink white wine, I would suggest trying a Valpolicella. It is a light, red blend. One very common brand that I buy often is Zenato, but I have drunk several Valpolicella wines that I like. Masi makes an easy-to-find wine called Campofiorin that I also like. Some other lighter reds that you might like come from Piedmont: a Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, or a Barbera (those are all grape names, but are usually stated on the label along with each producer's name). You should have no trouble finding any of these in California. These are all very reasonably priced, too--about $10-$15 per bottle. Happy wine shopping!

Maria, thanks for the info on Puerto Rico. Sounds like there are a good variety of adventures waiting in Puerto Rico! I am planning 3 trips at once, so I have a lot of research to do.

ciao.for.now, Nevis sounds wonderful too. More places to research. Thanks.

Wine Woman, thanks for posting an answer to my island search, and also thanks for the tips on red wines!

We were in St. Lucia last February and loved it. There's a very beautiful, romantic-looking resort (where we didn't stay, but had a wonderful sunset dinner) called Ladera...here is the view from their dining area:



You can find other images of this gorgeous island on my website. We stayed at a fantastic place called Stonefield Villaswhich were individual cottages, with kitchens and beautiful porches overlooking the sea, priced by either the day or week. I'd highly recommend it; however, they don't have their own beach (its just a five minute drive to the Hilton Beach, where you have privledges. Of course, for a big splurge you can stay at the Jalouise Hilton, but personally I prefer a less ritzy-resorty feel; Stonefield Villas was peaceful and perfect!

The only thing I'd say is that there isn't much in the way of hiking, at least on your own; there are beautiful trails in the forest preserves but it is necessary to go with a guide.

quote:

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Originally posted by Maria I.:
You must go to Puerto Rico!

. There is so much more to say about Puerto Rico (and I haven't said anything about the beaches and water sports) so feel free to ask me any questions about the island. I am, after all, a native Puerto Rican.

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Maria, we are indeed going to Puerto Rico this winter and I would love your input! We are birders and are not looking to stay at a big resort, but to travel the island and see the natural sites. Perhaps I will start a new thread; as I don't want to usurp Melissa's thread

Hi Melissa,

My wife and I have vacationed in the Caribbean for over 30 years and I can think of several romantic, sensual places that are surrounded by incredible beauty that you may want to consider for this special occasion. Like yourself, we love nature and unspoiled places and love to be pampered. For our 25th we stayed at Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda, an amazing place--dream like and beautiful beyond words. My heart skips a beat when I think of it. See www.littledixbay.com. There is another place on the same island called Katitchie Point Great House which can be rented for a week at a time. We haven't been there but it looks awesome. See the picture below and web site, www.katitchepoint.com.

We have many more thoughts on this but Virgin Gorda really stands out in our mind as being very special. Hope you two enjoy a fabulous anniversary and we wish your husband a Happy Birthday!

Ken & Jo-Ann



[edited by Chris to add picture for Ken]

KenC and all you slow travellers, thanks for the suggestions! Ken, love that photo...I am putting this all in my Caribbean folder for a future trip. Though we still intend to go to the Caribbean, my husband and I settled on Maui for our wedding anniversary trip in January because we were beginning to despair on ever agreeing on anything in time for this anniversary! We were discussing everything from Chile to Dominica!

And Hawaii is closer for us since we're in San Diego. However we are most eager to take more trips especially now that the kids are growing up...my baby is now a senior in high school!

Thanks you all!

Good for you Melissa! We've always been vacationing in the Caribbean but now that we've discovered Italy, we're excited about seeing more. We'd love to explore the Amalfi coast, Taorimina, and Lake Como on future trips.

Check out Caneel Bay in St. John--unspoiled and fabulous. Great snorkeling on St. John.

Go Red Sox!

KenC, isn't Italy great? If anything can make a traveller out of a homebody, a trip to Italy will do it.

I'm looking forward to our anniversary trip to Maui in January.

And I got my husband to agree that we're going to take a big trip in September 2005 when our last baby moves off to college...we've agreed on New Zealand! I wanted to return to Europe but hubby wants to put that off until 2006...

But New Zealand! We were there for the first time 20 years ago.

I'm skipping around here, but yes the Amalfi coast is beautiful...we had a whirlwind tour of the amalfi coast on our first family trip to Italy in June. I was charmed by Positano, wanted to snuggle into tiny Praiano for a week, and wished we had more time in Ravello. I"d also like a week in Tuscany.