Which Island next?

Hi,

Just wondering whether to take another trip to the Caribbean again this year as we have for the past 5 year, In the past we have been to; St Lucia, Antigua, Barbados and Jamaica we usually go at the end of may/ early June. but last year we visited Barbados again but this time in August and found it was slightly hotter in august.
Just wondering is there any other islands I should consider visiting? or any favorite islands amongst you v-flyers? I don't particualy want to take a conecting flight after and 8.5
-9 hour flight. and proberly not an Island or hotel thats to quiet.

Thanks

[Scrooge]

St Marteen, yes you will have to connect, but it is worth it.

[Bazz]

You could always try Cuba - we would not have missed it, the people are wonderful and very generous and there is so much history there you will find plenty to keep you occupied.

The only let down was the food, if you are looking for gourmet cuisine then Cuba should not be on your list. We stayed at Sandals but even there the US embargo meant the food was below par. Oh, and finally you need to get on well with Canadians coz there are lots of them there.

quote:Originally posted by Bazz
You could always try Cuba - we would not have missed it, the people are wonderful and very generous and there is so much history there you will find plenty to keep you occupied.

The only let down was the food, if you are looking for gourmet cuisine then Cuba should not be on your list. We stayed at Sandals but even there the US embargo meant the food was below par. Oh, and finally you need to get on well with Canadians coz there are lots of them there.


Agreed on all counts (Canadians included - ours went up to 11). Havana is the most interesting place we've been in the Caribbean, and once you get out into the 'resorts', if weather and service are what you're after, you could be anywhere in the area. Food is, as Bazz says, not great, but a topped coconut with a generous splash of rum therein can stave off hunger pangs.

They do, however, smoke a great deal...

Paul

[HighFlyer]

I haven't been, but Cuba would be my first choice for a Caribbean holiday too [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

I'd personally say try Tobago or Grenada, as they are more similar (in size and culture) to the other islands you have enjoyed. I have known people not like Cuba as much as the smaller islands, because of the different culture and also because it's a lot more difficult to see the whole island in a single stay.

Out of the two, I would say Tobago is the more 'happening' island, and has nicer beaches, that's my vote. Both are direct flights, so no connections. [:)]

[Decker]

Second Cuba and St Maarten with a side trip to Saba for diving.

Cuba.

Thanks Guys,

Maybe Cuba is worth a visit, I'm glad you meantioned food in Cuba as I heard it was a big issue over there. I know somebody who works for Virgin Holidays and they have sayed that alot of there customers come back with food poisoning

I went to Cuba a few years ago now, I just loved it. My friend that I went with spoke Spanish which was good. Havana is amazing, so much history. We caught the bus to Trinidad, a small town on the southern coast of Cuba, that is so lovely. We were staying in people houses and was such an experience. People are lovely.

Dominic

Try St Vincent and the Grenadines - connect from Barbados or Trinadad. The most beautiful and un-sullied islands in existence.

I love Grenada and also the Grenadines - Palm Island is very lovely.

quote:Originally posted by Door013
Thanks Guys,

Maybe Cuba is worth a visit, I'm glad you meantioned food in Cuba as I heard it was a big issue over there. I know somebody who works for Virgin Holidays and they have sayed that alot of there customers come back with food poisoning


On our trip, we didn't see or become aware of anyone so afflicted. The only issue with the food was the lack of variety, as barbecue pork and rice can cease to be so attractive after the fifth time in a fortnight...but perhaps we're just spoiled..

And for those of a certain age, visiting the place that was the focus of the nearest we've come to total annihalation has a certain frisson.

Paul

[Decker]

I dived the Bay of Pigs.... it wasn't very good

quote:Originally posted by Decker
I dived the Bay of Pigs.... it wasn't very good


I think JFK shared your opinion...

Nassau in Bahamas is my favourite, very similar to Barbados, extremely friendy and great fun, change in Miami if flying virgin as they no longer fly direct (or BA direct)

Well I live in the Grenadines so I of course love these islands! (although I give the main island St Vincent a miss for sure.) I think Bequia, Canouan, Union give you a feel of the real Caribbean.

Palm Island is really just a tiny island with resort bungalows on it - theres no community at all living there, and Mustique is like Palm Beach on an island. They make up the rest of the Grendadines.

For me - other islands I love because they're not too commercial (unlike Barbados) are: Grenada (fabulous) and Anguilla.

If you want more commercial then Cuba is fun, Curacao is also VERY nice (part of the Dutch ABC islands to the West of Trinidad).

Martinique I also like as well as St Martin as both have the french (as well as Dutch for St Maarten side) input and are very chic, cultured, great shopping and food.

Really depends on what you want. If you want a real Caribbean island, big enough to do lots of things but without the commercial mess that is Barbados - then choose Grenada.

Grenada was absolute bliss....this time last week I was on a beautiful beach, why does it already seem like months ago?

The people wherever on the island are simply the friendliest I have ever met, perhaps because the island is not too commercialised which does also mean it is much quieter than, say, Barbados.

I am already planning another visit next spring. Further information on which airline I go on will be forthcoming later however!!!

[:)]