First trip to Carribean-Senior Couple
Oct 21st, 2009, 09:30 AM
#1
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First trip to Carribean-Senior Couple
My wife and I hope to celebrate our fifty second anniversary with a trip to the Carribean in mid February. We are interested in sightseeing, scenery, history, good food, and tranquility. Snorkeling, windsurfing, etc. not on our agenda. I'd appreciate your suggestions, price is also a consideration.
Oct 21st, 2009, 10:43 AM
#3
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Well, Congratulations, solaplex, to you & your Bride! 52 years! Wow! Did you get married on Valentine's Day?
Have you considered a Caribbean cruise where you would have the opportunity to experience a number of Caribbean Islands? With a cruise, you would get "sightseeing, history, good food". But, maybe not "tranquility"! I guess it depends on the size of the ship & the composition of its passengers.
Have you considered a Caribbean cruise where you would have the opportunity to experience a number of Caribbean Islands? With a cruise, you would get "sightseeing, history, good food". But, maybe not "tranquility"! I guess it depends on the size of the ship & the composition of its passengers.
Oct 21st, 2009, 10:44 AM
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Your question is overly broad as there are many islands that could fit your bill. For instance St. Kitts, Nevis, Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Saba and Dominica, all meet your criteria.
Also, you mentioned "price is a consideration" but you failed to tell us what your budget for airfare, accomodations and food might actually is - it's impossible for us to make any meaningful recommendations with a real point of reference. When it comes to money matters terms like "affordable", "not over the top", "reasonably priced", "won't break the bank", "price is a consideration"
are meaningless.
I suggest you read up a bit about each of those islands since they are all very different. Start by using the "Destinations" link at the top of this page, click through to the Caribbean. There you'll find some general information on each island. After reading the material you'll get a "feel" for what each has to offer. You can then do a google search for more information about the island(s) that most appeal to you. Once you choose your island, you can then work on finding a resort /hotel in your price range (whatever that may be) since if you have realistic expectations you should be able to find accomodations in your price range on almost any island.
Also, you mentioned "price is a consideration" but you failed to tell us what your budget for airfare, accomodations and food might actually is - it's impossible for us to make any meaningful recommendations with a real point of reference. When it comes to money matters terms like "affordable", "not over the top", "reasonably priced", "won't break the bank", "price is a consideration"
are meaningless.
I suggest you read up a bit about each of those islands since they are all very different. Start by using the "Destinations" link at the top of this page, click through to the Caribbean. There you'll find some general information on each island. After reading the material you'll get a "feel" for what each has to offer. You can then do a google search for more information about the island(s) that most appeal to you. Once you choose your island, you can then work on finding a resort /hotel in your price range (whatever that may be) since if you have realistic expectations you should be able to find accomodations in your price range on almost any island.
Oct 21st, 2009, 01:07 PM
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I guess when you fly from my little regional airport, almost anywhere is hard to get to. I can get from eastern Iowa to Grenada in one day. For me, that makes it a very doable trip. There are destinations in the Caribbean I can't get to in one day.
Until recently, it took me three flights to get to Key West.
Until recently, it took me three flights to get to Key West.
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Oct 22nd, 2009, 03:40 AM
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Barbados is wonderful for first-timers as it has at least some of everything the Caribbean has to offer, except for a volcano. Lovely people, a wide range of hotels, restaurants, beaches, history, sightseeing. See www.barbados.org
Oct 22nd, 2009, 05:01 AM
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Where are they travelling from - Grenada is direct from Toronto on a charter....5 hours albeit but direct and pretty straight forward. Grenada is a wonderful option and if you don't have small children to worry about in a plane for 5+ hours then a GREAT option...history, nature, beautiful views, nice variation in options of where to stay and Cariacou within a ferry service - I gather you should take your gravol unless you have a sea stomach.
We have chosen St. Kitts again this year because with a 5 year old and newborn it is 4 hours flight from Toronto and we love love the island - also has what you are looking for in terms of history - the Fort is a UNESCO site and it is a beautiful island with lots to do and see - driveable on your own and a great atmosphere with locals and tourists.
I do love Jamaica too so I wont say no to it - but try Negril for that less AI feeling...long beach. I did go to a place in Runaway Bay and had a wonderful time but it wasnt a get out and enjoy the island trip - it was a recuperate trip.
Happy Anniversary to be - congratulations!
We have chosen St. Kitts again this year because with a 5 year old and newborn it is 4 hours flight from Toronto and we love love the island - also has what you are looking for in terms of history - the Fort is a UNESCO site and it is a beautiful island with lots to do and see - driveable on your own and a great atmosphere with locals and tourists.
I do love Jamaica too so I wont say no to it - but try Negril for that less AI feeling...long beach. I did go to a place in Runaway Bay and had a wonderful time but it wasnt a get out and enjoy the island trip - it was a recuperate trip.
Happy Anniversary to be - congratulations!
Oct 22nd, 2009, 07:41 AM
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Thank you all for your replies. Since we have no experience with the Carribean, my request had to be broad. Now with the help of your responses, we can review your suggestions to narrow our focus. We will be leaving from south Florida/Miami area. As far as cost is concerned, we will pay what we have to pay, what I tried to convey is that we are looking for ambience not luxury and glitz.
Oct 22nd, 2009, 07:44 PM
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Caribheart, Cld you pls tell me who flies direct Toronto/St. Kitts? I have only looked @ Air Canada & saw Aruba, Antigua, T & C, Grand Cayman, St. Lucia , St. Maarten and Grenada. So, any help you cld give wld be greatly appreciated
We want to go "somewhere warm" for the last week in Feb/10 & I am having a tough time finding direct flights from TO.
Last year we went to Aruba but wld like to try some place different for 2010.
When are you going to St. Kitts?
We want to go "somewhere warm" for the last week in Feb/10 & I am having a tough time finding direct flights from TO.
Last year we went to Aruba but wld like to try some place different for 2010.
When are you going to St. Kitts?
Oct 23rd, 2009, 08:26 AM
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OceanBreeze1 - we are goign the last week in January and the first week in February.
We usually use two options for figuring out our travels esp. to St.Kitts....normally we use a woman called Liz Pereira who is a travel agent with Thomas (? Lawd she is going to sneer at me if I got this wrong). The flights are with Skyservice a charter... this year we jumped on a package that we saw online and missed Liz...see the cursing she could be doing.
the easiest way to get there is a package - air and hotel included - they offer the best flights. If you want to pay your airfare separately and book independently of your hotel then I would even more suggest using Liz as she is always sending us emails about cheap airfare to St.kitts.
We are paying a package to St.Kitts with Skyservice and our beloved Timothy Beach Resort - but we need more space than is offered through the rooms online in the package so we booked a studio and upgraded independently through TBR. They are excellent and really accomodating in terms of making these type of adjustments.
Again Liz Pereira is great for booking all things esp. all things St.Kitts. She actually moved to St.Kitts so she can help you on the ground there with any arrangements too.
Ok - the big secret I hate Liz to find out about - we booked this super cheap deal for St.Kitts online with www.selloffvacations.com - turns out Liz said she could have given us the same deal but we jumped and lost Liz. Either way - there are LOTS of flights through charters to St.Kitts and the flight is about 4 hours, we have never had any problems and it may not be Air Canada in terms of quality but I actually prefere Skyservice as I have had consistently big issues with AC and they are so much more expensive.
My friend if flying home from Barbados over Christmas and she is using Westjet and getting ridiculously low prices. I don't know what flights they are offering if St.Kitts is in there...but another option for you.
You can find Liz here on Fodors, but she is even more easily accessible through www.myislands.myeyez.net I am sure she would be thrilled to help in any way!
We usually use two options for figuring out our travels esp. to St.Kitts....normally we use a woman called Liz Pereira who is a travel agent with Thomas (? Lawd she is going to sneer at me if I got this wrong). The flights are with Skyservice a charter... this year we jumped on a package that we saw online and missed Liz...see the cursing she could be doing.
the easiest way to get there is a package - air and hotel included - they offer the best flights. If you want to pay your airfare separately and book independently of your hotel then I would even more suggest using Liz as she is always sending us emails about cheap airfare to St.kitts.
We are paying a package to St.Kitts with Skyservice and our beloved Timothy Beach Resort - but we need more space than is offered through the rooms online in the package so we booked a studio and upgraded independently through TBR. They are excellent and really accomodating in terms of making these type of adjustments.
Again Liz Pereira is great for booking all things esp. all things St.Kitts. She actually moved to St.Kitts so she can help you on the ground there with any arrangements too.
Ok - the big secret I hate Liz to find out about - we booked this super cheap deal for St.Kitts online with www.selloffvacations.com - turns out Liz said she could have given us the same deal but we jumped and lost Liz. Either way - there are LOTS of flights through charters to St.Kitts and the flight is about 4 hours, we have never had any problems and it may not be Air Canada in terms of quality but I actually prefere Skyservice as I have had consistently big issues with AC and they are so much more expensive.
My friend if flying home from Barbados over Christmas and she is using Westjet and getting ridiculously low prices. I don't know what flights they are offering if St.Kitts is in there...but another option for you.
You can find Liz here on Fodors, but she is even more easily accessible through www.myislands.myeyez.net I am sure she would be thrilled to help in any way!
Oct 24th, 2009, 07:23 AM
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I have ben reading these postings,since I have been looking for an alternative to Anguilla,for two of us around 65.Caribheart offers such great advice.!!I have been unable to find a way to make contact with Liz.She sounds like a super resource.Help?? And thanks.
Oct 24th, 2009, 08:54 AM
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You can contact me at [email protected]
BTW, I can get the same prices as Sell Off Vacations. Every travel agent uses the same computer system.
I specialize in St. Kitts and would be happy to help you book your flight/accommodations as well as any island excursions.
I am also the manager of The Tour Store in St. Kitts.
www.stkittstourstore.com
BTW, I can get the same prices as Sell Off Vacations. Every travel agent uses the same computer system.
I specialize in St. Kitts and would be happy to help you book your flight/accommodations as well as any island excursions.
I am also the manager of The Tour Store in St. Kitts.
www.stkittstourstore.com
Oct 24th, 2009, 09:33 AM
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caribheart, what is the time change b/t Toronto & St. Kitts? 2 hours? Skyservice Flight leaves TO around 9:30AM & arrives St. Kitts around 3:30PM
I just looked @ Skyservice through Sunquest& for the week we need in Feb it is over $1000 per person. Does this sound right?
I just looked @ Skyservice through Sunquest& for the week we need in Feb it is over $1000 per person. Does this sound right?
