My wife and I are in our 30s and plan to spend a week in the Caribbean in December. We would like to spend time on the beach but can't do it for a week straight. We want to go somewhere where there are other things to do or places to see that could take up a few days.

We also would like to use our Amex or Starwood points to defray the cost.

Any ideas?

For use of Starwood points, your choices are limited to Puerto Rico, Grand Cayman, and St. John. Based on what you described I would probably recommend Puerto Rico. There is plenty to do, with El Yunque rain forest a short drive away. The beach is decent if not spectacular.

St. John is a lovely island with gorgeous beaches and wonderful snorkeling. There is not a lot else to do, but you could boat around to other islands and explore them.

Through Amex we could go to Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados etc...

What about these places and the criteria I outlined?

I spent 10 days in Antigua last summer and loved it! There is plenty to do on the island ... old forts, Nelson's Dockyard and English Harbour, day trip to Barbuda, etc. We took the ferry to Montserrat for a day tour that was absolutely fascinating. I also did a circumnavigation cruise around the island that was also excellent. If this interests you, here are some more links:

http://groups.msn.com/AntiguaBound/
http://www.geographia.com/guestbook/antigua/

If you like to go on tours, I suggest Eli's Eco tour, the Montserrat day tour by D&J Outfitters, and the Wadadli circumnavigation sail.

http://www.antiguaadventures.com/
http://www.adventureantigua.com/
http://www.wadadlicats.com/home.htm

Last link ... picture of my son overlooking what used to be the airport on Montserrat:

http://groups.msn.com/AntiguaBound/m...to&PhotoID=613

I loved Antigua ... can't wait to go back.

I spent 4 days in Aruba last September. It is OK but I doubt I would go back. It is a desert island so not very tropical and it is very commercialized.

I haven't been to Anguilla or bArbados yet.

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 06-28-2003).]

My husband and I were married on St John and spent a week there staying at the Westin.

St John has some great beaches and is a lot of fun. As someone else mentioned you can also do day trips to other islands including the British Virgin Islands such as Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.

The British Virgin Islands are great.

If you can sail I would thoroughly recommend a week island hopping around the BVIs.

if you can't sail I would definitely say go a for a day trip to Virgin Gorda, with a visit to The Baths. Jost van Dyke is beautiful though not enough to see as a tourist, just amazing beaches

Great suggestion! I haven't been there yet but they are definitely at the top of my island must-see list. Plenty to do. Even if you don't sail yourself, there are plenty of charters avilable.



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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

Spike,
You mentioned Anguilla, Aruba, and Barbados. I have also been there.

Anguilla has beautiful beaches and is relaxing but is extremely quiet. There is really no "downtown" area. Food and lodging are quite expensive. The only activities would be on St. Martin/ St. Maarten, which you can boat back and forth to.

Aruba has a few more things going on ( especially casinos) but doesn't appear to have a lot more than the beaches and their resorts. I don't know Aruba real well. There are a few old fort ruins to see as well.

Barbados is a possible good choice. Nice beaches, and lots of things to do on the island.

I've been to Aruba every year for 10 yrs...it's perfect if you just want the beach, want perfect weather (almost never rains and doesn't have hurricanes)and want to relax. Aside from beaches, watersports, some really good restaurants, and casino's there's not much else.
For myself, I go every year in March when i'm "done" with winter and it's absolutely perfect!

Thanks for the good information. Keep it coming. Has anyone gone to Club Med, Sandals, other all-inclusive Caribbean resorts?

My wife and I honeymooned in Grand Cayman.
It's clean and safe with great restaurants.

Never been to Barbados. I've heard nice things about it.

I haven't done Club Med or any of the Sandals properties because they are a bit out of my budget. I have stayed at Iberostar, Melia (they have a miles program I think), and several Allegro (now Occidental) properties. Last summer in Antigua we stayed at the Jolly Beach Resort which is a privately owned all-inclusive. I love all-inclusives but some people don't like them. I travel with my teenage son mostly and they just work out great for us.

On Antigua, there are several very, very nice all-inclusives. The Sandals property there is a bit run down and on a lousy beach.


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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 06-29-2003).]

Try La Source in Grenada. It is a fabulous island with stunning scenery and lots of spice plantations.

La Source is an all inclusive with a free daily treatment (like massage, seaweed wrap). They have a 9 hole golf course and lots of daily sports also all free.

Typical day at La Source. Get up for breakfast at 8am, Tai Chi at 8.30, meditation at 9.30. Massage at 11. Beach until lunchtime. Lunch. Beach until 4pm. Yoga followed by golf.

Then you can undo all the good by pigging out and getting hammered in the evening.

Suggestion.