Caribbean islands

Have you done any research? How peaceful? Umbrella drink with toes in sand and no night life? Cuba? Jamaica?

Tortola, BVI. The Ewing House.

Do you want a more tropical feel or does that matter? My husband loved St. Lucia because it had a very tropical feel, very lush, lots of produce, rolling hills. We have also been to Antigua and it is a dry island with no natural water source, very flat. Are you looking for all inclusive or do you want to go be in a town and go to different restaurants?

I'm currently in the best place in the world right now in St. Barts. We've been over a dozen times now. It's more like southern France than anything Caribbean. It has a reputation of being super expensive but depending on when you go it's not bad at all. Just avoid it around Christmas/NYE. The absolutely best food outside of France, French culture, super laid back place I've ever been. The nicest restaurants are full of people wearing shorts and sandals and the grocery stores look just like the ones in France. There's virtually no crime or poverty so it's extremely safe. I left my purse in the car unlocked yesterday when we went to the beach. The best way to stay here is to rent a house. They just about all have private pools and daily made service and it's cheaper than the handful of hotels. There's no chain anything, condos, or high rises that you find on other islands. It will spoil your enjoyment of other islands though. BVI is the only one I have any desire to revisit now. Of those I'd stay on Virgin Gorda again and if I was ever just wanting to completely unplug maybe Jost Van Dyke. Coming from the west coast it's going to take you a couple of days to get here. You will have to fly east your first day to NY, Atlanta, Miami, or Charlotte and then fly down to St. Martin the next day. From there you take a small plane to St. Barts. BVI is similar but you can fly into St. Thomas. There's a handful of ways to do it from San Juan too depending on when you go. I can give you more specifics if any of this interests you.

Doing research now, st Lucia looks good and a place called Crystals.
Not looking for all inclusive more unique and unusual. We like to just enjoy the locals not much into the nightlife thing.
Either beach or mountain, maybe one week at each. Thanks everybody will review St Bart now. Please send more, this is how we planned France was through everyone's thoughts.

I've been throughout the Caribbean to almost every island north of Venezuela.
And my favorite island is also St. Lucia.
A number of really fine all inclusive resorts are on the island. And places like the Jade Resort are truly world class with most rooms/cabins having private infinity pools up on the mountainside.
If someone needs transportation on the island from the airport, contact www.cosol-tours.com and ask that Yellowbird pick you up. He's Mr. Colsul's brother--a wonderful guy and tour guide.

Anguilla is a small, beautiful island near St. Martin. If you want rest and relaxation this place might fit the bill! It's very undeveloped with a few pockets of resort areas that are still independently owned and small. The beaches have the whitest sand I've ever seen with leaning palms and crystal-clear water. Excellent but casual restaurants. Take a boat out to Sandy Island...closest thing to being in a Corona commercial you'll ever experience!

Our family chartered a catamaran with a Captain and Chef 3 years ago and spent a week sailing around the BVIs. This, in my opinion, is an incredible way to spend a relaxing vacation in the islands. Every day is something different...you work out your itinerary with your Captain in advance, and if you pick the right ship, you will have your own water toys. Highly recommended and even though it can be a bit expensive, it is so very worth it!

Another vote for St. Lucia - beautiful.

Month of year? Budget? Note that the "old Caribbean often does not accept children under 12 "in season". I'm not talking about Sandals when I say "old Caribbean." When you say good food, do you mean on American Plan, or an island with multiple restaurants you can reach by foot or cab?

I happen to love the Caribbean, but it is a really long trip from California. But I consider it far superior to most of Hawaii.

I recommend a Sandals resort called Royal Plantation if you want quiet, rest, relaxation, outstanding customer service, an amazing view, really good food, and a "boutique" experience. It is in Jamaica. We had previously decided that we would not visit Jamaica due to the reputation for crime, however, due to the prices we decided to try it for one trip and were blown away. It is now our favorite Caribbean culture due to their warmth and genuine care for the people they serve. We keep going back. Next to Jamaica, the culture on the island of Grenada would be our second favorite. They are almost as open, warm, and friendly as Jamaicans. BVI sounds pretty cool from the above posts. We just enjoy being able to completely relax by having drinks delivered and not having to give a second thought about how we will get to dinner. BVI will be in our "someday" file though as we plan to visit many more Caribbean islands.

BTW, we have been to several Sandals resorts and Sandals Royal Plantation is the hidden gem of the Sandals chain. Don't go there if you like more of a party atmosphere, however. Sandals Ochi resort would be better for that. Everything at Royal Plantation is quiet and low key.