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View Full Version : Antigua vs. Anguilla vs. Barbuda


Gigs
08-24-2005, 10:09 AM
Now that I am looking all over the Caribbean/Hawaii and maybe Indonesia for my honeymoon, I have come upon some information for three islands in the Caribbean that have peaked my interest: Antigua, Anguilla, and Barbuda.

Antigua: Antigua supposedly has 365 beaches. Beaches aren't everything to me though. I like the fact that they use the Eastern Caribbean dollar, however, EVERYTHING is quoted in US dollars. What are the people like? What's there to do there? What are the best hotels? Do they have any good restaurants? The travel channel rarely covers any of the Caribbean, so I don't know much about this one.

Anguilla: Word has it that this island does not even allow cruise ships to visit. So, this island isn't as commercialized as others. From what I know, the people are friendly and not just out for your money. I haven't found much to do there except for watersports. My guess is they use the British Pound there as well which can jack up the prices of things.

Barbuda: When I mention Barbuda to people, they always ask me if I meant Bermuda or Barbados. No, Barbuda lies to the north of Antigua and it is where Princess Diana used to vacation with the boys. It is three resort hotels and one B&B. It also only has a handful of places to eat. The beaches are barren of people and so are most of the resorts. If you want nothing to do, this is THE place. I have looked at The Beach House and the K Club, but they don't have their 2006 rates posted.

As far as the other places, Maui has always been attractive to me as I compete in Hawaiian outrigger canoeing here on the East Coast. Indonesia can stretch your dollar, but the flight there from Boston would be a lesson in how to stretch properly while on aboard a flight. Has anybody heard about the three islands mentioned?

Jason's Storm
08-29-2005, 06:08 PM
Originally posted by Gigs@Aug 24 2005, 09:09 AM
Now that I am looking all over the Caribbean/Hawaii and maybe Indonesia for my honeymoon, I have come upon some information for three islands in the Caribbean that have peaked my interest: Antigua, Anguilla, and Barbuda.

Antigua: Antigua supposedly has 365 beaches. Beaches aren't everything to me though. I like the fact that they use the Eastern Caribbean dollar, however, EVERYTHING is quoted in US dollars. What are the people like? What's there to do there? What are the best hotels? Do they have any good restaurants? The travel channel rarely covers any of the Caribbean, so I don't know much about this one.

Anguilla: Word has it that this island does not even allow cruise ships to visit. So, this island isn't as commercialized as others. From what I know, the people are friendly and not just out for your money. I haven't found much to do there except for watersports. My guess is they use the British Pound there as well which can jack up the prices of things.

Barbuda: When I mention Barbuda to people, they always ask me if I meant Bermuda or Barbados. No, Barbuda lies to the north of Antigua and it is where Princess Diana used to vacation with the boys. It is three resort hotels and one B&B. It also only has a handful of places to eat. The beaches are barren of people and so are most of the resorts. If you want nothing to do, this is THE place. I have looked at The Beach House and the K Club, but they don't have their 2006 rates posted.

As far as the other places, Maui has always been attractive to me as I compete in Hawaiian outrigger canoeing here on the East Coast. Indonesia can stretch your dollar, but the flight there from Boston would be a lesson in how to stretch properly while on aboard a flight. Has anybody heard about the three islands mentioned?
7774

You dont know the best times to go there(price wise), do you?

~JS

DCTravelAgent
08-30-2005, 11:27 AM
First, do a little exercise:

What has to happen on this vacation/honeymoon to make it the vacation/honeymoon of my dreams?

Is luxury important?

Shopping?

Night life?

Sight-seeing? (historical, natural, cultural)

Soft adventure?

Gourmet food?

Time on the beach?

Seclusion or other people around me?

What is you budget?

Do you understand that "a good deal" is not always the best value?

When you are done answering those questions, find a Travel Agent who specializes in the Caribbean (or Hawaii or wherever) and go talk with him/her. Be ready with the above answers. You may be used to booking your own travel (and I making a guess here based upon your other question about room upgrades - BTW from two beds to one is not an upgrade), but don't take chances with your honeymoon - use a professional.

Keep in mind that price will be affected by such things as when you are traveling, from where and what sort of resort you are staying at. For instance, Anguilla is not always the easiest place to get to - not lots of air lift, so air fares are often high. but even that can change depending on the time of year you are going. You'll also want to think about weather conditions in all these places in relation to the time of year you travel - again items you can discuss with a good Travel Agent.

NW CTC
08-30-2005, 11:45 AM
Thanks, DC - I couldn't have said it better myself!

kingofnothing
09-14-2005, 12:26 PM
Originally posted by NW CTC@Aug 30 2005, 10:45 AM
Thanks, DC - I couldn't have said it better myself!
8176


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