the virgin islands

[Miss Maya Blue]

ok. before your mind gets racing..im actually looking to talk with someone who has been. I'm hoping to take my mum there in a few weeks time, and would love to hear your suggestions. We are thinking about St.Thomas and St.Johns, and rather then an all inclusive, we are renting a car...which gives us the chance to check out anywhere on the island

much appreciated!
maya

 

[gabeti]

Here's some info and pics:

http://www.travelooce.com/caribbean/virgin-islands.shtml

 

[papasmerf]

ok. before your mind gets racing..im actually looking to talk with someone who has been. I'm hoping to take my mum there in a few weeks time, and would love to hear your suggestions. We are thinking about St.Thomas and St.Johns, and rather then an all inclusive, we are renting a car...which gives us the chance to check out anywhere on the island

much appreciated!
maya

A wondeull place to relax.......I have only been there by ship but loved the time on the island

 

[oak]

go to the British Virgins, less of a tourist trap

 

[smylee52]

too late

Chuck Norris just visited the Virgin Islands and now they are just called the Islands .

 

[chazz_matzz]

I agree...The British Virgins are far superior to the USVI.

Check out the Bitter End Resort www.beyc.com

I would go back in a heart beat

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Can you use your stapon on me in the beach?

 

[Dick Starbuck]

Yes indeed, the British Virgin Islands are the way to go. VERY few all-inclusives, mostly smaller hotels and inns. If you go, try to go during a full moon, and check out the full moon party at "Bomba's shack" on the island of Tortola. Guaranteed the coolest party you've ever been to.

Also, you must visit the "Soggy Dollar Bar" on Jost Van Dyke (many small islands make up the chain, not too hard to get from one to another).

Cheers.

 

[simcity]

Virgin Gorda....one of the best places I've ever been...part of the BVI. Very low key and layed back. Best beaches I've ever seen, great food.
stayed at the Noth/South www.nsyv.com

 

[multiman]

Having been to both the USVI (St. Croix) and the BVI (St. Thomas) I assure you the BVI are better. As the last poster stated, the Virgin Gorda is relaxed, tranquil and low key. A superb place to relax with your Mom. Great beaches, friendly locals, great scuba dining and snokelling. Go and enjoy your self, all inclusives are not necessary, explore the local people and their lifestyle, you will love it!

 

[Miss Maya Blue]

~

thanks for the advice! looks like i have more research to do!

 

[sailorsix]

Ms Maya,

USVI & BVI's are two totally different experiences. We have only passed throught St Thomas 4 times on our way to sailing in the BVI's but from our experience in St Thomas we did not feel safe going at night. On our first trip in 95 a couple was attacked on a beach in the middle of the day, the lady raped and shot and the hubby shot. We stay right downtown in STT within blocks of all of the duty free shopping but again it is only while in transit.

The BVI's will give you a completely different feeling and although there are some fairly ritzy resorts (eg Bitter End Yacht Club, Peter Island) I suggest that you hire me as your skipper and we charter a sailboat for at least a week and I will show you around. We will visit places that you just will not get to easily when you are on a land based vacation.

Check out the travel discussion forums at www.traveltalkonline.com There is a wealth of information there and if you post your questions you will get tons of helpful people sharing their suggestions.

Enjoy!

 

[sailorsix]

Virgin Gorda....one of the best places I've ever been...part of the BVI. Very low key and layed back. Best beaches I've ever seen, great food.
stayed at the Noth/South www.nsyv.com

Simcity...You stayed with North South or you chartered a boat from them in Roadtown? Sheila is a very nice lady but I didn't know that she now booked rooms in addition to their boats.

If you charter from them or are thinking about it then ping me...two charters with them. Good value but older boats...great service.

 

[Esco!]

Chuck Norris just visited the Virgin Islands and now they are just called the Islands .

Was that because Chuck finally lost his virginity???

 

[Aardvark154]

Of the USVI I would only really consider St. John especially for two women traveling alone.

 

[sp free]

St Thomas had some really sketchy parts. Tortola is boring as fuck, I'd avoid it if possible.

I think the Dutch islands are the way to go. Aruba and St Maarten are two of my favourites.

 

[Aardvark154]

I think the Dutch islands are the way to go. Aruba and St Maarten are two of my favourites.

If we are expanding the field, a lot of people like Barbados. It supposedly has the greatest racial harmony of any of the West Indies, at least in part because it is the most evenly divided racially.

 

[Rockslinger]

This will sound naive. Why are they called the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands? What is their connection to the U.K. and the U.S.?

P.S. Stay away from Aruba! There are murderers on the loose there.