Which Caribbean Island would you visit for a relaxing week and why?

[KilliMonjaro]

Thinking Jan/feb with DH

A week isn't that long, so consider the flight time and make sure direct.

I would avoid DR and Jamaica obviously is suffering at the moment.

Barbados is closest & I love it. Antigua also a reasonably short flight and there are some decent budget options. Both have busses you can use to get around and see the island (if you want to).

Oh my goodness! Will do !

Thanks Lolly - Grenada sounds very lovely. I like the idea of driving round.

I love long European City breaks, especially Italy! We did Safari last Xmas which was the best experience of my life. So many places I haven’t been..

We did St Lucia in Feb. Beautiful lush green island. Quality hotels and just such a relaxed vibe. 100% recommend

Aruba was incredible. I also loved Dominican Republic but it appears I’m in the minority…!

I’d see where has deals. Ba has some usually to St Lucia. Alternatively look at last minute packages just don’t forget to check independent reviews before you book a package

I’ve personally always assumed the Caribbean would be too far to go for a week so am interested in this thread. For those that have done it does the jet lag hit hard or can you really enjoy it? Lots of people I know rave about Aruba.

First few days jet lag hit us. Literally fell to sleep in our dinner 1st night and woke at 6am next morning.

How far is Barbados from UK and where do people recommend staying?

Antigua is lovely

Curacao is lovely, also the British Virgin islands.

Are you happy to connect or not? Look at where the direct flights go from an airport convenient at your end and start there

Haiti

Yes the jet lag is bad. I wouldn't do a long haul for just 7 nights personally you need 2 weeks.

I loved DR too!

We went to Barbados and stayed in the west coast in fitts village in an Airbnb.

https://www.airbnb.com/l/6ovVFGE5

we used the reggae buses to get around and hired a car for a few days too.

the whole holiday cost us £4500 (flights and accommodation) in July for two weeks.

lovely beaches. Lovely people. Lovely food.

We're going to Barbados in January. We've got a week on the West coast with a car followed by a week on the east coast without one. The flights were £550 each (BA direct from.HR) and the villas were about £800 each. So it came in at just under £3k including car hire.

Can't wait

Barbados is expensive but depends heavily on tourism so there are lots of tourist-type things to do. They go to great trouble to treat tourists well.

St Lucia and Grenada are less developed though both have some resort-type areas with lots of restaurants etc.

The southern end of Tobago has lots of affordable hotels, eating places, two nice beaches within walking distance and a couple of others not far away, but there's lots of unattractive development. The northern end and windward side are beautiful, lush and green, also with lovely beaches, but you need a car to get around.

Be aware that since they all depend heavily on tourism there's more crime than they are likely to warn you about, probably especially in Tobago. Service and attitudes to tourists in Tobago can be sadly disappointing, too.

We are doing the same. Hubby feels exactly the same. I am
hoping it will be nice

For me, best overall "short relaxing break": Anguilla, Antigua, BVI, Caymans. As PPs have said, don't underestimate the impact of flight times and connections on a one week trip - if faced with equally attractive options, I'd pick the one that gives you the easiest, shortest, and least complicated trip there and back.

Best relaxing with a chance to get out into nature if you don't mind driving a bit: Dominica, St. Lucia, and - BVI again! - Tortola. If you don't mind splitting your time, perhaps some in Tortola and the rest somewhere like Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke.

If you want to maximise the chances for great weather, spend a lot of time at the beach, and maybe get out on the water and do some (easy non-expert - although there are good options too if you ARE expert) water sports, Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao are a good fit and often very good value for money.

I've spent time in the DR and liked it, but I think can take some advanced planning (and/or maybe some Spanish language skills) to get away from the kind of isolated all-inclusive resorts and the corporate/state travel "feel". Possibly not the best for relaxing for just one week!

Turks and Caicos
bahamas
Cuba

Which do you think is the safest island?

Amazing! Do you mind letting me know which villas you booked?

Which boat you on?