We loved Anguilla. Beautiful beaches, even if you don’t stay at resorts. We got caught in the air traffic controllers’ goof, and we arrived at MIA too late. In their wisdom AA rebooked us two days later to St. Martin. We had to find our way to the other St Marten and take a boat to Anguilla. The delay sucked, but Anguilla is beautiful, less commercial, great bbq in a local’s yard, great food on the beach. Unfortunately there are still signs of the last bug hurricane if you explore beyond the regular beaches. The locals are so sweet. We walk a lot, and local stopped to offer us rides (not for money!). Speaking of local pride…an iconic catamaran came loose from its mooring during a string wind…smashed to bits strewn all along the beach. Within one day, it was all cleaned up. I’ll take an Airbnb in Anguilla over St. marten any day. Likewise Exuma over Nassau.
My destinations are nearly always what you'd call "alternative," and rarely glitzy like Anguilla, which I consider pretty touristy.
How about a tiny local hotel on the Indian Ocean in Mombasa, where you'll hardly ever see an American or European? A remote, primitive 40 person Fiji Island village in the Yasawas - think no electricity or running water, but fabulous, welcoming people and endless beaches, reefs, and beauty?
That's my jam.
I went to an all-inclusive resort once, and hated it - no immersion into the culture; you could be anywhere in the world!
Great beaches still. Top notch food. Pay in USD. It’s reached its long-stated goal of becoming an upscale destination. Good on them. After 12 visits, we’ve moved on. You should spent more time in Grenada and little Carriacou. Anguilla 40 years ago.
We like alternates - Abu Dhabi instead of Dubai, Baden Baden instead of Strasbourg or Stuttgart, Phuket instead of Bangkok, Tasmania instead of mainland Australia, Punta del Este instead of Montevideo, Lofoten Islands instead of Oslo, Cook Islands instead of Tahiti, and more.
Years ago on European vacation, we ended up in Brussels. After a few days, we found it not to our liking and we booked a hotel and took a train to Bruges. We had a phenomenal time there and have since been back another time. We had seen the movie but didn’t know what to expect as it wasn’t so popular at the time for USA tourists. This has been our best alternate stop. Can’t wait to go back again.
The last time I was in Spain we went to Cordoba to see the Mezquita and then we were heading to Seville. I think we were going through this little town called Carmona and decided to stop to get something to drink and happened on this Feast of St Theresa and the entire town was involved. It wasnt a large town but the streets were packed. Everyone was dressed up in their Sunday best and about 20 men were carrying this very heavy gold laden figure of Saint Theresa through the town to the church. I am Portuguese and I am assuming it was something like the feast of the Holy Ghost.These guys were sweating and it was obviously very heavy. This entire procession through the streets took about an hour but it was such a joyous experience and really enjoyed this wonderful celebration.
We loved Anguilla. Beautiful beaches, even if you don’t stay at resorts. We got caught in the air traffic controllers’ goof, and we arrived at MIA too late. In their wisdom AA rebooked us two days later to St. Martin. We had to find our way to the other St Marten and take a boat to Anguilla. The delay sucked, but Anguilla is beautiful, less commercial, great bbq in a local’s yard, great food on the beach. Unfortunately there are still signs of the last bug hurricane if you explore beyond the regular beaches. The locals are so sweet. We walk a lot, and local stopped to offer us rides (not for money!). Speaking of local pride…an iconic catamaran came loose from its mooring during a string wind…smashed to bits strewn all along the beach. Within one day, it was all cleaned up. I’ll take an Airbnb in Anguilla over St. marten any day. Likewise Exuma over Nassau.
“Big” hurricane, not bug
My destinations are nearly always what you'd call "alternative," and rarely glitzy like Anguilla, which I consider pretty touristy.
How about a tiny local hotel on the Indian Ocean in Mombasa, where you'll hardly ever see an American or European? A remote, primitive 40 person Fiji Island village in the Yasawas - think no electricity or running water, but fabulous, welcoming people and endless beaches, reefs, and beauty?
That's my jam.
I went to an all-inclusive resort once, and hated it - no immersion into the culture; you could be anywhere in the world!
Great beaches still. Top notch food. Pay in USD. It’s reached its long-stated goal of becoming an upscale destination. Good on them. After 12 visits, we’ve moved on. You should spent more time in Grenada and little Carriacou. Anguilla 40 years ago.
We like alternates - Abu Dhabi instead of Dubai, Baden Baden instead of Strasbourg or Stuttgart, Phuket instead of Bangkok, Tasmania instead of mainland Australia, Punta del Este instead of Montevideo, Lofoten Islands instead of Oslo, Cook Islands instead of Tahiti, and more.
I'm with you! (But, I do love Oslo! 😉
Oslo for a few days then the world's prettiest train ride from Oslo to Bergen
And The Hague instead of Amsterdam.
Years ago on European vacation, we ended up in Brussels. After a few days, we found it not to our liking and we booked a hotel and took a train to Bruges. We had a phenomenal time there and have since been back another time. We had seen the movie but didn’t know what to expect as it wasn’t so popular at the time for USA tourists. This has been our best alternate stop. Can’t wait to go back again.
We just visited Anguilla, and we loved loved loved it!! What a coincidence!! We stayed at The Monoah, and we're going back next month.
The last time I was in Spain we went to Cordoba to see the Mezquita and then we were heading to Seville. I think we were going through this little town called Carmona and decided to stop to get something to drink and happened on this Feast of St Theresa and the entire town was involved. It wasnt a large town but the streets were packed. Everyone was dressed up in their Sunday best and about 20 men were carrying this very heavy gold laden figure of Saint Theresa through the town to the church. I am Portuguese and I am assuming it was something like the feast of the Holy Ghost.These guys were sweating and it was obviously very heavy. This entire procession through the streets took about an hour but it was such a joyous experience and really enjoyed this wonderful celebration.