For many, the Caribbean evokes images of such perennially popular destinations as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Jamaica. The region, however, includes an abundance of islands that, while maybe not as top-of-mind with travelers, offer one-of-a-kind experiences.
“There are several lesser-known Caribbean islands that are really special,” said VIP Vacations President Jennifer Doncsecz. “One of my favorites is Anguilla. “Whenever we have clients who want a very safe with beautiful beaches, and are not looking for an all-inclusive resort, I always recommend Anguilla.
“The island also has amazing food – even the beachfront stalls cook up local seafood like culinary masterpieces. Also, the roadside barbeque should not be missed!”
Doncsecz noted that Anguilla features a robust roster of luxury properties, including the Four Seasons, Belmond Cap Juluca, in addition to a generous number of smaller boutique resorts.
“Many of the resorts are beautiful, white-washed buildings – if you blink, you might think you were on a Greek Isle,” Doncsecz said. “The beaches are incredible too. Mead’s Bay continually ranks as one of the top beaches in the world. Because the island is so safe, I advise my clients to rent a local Moke, which is bigger than a golf cart but not as big as a car, and drive around the island”
Anguilla also offers numerous activities’ options, including golfing , scuba diving, snorkeling, and day trips to neighboring smaller islands.
“Often times, the lesser-known-destinations have fewer flight options, so traveling there can require multiple connections or flying into one island and then taking a ferry over to the lesser-known island,” Doncsecz said.
In the case of Anguilla, “travelers might be better flying off into St. Martin and taking the ferry over to Anguilla. If I have clients who want to do Europe but don’t want the long flights, I like to combine St Martin with Anguilla because you can feel the European influence from the Dutch side (St Maarten) and French side (St. Maarten) with the look of a Greek Isle in Anguilla.”
For his part, Be All-Inclusive President and Founder James Berglie is partial to Antigua. “It’s a beautiful Island that is still fairly easy to get in and out of without a layover flight, and yet still has that small Caribbean island charm and the most beautiful beaches you will find in all of the Caribbean.”
Love to Travel Owner Kim Cook is a fan of Exuma in The Bahamas. “One of our favorite things to do is rent an open-air jeep and head out on the one main road that goes from one end of the island to the other, which is about a 60-minute drive end to end – the island is just 37 miles long,” she said.
“It’s very easy to drive on the island with minimal traffic. You can find deserted beaches, local restaurants serving lobster, places to hike or just throw down a blanket on a beach with nobody else in sight.
“We’ve developed our own map highlighting hidden beaches and points of interest, which our clients really appreciate. This is the perfect destination for a client who wants a laid-back island vibe.”
For customers looking for pure tranquility, Claire Schoeder, an independent contractor with Elevations Travel, recommends The Liming on the island of Bequia in the Grenadines.
“I like it because its stylish and quiet. It defines the art of doing nothing,” she said, adding that is ideally suited couples looking for a laid-back, luxury experience with a British ambiance.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a favorite destination of Elite Travel CEO Tammy Levent. “It was probably the most relaxing vacation ever,” Levent said of a trip she took there with her daughter. “We kicked things off in Grenada with a stay La Source, which is now Sandals Grenada, and then hopped on a short flight to Union Island.”
From there, Levent and her daughter embarked on a schooner that transported them to Little Palm Island for a few days. “The vibe was incredible, laid-back and all about soaking in the beauty around us,” she said.
“Then, we sailed over to St. Vincent, staying there for a bit too. We used the boat for everything, which was super convenient and added to the adventure vibe.
“It was the most peaceful I've ever felt on a trip – just sun, sea and exploring these hidden gems. Unforgettable!”
2024-02-12T14:22:00Z dg43tfdfdgfd