Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands
    Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands
    Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands
    Ebook218 pages1 hour

    Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands

    By Paris Permenter

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Romance and the Caribbean go hand in hand. How could they not, with sunny days, sultry nights, perfect beaches, tropical splendor, and more fun than could be had in a lifetime? Undecided on which island would best suit you? Your dream vacation awaits in R
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHunter Publishing
    Release dateDec 1, 2009
    ISBN9781588438515
    Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands
    Author

    Paris Permenter

    John Bigley and Paris Permenter are a husband and wife team of travel writers. Longtime residents of Central Texas, they make their home in the Hill Country west of Austin, near Lake Travis. John and Paris have authored 32 guidebooks including Day Trips from San Antonio and Insiders’ Guide to San Antonio. Paris and John also publish www.TexasTripper?.com, which focuses on travel across the Lone Star State, PawZaar.com, featuring global style for pet lovers, and www.DogTipper?.com, filled with tips for dog lovers. Both John and Paris are members of the prestigious Society of American Travel ?Writers. For more on the couple’s writing and travels, see www?.parisandjohn?.com.

    Read more from Paris Permenter

    Related to Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands

    Related ebooks

    Caribbean & West Indies Travel For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Into The Blue

      Jun 27, 2022

      Into The Blue
      7 min read

    • Article

      Paradise ISLANDS

      Jan 5, 2021

      Paradise ISLANDS
      2 min read

    • Article

      The Pearl Of The CARIBBEAN

      Mar 24, 2021

      The Pearl Of The CARIBBEAN
      2 min read

    • Article

      Winter Is Coming

      Sep 10, 2019

      Winter Is Coming
      9 min read

    • Article

      The Caribbean Seduction

      Aug 6, 2019

      The Caribbean Seduction
      4 min read

    • Article

      Travel With The Experts

      Jan 6, 2022

      Travel With The Experts
      2 min read

    • Article

      Special Report

      Apr 9, 2020

      Special Report
      10 min read

    • Article

      The Great Escape

      Dec 9, 2022

      The Great Escape
      3 min read

    • Article

      Beauty Spot

      Jan 29, 2020

      Beauty Spot
      2 min read

    • Article

      The Great Escape

      Sep 23, 2022

      The Great Escape
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Great Escape

      Sep 23, 2022

      The Great Escape
      3 min read

    • Article

      Blue Horizons

      Oct 11, 2019

      Blue Horizons
      7 min read

    • Article

      Travel Like This ...

      Sep 24, 2021

      Travel Like This ...
      2 min read

    • Article

      FIND your PARADISE

      Dec 8, 2022

      FIND your PARADISE
      6 min read

    • Article

      Caribbeanon A Budget

      Jan 3, 2023

      White sand beaches. Warm sunshine. Bottomless fruity cocktails. A sultry break in the Caribbean might feel impossibly far away, but even on a budget you can make the dream real. Book an all-inclusive hotel and flight package, and your food and drink

      2 min read

    • Article

      Spice Island

      Dec 10, 2019

      Spice Island
      8 min read

    • Article

      Caribbean

      Jan 27, 2023

      Caribbean
      3 min read

    • Article

      Caribbean

      Jan 27, 2023

      Caribbean
      3 min read

    • Article

      Entering Paradise

      Oct 14, 2021

      Entering Paradise
      9 min read

    • Article

      Caribbean Choice

      Sep 29, 2023

      Caribbean Choice
      3 min read

    • Article

      Caribbean Choice

      Sep 29, 2023

      Caribbean Choice
      3 min read

    • Article

      Caribbean

      Jan 27, 2023

      Caribbean
      3 min read

    • Article

      A Sailor’s Charter

      Oct 18, 2022

      A Sailor’s Charter
      8 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands - Paris Permenter

      Romantic Escapes in the Virgin Islands

      Paris Permenter & John Bigley

      Hunter Publishing, Inc.

      Introduction

      Geography

      Getting Started

      Vacation Options

      Budget Getaways

      Quick Getaways

      Mega Resorts

      Where to Stay

      Prices

      All-Inclusive Resorts

      Bed & Breakfasts and Small Inns

      Villas

      How Long to Stay?

      When to Go

      Seasonal Pricing

      Climate

      Festivals

      Caribbean Cuisine

      Unique Island Dishes

      Activities

      Tennis

      Windsurfing

      Sailing

      Shopping

      Beaches

      Adventures

      Get Set to Get Wet

      Sightseeing

      Nightlife

      Casinos

      Music

      Just Doing Nothing

      Travel Information

      What to Pack

      Getting to the Islands

      Caribbean Air Carriers

      Air-Land Packages

      Island-Hopping

      Cruises

      Travel Agents

      Entry Requirements

      Obtaining a Passport

      Vacation Options

      Budget Getaways

      Quick Getaways

      Mega Resorts

      Where to Stay

      Prices

      All-Inclusive Resorts

      Bed & Breakfasts and Small Inns

      Villas

      How Long to Stay?

      Caribbean Embassies & Consulates

      Customs

      Vacation Options

      Budget Getaways

      Quick Getaways

      Mega Resorts

      Where to Stay

      Prices

      All-Inclusive Resorts

      Bed & Breakfasts and Small Inns

      Villas

      How Long to Stay?

      Life

      Dress

      Patois

      Taxis

      Potential Problems

      Crime

      Drugs

      Food & Drink

      Sunburn

      Insects

      Manchineel Trees

      Marine Dangers

      Heat Dangers

      Time Zones

      Currency

      Island Romance

      Weddings

      Destination Weddings

      Two Top Wedding Packages

      Other Wedding Packages

      Wedding Requirements

      Romantic Sites in the Caribbean

      The Islands

      British Virgin Islands

      Festivals

      Tortola

      Sweet Dreams

      Tables for Two

      Virgin Gorda

      Sweet Dreams

      Tables for Two

      Peter Island

      Sweet Dreams

      Tables for Two

      Romantic Activities

      Nightlife

      Just the Facts

      US Virgin Islands

      Geography

      Festivals

      St. Croix

      Sweet Dreams

      Tables for Two

      Christiansted

      Romantic Activities

      Shopping

      Nightlife

      Just the Facts

      St. John

      Sweet Dreams

      Tables for Two

      Romantic Activities

      Nightlife

      Just the Facts

      St. Thomas

      Sweet Dreams

      Tables for Two

      Romantic Activities

      Just the Facts

      Appendix

      Caribbean Tourist Boards

      US Passport Offices

      Embassies & Consulates

      French Government Tourist Offices

      Introduction

      Before we start examining the individual islands, lets look at the region as a whole. The Caribbean spans an area that stretches over 2,000 miles east to west and 1,000 miles north to south, starting just off the coast of Florida and reaching down to the coast of South America.

      This part of the world is blessed with year-round sunshine, with water warmed by Caribbean currents and shores cooled by gentle trade winds. Winter and summer temperatures differ by only a few degrees.

      Geography

      The islands arch out like a cracking whip, with the largest islands to the west and the small islands to the east, curving on down to South America and ending with a snap back to the west at the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.

      The whole formation of islands is referred to as the Antilles, usually divided into the Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles. The Greater Antilles, as the name suggests, are the Caribbeans largest islands: Cuba, Hispaniola (an island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. The term Lesser Antilles encompasses the other islands.

      Often, the area is just divided up into the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The Eastern islands are the same as the Lesser Antilles; the Western Caribbean is the Greater Antilles and the Cayman Islands.

      The multiple names given to this region is your first hint at the diversity the Caribbean boasts. In researching and writing this book, we traveled to the Caribbean every few weeks and many friends asked us, Are you getting bored visiting the same area again and again? Besides the fact that it would be pretty tough to tire of perfect weather, postcard-pretty scenes, and a sea as clear as glass, the Caribbean holds an endless fascination for us, and hopefully for you, because it offers so many different types of experiences.

      Although every one of these countries is an island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, they differ in many ways. The political structures range from crown colonies to independent nations. Some islands span hundreds of square miles; others can be covered by bicycle in a single afternoon. Languages vary as well; English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and even a beautiful mélange of languages called Papiamento greet visitors, though youll find that English is spoken in just about every resort area.

      Although technically not part of the Caribbean, the Bahamas share its azure waters and perpetual summer. Bermuda is also beyond the Caribbeans reaches, though it, too, offers a romantic island atmosphere.

      How Do You Say....

      The Caribbean contains a few tongue twisters. So you can sound like a local, heres how to say some of the toughest:

      Anguillaan-GWIL-a

      Antiguaan-TEE-ga

      Barbudabar-BOO-da

      NevisNEE-vis

      SabaSAH-buh

      StatiaSTAY-sha

      St. BarthsSt. Barts

      St. CroixSt. Kroy

      St. LuciaSt. LOU-sha

      Getting Started

      Okay, its time tomake some decisions. Which island will you choose? Its a question that only the two of you can answer, based on your own personal tastes. Do you want high-rise luxury or Robinson Crusoe-type seclusion? Glitzy dinner shows or evening serenades from tiny tree frogs? Days spent shopping, snorkeling, scuba diving, or just sunning on a sandy beach?

      When friends ask us for help in selecting a destination, we advise them to first identify their preferences. We sometimes like the bustling atmosphere of busy islands like Jamaica, St. Thomas, or Puerto Rico; other times we long for the serenity of St. Kitts, Nevis, or Virgin Gorda.

      To help you make this major decision, begin by asking yourself these questions:

      Is our budget a major factor in our choice?

      Will this be a quick three- or four-day getaway or a leisurely vacation of a week or more?

      Do we enjoy casino gambling and shows?

      Are we looking for luxurious accommodations?

      Would we prefer the convenience of an all-inclusive resort?

      Do we want to rent a car and explore on our own?

      What activities are most important to us? Snorkeling? Scuba? Tennis? Windsurfing? Sailing? Hiking? Shopping?

      Do we want a lush, tropical environment?

      Do we want white sand beaches? Nude beaches?

      Do we want the simplicity of remaining on US turf or would we rather experience a different culture?

      Sit down together and consider your answers. Then take a look at your choices. 

      Vacation Options

      Budget Getaways

      Theres no good way to put this, but youll find out soon enough that a trip to the Caribbean isnt cheap. Even if you select a budget hotel, transportation to the islands is a big expense that you just cant avoid.

      However, some islands are less expensive than others. These destinations are high volume, bringing in commercial and charter flights on a daily basis. This may mean more crowds, but your airfare will probably be cheaper than flights to more secluded islands.

      Some destinations offer packages that include air, hotel, and ground transportation for one affordable price. Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic offer these kinds of deals.

      Charter airline companies serve most of these islands as well. For more information on low-cost carriers, seeTravel Information.

      Quick Getaways

      If youre planning a three- or four-day retreat, make the most of your visit by minimizing travel time. These islands are the easiest jumps from the US: the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica (if you stay in the Montego Bay area; Negril and Ocho Rios are nearly two hours from the airport, Port Antonio is even farther). From the UK, youll find the best connections to Barbados, Antigua, and Bermuda.

      Mega Resorts

      Twenty-four-hour room service, full-treatment spas, and satellite TV arent commonplace throughout the Caribbean. However, the two of you can be pampered at full-service properties in Puerto Rico, Aruba, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados and St. Lucia in hotels that offer more than the comforts of home.

      Where to Stay

      Whatever youre looking for in the way of accommodations - high-rise hotel, seaside bungalow, bed-and-breakfast inn, small traditional hotel, or private villa - youll find it in the Caribbean.

      Just as varied as the type of accommodations available is the range of prices at these properties. Everything from budget motels with spartan furnishings to private islands that attract royalty and Hollywood types is available.

      This guidebook covers things in-between, places where the everyday vacationing couple can enjoy safety and comfort in surroundings where romance can flourish. The resorts, hotels, and villas featured on these pages offer all levels of activity. Some have round-the-clock fun and evening theme parties; others point the way for guests to find their own entertainment. Some are located on the beach; others up the mountains with spectacular views. Some are full-service properties with everything from beauty salons to jewelry shops to a half-dozen bars and restaurants located right on property; others are simple accommodations where the guests enjoy dinner in former greathouses built over 200 years ago.

      Choosing a Caribbean accommodation is more important than selecting a hotel at other destinations. A Caribbean hotel, unlike a property in a downtown US city, for example, becomes your home away from home. This is not just where you spend your nights, but also a good portion of your days, languishing on the beach, lying beneath towering palms, and luxuriating in a warm sea.

      What form will your paradise take? White sandy beaches? Rugged limestone cliffs perched above baby blue water? Mountainside vistas? A resort with daily activities and a pulsating nightlife? A historic inn furnished with Caribbean antiques? Or a quiet getaway where the only footprints are your own?

      The choice is yours.

      Prices

      Hotel prices vary drastically between high and low season and also by view. Garden view rooms are generally the least expensive, followed by ocean view, then oceanfront. Suites are the priciest accommodations, with rates that can be more than double that of a standard room.

      Rather than provide specific prices, which come and go as quickly as a hibiscus blossom, weve given price ranges for accommodations. These rates reflect high winter season for

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1