blamona...I could never tire of you! You are always so informative. We've done US Virgin Islands. I guess SV&G could be a little farther down the road for me. I am just looking to capture the quiet and beauty of T&C! I believe we will be doing Anguilla (though still not decided so it's a good thing it is not til next year!!) I was curious and still am about SV&G! Any other advice you can give about these? It looks like some gorgeous water! talk to ya soon!!

not to confuse you more, but if you want more budget than Anguilla, have you considered Out islands in bahamas? Try Coral Sands in Harbour Island Eleuthera, or Club peace and Plenty in Exumas. Flights for these go through Ft. Lauderdale or Maimi, on AA or usiarways. Beautiful beaches all to yourself.

I should have been a travel agent haha!

Blamona you are a travel agency on line!! Thanks again. My neighbors leave for PDC in 2 1/2 weeks and will also give me their report. I pretty much am sure it will be Anguilla. The prices for SVG seem pretty steep! Thanks.

Well, I am one of the Bequia fans Blamona refers to, but certainly agree it is not for everybody.

Those looking for all inclusive resorts, foofoo drinks, casinos, sophisticated nightlife, 6 star food, private beaches, plunge pools etc., won't find them here.

You will find a beautiful friendly natural island with an amazing variety of golden sand beaches for such a small island, and lots of things to do - from bodysurfing, snorkelling, tennis, bocce (!), local bands and jumpups, hiking and sailing to exploring the eco-treasures of the Mainland (St. Vincent). You will meet friendly locals and enjoy their company as well as that of other experienced and independent-minded travellers.

St. Vincent, BTW, does not have the great beaches of Bequia and the other Grenadines, but it makes up for this with dramatic scenery, waterfalls, rare wild parrots, tiopical gardens and rainforests.

As for flights, they are all coordinated with the incoming and outgoing international flights so no worries on that score. If coming to Bequia, you can save over $100US by flying Caribbean Star from Barbados to St. Vincent and taking the ferry over to Bequia. This would be instad of the Barbados-Bequia direct flights on GAL...travel time does not differ than much either.

Hope this helps and that you make it to the Grenadines at some point.

curiousx....thanks! that is the kind of info I'm looking for. If you are in w/ blamona I know you will be a big help. We like the laid back islands. Our fave so far has been Turks and Caicos. Not into the bar scene. Like to drink but do it by ourselves on the beach. I have found it looks like SV&G will be one of the more expensive destinations and the most secluded to get to. I will make it there eventually but I believe Anguilla seems more to our next destination, I do however appreciate your help as you know it is very hard to get an answer in the more secluded islands forums. Then again one never knows. I could get a good deal w/ my TA since we go somewhere evry year. I'll have her look into it for me. Again thanks for the answers and keep an eye for me on this forum!!

I was surprised by youyr perception that SVG is expensive. Not my experience really.

SVG is expensive if you stay at the resorts of Young Island, Palm Island, PSV, Mustique or the Raffles resort at Canouan. I don't really recommend any of these unless you fall into the newly wed or nearly dead category (OK, so I exaggerate!).

For the most part, other acommodation is quite reasonably priced, being independent locally-owned and operated small hotels and guesthouses. Prices range from $50-60US to $200 including breakfast.

You can also rent villas all the way from basic (at about $500 per week) to deluxe ($2000+). Here's one in the deluxe range to give you an idea: holiday-rentals.co.uk/index.cfm/…ur17189

I will agree that SVG is more expensive to get to than other destinations as there are no direct flights. Alcohol is cheap; gas/petrol is expensive; food costs are about the same.

Hope this helps

curiousx....I'm not familiar @ all w/ these islands i and it is such new territory. I only looked @ the resorts on expedia, travelocity etc online and the prices were 3000.00 for 5 nights!. I know it is not as easliy accessible as others. Could you advise on accomadations from your experiences that aren't so much $$/ Again thanks in advance.

accomodations...oops. Also which would be easiest to fly into from Atlanta.

Hi Altgared, you probably won't find too many of the small hotels and guesthouses of SVG on any of travelocity etc., as they are just too small to make it onto the radar screen of these big search engines.

Instead, I suggest you have a look at www.bequiatourism.com, www.bequia.net and www.greandines.net. These will give you listings and links for accommodation and transportation from Bequia to Carriacou as well as the Mainland (St. Vincent). When you find an accommodation listing or three that interest you, post back here for more information.

A reminder that these places won't be AI's or offer foo foo drinls. But each one will be comfortable, friendly and unique - a rarity in the increasingly homogenized travel industry.

As for flights from the US or Atlanta, I can't be of too much help. Most Americans come via Barbados or Puerto Rico. From Puerto Rico, they take Caribbean Sun to St. Vincent. From Barbados iit is Caribbean Star or LIAT to St, Vincent or SVG Air to the Grenadines. Note that flights coming into the Mainland coordinate nicely with the ferry schedule to Bequia. Also SVG Air/GAL is much more expensive than Star or LIAT and travel time is not that much different.

Hope this helps