What does your ideal island vacation look like? Part I - Overview

May 31, 11:58 PMDallas Tropical Travel ExaminerDebbra Brouillette

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Palm Island (Photo credit: Debbra Dunning Brouillette)

As the old saying goes, "Different strokes for different folks." The ideal island vacation is not one size fits all! When friends have asked me, "Which island should I choose for my vacation?" it's a question which stimulates a series of other questions:

Do you like to lie on a beautiful beach, sip tropical drinks, and devour the latest "best beach reads?"

Or, are you an active vacationer?  If so, what types of activities would you like to participate in on your vacation? Sailing? Golf? Snorkeling? Scuba diving? Deep sea fishing? Exploring historic sites, or nature sites such as botanical gardens or rainforests?

Are you into taking in the nightlife into the wee hours, or is enjoying an after dinner drink before retiring to your room all the excitement you are interested in?

What is your comfort zone? Do you prefer to have a McDonald’s or KFC nearby, or do you like mingling with the natives and trying all the local delicacies?

Is shopping important to you, or can collecting seashells and purchasing handmade jewelry from a beach vendor satisfy your desire for souvenirs?

What about terrain? Scuba divers, for example, don’t place a lot of importance on topside beauty if the underwater world is amazing. However, if your idea of a tropical island is lush vegetation and volcanic peaks, you may not want to choose an arid, desert island where cactus and scrub brush are the norm.

Does the idea of an all-inclusive resort appeal, where everything is included up front, including meals, drinks, and most watersports? Or, does the idea of staying in an intimate island inn, where you can get a true flavor of the island, fit you best?

All these questions and more must be answered and only then can you begin to get a feel for which island experience will come close to your ideal.

I have tried out enough different types of island travel over the past 20 years, and visited enough islands (nearly two dozen, with several repeats to favorites), that I am confident I can help guide you in your pursuit of the perfect tropical vacation.

Sometimes, the best of both worlds can be experienced simultaneously, or over the course of your vacation time.  Let’s see if, together, we can help you have your cake and eat it, too – (make that an island rum cake, topped with nutmeg ice cream)!

Go to What does your ideal island vacation look like? Part II by clicking here.

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