Five Caribbean islands for great winter escapes

Many accommodations on St Kitts and Nevis are converted
sugar mills  (Photo: Robert Taylor)

CARIBBEAN — There is really no in between when it comes to the Caribbean. I'ts a traveler's dilemma. Beachcombers and sun worshippers love it, but wanderlusters are, for the most part, ambivalent.

White sand beaches and a hammock are part of the allure
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

On one hand the stretches of white sand beaches, crystal clear water and eternal sunshine are as beguiling as any destination could be. On the other, for the most part, "if you have seen one, you've seen'm all."

Rum punch & conch salad
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

However, as fall and winter approach, the allure of warmth and water becomes increasing attractive to escape the wrath of ice and snow.

So how do you decide? Which island is best? Here's a personal top five to consider.

Sunrise at Alto Vista Chapel on Aruba 
(Courtesy: Aruba Tourism)

Aruba: Nestled just fifteen miles off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is one third of the ABC islands along with Bonaire and Curacao. While Bonaire remains a haven for divers, retaining much of its pristine features, Curacao for many years was regarded as the hot spot of the three.

No longer. Aruba has long since surpassed its sister island with glitzy hotels, casinos, excellent restaurants, shopping and a variety of other amenities that make it seem a bit like the Las Vegas of the Caribbean.

Iguana enjoys the sunshine
(Courtesy: Aruba Tourism)

Depending on your lifestyle, Aruba could just as easily be at the top of this list as the bottom.

All the beaches and main activities center around one side of the island because the opposite shores are too rough for beach lovers to enjoy. More adventurous travelers go to that side to enjoy caving.

Aruba's famous Fontini Trees on Eagle Beach -- Divi Divi Trees
are also in abundance  (Courtesy: Aruba Tourism)

With its steady sea breezes, one of the distinctive features of Aruba is the Divi Divi trees which grow sideways in the direction of those perpetual winds.

Aruba's Dutch heritage makes shopping in the capital city of Oranjastad almost as good as it is in the Netherlands.

Mt Hooiberg is the best known 

landmark 

(Courtesy: Aruba Tourism)

Official languages are Dutch and Papiamento, but English and Spanish are also prevalent. Don't be surprised to watch a television newscast where all four languages are used interchangeably.

Geographically the island resembles the American southwest with an abundance of cactus and the highest spot being Mt. Hooiberg at 541 feet.

View from the summit of Mt Hooiberg 
(Courtesy: Aruba Tourism)

Dining offers a plethora of restaurants with choices ranging from hotel restaurants to delightful local spots.

Aruba may just be the most active place in the Caribbean. 

Barbados Museum of Parliament
(Courtesy: Barbados Tourism Board)

Barbados: As with Aruba, Barbados has done a masterful job of marketing which is noticeable from the moment you set foot on its shores.

Interior of Parliament Museum
(Courtesy: Barbados Tourism
Board)

Tracing its history to the British Commonwealth, it's not surprising that 40% of the visitors to Barbados arrive from the United Kingdom, so naturally English is the native language.

One of the most notable aspects of Barbados for first-timers is how clean it is, giving the island the feel of  Switzerland being plunked down in the middle of the Caribbean.

Food galore at the annual Food, Wine and Rum Festival
(Courtesy: Barbados Tourism Board)

The national foods of Barbados are flying fish and cou-cou, also known locally as "fungi." Cou-cou, made up primarily of cornmeal and okra, can be found in any supermarket on the island and is usually served as a complement to steamed or fried flying fish.

Sailing action at the Mount Gay Reggata 
(Courtesy:Barbados Tourism Board)

Barbados provides just enough to see and do with plenty of time for the beach.

Cannons protect Brimstone Hill on St. Kitts
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

St Kitts & Nevis: St Kitts seems like a quiet spot until you take a boat to Nevis. By comparison, St Kitts is Rio de Janeiro during Carnival.

Once a thriving region for sugar cane, St Kitts and Nevis today rely heavily on tourism for their economy. Many of the old sugar cane ruins have been renovated into beautifully quaint accommodations.

Ancient thermal bath in Nevis
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

Most visitors are fascinated by the green monkey population which is so huge that it is said there are as many monkeys on the islands as there are people.

Brimstone Hill Fortress  National Park on the northwestern coast of St Kitts is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the largest fortress ever constructed in the Eastern Caribbean, Brimstone Hill is well worth a visit.

Nevis Peak's perpetual cloud
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

Minutes by boat across the "Narrows", just two miles away is the gumdrop island of Nevis. With volcanic Nevis Peak in the center of the island, Nevis looks like a cone that has erupted from the middle of the sea.

Admiral Lord Nelson married Fanny Nisbet on Nevis
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

Nevis is a place to rest and relax. Historically the island has ties to Admiral Lord Nelson and Alexander Hamilton which makes for pleasant outings when the allure of the beaches calls for a break.  

St. Kitts and Nevis may be an acquired taste for some, but for those who just want to sit back and relax, this is the place.

Swim with the dolphins in the Turks & Caicos 
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

Turks & Caicos: Like Aruba and Barbados, the Turks & Caicos are awakening to the magnetism of tourism. This cluster of islands came to the game much later than her cousins, which is part of the appeal.

The Turks retain their original rustic charm yet possess much of the infrastructure necessary to make it the best of all worlds. 

One of three pools at the Sands
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

As would be expected, life centers around the beaches and water activities, of which there are many. Hotels range in virtually every category with one of the best properties for location, comfort and convenience being the Sands at Grace Bay near the capital city of Providenciales.

Da Conch Shack is a favorite hangout for its rustic local charm and fresh conch  (Photo: Robert Taylor)

Conch is the culinary treat of the islands featuring conch fritters, conch salads, conch chowder and everything in between. It doesn't get any fresher than watching natives pluck a shell from the sea before having it served at your table minutes later for lunch.

Da Conch Shack is among the most popular spots for fresh conch served any way you like it. Then head back to your hotel and simply "conch out."

St Barths is the only island in the Caribbean with Swedish history
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

St. Barts: The only island in the Caribbean with Swedish heritage is St. Barts. Located about 18 miles from St. Maarten, this tiny jet-setters oasis probably doesn't have the best of anything in the Caribbean, but boasts the second best of everything.

St. Barts is hilly and small but thanks to its tiny harbor, it does not get as much of the massive cruise traffic as other islands.

Gustavia Harbor
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

Known for its cuisine which is primarily French, every type of food can be found on St. Barts.

Though a bit more expensive than some of the other island destinations, St. Barts makes up for the cost with great beaches and more than its share of character. If you spend a week at this now predominantly French paradise, don't be surprised to catch a glimpse of some well-known personality who is just "getting away from it all."

View from the pool at Le Village on St Barths
(Photo: Robert Taylor)

One reason celebrities like St. Barts is because they are treated like everyone else, far from the maddening paparazzi who so frequently invade their lives.

Le Village -- St Barts on 4-star
resort  (Photo: Robert Taylor)

Five star properties are the order of the day on St. Barts, but Le Village, the only four-star resort on the island will save you some money and provide all the amenities as its more prestigious counterparts

Le Village is locally owned by native islanders and that makes all the difference. 

Caribbean sunset on the island of Aruba 
(Courtesy: Aruba Tourism)

There you have it. Five Caribbean destinations that break the mold and offer more than just beaches, sand and sunshine..