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Many of our honeymoon clients want to island hop between islands in the Caribbean which isn’t always as logistically and financially easy as it seems. One nice and easy combination is Anguilla and Antigua. Anguilla has unbelievable white sand beaches and has some very luxurious and romantic resorts like Cap Juluca. Cap Juluca is where I sent one couple looking to start their honeymoon off with that “picture postcard” idyllic beach destination. You can either fly into St. Maarten and ferry over to Anguilla or fly straight into AXA.

Then after staying a few nights on the gorgeous island of Anguilla, you can just grab a hopper flight on LIAT to Antigua from Anguilla and then return to the U.S. from Antigua. This particular couple wanted to spend the last nine nights of their honeymoon in a more social all inclusive couples only atmosphere so they picked Sandals Grande Antigua. On Antigua you have lots of “off resort” activities and sites to see like the historical Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour which you can see if you take our favorite tour on Antigua that takes you completely around the island by boat with stops for swimming with rays, snorkeling and more. It is a perfect way to cap off a special anniversary or tropical honeymoon vacation.

Here is a quick look at my client’s feedback on both Cap Juluca and Sandals Grande Antigua:

Thank you, our wedding day was absolutely perfect! And our honeymoon was truly amazing…thank you so very much for all of your help!!

We loved both resorts, but Cap Juluca was definitely our favorite. The beach there was just unreal. I have never seen such crystal clear and calm water and white sand for such a far stretch of beach. It was breathtaking. We were updated to a second-story luxury room (I’m sure thanks to you!) and it was truly amazing. I went to sleep to the sound of the ocean and woke up to bright blue water outside my window/private patio. We ended up renting a car while we were in Anguilla and enjoyed exploring the tiny, beautiful island it is. We are in love – Cap Juluca is now our “special place” – the island is almost like a secret…it’s so gorgeous and not crowded. The only downside was that we couldn’t really eat for under $100, so we felt like we couldn’t order as many drinks as we wanted, since it was expensive.

Sandals Grande Antigua was fun because while we got to rest and relax on quiet Anguilla, we got to have a little more fun on Antigua. We met more couples and had fun eating and drinking way too much since it was all included! While the beach was beautiful as well, it didn’t compare to Cap Juluca.

Thanks again for your advice, work, and help, Patty. Our honeymoon was perfect! Lisa & Ben

Another solid island combination for couples seeking both a romantic and quiet ambiance, combined with an active tropical experience are the islands of St. Lucia and Grenada. Both have “Couples Only” All Inclusive Resorts which include all your water activities and provide a romantic, yet social setting. The beautiful island of St Lucia offers three Sandals Resorts where you have lots of fun active activities like ziplines, ATV, hiking, waterfalls etc. and in December Sandals will be opening a new resort called La Source on the peaceful and tranquil island of Grenada. So if the idea of a quiet peaceful setting for a few days paired with a more active experience is the combination you are looking for, give us a call and we can work through a few island combinations that fit nicely together and meet your expectations.

We have three Caribbean Specialists in the office and all three of us are also Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Agents. We visit the islands and the resorts every year to keep updated and do not charge any extra fees for our services. You can view some of our packages on our website www.totemtravel.com , but please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-321-7907. We are happy to help!

Click here for a slideshow of Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica

Couples Tower Isle is a popular choice for couples looking for an All Inclusive getaway at an affordable price. The resort is a Traveller’s Choice Award Winner for 2012 and is one of four Couples Resorts  in Jamaica.

If you are looking for a no frills “couples only” all inclusive with good food quality, more than two dining choices and are willing to give up the luxuries like a Jacuzzi tub in your room, butler service etc., then this resort might be for you. The main difference I noticed between the rooms at Couples Tower Isle and a resort like a Sandals Resort, is you have fewer room categories at Couples and each room is decorated in a more basic chic/modern way in terms of furnishings. The walls have less artwork and there is a minimal amount of furniture etc., so the rooms are just more simple versus the traditional dark wood furniture you find at Sandals Resorts. You won’t find any four posted king size beds at Couples, but this becomes a “taste” issue and it is nice to have this more modern style as an option because some people might find it more appealing.

The other nice thing about Couples Tower Isle is the resort’s location in the Ocho Rios area. Most couples who choose Jamaica for their honeymoon or vacation travel do so because they want both beach time and a destination with lots of activities to do off the resort. Couples Tower Isle’s beach is smaller, but still very nice and you are only 10-20 minutes from a good portion of the most popular activities in Jamaica. Couples Tower Isle even includes many of these fun things to do such as, Dunns River Falls Tour, glass bottom boat tour, shopping excursion to Ocho Rios etc. Activities are scheduled each day of the week. If you want a resort with a long and gorgeous beach, you are far better off picking Couples Swept Away or Couples Negril which are both in the Negril area where it is all about the beach.

As far as dining options at Couples Tower Isle, you have several nice choices and the food is excellent. While there are no a la carte dining choices for breakfast, you have several nice options for dining in the evening. Eight Rivers, Bayside, The Patio and The Verandah are all good. Eight Rivers is the most formal and requires reservations as well as Bayside.

Another unique feature that Couples Tower Isle has is their private island which is for Au Naturel sunbathing. No gawkers allowed, as everyone who steps foot on the island must be au naturel. So if you are looking for this type of experience, Tower Isle is a great choice and one of a kind.

We always get calls asking which is the best Couples Resort? Which is the best Sandals Resort? Or which is better Secrets, Couples or Sandals and the answer is always, “that depends on what you are looking for” as they each have their unique qualities and there is always one resort that suits each couple best. We can help you find the best resort fits you as a couple and your special trip. Just give us a call at 1-800-321-7907. We know the resorts well and are happy to helpJ