Anguilla and St. Maarten/St. Martin - Kissin' Cousins (Part 1)
**This article is the first in a two-part series on Anguilla and St. Maaretn/St. Martin. Part two of this series will be published on February 5th.
Today's travelers want it all. They want an authentic Caribbean experience complete with serene, secluded beaches, quaint fishing villages, and a healthy dose of R and R. Yet, they also want an up-scale experience offering lively casinos and clubs, five-star dining, and an endless selection of shopping to suit all tastes and budgets.
Satisfying this dual demand sounds impossible, and most travelers assume they are forced to choose between country and city - between serene and sophisticated - between peaceful and posh.
Yet there is another option. Located just 140 miles south of Puerto Rico, Anguilla and St. Maarten/St. Martin offer the best of both worlds. Together, these Caribbean cousins satisfy the travelers' yearnings for both all-inclusive and the au naturel.
Located a mere five miles apart, this country mouse/city mouse combo provide a unique opportunity to experience the best of both worlds during the course of a single vacation.
Anguilla is the slow-paced, country cousin and one of very few Caribbean islands where authenticity rules commercialization. Pristine beaches, small restaurants, and water-based activities offer plenty of entertainment amidst a laid-back lifestyle and true Caribbean charm.
The island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is the sophisticated, citified cousin boasting extraordinary shopping and dining, up-beat clubs and casinos, and a unique blend of Dutch and French culture and cuisine.
While these two islands have little in common, they both offer a wonderful selection of accommodations. In addition, with a mere five-mile ferry commute between islands, your choice of hotel location is truly a toss up. Whatever you choose, keep in mind that St. Maarten houses the commercial airport and will therefore be your point of arrival and departure. In addition, the 20-minute ferry ride across the Anguilla Channel departs from Baie Nettle and arrives in Blowing Point, Anguilla.
Anguilla
This self-governing, British Associated State is one of the last strongholds of authentic Caribbean charm. Amidst a region where high rise resorts often choke out both the palm trees and the culture, Anguilla has successfully fought off commercialization. This victory has allowed Anguilla to retain not only its charm and its culture, but its pride as well. Citizens are proud of their culture and their surroundings as evidenced in the well-manicured and maintained homes and property. Although poverty exists, the ramshackle conditions seen on some other islands are virtually absent from Anguilla. In their place are fabulous beaches, unusual vegetation, and plenty of water-based activities.
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