I seem to have earned myself a bit of a reputation as a gastronomic fuss-budget. Recently, when I asked friends to recommend all-inclusive resorts for a mid-winter getaway, they all hesitated.
No one seemed concerned about my Casper-white skin turning the colour of a freshly boiled lobster or that I’d be rearranging the suite furniture by the time the jet-lag subsided. No, they all agreed that the sunny skies and swim-up bar service would be overshadowed by the unimaginative food. More specifically, the menu wouldn’t be “interesting enough” and that the wine “came in a big barrel with a little tap on it.”
I want to set the record straight. I can tough it out for a week. After all, I’ve eaten more transatlantic airplane meals than Christmas dinners. I’ve survived lukewarm morning beverages that turned out to be sleeper-car cappuccinos. And for two weeks in an Eastern block country that no longer exists, I lived on watermelon and iced coffee.
If it means escaping a repeat of last winter’s relentless snow, and not having to make a decision beyond what bathing suit to wear, I’m willing to put up with mediocre food for six days, seven nights.
So, with nothing on the menu but peace, quiet and warm weather, where would you recommend?
Photo © Topyti, published under a Creative Commons License.
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
Click here for copyright permissions!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d suggest you go to Grand Turk, in the Turks and Caicos islands. But only go if you’re not into the whole resort thing. The island is super quiet… for most part the place is filled with locals and a smattering of tourists and the cruise ship only docks at the far end of the island and the tourists, for the most part, never dare wander too far up the island. They hit the beach and scamper back onto the safety of the boat.
I’d say the best place on the island is the Manta House. We stayed at the Osprey Beach Hotel but if/when we return we will be switching over.
What is there to do? Not a lot.
Lay out on the beach. Eat local cuisine (although there is a Pizza place, a chinese place (didn’t try it but apparently it is quite good).
The scuba diving is amazing. We went with the now owners of http://www.GTDiving.com. Al and Smitty are awesome. The reef of a Grand Turk is apparently 2nd only to the great barrier reef… we saw everything from Sharks to Turtles to massive amounts of fish.
Where ever you end up enjoy!
Tudor
Hawaii! Even if all you eat is poi, you’ll still be in heaven.
Tudor, your suggestions sounds like a lovely solution. I’ve never been to an all-inclusive and wonder if I’d like it. I often wring so much out of my vacations that I return home exhausted, but it doesn’t sound like that would happen here. Thanks for the wonderful suggestion!
Cheryl, I never thought of Hawaii. I’ve been there many times to and from Australia, but only at 4:00 in the morning for a half hour while they restocked the plane. As long as I don’t have to listen to ukulele music all day, I’ll put this on the list of possibles