Another option for the Islands ~ Dominica

[Heidi]

I went to Dominica (NOT to be confused with Dominican Republic!) in January with my MBA class. It is an underdeveloped nation, but it is absolutely beautiful with the nicest people you'll ever meet. We were there studying the business practices, but had a LOT of free time to explore the island and interact with the people.

Now I don't suggest this wedding destination for everybody. But, if you are a nature lover, enjoy hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, waterfalls and other outdoorsy stuff, you should consider Dominica.

Dominica (located between Martinique and Guadaloupe) is known as 'the nature island of the Caribbean' and is largely covered by rainforest. Here is the country's tourist website: Discover Dominica: the Nature Island. dive, hike, whale watch... and defy the popular notion of a Caribbean holiday

And here are pictures from my trip (if you're interested): Snapfish: Share:Registration. (don't mind all of the pictures of me & my classmates! there are A LOT of the island in there though!) I hope they capture the true beauty of the island!

For the first week, we stayed in a very rustic place called the 'Springfield Plantation.' It is usually used by ecology students for scientific research. For the second week, we stayed at the Fort Young Hotel in Rousseau (the country's capital; a scary 2 hour drive from the airport!). It was fabulous and would be a great place to stay for a wedding. More info about the Fort Young can be found on TripAdvisor: Fort Young Hotel - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor (I wrote one of the reviews!)


If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me ~ I absolutely LOVED this place. And if you plan to visit, definitely contact me and I will tell you which excursions are not to be missed!!! If Reggie wouldn't have wanted us to get married at a place neither of us have been before, I am certain we would have ended up here!

[foxytv]

That sounds wonderful. I wonder if it's similar to Belize with the rainforest and eco-friendliness? Your Snapfish pics capture a lot of beauty, that's for sure! WOW! I'd like to go!!!!

[Heidi]

I would like to stress though...it is NOT for someone looking for a luxurious get-a-way. There are NO resorts there, and by far the nicest & one of the largest hotel is the Fort Young (with 73 rooms). It is definitely for the nature lovers! :)

[foxytv]

Originally Posted by Heidi

I would like to stress though...it is NOT for someone looking for a luxurious get-a-way. There are NO resorts there, and by far the nicest & one of the largest hotel is the Fort Young (with 73 rooms). It is definitely for the nature lovers! :)

Tom and I would LOVE that!!!

[Heidi]

Originally Posted by foxytv

Tom and I would LOVE that!!!

You should definitely check it out! They have the world's 2nd largest Boiling Lake there.... it's a 12-mile hike (round-trip) where you are literally climbing up & down one mountain, then up and down another; and then through a valley with boiling hot springs and sulfur springs and then climb a little more elevation to see the boiling lake. One of the BEST hikes I've ever done!!! It's absolutely beautiful!

And there are hikes through the rainforest to waterfalls (where you swim thorough the 'pool' at the base of the fall, climb into a cave and jump into the pools ~ SCARY but GREAT!!!); whale watching expeditions; fantastic snorkeling over very very deep volcanic activity (called 'the Champagne Bubbles' - very hot, can only swim over them for 30 seconds at a time!) and SO MUCH MORE!!!

can you tell I loved it?!

Only downside is since it's such an unknown area with little tourism, there are ZERO direct flights...you have to connect in Puerto Rico and take a very tiny plane to Dominica. I swear, it was like the beginning of Jurassic Park!

[foxytv]

Yowza! I'm in love with it already! Maybe a surprise trip for Tom in a couple of years once I save up some money after this wedding! lol.