Set Sail for Antigua
By S Clarke, UK  
Destination Jolly Harbour, Antigua, Caribbean  
Categories Family  
When Travelled January 2004
Length of Stay 12 Days  
Holiday Cost £3000+  
Spending Money £750
Travel Agent N/A  
Tour Operator Trailfinders
  
Airline Virgin Atlantic
  
Insurance Other
Accommodation Jolly Harbour Villas. Jolly Harbour Villas are great for families with more than 2 kids. Each villa sleeps up to 5 and there are 3 types of villas available, standard, standard with air conditioning, and deluxe. Deluxe Villas have extras such as a DVD player, iron, patio loungers and air conditioning as standard. They are very well equipped and comfortable with full cookers and large fridges. The complex is well maintained and there is a high standard of cleanliness. The best villa location is on the South Finger as this is nearer to the resort centre and the nicest beach. The staff are friendly and efficient and due to its size the resort doesn't feel overcrowded even when packed. The complex itself has everything you could need, shops, restaurants, bars, bank, car hire, chemist, well stocked supermarket and even a luxury casino and nightclub. It is on the west side of the Island so there are always some glorious sunsets to be had. The restaurants on the complex range from "The Dogwatch Tavern" which has an English Pub feel and where on a Sunday it's English Chef serves up a great Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pud, to an Italian, and several others which serve up Tex Mex and Caribbean Cusine. The kids voted the "Dog watch's" Chicken Nuggets and Chips the best they've ever tasted - huge portions and nothing like McDonalds! There are sports facilities available on the complex including 2 swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, and a diving school amongst others.
  
 
Travelogue After Antigua and its many uncrowded beaches, one can never feel the same about holidaying in the overcrowded Costas again. Waking up on the first morning of our holiday to a beautiful sunrise over the Sleeping Indian (the local nickname for a distant pair of hillocks) and the gentle splishing of fish leaping in the cystal clear water lapping the jetty beside our villa, it truly felt like a tropical paradise. Outside ripened coconuts were literally ready to drop on our doorstep from the swaying palms. It was late January, my birthday, and we had escaped freezing cold ol' Blighty and were relaxing in balmy temperatures in the 80's. The sea was turquoise, the sky blue and the sand powdery and white - an exactly match of the illustrations in the holiday brochures. Having children, we swam a lot, visited many of the islands beaches including Turner's Beach, Dickenson Bay and Jolly Beach. We also tried to instill memories and learning experiences that would hopefully stay with them for the rest of their lives. We went for a drive through the Island's Mini Rain Forest (Fig Tree Drive), visited Nelson's Dockyard a working Georgian port, saw a Sugar Cane Mill, and an active volcano (Montserrat). We explored St Johns the capital, seeing the colourful markets, the prettily restored Redcliffe Quay and gawped in amazement at the size of the huge cruise ships in port. By the end we were sad to leave. The only downside now is we have totally spoilt the kids who have now acquired a taste for the Caribbean lifestyle and refuse to consider returning to the Med!
 

Must See Attractions

  
 

Eating Out

  • George, Markey & Redcliffe St, St Johns
  • Copper and Lumber Store (The Mainbrace), Nelson's Dockyard
  • Sheer, Coco Bay
  
 

Fab Tips

  • Useful Tips - leave your towels behind. You can get fresh towels for the pool and beach every day from reception.
  • Not being all-inclusive gives you the chance to sample some wonderful local restaurants.
  • Bring back some Susie's sauce - but beware it is hot!!
 

Useful Websites
 
© Fabulous Holidays 2004.