The Virgin Islands are beautiful! St Thomas is a little busier, and has some beautiful beaches, but St John is to die for! 75% national park - all beaches are protected. It is pristine. Take a ferry to Jost Van Dyke (a BVI) which only has 200 year-round residents and go to some of the beach bars. Check out the Soggy Dollar Bar's website (on Jost). If you're looking for an island that takes you back in time - this is it. They only got electricity on this island 7-8 years ago. THere are some cabins to rent on Jost - but nothing luxurious. If you want both, rent a villa on St. John, then charter a day sail to the BVI's.

BTW - I am planning my first visit to Aruba for March 08, staying at the Tam. I prefer laid-back places, not the busy high-rise resorts that are taking over on many islands. Fancy pools and lobbies I can do without - I just want beautiful sand and water and some seafood!

If your husband likes more americanized islands, I would recommend the Cayman Islands. The beaches are gorgeous, the food is great and so are the resorts.

Nothing quite compares to Aruba, but I think you may like this place!

Megan McNally

During the past 4 years we have vacationed in St Martin 4 times & Aruba 4 times.
They are both AWESOME! Both have beautiful beaches, fantastic restaurants & great resorts. We think our dollars go a bit farther in St Martin, than Aruba. I love both places & plan to continue to visit both each year. However, if I was forced to choose only one, it would be St Martin. This is where we stay in St Martin:
http://www.esmeralda-resort.com/
This is the beach, beach bar/restaurant connected to Esmeralda:
http://www.cocobeachsxm.com/
These are some of our St Martin pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/flfreedomfighter/StMartin
These are our Aruba pics:
http://www.dropshots.com/1marksman
Hope this info is helpful.