The Turks and Caicos offer the best of the Caribbean - in Atlantic waters. Island hop by ferry or rove on-island on a rented bike or scooter. One of the world's longest coral reefs, 230 miles of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and a bounty of dive spots lure visitors to the Turks and Caicos' eight major islands, just east of the Bahamas. Bird sanctuary French Cay, underwater Columbus Landfall National Park and Caicos Conch Farm are among the major attractions of these legendarily... more » The Turks and Caicos offer the best of the Caribbean - in Atlantic waters. Island hop by ferry or rove on-island on a rented bike or scooter. One of the world's longest coral reefs, 230 miles of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and a bounty of dive spots lure visitors to the Turks and Caicos' eight major islands, just east of the Bahamas. Bird sanctuary French Cay, underwater Columbus Landfall National Park and Caicos Conch Farm are among the major attractions of these legendarily friendly isles. « less

Here is what we came up with: Turks and Caicos.

Turks and Caicos is located at the Southern end of the Bahamas Island chain known as the British West Indies  and is often overlooked as a vacation destination. If you say "Turks and Caicos," most people acknowledge they've heard of it, but that's about it.  Interesting, because of all the vacation destinations in the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos has the best website.  All the hotels, condominiums and all-inclusives are listed in alphabetical order, by island and by rating, with great photos of each locale.  Most flights connect through Miami, however American Airlines offers direct flights from New York, US Air from Charlotte and Delta from Atlanta.  All airlines fly into Providenciales, the main Island.

One benefit of selecting Turks and Caicos as a beach destination is that once you clear customs at Providenciales Airport, you can cab to your hotel, check in and be in your lounge chair, on the beach with a fancy umbrella cocktail, in less than 3o minutes.

Most of the big hotels are located on Grace Bay, one of the prettiest and most dramatic beaches I've ever seen.  The water is so intensely blue it gives you pause, as you know you've never seen a color quite like it.  I booked a room at Le Vele, a small Italian inspired boutique hotel and condominium located smack dab in the middle of Grace Bay.  As we pulled up to the hotel, my husband asked me, "How did you hear about this  place?"  My reply, "I didn't.  I just liked the look of the place on the website."  Yikes.  I can tell you from experience those gut decisions can either work for ya' or against ya'.  Thankfully, this time it was the former.