flight/hotel/car package deal?

Travel arrangements to the islands are put together more piece-meal than mainland destinations. Check Orbitz for your best airfare rate and also check Jet Blue's website. They often have the best rates to San Juan, from where you can catch a commuter hop to STX. Call Centerline Car Rentals or Olympic Car Rentals. You'll be on-island at a very busy time of year and many rental companies will be 100% booked. It might take some calling around. For housing, do you want a hotel or a condo? There are a variety of options. Rates will be at their peak due to the time of year, but you want your wife to enjoy the experience so she's willing to move here... so choose somewhere great!

I might have a condo available when you want to be here if you're interested.

Don't know about STT, but on STX the week between Christmas and New years is very busy and very expensive. Alexandra is correct, putting it together piece by piece will be the way to go.

We don"t have to come then (kids out of school - less trouble!). When is a good ( laid-back )time of year?

If you want to come sooner than later, the whole month of January is pretty good. There are even sales and special deals during that time on rooms. Airfare? Don't know.

The really quiet time starts at the end of April. Summer season here goes from the end of April until the end of November. There are always deals to be had then.

Good luck.

If you want the whole experience, try to come down when your trip can include one of the festivals. Early January has "3 Kings Day" on January 6th. There is a parade and carnival, etc. The parade is on the holiday and the carnival runs for a week or so. There is another big party for "Mardi Croix" in late February. There is also a Jump-Up festival in February. In March, the celebration is for St. Patrick's Day. There are parades on each occasion with beads and "Mocko Jumbies" and steel pan bands and lots of island flavor.

Crucians spend most of their time working during the week and attending to family chores and church on the weekends. But islanders love a good festival and really turn out for parades and cultural events.

Matt...

Try www.cheapcaribbean.com Bid on some auctions...you really can't go too wrong, but the dates you've mentioned are blackout dates, I think. Airfare has been kind of high lately...I think Spirit is also starting service to SJU but I could be wrong there.