Honeymoon Help

[higgies]

Hola!

I need some help. I'm trying to plan our honeymoon and I'm having trouble. There were a few places we were almost settled on, but now I'm having second thoughts. Anyone have any good advice or reviews of places??

We'd like an all-inclusive, but not someplace like a Sandals or something like that.
We'd also like to stay relatively close; like the caribbean or Central America at the farthest.

Some of the places I was considering were Paradisus in Riviera Maya, Mexico. It has everything, but my fiance really loves the ocean and that's the one weak point there. We also have a budget to consider. Any help though would be appreciated!!

[Miss Phode]

Re: Honeymoon Help

Have you considered a cruise? The food is included, and you can do day tours on the days the boat stops.

[higgies]

Re: Honeymoon Help

I think we ruled out a cruise, but thanks!

[Miss Phode]

Re: Honeymoon Help

OK, um...I just did a search of all inclusive resorts in Mexico, and stumbled upon a few "clothing optional" places.

[higgies]

Re: Honeymoon Help

LOL! Yeah....not sure we'd be ready for that!

[jroche5998]

Re: Honeymoon Help

Paul,

Planning the honeymoon is fun isn't it? (sarcasm doesn't come out in type) I had a great trip all planned to Hawaii and DW (DF at the time decided it was too far, or more correctly her mother decided that).

How long are you planning? We did 2 destinations, a week in Bermuda, followed by a week in Disney.

Also, when are you planning, that can affect where? If it's hurricane season, I'd avoid the upper carribean, and stick to the Lower Antilles (outside the hurricane belt, mostly anyway)

Some places we've been and comments:
Bermuda: honeymoon - stayed at Elbow Beach, not all inclusive but loved it, the island itself was great.

Antigua - stayed at Royal Antiguan, all inclusive, really neat island, multiple climates on the island, desert, rain forest. When it rains you'll figure out what those ditches are for. We really loved the island, lots to explore, rent a jeep and explore, the local eateries (I know all inclusive makes it hard to justify) are cool, good food in a plywood shack. Found some beaches with literally nobody there.

Aruba/Curacao/Bonaire - Been to Aruba and Curacao. Aruba stayed at the Divi (all inclusive) and loved it. The bartenders I think have bets on how fast they can get you wasted. Curacao was a long time ago but much less commercialized (read fewer hotels) than Aruba (except for the port section, big oil port), but thoroughly enjoyed that island too.

Just some ideas.

[higgies]

Re: Honeymoon Help

Thanks Jim! I was actually just looking at Curacao...I so have no idea...

We're planning for Oct. 21-28th...so I think it's like 7 nights. It is the end of hurricane season sort of, but we'll take the chance...don't have much option. Hopefully it's another season like this one was. The deals are really good at that time too.

[Lisa M]

Re: Honeymoon Help

I hear Disneyworld has a lovely Honeymoon package.

Whatever you decide, may it be the best, most relaxing vacation you two will always remember.

[jroche5998]

Re: Honeymoon Help

I like the islands that are not totally dependant upon the tourist trade. I went to Curacao the season after hurrican Andrew (one of the few that went that far south) so I got a great deal. But it's the capital of the Lower Antilles, and has industry other than tourism. The locals and ridiculously friendly, both the Dutch and the natives. They have happy hour at different hours at different clubs, so you can do 2 for 1 for a stretch of about 8 hours a night club hopping (taxi, don't drive obviously). Amstel (not light) is the beer of choice in 9 ounce bottles (Heineken also). It's been a while (15 years) so I'm sure it's changed a lot, but I loved it. And it's a small island, one day exploring is enough, but lots of little private coves to chill on the beach (in addition to your hotel beach). Food wise, restaurants range from cheap to ridiculous and everything in between. Plus it's all Argentinean beef, which is some of the best in the world.

[sadie147]

Re: Honeymoon Help

We went to the Barbados, it's an absolutely beautiful island (was my second time there) unfortunately it's also very expensive if you do not go all inclusive. My friend and i paid $60 canadian for 2 orders of fish and chips and 2 pops at one place.

My honeymoon we went all inclusive. Stayed at the Almond Beach Village resort. I don't recommend that particular resort. Though it was all inclusive, there were only 3 meals a day, nothing in between, for $2500 a person I'd be expecting round the clock food! I do know there are other really nice all inclusives there though. The people are very friendly and there's quite a bit to do if your into watersports etc.

[HeidiE]

Re: Honeymoon Help

well the only place I would go to have a honeymoon would be the Cook Islands ..it does not meet with your criteria (to far away and not any of the places you mentioned) but it is a fantastic, unspoiled, romantic beyond reason and very very beautiful place ...

closer would be like Jim Curacao in really nice or the Brittish Virgin Islands

the places I love in the Caribbean are for mostly the scuba like Grand Cayman ..the Island is not that great itself but the diving is one of the best in the world..then take a trip to Little Cayman for the beauty and to be alone


The Big Island of Hawaii is spectacular there is not a single thing you could want for ..the Island is stunning and there are many all inclusive packages ..but it is probably too far as well

[higgies]

Re: Honeymoon Help

Thanks Heidi! I'm looking into Curacao and Barbados.

We would love to do the South Pacific someday...for sure! I made the mistake of bringing up Greece the other day and she totally changed her tune. I suggested Europe in the beginning, but we really just sit, drink, and be together. If we went to Europe then we'd want to see stuff. We also have a problem in that we made an agreement that we would go someplace that neither of us have been! I've been to a lot of places and she's been to a lot of the Caribbean....enough stipulations?! LOL!

I'm kind of digging Curacao right now, but it'll probably be something different tomorrow. Keep it coming people! I'm desperate.

[13_jane]

Re: Honeymoon Help

Hi

I always use www.tripadvisor.com when I'm looking for holidays.

I did 2 weeks in a sandals hotel for my honeymoon - it was really relaxing, and the food and drink was fantastic!!

I can't wait to see where you go!

jane x

[Tru2mee]

Re: Honeymoon Help

hey there Higgies... I know your pain. I'm trying to plan one myself right now... looks like it's come down to either Hawaii (Oahu) or Italy (Venice). Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to go to Venice for my honeymoon.. I've been all over Italy but never Venice, because I was saving that specifically for that time.. so.. we'll see. It's expensive but the wedding is going to be a small quaint ceremony so we can splurge on the honeymoon!!! Let me know what you guys decide to do - when's the wedding?? Mine is set for May 5.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Honeymoon Help

Higgies, my neighbors go every year to Santo Domingo/Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. From what they describe to me, I want to go so bad. The last two years haven't worked out for us to go.

Anyway, this is the hotel that they highly recommend http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Punta-Ca...varo_3_61.html
It's the Iberostar Bavaro. Last time I checked you could get round trip airfare and 7 nights ALL INCLUSIVE (including your drinks, food...WHATEVER, whenever) My neighbors asked the waiters about doing a pig roast on the beach for someone in their party's birthday....and it was a done deal. Anyway, 7 nights all inclusive including airfare from tampa for a little over $1100 per person. That's just incredibly cheap for the caribbean. Apple tours is from what I've heard a good place to get your reservations and transportation.

My neighbors went on 4 wheeler trips on the beach, horseback riding on the beach, a catamaran cruise with dancing, dinner and drinks. All at a separate cost, but I'm thinking they said around $50 per person for a day trip--that included food and drinks...and VIDEO of their day.