Who''s going where on their Honeymoon?

[NYCDiva]

We''re getting married in April and plan on going on our Honeymoon the last 2 weeks of April, we have been looking at Tahiti, Fiji, and Hawaii. Tahiti is turning out to be way out of our budget and Hawaii is just soooo common. Any suggestions?

 

[SJS1234]

I think we are probably going to Cabo San Lucas -- I''ve heard ONLY wonderful wonderful things -- and it''s gorgeous year-round!

 

[Cath]

NYCDiva -- If you''re thinking about Fiji or Tahiti, you might also want to look at the Cook Islands. They''re in the same part of the world, but not as pricey as Tahiti. Here''s a travel site that I have bookmarked:

http://www.islandsinthesun.com/index.htm

When you say "Tahiti" I assume you mean all of French Polynesia -- it''s actually not TOO crazy expensive depending on which islands you decide to go to. If you don''t go to Bora Bora or Taha''a, you might be able to make it work. Also, the price will vary GREATLY depending on what accomodations you choose (garden room vs. beach bungalow vs. overwater bungalow). Also, I don''t know your wedding date is, but Air Tahiti Nui will start doing nonstop flights from JFK to Papeete in summer 2005!

PM me if you want to discuss French Polynesia more -- I honeymooned there over 3.5 years ago, and have been dying to go back ever since so I follow all the latest news!

 

[lindsal]

SJS, we are thinking about Cabo too... actually closer to San Jose Los Cabos... where are you thinking about staying... we are having a horrible time deciding.

 

[SJS1234]

Date: 1/6/2005 4:11

9 PM
Author: lindsal
SJS, we are thinking about Cabo too... actually closer to San Jose Los Cabos... where are you thinking about staying... we are having a horrible time deciding.

Actually we''re not sure yet either!! We have some time, so it''s not been a huge priority so far...... I need to look up my old emails from when he and I were discussing different hotels, because I can''t remember now which ones we had narrowed it down to!!

Which ones are you looking at? I''ll do some digging and get back to you, but as I recall we knew we would have a tough time deciding too. Oh, and we may be closer to San Jose Los Cabos also....... not sure about ANYTHING, amy I?? sorry!

 

[lindsal]

i THINK THAT WE HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO:

PALMILLA ( which looks goregous, and according to travel agent we could afford at most basic package.)

LOS VENTANAS AL PARAISO (package with upgraded room and other benefits)

MARQUIS LOS CABOS (which for some reason just speaks to me when I look at the pictures.)

We are going in July 5 - July 11, when it will be PLENTY hot, so AC and good pools are crucial. When are you going?


ANYONE THAT"S BEEN HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON ANY OF THESE RESORTS?

 

[SJS1234]

Date: 1/6/2005 4:18:57 PM
Author: SJS1234

Date: 1/6/2005 4:11

9 PM
Author: lindsal
SJS, we are thinking about Cabo too... actually closer to San Jose Los Cabos... where are you thinking about staying... we are having a horrible time deciding.

Actually we''re not sure yet either!! We have some time, so it''s not been a huge priority so far...... I need to look up my old emails from when he and I were discussing different hotels, because I can''t remember now which ones we had narrowed it down to!!

Which ones are you looking at? I''ll do some digging and get back to you, but as I recall we knew we would have a tough time deciding too. Oh, and we may be closer to San Jose Los Cabos also....... not sure about ANYTHING, amy I?? sorry!

Ok -- just went back to my saved pages -- and if I recall correctly, we were looking primarily in the corridor area -- at the Westin, the Marquis Los Cabos, and I think the Fiesta Americana (nice golf course).

BUT if you have suggestions, please DO TELL!!!!! I''m sure we haven''t looked at them all, YET!

 

[heart prongs]

We went to Hawaii -- I guess that makes us "common."

Most fabulous, luxurious, and romantic

two weeks of my life with my awesome new husband...there''s so much to do and we cannot wait to go back for our fifth anniversary (in more than 4 1/2 years

)

 

[SJS1234]

Date: 1/6/2005 4:33

8 PM
Author: lindsal
i THINK THAT WE HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO:

PALMILLA ( which looks goregous, and according to travel agent we could afford at most basic package.)

LOS VENTANAS AL PARAISO (package with upgraded room and other benefits)

MARQUIS LOS CABOS (which for some reason just speaks to me when I look at the pictures.)

We are going in July 5 - July 11, when it will be PLENTY hot, so AC and good pools are crucial. When are you going?


ANYONE THAT''S BEEN HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON ANY OF THESE RESORTS?

omg -- the Palmilla is supposed to be the BEST, but I was so sure it was Hollywood expensive -- maybe not? hmm... maybe we could afford the basic package too! I haven''t seen prices....
I''m going to check out the others you listed too.... We would be going in mid-October.

 

[sparkler29]

We''re planning to go somewhere a bit unusual for our honeymoon - Vietnam. We''ve been wanting desperately to go for ages, but I think for our honeymoon we''re actually going to make it happen!

 

[SJS1234]

OMG I love your choices -- I remember seeing pics of Marquis Los Cabos -- we definitely had that has one of our final choices too.. I just looked at Los Ventanas -- not sure how I missed that the first time!! It''s really gorgeous...hmmm....

We haven''t talked to a travel agent yet -- just doing our own research online.

 

[SJS1234]

Date: 1/6/2005 4:39:18 PM
Author: sparkler29
We''re planning to go somewhere a bit unusual for our honeymoon - Vietnam. We''ve been wanting desperately to go for ages, but I think for our honeymoon we''re actually going to make it happen!

I think that will be amazing, actually! I would love to do something cultural and adventurous for a honeymoon, but my fh is all about the R&R. oh, and the golf (I''m allowing one day, if he wants to

).

I would REALLY love to spend my honeymoon hopping the Greek Islands!

 

[lindsal]

SJS - I thought the same thing about Palmilla, and was suprised when the travel agent came back to us with the number.

I hear you about the golf. I said, you get one day of golfing and I get the morning at the SPA and on the beach. And then we are going diving one day too. All of it adds up really quickly.

I think we are most likely going to go with the Marquis.. it''s the middle range price, in the middle of the Corridor and close to great golf.

VIETNAM sounds like a GREAT honeymoon trip... I have friends who went last summer and they are still raving about their trip.

 

[hoorray]

Just FYI... I have heard that the golf in Cobo is $$$$. One round probably wouldn''t break the bank, but if you plan to play a lot, check the green fees. THe courses are supposed to be fabulous.

 

[MelissaSue]

we are going to... FRANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are probably going to spend a little bit in paris.. and then most of the time travelling around the country.. with a good chunk in the yummy south of france.

 

[mightyred]

Hi NYCDiva,

I have been to all 3 places in my travels. I loved Moorea & Bora Bora (stay off Tahiti island itself) but I did find it very expensive particularly for food and drinks (go with a meal plan). I agree with Cath in that the Cook Islands are a great alternative -beautiful,less touristy,over water bungalows and cheaper!

I would highly recommend Fiji as a honeymoon destination. Stay off the mainland and go to an outer island. Depending on your budget you pretty much have your choice of resorts. I stayed at Castaway Island resort and loved it (it''s in the Mamanuca islands) but they allow children so you may prefer somewhere more secluded. If I could splurge somewhat I would have stayed somewhere like Yasawa Island or Matangi Island. The climate is great (April is at the end of the rainy season), the water feels like you are swimming in a bath and the watersports and trips are fabulous. The people are so friendly (very humble) and make you feel very welcome. It is also cheap as chips there! The main thing to remember is everyone is on Fiji time meaning its very slow -perfect for a relaxing honeymoon! A lot of honeymooners split their time between an island and a Blue Lagoon Cruise hopping around the islands. I would go back in a heart-beat!

For any option I would contact several vacation consolidators that specialise in the South Pacific and have them give you some quotes. You will find most can quote you on all 3 areas. As with a lot of things their mark up is about 20-25% so when you get your quotes back you can push for a discount!
Good luck with everything.....with any of those options you can''t really go wrong for a honeymoon!

Mighty

 

[Tybee]

Oh Wow,
Figi has been my dream forever. I''ve been joking about it with the FI (we''re not really in the planning stages yet.) He would surely be happier to be somewhere less sunny (he''s a fair red head, I''m a sun loving Italian.) I''m glad to hear about the Cook Islands, I will look into them.
I really have this fantasy about being in French Polynesia...Isn''t a honeymoon about the only time you can justify such an exotic vacation when you come from humble earnings?

 

[SJS1234]

Date: 1/6/2005 8

8:53 PM
Author: MelissaSue
we are going to... FRANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are probably going to spend a little bit in paris.. and then most of the time travelling around the country.. with a good chunk in the yummy south of france.

Ohhhh I LOVE France!! One of my best friends is French (lived here for a few years, and is back in France now) -- and I''ve visited a couple of times -- once during Christmas (1995) and then in 2001 for her wedding which was FABULOUS! I''ve never been to the south of France, but I''ve seen the Loire Valley and traveled (by car) through most of Burgundy. We spent a week driving through Burgundy, in fact -- and if you are going to be in the part of the country, be sure to stop in Beaune -- it''s the central town of that wine country -- and it''s SO unique. There are several GORGEOUS little towns that I would recommend if you''re going to be anywhere in that area -- so let me know!!

 

[SJS1234]

Oh yeah -- and while you''re in Paris you MUST go to the Musee D''orsay and to the Place du Tertre by Montmarte (near the Moulin Rouge and the Sacre-coeur).... The Place du Tertre is the courtyard where all of the artists sit around and paint ALL DAY, all crowded in with sidewalk cafes all around. it''s so neat to see, if you''ve never been there!!! Not to mention the great view of all of Paris!!!

http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/2244 (scroll down to the article)

 

[sparkler29]

Everyone''s choices sound amazing!!! I''d love to go to the Greek Islands, FIJI, and France is so wonderful....ahhh. Maybe we can take a few months for our honemoon and travel everywhere!

 

[njc]

Date: 1/6/2005 4:37:57 PM
Author: heart prongs
We went to Hawaii -- I guess that makes us ''common.''

Most fabulous, luxurious, and romantic

two weeks of my life with my awesome new husband...there''s so much to do and we cannot wait to go back for our fifth anniversary (in more than 4 1/2 years

)

Dont feel bad Heart Prongs, we are going to be ''common'' too!!! I agree that it will be a fabulous and romantic time! We figure why bother with passports, exchange rates and all that mess!

 

[IrishEyes]

Hi everyone! I have a kinda unique story: My husband and I have been married for almost two years (been together for 7). When we got married, it was right before we were deployed overseas with the military (together, thank God!). We were only supposed to be gone for 6-8 months, but with extensions, it turned into 17 MONTHS!! Needless to say, we did not go on a honeymoon ( I do NOT count Iraq as a honeymoon, as some people like to say jokingly!!). Now we are both safely at home, and are planning (FINALLY) our honeymoon. We are planning on going to Ireland for two weeks, and then London for a few days. I am Irish (can you tell by my name?!) and have been dying to go there to "visit" my heritage. Has anyone been there before and can recommend/suggest ideas?? I would love to hear them. We are planning on going in may of this year. By the way, everyone''s trip ideas sound wonderful!! Some almost make me want to change my mind!!!

 

[TravelingGal]

Wow Irish Eyes. Welcome back safely home!

There are a few Irish on this board who I daresay could help you out better than I can. But out of the many countries I have been to, Ireland ranks definitely in the top three. I can give you a traveler''s perspective on what I liked.

First, since your heritage is from there, it would be fun to find out exactly where you came from and go pay a visit. I traveled there alone and had the best time. I chose to concentrate on the west and southwest of the Republic. Flew into Shannon and drove up to Galway to start, then Doolin, Dingle, Kinsale and Adare for a night before heading back up to Shannon. There are some lovely B&Bs in those towns, and my favorite is in Dingle.

A lot of people do the Ring of Kerry, but I opted out of that to do Sleahead Drive on the Dingle Peninsula instead. Lovely, and you don''t have to deal with the tour buses! Of course, the Ring of Kerry is well known and a lot of people like to go to Killarney, etc, but it didn''t float my boat for some reason.

Many people say you can''t go to Ireland without visiting Dublin. I was torn, but in the end, I was happy with the itinerary I chose. I did also go for two weeks (with a few days in London as well). I would highly recommend renting a car, getting the full insurance coverage (I lost a mirror), a good map (Michelin) and understanding that it takes a bit longer than expected to drive from one place to another on some of those small country roads. I got stuck behind a tractor a couple of times. No doubt, you will love Ireland. I met wonderful people. Even a guy (who had a girlfriend and wanted nothing from me) who took the day off work so he could show me his country. He spent an entire day driving me through Galway/Connemara, took me fishing, and then tea in a lovely clubhouse...and then I never saw him again.

Enjoy Ireland!

 

[IrishEyes]

travelingal: Thank you sooo much for sharing your experience!!! It sounds like you had an awesome time! My husband and I are planning on doing the Dublin thing for a few days, then getting a car and going through more of the western parts. we were considering the Ring of Kerry, but I do keep hearing how overcrowded it is. I''m really excited to stay at some B&B''s, I''ve never been to one before.

Is it hard to drive on the narrow roads there? I guess the biggest thing for me is I''ve never driven on the left before (at least not on purpose!). My husband only cares about one thing: the Guiness Factory!! that''s the only thing he is really set on seeing. Typical

What was your favorite spot? Your story about the random man showing you around is great! I am amazed at how many stories I hear about the Irish being so friendly and cordial and willing to show tourists a good time. We Americans are so rude sometimes, it''s a rarity to approach a stranger here for help or for a question and not get a rude "I don''t know" or a strange glance before they ignore you and turn away. But I hear constantly how wonderful and welcoming the Irish are

So where else have you been? We are also going to London for a few days as well. I''ve been to such places as France, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourgh, Mexico, and recently Kuwait and Iraq

But Europe was fun!!!

again, thank you so much for your input, if you have any more I''d love to hear it. You can PM me also!

 

[TravelingGal]

Well, I told an Irish girl that I met that all the men were so friendly, bought me drinks and refused to have me buy a round. She gave me a wry grin and told me it was because I wasn''t an Irish girl.

I guess I was a bit of a curiosity to some...korean girl traveling alone in Ireland. I did meet many warm people, but I think it''s also country vs. city...and I daresay you''d find generally that the people who live in non-metropolitan areas in the US more friendly than us city folk (I live in L.A.)

I''d be happy to chat about Ireland. But it was more about who I met and my experiences than what I saw, to be honest. Also didn''t hurt that the weather was gorgeous the entire time I was there. For instance, everyone goes to see the Cliffs of Moher. I thought they were neat, but that was that. However that night, I met a guy who told me he threw his hat off the cliffs and it kept coming back to him. The next day, he took me there again and showed me a spot where he threw his hat far into the air and it indeed did come flying back to him. He also did it with his sweater. Guess it''s the way the wind blows (although that day it felt quite still) and I never would have thought to throw ANYTHING off the Cliffs of Moher!

Yes, I wanted to go to the Guinness Museum too, but I had to settle for drinking it everywhere.

As for my travels, If you really wanna know, I''ve been to much of the states, western canada, a couple of spots in mexico, UK, Ireland (Republic), France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece (Islands) and Australia. So many more places to visit, so little time.

I love to travel alone, and the reason why a good chunk of Europe is covered is when I turned 30, I said "Screw it!" and quit my job to bum around Europe for a few months by myself. Met a wonderful Australian, so far we are still together. Long distance bites though, so thank goodness there is a light at the end of the tunnel and he will be able to move to the U.S. this year sometime.

As you can see, I love to talk travel and can direct you to some good planning sites. Feel free to PM me.

 

[TravelingGal]

Oops, I see I forgot to answer your question. As far as my favorite spots...hard to choose. But from my itinerary I think the parts I liked the most (visually) were Galway (Connemara) and Dingle...although I had the best time in Doolin.

For a few photos of that trip (there are about 16), feel free to check out http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=11mrb34j.10tcveer&x=1&y=m73k7b I took the trip in Oct 2002.

 

[chantal990]

Date: 1/6/2005 4:37:57 PM
Author: heart prongs
We went to Hawaii -- I guess that makes us ''common.''

Most fabulous, luxurious, and romantic

two weeks of my life with my awesome new husband...there''s so much to do and we cannot wait to go back for our fifth anniversary (in more than 4 1/2 years

)

Also going to be "common" by getting married in Hawaii (hopefully

) and touring the USA and Mexico for a honeymoon as we come from Australia it will probably be the only chance we have to go to the USA for the next few years as airfares and stuff are so expensive from Oz. Any ideas on the US? I am desperate to go to New Orleans and my lovely one wants to do Miami so I think we will go from Maui to LA and drive through the south and up the east coast to New York but it all at the maybe stage at the moment.

 

[TravelingGal]

I just love Australia Emerald Girl...but there are certainly many places you will enjoy here in the U.S.

When are you planning your honeymoon? That may help determine your itinerary. New Orleans is notoriously hot in the summer...and humid! I love NOLA though...great food and lots of fun to be had.

No slam on L.A. (I live there and love the area which I live) but if it''s your honeymoon, I''d say don''t spend too much time there. First of all you need a car, and our freeways can be daunting. If you want to detox for a day or two, spend some time in a hotel near the beach. I personally think Hermosa Beach is a nice retreat for a day, and the Beach Inn at Hermosa is right on the beach and seems nice. Lots of restaurants and bars near that, and a very locals feel about the area. It will be a bit away from the touristed Santa Monica/West Side Area.

I am not a huge fan of New York, but it is a pretty neat city, and the food there can be amazing. Just be warned that the hotel rates can be sky high!

 

[chantal990]

It will be summer. We''d only spend 2-3 days in LA max as a starting point. The heat and humisity is not a problem as both myself and my FI are heat seekers (why we live in Melbourne is still a mystery). We are planning on renting a car and just roadtripping it not fantastically rommantic but totally us.

 

[TravelingGal]

Understandable Emerald Girl. My BF, who is Australian (from Adelaide) and I went to the Royal Hideaway Resort in Playa Del Carmen. It''s known for being a great all inclusive resort. Since we met backpacking, this was going to be new for us. While it was fun, we both agreed we were happy we did it as a "regular" trip instead of our honeymoon. Now we know we will be trekking around somewhere for a honeymoon instead of sitting on the beach drinking fruity drinks. Nothing wrong with that at all, but as you alluded to: different strokes for different folks.

Just keep in mind it will be hurricane season in south/south east in the summer. Shouldn''t deter you though...because nothing may happen. In fact, I hope the Floridians get a break for the next few years because I was just there a couple of days ago, and those poor people are stil picking up the pieces! 4 hurricanes in one season. Yikes.

New Orleans will be pretty cheap in the summer. I would advise for a first timer there to stay in the French Quarter. While there is more to New Orleans than the FQ, it will be where you will most likely hang out to start.