Where to have honeymoon?

[Vette73]

The lady wants a warm beach type setting and I like something with some thing to see other then the beach (I grew up at the beach) like old settings or little mainland type shops etc?

Hawaii looks like it would run $2000-2400 for both of use for flight and hotel. But the Caribbean; Virgin Islands, Bahamas, etc? looks like it would be almost up to $1000 cheaper and I think it would have more history or to see. That and the hotels in that price range seems nicer then the low to mid ones at Hawaii.

So what would you recommend if you have been to any? Also who is cheapest on average to book this? I checked out price line but not many others yet. We are in Raleigh/Cary NC and will be married in July.

Thanks

 

[TrevorRC]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
The lady wants a warm beach type setting and I like something with some thing to see other then the beach (I grew up at the beach) like old settings or little mainland type shops etc?

Hawaii looks like it would run $2000-2400 for both of use for flight and hotel. But the Caribbean; Virgin Islands, Bahamas, etc? looks like it would be almost up to $1000 cheaper and I think it would have more history or to see. That and the hotels in that price range seems nicer then the low to mid ones at Hawaii.

So what would you recommend if you have been to any? Also who is cheapest on average to book this? I checked out price line but not many others yet. We are in Raleigh/Cary NC and will be married in July.

Thanks

You could always try Southern California.

Nice little town called San Clemente--lots of history near it (Spanish Missions, etc.) relatively close to LA/San Diego (~45 minutes either direction.), and an awesome vacation area. Beautiful beaches as well, but also great shops/etc.

Not as little as it wsa when I first moved there ~8 years ago, but last time I went back it was still a great place.
(Location, Location, LOCATION!)

Check it out online, you should be able to dig up quite a bit.

Edit:

Just remembered, every first sunday of the month they have an amazing crafts fest.
Several hundred merchants/artists/vendors pour out onto Del Mar (Main Street) to sell their wares. Awesome stuff.

Might not quite be what you're looking for, but a great vacation nonetheless.



Also--Puerto Rico is a great place as well, with tons of stuff to see (Old forts, lots of culture to it, etc..) Should be quite a bit cheaper than California, as well.

 

[quackerww]

Iceland, everything else is cliche

 

[Rudee]

Do a Search. Many threads on this subject.

 

[gsellis]

I will always recommend Maui. But I have nothing Carribean to compare it to. Nassau, I can recommend against.

Watch ClarkHoward.com for HI deals too. It is about that time to see <$500 rt from Atlanta.

 

[toekramp]

cruise FTW, she can get her beaches, you can get the excursions (just don't do them through the cruise)

 

[Skunkwourk]

Originally posted by: toekramp
cruise FTW, she can get her beaches, you can get the excursions (just don't do them through the cruise)

I would second this suggestion. I've been on a cruise, lots to see and lots to do...

 

[AdamSnow]

I really enjoyed my trip to Grenada/Barbados... unfortunately I was there to work, not play... and my Fiancee could not join me...

Honeymoon is my responsibility, and I'm planning on booking a few days on a couple different islands so we can experience the beaches, the history of the island, and have a little variety...

 

[Drakkon]

I'd second the CA idea....check out Cambria/San Simeon area, a ton of historical landmarks around (hearst castle, forts/missions of various sorts), some great beach front hotels, and not too expensive.

 

[AmigaMan]

yeah, tickets from RDU to Hawaii are expensive (we're in Durham). My wife and I are going back to Maui again later this month for two weeks after we just got back last October. We've also been to the Big Island twice and Kauai once before that. We're official Hawaii-holics. Our tickets this time were just under $700/person, but in October they were around $550/person. We have a timeshare so we're trading in at two places this time and it'll only cost us about $300 total for our rooms for two weeks.
In any case, you can usually find deals on airfare through Priceline, Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz, just keep checking until you find a good price. Have fun!

 

[minendo]

I hear Afganistan is nice that time of year.

 

[Vette73]

cruise = seasick and CA is not "special" enough even though I agree.

She wants Hawaii but I think it has turned more into a tourist trap then anything over the years. That and now that Lost is filmed there, don;t forget thats on tonight, people are going there for that somewhat. Same problem when Mag. PI was filmed there.


Thanks for all the ideas and keep them coming.

 

[AmigaMan]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
cruise = seasick and CA is not "special" enough even though I agree.

She wants Hawaii but I think it has turned more into a tourist trap then anything over the years. That and now that Lost is filmed there, don;t forget thats on tonight, people are going there for that somewhat. Same problem when Mag. PI was filmed there.


Thanks for all the ideas and keep them coming.

I strongly disagree with your opinion that Hawaii is a tourist trap. Sure if you stick around the major metro areas or shopping malls then that could be true. But the beauty of Hawaii is Hawaii itself. The snorkeling, beaches, scenery (Hana Highway in Maui comes to mind) and the people are what make it special IMO. When I go, I only stay in town to sleep and to eat. Other than that, we're out and about, hiking, driving, snorkeling, and having a ball.

 

[WildHorse]

 

[FoBoT]

North Dakota

 

[Saint Nick]

go on a world tour!!!!!

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: scott
Suggest you look into Fiji.

Cost might be on par with Hawaii.

They have several small islands that are all set up for what she seeks. (Just nw off Nadi, well north of Tavarua.

As for you, if you like diving, tropical reefs there are just like at Geat Barrier Reef in Oz, but all smaller, warmer.

Maybe nicest mellowest people in the entire world. Pleasant.

WAAAY off. Fiji is very expensive (if you do it right) and hawaii can be done for quite a bit less.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: scott
Suggest you look into Fiji.

Cost might be on par with Hawaii.

They have several small islands that are all set up for what she seeks. (Just nw off Nadi, well north of Tavarua.

As for you, if you like diving, tropical reefs there are just like at Geat Barrier Reef in Oz, but all smaller, warmer.

Maybe nicest mellowest people in the entire world. Pleasant.

Not a fscking chance.

 

[DigDug]

Bora Bora....that's where I'm going.

 

[Rubycon]

Definitely a cruise but then I may be a little biased.

 

[iamwiz82]

Marlin,

What are you looking for? Sit on the beach for a week? Exploring history? Outdoorsy stuff? You choice should fit your lifestyle. Going to Hawaii just to sit on a beach is a waste, IMHO. You can get that in the Caribbean for next to nothing if you time it right.

We prefer Hawaii to the Caribbean, but I enjoy both. Not all of Hawaii is busy, it depends on what island you visit.

 

[WildHorse]

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Marlin,

What are you looking for? Sit on the beach for a week? Exploring history? Outdoorsy stuff? You choice should fit your lifestyle. Going to Hawaii just to sit on a beach is a waste, IMHO. You can get that in the Caribbean for next to nothing if you time it right.

We prefer Hawaii to the Caribbean, but I enjoy both. Not all of Hawaii is busy, it depends on what island you visit.

Me I am more a exploer myself. Trinh, my girl, I think likes things more slow. Heck if I park the corvette to far from the store she might want a piggy back ride to keep from walking.

So I guess a little of both, but worth the money. As I said before I grew up at the beach so sand is sand to me. I want soemthing in the background to check out and remember. Juts trying to see where people booked their trips and also soem background. Every place is going to list their good spots but how much it marketing vs truth is where the line splits.

Thanks

 

[spidey07]

sounds like hawaii then.

the carribean is very nice. try belize/barbados or the mayan riveria if you want things to explore.

 

[gsellis]

Here is why I said Maui. Haleakala is 10,000+ feet with a road to the top. First day, you still are on east coast time, so you get up at 3am (8am our time on daylight time) and drive to the top for a sunrise. World Class! You can: get a tour to coast down from the top on bikes. On the short trip 10000->3500, you peddle about 300yds. From the top in the morning, you can usually see Hawaii, Oahu, Molakai, Lanai and all of the Maui valley.

There is the 4-5 hour drive to Hana through the rainforest area. Look it up.

North shore is windsurfing and surfing (not in the summer).

West coast at Lahaina is always dry. In Lahaina, there is a night life with sort of an upscale arts town going. Hard Rock, Bubba Gumps, etc. is here. I like the pizza place at 505 Front St for the Garlic and Clam pizza Look for Maui Taco for lunch. It came before Willie's and much better.

There is a Costco near the airport for cheap stuff. There is a mall in town.

Also go to Iao Needle. The tropical scenary is amazing with a running river over the rocks. There is a crowd here at times.

There is 2 weeks of stuff to do. Snorkeling is awesome here.

Ka'anaapali is the more upscale place to stay as a cluster, but there are other places. You can find places as cheap as 100 a night around (Outrigger may have something less). You can do a weekly rental for a little as 600.

Also, check flights from ATL. I know, it is 5 hours from you, but you might be able to save a huge chunk of change and do an overnight here. Delta flies Maui as a 1 stop from ATL.