Honeymoon ideas-off the beaten path!
May 4th, 2004, 11:04 AM
#1
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Honeymoon ideas-off the beaten path!
Hey! We are looking for advice on where to spend our honeymoon - here are our requirements:
1. off the beaten path
2. no big high-rise hotels
3. island must have things to do - we can't sit on a beach for 10 days - need other things to do (i.e. scuba/fishing/snorkel/golf).
4. We are leaving on Nov. 1 - we know it is still hurriacne season - we are buying insurance!
5. We have been to the following islands and would like to try something NEW! : Anguilla/Barbados/Bahamas/Turks & Caicos/Aruba/St. Maarten/Puerto Rico/Jamaica/Dominican
Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!!
1. off the beaten path
2. no big high-rise hotels
3. island must have things to do - we can't sit on a beach for 10 days - need other things to do (i.e. scuba/fishing/snorkel/golf).
4. We are leaving on Nov. 1 - we know it is still hurriacne season - we are buying insurance!
5. We have been to the following islands and would like to try something NEW! : Anguilla/Barbados/Bahamas/Turks & Caicos/Aruba/St. Maarten/Puerto Rico/Jamaica/Dominican
Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!!
May 4th, 2004, 11:30 AM
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What about Bonaire? It's definitely 'off the beaten track', is perfect for diving and snorkeling, and seems to have no large highrises at all. I have been researching it myself because I am considering it for our winter vacation next year. Check the information, and the excellent forum, at Bonaire Talk. Good luck!
Also, the chances of a hurricane on Bonaire are virtually nil because it is so far south (next to Aruba and Curacao, close to the coast of Venezuela).
Also, the chances of a hurricane on Bonaire are virtually nil because it is so far south (next to Aruba and Curacao, close to the coast of Venezuela).
May 4th, 2004, 11:47 AM
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How about the North Coast of Grand Cayman ? Several nice places to stay (although I can't say which 
, no high rises, and plenty to do.
A new venture that has started up that is interesting is www.ecoventures.ky, they have lots of interesting activities to keep you as busy as you like whilst discovering and exploring the island.
(note for editors, I do run The Reef, but we have no commercial interest in Ecoventures)
, no high rises, and plenty to do.A new venture that has started up that is interesting is www.ecoventures.ky, they have lots of interesting activities to keep you as busy as you like whilst discovering and exploring the island.
(note for editors, I do run The Reef, but we have no commercial interest in Ecoventures)
May 4th, 2004, 01:12 PM
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How about St. Vincent? It is so beautiful, there's lots of hiking, sailing, waterfalls, towns to explore, a volcano, and NO tourists. We loved our visit to Young Island - they have a sailaway option too...and you're going off-season which makes it affordable. No golf though.
May 4th, 2004, 01:24 PM
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I second St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Perhaps combine a land based trip on St. Vincent with a crewed charter and sail to Bequia, Mustique, Tobago Cays, Mayreau, Union, and even further depending on your time.
On St. Vincent, aside from Young Island (we were there last December) there is also Petit Byahaut - for a truly off-the-beaten path experience. It was a truly stunning setting:
http://www.outahere.com/petitbyahaut/
great snorkel and scuba right there or in near proximity.
Also, the nice thing about the grenadines is that you are generally south of the hurricane belt. Not to say they are immue, but statistically I think you are in better shape south of St. Lucia than in the "northern" parts of the caribbean (Virgin Islands, etc).
Here is a link to our photos from our trip in december:
http://community.webshots.com/user/kasallis
And congrats on the wedding/honeymoon!
Happy travels,
Amy
On St. Vincent, aside from Young Island (we were there last December) there is also Petit Byahaut - for a truly off-the-beaten path experience. It was a truly stunning setting:
http://www.outahere.com/petitbyahaut/
great snorkel and scuba right there or in near proximity.
Also, the nice thing about the grenadines is that you are generally south of the hurricane belt. Not to say they are immue, but statistically I think you are in better shape south of St. Lucia than in the "northern" parts of the caribbean (Virgin Islands, etc).
Here is a link to our photos from our trip in december:
http://community.webshots.com/user/kasallis
And congrats on the wedding/honeymoon!
Happy travels,
Amy
May 5th, 2004, 01:07 AM
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One of the few places you can be assured of sun in November is definitely off the beaten track -- would recommend The Gambia, a former Brit colony wedged on the coast btw
Senegal and Casamance/Senegal of West Africa. Lots of packages available through London and Brit Airways.
Senegal and Casamance/Senegal of West Africa. Lots of packages available through London and Brit Airways.
May 5th, 2004, 05:22 AM
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We recently returned from the island of Grenada. It is a very lush island with an amazing variety of landscape. There are lovely beaches, beautiful mountains, waterfalls and even crater lakes. It is very unspoiled and there are no high rise hotels. In fact someone there told me that the building code says that no building can be taller than a coconut tree !! The island also is below the hurricane belt so the chances of a hurricane are very slim.
We stayed at Bel Air Plantation, which was lovely. They arranged activities for us and had quite a wide variety of choices.
Don't know where you are coming from, but we took a non stop flight from NY on Air Jamaica.
Wonderful island, great people and definately not commercial.
We stayed at Bel Air Plantation, which was lovely. They arranged activities for us and had quite a wide variety of choices.
Don't know where you are coming from, but we took a non stop flight from NY on Air Jamaica.
Wonderful island, great people and definately not commercial.
May 6th, 2004, 04:20 AM
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Thanks toeveryone for their response!
If we were going to go for 10 days - and split between 2 locales - any suggestions? Make sense if they were close. Already familiar with Little Dix/Caneel Bay combo. Any others? Thanks!
If we were going to go for 10 days - and split between 2 locales - any suggestions? Make sense if they were close. Already familiar with Little Dix/Caneel Bay combo. Any others? Thanks!
May 6th, 2004, 08:06 AM
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I agree with Gail - Grenada is a fantastic island with lots to do and see and yet a beautiful off the beaten path locale. The people are still very genuine and mostly unaffected by tourism. If you wanted to split your time - although ten days is less than you probably think it is - I would look into Grenada for seven and Cariacou for three....or take the Windjammer cruise through the Grenadines - which are sensational and something not to ever be missed. Grenada has fabulous restaurants and easy access to most - many even include complimentary shuttles to and from your hotel. There are a variety of hotels to chose from but if you have some money to spend then I would look into LaLuna which seems really romantic and beautiful - luxurious infact...check out the www.grenadatravelforum.com website for lots of info - there is a chap who did the combined Grenada / Windjammer cruise for his honeymoon and you could learn more there.
That is my vote! I just returned in january and wish I could have stayed forever...
That is my vote! I just returned in january and wish I could have stayed forever...
May 8th, 2004, 05:53 AM
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Lizzie,
We enjoyed many great meals in Grenada.
The restaurant at our resort The Water's Edge at Bel Air Planatation was fabulous. The chef is very talented and uses lots of local ingredients. The cuisine is caribbean in style but very sophisticated. We found the prices there quite reasonable for the quality of food.
We also tried a few others. The Beach House, which is located near the airport was also excellent. We had a lovely dinner there. Prices about the same as at our resort.
We had lunch at the Aquarium which is also near the airport. The setting is very unusual as the restaurant is built into the side of a cliff. It is right on the beach so you can swim before or after lunch. The food was OK.
La Saggese Nature Center was within walking distance from our resort and has a lovely secluded beach. We had lunch there a few times. The food was good, very simple but tasty. The fish is by far the best thing they serve. We saw the local fishermen bringing it by boat daily.
While in St. George's we tried the Nutmeg, as it was recommended on several forums. Just awful. Tasteless food and very poor service. The crab backs were 90% breading.
There is also a small italian restaurant in a shopping center near Grand Anse which we stumbled upon (can't remember the name) which has really nice pizza and great breads. We took a few back to the villa.
In conclusion the Water's Edge was by far the best and we dined there most evenings. Beach House is a close contender and I would go there again.
We enjoyed many great meals in Grenada.
The restaurant at our resort The Water's Edge at Bel Air Planatation was fabulous. The chef is very talented and uses lots of local ingredients. The cuisine is caribbean in style but very sophisticated. We found the prices there quite reasonable for the quality of food.
We also tried a few others. The Beach House, which is located near the airport was also excellent. We had a lovely dinner there. Prices about the same as at our resort.
We had lunch at the Aquarium which is also near the airport. The setting is very unusual as the restaurant is built into the side of a cliff. It is right on the beach so you can swim before or after lunch. The food was OK.
La Saggese Nature Center was within walking distance from our resort and has a lovely secluded beach. We had lunch there a few times. The food was good, very simple but tasty. The fish is by far the best thing they serve. We saw the local fishermen bringing it by boat daily.
While in St. George's we tried the Nutmeg, as it was recommended on several forums. Just awful. Tasteless food and very poor service. The crab backs were 90% breading.
There is also a small italian restaurant in a shopping center near Grand Anse which we stumbled upon (can't remember the name) which has really nice pizza and great breads. We took a few back to the villa.
In conclusion the Water's Edge was by far the best and we dined there most evenings. Beach House is a close contender and I would go there again.
May 8th, 2004, 12:21 PM
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The pizza restuarant in Grand Anse is Ricks Cafe or Boulangerie is another pizza spot - Grenada has a lot of fabulous dining mostly down inthe Grand Anse area. We really enjoyed Nutmegs - sad that Gail did not...other great restaurants...
Aquarium, True Blue, Mariposa, Rudolphs - there are so many to enjoy and all worth ever minute!!
Aquarium, True Blue, Mariposa, Rudolphs - there are so many to enjoy and all worth ever minute!!
May 9th, 2004, 06:29 AM
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Spent a week at Laluna on Grenada in February. Pricey, but a great place for a honeymoon. Also, lots to do on the island, which is very beautiful. For a special occasion, Gary Rhodes new restaurant at the Calabash was terrific (they will provide transportation to and from your hotel).
May 9th, 2004, 07:21 PM
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To everyone who has responded.. Thanks.. we have a few places to start: Grenada, Grenadines, Bel Air Plantation. This people on this site always provides useful information - I hope that I can one day be as helpful to someone else!
May 10th, 2004, 04:43 AM
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Gail - I am sorry that you did not enjoy a fabulous meal at Nutmeg - but there area so many great restaurants on Grenada that I am sure it did not make a terrible dent in your meal plans...
Interesting point about the Boulangerie - in certain areas of Grenada - they deliver - so after a long day of tripping around the island back to the balcony for delievered Pizza or Pasta is perfect - for future reference!
Interesting point about the Boulangerie - in certain areas of Grenada - they deliver - so after a long day of tripping around the island back to the balcony for delievered Pizza or Pasta is perfect - for future reference!
Jun 1st, 2004, 11:35 AM
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I second the recommendations for Young Island. Great Place. Delicious food! Lots of privacy, if you want it. www.youngisland.com Try the Sailaway. It is Wonderful. You have a sailboat,captain and cook for 48 hours. You go to Bequai and Mustique. Take the weekly rate and add days on. You get 3 meals a day, if you book the weekly rate and 2 meals a day if you book the daily rate. Also in the Grenadines, you can try Palm Island or Petit St. Vincent.
Grenada is fine. I've had a great time there (been twice in the past 4 years), but I prefer Young Island. LaLuna would be THE place to stay for 'out of the way' comfort on Grenada. Someone said there were no high rises on Grenada. I certainly have seen some, but I guess it all depends on your definition of highrise.
Good luck!
Grenada is fine. I've had a great time there (been twice in the past 4 years), but I prefer Young Island. LaLuna would be THE place to stay for 'out of the way' comfort on Grenada. Someone said there were no high rises on Grenada. I certainly have seen some, but I guess it all depends on your definition of highrise.
Good luck!
Jun 2nd, 2004, 01:41 PM
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We spent 2 weeks in Mustique and loved it. It is off the beaten path and incredibly beautiful. We stayed at the Firefly - a small 4 room in with A+ service, food and rooms. We were looking for the exact same thing as you. We loved it so much we are going back this summer. AND - it is out of hurricane zone - too far south. You can split your time between Mustique & Trinidad/Tabago.
Jul 16th, 2004, 04:51 PM
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Okay, I'm gonna recommend this villa so many times people must think I own it - but I don't! It's just such a great little place. I got engaged on the beach outside it. On Grand Cayman north side, see the website www.maidenplum.com
It's a private beach front villa, nobody else is ever around. WE LOVE IT. Grand Cayman is my favorite island. Swim with stingrays, visit the botanical gardens, there is GREAT snorkeling right on the beach in front of the house, we see stingrays/turtles/lobsters there ALL the time.
One good thing is cayman is relatively protected from MOST of the hurricanes which tend to come up the jamaica side of the caribbean. They get a few hurricanes, but not nearly as much as all the other islands...
It's a private beach front villa, nobody else is ever around. WE LOVE IT. Grand Cayman is my favorite island. Swim with stingrays, visit the botanical gardens, there is GREAT snorkeling right on the beach in front of the house, we see stingrays/turtles/lobsters there ALL the time.
One good thing is cayman is relatively protected from MOST of the hurricanes which tend to come up the jamaica side of the caribbean. They get a few hurricanes, but not nearly as much as all the other islands...
