Linda

Consider, if you will, 40ish midwesterner couple married 25 years who've travelled some (car trips all over western US and the odd 4-days-in-Vegas thing), but never been out of the country. We're incredibly boring, don't own "evening" clothes or have a passport (hope to have to get one), on a budget of $4-5K, prefer a six-pack to a fine bottle of wine, and wanting something special and romantic and palm-tree'd for our anniversary trip. To every idea I have hubby says "yeah, honey, that sounds great", which you know means I'll have to do this on my own. So, I'm going to give him a choice of 3 totally different tropical experiences and he will have to pick the winner. Now, think back to the first really special trip you took (before you became "worldly and knowledgable") and help me with these 3 choices (they are NON-CHANGABLE - my gosh, I've spent 6 months narrowing it down to these). (1) beachfront cottage rental Oahu north shore (it's rural and friendly and if the scenery isn't as pretty how are we going to know the difference?); (2) Villa del Sol Zihua Mexico - 'nuff said; and (3) Grand Lido Negril Jamaica (though I'm open to other AI options - just want the man to be able to choose an awesome Carribean AI w/lots of choices in bars and restaurants and water fun, and everything pre-paid). All appear to be in my budget and I can get excited about any of them. If it were your first big trip, which would you choose?.....

tweedy

Linda can I throw a bit of a wrench into your plans. I think I have the PERFECT spot for you, small intimate and a bit below your budget, but more than worth every penny. <BR> <BR>Ok now dial up www.runawayhillclub.com in the Bahamas. Look at the pictures and picture having dinner on the porch overlooking the pool and ocean, and have a nice breakfast there, just before heading down to the beach with a good book. <BR> <BR>You can have a MAP program and the best food on island is right there, oh and it's called Harbour Island, in the Bahamas. You don't need the passport just a birth certificate and photo id and you are on your way. <BR> <BR>If you need any more info, please let me know. <BR> <BR>tweedy

KIM(IN)

Hello , your story sounds just like mine! We are in our early 40's and had never been any place up till about 3 yrs ago. We have 2 kids 22 & 20 and a grandaughter 3 so we never really had time to do anything. We were sitting one night and I just happened to see Sandals on TV and said I would really like to go to Jamaica and hubbie said book it, I almost had a heart attack. <BR>I booked the next day and we went for our 23 ann in feb of 1999. We went to Negril (Sandals) it was the time of our life. Since then we have been to Sandals <BR>In the Bahamas and am going to the Sandals in St. Lucia for our 25th Ann <BR>this Feb already booked. Sandals Negril was wonderful the people are great and the food was also good. The Beach is 7 miles long and you also have the privilages to go to Beaches (Sandals)and also a new resort they puschased this yr, so you can visit more then one and use your Sandals card. The sunset is increadable and we will go back their. <BR>The resort is a place to veg and collect your thoughts, But where ever you chose to go Have a wonderful time. If you would like to email me you can.

Diane

Linda: Started most of my travels in my 40's. Been to all three of your choices, and there are MANY others, as I'm sure you know, but by far your best bet in my opinion is Oahu. Didn't like Mexico and Jamaica...yuk! Hawaii is probably more expensive than the other two but it's one you'll never forget! What's wrong with a quiet little spot on the "not as popular" side of Oahu?? Sounds like heaven to me! Have a great time and Happy Anniversary!

martha

The Grand Lido Resorts of Jamaica are wonderful. They are all-inclusive, including food, room, all watersports, entertainment, all drinks, 24 hour room service, no tipping, etc. Here is a web site to check them out: <BR> <BR>The Grand Lido Visitors Hangout <BR>http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/thegran...isitorshangout

Mercy

Martha, you are going to get the curses of loyal Fodorites. No travel agent posters here please! Everyone else, ignore.

Catherine

Definitely, your best choice is Hawaii. <BR>Although, I would recommend Maui over Oahu. It is much more beautiful, and still has plenty to see and do. <BR>I would not advise you to go to Jamaica. Many of my well-travelled friends have advised me against it. It has a crime rate that is 5x that of the US (hence all the all-inclusive, don't leave the property resorts), and the locals are rude to Americans in general. Unless you have alot of money to burn, don't go to Sandals as it is outrageously expensive in my opinion. <BR>RE: mexico, it's good that you like to gamble, since you run a 50/50 chance of spending some quality time in the bathroom. On the plus side, you can go there very cheaply. <BR>Don't forget to check out Maui!!

Peggy

Just my 2 cents.....Villa del Sol is not cheap & you will not get sick. Yes there are places in Mexico, and for that matter in the Caribbean & Hawaii where you can get less for your money & sick also. So that agrument is a wash. Personally I enjoy Mexico over Hawaii. Jamaica would not be my first choice. So it comes down to where you think you will be the most comfortable. Since this is your first trip "outside" the country maybe Hawaii would suit you best. I know you don't want to hear it but checkout Galley Bay Antigua, AI, all the beer you could want, watersports, romantic, palm tree'd, most "dressing up" is a collared shirt at dinner......and as a package, within your price rang including airfare. Relax a little though, you are going to have a great time wherever you go!

Papaya Pie

<BR>Hey, Linda! Do you have a specific travel time? If so, that can make a big difference in your decision. <BR> <BR>Of your three choices, I'd choose Hawaii, but then I'd never have chosen those three to begin with. My three choices, in order, would be Bermuda, St. John, or Tobago. Any of those choices & it will be a cinch to get him to vacation tropical style in the future. <BR> <BR>Have a great time wherever you go. <BR> <BR>~PP <BR>

d motl

For your first our of country experiance we would recommend --Maui--which is not big city like Oahu. <BR>

Linda

Thanks to you all for your insights and good wishes. Due to work constraints, am pretty much restricted to taking this trip late July through Nov. (also 25th anniversary is early Sept. - and want this trip to "feel" like an anniversary trip, so want to go +/- couple of months from then). Realize we're hitting hurricane season if we decide on the Caribbean unless I back it up to later. Kinda thinking Hawaii Sept., Mexico Oct., Caribbean Nov. <BR> <BR>Several of you have really understood what it is I'm looking for here and I appreciate your comments. Looking for a "romantic adventure", but for our first big trip don't want to take chances on more adventure than we would like. Realize that any big trip like this will be an adventure for us, and no trip is going to go perfectly: just want to increase my odds of planning as close to the perfect vacation as I can. <BR> <BR>Thanks again to all, and keep the comments coming.....

Debi

Linda, <BR> <BR>My husband and I are going on our first big trip too. We've been married 15 years and have never been anywhere together, sans children. He travels world-wide for business and I travel, maybe statewide if I'm lucky! After extensive research and despite the negatives, we decided upon Negril in November. My personal feeling is that crime is an issue anywhere and if you use common sense you'll be okay. I also have prepared myself with extensive study of the culture, and am, hopefully, going in with realistic expectations. I have been so excited at the prospect of this trip I am already planning our next adventure for 2001, Bora Bora and Moorea (thanks to this board!!) Good kuck with your decision and I hope you have a wonderful trip! <BR> <BR>Debi

Linda

Thanks again to all. Peggy, can you tell me more about Galley Bay? Thought it was too pricey, but you're right, with a package it probably is in my range. What I've seen looks perfect (but they don't have their own dedicated web site, do they? Can't find one.) In choosing Antigua, don't have to worry about HIS worries about Jamaican crime, etc. Galley Bay isn't too spread out, is it? It looks smallish. Hubby has big belly and bad back, and don't want to have to walk half a mile (or have lots of steps) to get to beach, restaurant/bar, etc. Am inclined to just say the heck with hurricane season, take a chance, and go around Labor Day (our 25th anniversary). The odds are with me. Looks like Galley Bay might be the perfect "Carribean" choice to offer him.(Awww, he's probably just going to choose Hawaii anyway.....)

Peggy

Linda, <BR>Try www.classicislandresorts.com Owned by same firm as Palm Island. Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine always have an ad with included discounted airfare, try 1-800 858-4618 & get a quote. Small resort, sits directly on beach, casual, quiet, go with deluxe beachfront rooms if you can, bottom floor if you want no steps or superior which are on the beach but smaller but have no second story. Post a question on where2stay.com & you'll probably get more answers from someone who has been there more recently. Good Luck!

Karen

Linda - <BR> <BR>Are you absolutely certain your three choices are firm? Of the three, I would recommend Hawaii, but not Oahu. Oahu is so commercialized; not the romantic getaway one envisions for a 25th wedding anniversary. We have traveled to the places you have mentioned and I would not suggest anywhere in Mexico. Jamaica is not all that wonderful either. We have never felt safe in Mexico or Jamaica or felt that we could safely explore the either place. I know it all depends on where you have been and what you have done, and you will probably be happy, but you really can do better. Have you considered St. John, USVI? Lovely, romantic island that offers pristine beaches, wonderful warm waters, exceptional snorkeling, lovely villas or condos to rent and the time you are contemplating is "out of season" and you would not exceed your budget. I'm surprised that you can do HI - even Oahu, with airfare, for that price. And, please tell me you are not contemplating flying to HI from the Midwest for only a week? You lose a day in each direction and by the time you are relaxing, it is time to head home. Do not do HI if you do not have a minimum of 10-12 days. There is a great website, www.USVI-on-line.com if you have any interest at all in St. John. People are exceptionally friendly and helpful. It's not too late!

Ryan

You have a full plate here. Perhaps this will serve you in you next adventure. FOr a nice conservative relatively inexpensive place, check out the out islands of the bahamas. Abaco Inn is my favorite. Secluded, not too pricy, close enough to reduce air costs and very low key. Info may be found at <BR> <BR>www.oii.net/abacoinn/ <BR> <BR>Have fun. <BR> <BR>Ryan

Nancy

MAUI is TOPS over all!!!!!

KIM

Hawaii is very expensive and very <BR>up scale. I love Jamaica and we have been married for 25 yr this Feb. Sandals Negril all the way for you, you dont need fancy clothes just your bathing suit and some dockers a few polo shirts <BR>and your fine. And you also don't need much money and yes you are safe their just have some common sence.

Cathy

Linda - <BR>I have been to all three destinations (just different locals) and I would say that for you your choices would be in this order: Hawaii (I agree though - pick Maui or Hawaii, the big island, not so commercial and just beautiful), then Mexico, and I would never go back to Jamaica again. Let me explain why. <BR> <BR>We went to Sandals Ocho Rios for our honeymoon seven years ago. We spent about $3500 on the trip. My first impression of Jamaica was how poor it was. I felt horrible seeing all these poor people we were passing on the streets that barely had decent homes to live in and here we are spending all this money to vacation. That is just not how I want to feel on a vacation. Also, we were told not to get into a cab by the Sandals employees. And the resort is restricted with security at the entrances. I felt safe on the property but was concerned outside the resort. We only ventured out once. <BR> <BR>As for Mexico - I love it. Cheap, beautiful and really all you have to do is take Pepto Bismol and you will be fine. But that is another thing to worry about and why I said it should be your second choice. <BR> <BR>Hawaii - of course the most expensive (but not by much) of the three but by far your best choice. Here's why: <BR>You know the language. You have no reason to have any concerns about safety. You can drink the water. It is beautiful. You don't have to get a passport. There is TONS of things to do. I also disagree with the person that said it is upscale. It is what you make it - we wore shorts the whole time! This is a once in a lifetime trip! <BR>GO FOR IT!!!

Hermie

Jamaica, <BR>Wonderful place, yes the people are poor, but have been to pooer countries, they do not beg and if you take a few moments out to get to know them, you make friends for life! My husband and I travel the world to very remote & poor countries, we make an yearly return trip to Jamaica. We go to Negril, stay at small locally owned resorts to try to keep some of the money in the country, we have no more fear of crime then walking our city streets in the the states! Have a wonderful trip no mater where you go, Just be happy that you can go! <BR>