Where to go on honeymoon, Australia, Tahitia or Hawaii
 

My fiance and I are trying to figure out where to go on our honeymoon. We are going for a total of 14 days. We are ages 27 and want to go somewhere where we can get some sun, do some activities and enjoy nice dinners and some night life. We also want to have luxery accommodations since it is our honeymoon. Its between australia, Bora Bora and Moorea in Tahiti or Maui and the Big Island in Hawaii. I think we might be bored in Tahiti any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Have been to Moorea and Maui. Loved both. But if you are looking for more things to do, you definitely want to go to Maui. I was quite satisfied in Moorea, but I go on vacation for the relaxation and laying on the beach and good restaurants. Both have good beaches, and great food, but Maui definitely has more to keep you busy if you want to stay busy.

You can go to Hayman Island in Australia, you can get sun and a luxury resort, not much night life, they only open the night club twice a week. Two of the four restaurants are spectacular, the lunch food is not so good and has little variety, I rented a very nice suite for around 500 US Dls a night. They lack a little on the service but everyone is very nice. <BR> If you like cities then Sydney is the place, I loved the city, Excelente restaurants. I would recommend the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay (formerly the Ritz-Carlton), it is a small hotel but the service is incredible, and very centric, close to the opera house. I paid like 300 Dls a night for a suite here. You can have alot more night life in Sydney than in Hayman. <BR>Maui, is a great island, alot of activities!! Although it lacks a bit of night life. I stayed at the Grand Wailea, Awesome Hotel!! The facilities are incredible, although since the hotel is so big they lack a bit of service, but its still good. Very Very Expensive, i payed 600 Dls a night here , breakfast was around $40 Dls for two people. I would recommend staying here or the Four sesons Wailea or Ritz Kapalua. The difference is that Four Seasons and Ritz smaller hotels but better service, it depends what your looking for. <BR>Bora Bora es expensive also and you get much less than what you would get anyother place. I stayed at the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort, Over the water bungalow $600 Dls night, no air condition and bugs. Food is not good and they lack in service. I would recommend to stay at the Hotel Bora Bora better. The islands lagoon is beautiful and it has great restaurants, Like Bloody Mary's and Top Dive. <BR> <BR>Thank you, <BR> <BR>Carlos Alvarez

If you do decide to go to Hawaii for 14 days, I would suggest you visit at least two if not three islands. Each island is dramatically different in atmosphere and feel. I've been to Hawaii twice and spent most of my time in Oahu (my fiance has been there on business) but have had short visits to Kauai and Hawaii. A lot of people say to skip Oahu. I definitely disagree with this, since Oahu has the most going on. Rent a car and visit the different areas of the island as every thing is easily accessable for day trips. The Waikiki area has the most nightlife and restaurants and has a very international, cosmopolitan feel to it. It have yet to explore Honolulu extensively, but I've heard its fun and less pretenscious than Waikiki. Kailua beach on the eastern side of Oahu may be the best beach I've ever been to. Don't miss the North Shore; its more down to earth and the waves are incredible. Kauai was amazingly but much slower. The scenery is incredible and there are great hiking opportunties. <BR>Nightlife will be hard to find. We barely scratched the surface in exploring Hawaii. Being the youngest island, the scenery is much more barren. My impression of Hawaii is that good beaches and snorkeling spots can be found but they are harder to find and less accesible than at some of the other islands. One final thought: inter-island flights and packages are fairly cheap and can be purchased on short notice from Honolulu airport, so you may want to wait to book your other island trips in Hawaii, it will probably be cheaper than booking everything ahead of time.

Congrats. Of your list, I have only been to Hawaii. I went there for my honeymoon two years ago and I highly recommend Mauai and the Big Island. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hyatt on Kaanapali Beach and loved it. We snorkelled right from the beach, rented bikes, played golf, hiked in Haleakala's crater, ... <BR> <BR>The Big Island was the coolest place I have ever been. We drove up to the top of Mauna Kea and saw the sunset (with winter hats and coats on). I could go on and on. <BR> <BR>We also went to Kauai. It was nice but three islands in two weeks was too much. The beauty of Hawaii is it's all low stress. After the wedding, you will appreciate that. The flight is a piece of cake compared to the other destinations. If you go get a travel book like Frommers. It was helpfull for me.

Congrats. Of your list, I have only been to Hawaii. I went there for my honeymoon two years ago and I highly recommend Mauai and the Big Island. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hyatt on Kaanapali Beach and loved it. We snorkelled right from the beach, rented bikes, played golf, hiked in Haleakala's crater, ... <BR> <BR>The Big Island was the coolest place I have ever been. We drove up to the top of Mauna Kea and saw the sunset (with winter hats and coats on). I could go on and on. <BR> <BR>We also went to Kauai. It was nice but three islands in two weeks was too much. The beauty of Hawaii is it's all low stress. After the wedding, you will appreciate that. The flight is a piece of cake compared to the other destinations. If you go get a travel book like Frommers. It was helpfull for me.

My husband and I honeymooned in Maui and Oahu 2 years ago...1 week on Maui at Hyatt on Kaanapali Beach(WONDERFUL!!! -- same place Tom stayed) and 1 week on Oahu. <BR> <BR>It was a wonderful vacation, and would highly recommend it. BUT I wouldn't go to Oahu -- I think I would try to go to the big island for a week. Maui is beautiful and relaxing, but there's not a lot of "action". I've heard good things about the big island, so I'd try that for the 2nd week <BR> <BR>If you do decide on Oahu, be sure to catch a sunrise on rop of Mt. Haleakala (sp?) -- you have to get up very early, but watching the sun rise from ABOVE the clouds was soooo romantic. <BR> <BR>Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. <BR> <BR>De Anna

Viewing the sunrise at Haleakala is on the island of Maui. Very beautiful and worth getting up early. Maui is the island for honeymooners. A T-shirt on Maui that is popular is "Just Maui'd" <BR>I have visited the islands for about 10 years now. My favorites are Maui and Kauai. (Maui has more activities, Kauai is lush and tropical and more laid back). Oahu is more cosmopolitan (Honolulu/Wakiki beach). Very crowded, but fun. Depends on the time of year too. Not my favorite, but worth seeing once. <BR>Bora Bora and Moorea are very beautiful, and also a honeymoon destination, but less activities. Entertainment is usually at the hotels. There is more focus on water sports (snorkelling, diving, shark feeding excursions, etc.). Moorea has Mt. Belvedere lookout and Cook's Bay - Gorgeous views! TV is in French, about 3 or 4 channels - 1 English (Asia CNN)

Oops! Sorry, San is right, I meant to say Maui, not Oahu for Mt. Haleakala. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>De Anna

we went on our honeymoon 11 years ago to moorea and it was incredible. i've been all over the world and the tahiti/moorea area is by far a most beautiful place. moorea, however, has very little to do but is very exotic. if you like night life you might not want to do the moorea thing. perhaps, it's changed over the years though...

Nope, it is still quiet and laid back as of last summer. Best star gazing I have ever done as it is really dark at night and, of course, you have the southern hemisphere sky which was quite a different view for us. We went for a walk every night on the beach to look at the stars. Have a great honeymoon, wherever you decided to go!!

MY WIFE AND I JUST DID AN AUSTRALIAN HONEYMOONE IN DECEMBER <BR> <BR>It was amazing. We spent 2 days in Sydney, 3 days at Hayman Island, 4 days on a chartered sailboat, 3 days in the Daintree Rainforest and 3 days in the Outback. <BR> <BR>Best suggestion - DEFINITELY stay at the Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest. It is one of the greatest resorts we have ever been to. It is all up in the trees. It was much more beautiful than the Hayman Resort (ranked by CondeNast as one of the top 5 resorts in the world). <BR> <BR>Since this is all very fresh in my mind, feel free to write me directly for more info about where to stay, what to see and who in Oz can help you out.

Hi! My husband and I just got back from our honeymoon in Tahiti. We are both 25. I have also been to Hawaii. <BR> <BR>I am not sure where to tell you to go, but I will tell you what I think of Tahiti. We absolutely loved it! We did 3 islands, and everything was great. Now, if you guys want night life Tahiti is NOT for you. Except for Tahitian music in the hotel bar there is none. Also if you like to drink Tahiti is not for you, alcohol is VERY expensive there. We are not huge drinkers so it didn't bother us... <BR> <BR>But they do have (in my opinon...especially on Bora Bora) nice dinners. <BR> <BR>So I hoped I helped a little! I guess I would say if you get bored just hanging out on the beach and snorkeling and then going to dinner you would get bored there as there is not really much shopping or night life! But if you want to totally be removed and relax it is awesome!

Emily -- Of the three, I have only been to Hawaii (Maui and Kauai), and I personally would not choose those for a honeymoon. I would want someplace more exotic and foreign. Don't get me wrong -- Maui and Kauai are both beautiful. But unspoiled parts were few and far between. Maui was more developed than Kauai, but even Kauai has strip malls and bad traffic in places. I enjoyed both a lot, but for my honeymoon I would want to go someplace more secluded-feeling. Just my personal opinion. I think I would choose Bora Bora and Moorea and try those overwater bungalows I've heard so much about (although I get the impression that nightlife is scarce there, which wouldn't matter to me one bit, but you mentioned it was important to you -- you can definitely find nightlife in Hawaii and I'm sure in Australia). Good luck.

Brett: <BR> <BR>My fiance and I are considering a honeymoon in Australia. Can you forward me information on your yacht charter? Also, we are looking for a very nice hotel in Sydney. <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR> <BR>Becky

Cairns, in Far North Queensland, Australia, is a great destination. As well as a tropical climate and beautiful rainforest, it offers plenty of activities such as snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef (truly spectacular!) and white-water rafting.

emily, <BR> <BR>congratulations!!! hope it's me someday... <BR> <BR>i've been to hawaii and to australia, and while i love hawaii, my vote is for australia...truly one of the most beautiful places on earth... <BR> <BR>i'd recommend doing the Pacific Coast highway tour...you could rent a car or get a Visit Australia Pass (i use American Airlines, that's what they call it) to fly...starting from outside Sydney and then working up or Cairns and then down...it would take you through Brisbane, around the Great Barrier Reef, and the drive (even with the roundabouts) is fantastic...can easily be done and very good hotels/spas/resorts along the way...i highly recommend a stop in Coffs Harbour for the beauty and people, although night life is a little lacking during the week...you could also go a little inland and hit the Gold Coast area...wouldn't rent a car in Sydney, though, start in Parramatta or someplace where the traffic is friendlier... <BR> <BR>have a friend who was bored in Tahiti, and she also states that she wouldn't just do Tahiti by itself again... <BR> <BR>also, if you're flying on miles, American has this thing i did where you can stop in Hawaii (HNL) on the way to Australia, BOTH coming and going...you could buy a cheap ticket from HNL to your other destination in Hawaii, and still see the beautiful oz!!! <BR> <BR>hope this helps...have a great trip and wonderful life together!!!

You don't mention when you are going? I've been to all the places you list. And while they are all wonderful, I think Australia is the most special. The people are so nice, the country is clean, safe, and beautiful...and romantic. As far as where to go in Australia, that would depend on when you are going. We just spent four days in Palm Cove by Cairns. Very romantic. <BR>There is an hotel on the beach there. Not too much nightlife, but close to Cairns. Also, Port Douglas is very beautiful. I think the Peninsula might be a nice place, but ask others, I haven't stayed there. Silky Oaks Lodge is very wonderful, but I don't think I would spend all my time there. Maybe, stay at an island (Hayman), Silky Oaks in Mossman, and Port Douglas or Palm Cove if you're thinking about the summer months. I happen to prefer Melbourne to Sydney (one of the few) and love the state of Victoria to travel around. December through February is a great time to visit the south end of Australia--also try Tasmania...just south of Melbourne. You will love all of these places! And Congratulations!