Hi All --

My wife and I had been planning on going to Italy for 2 weeks in Sept or Oct and unfortunately we have decided we can not take the 2 weeks anymore due to work obligations. This trip had been our "last one" before we start a family.

So, still wanting to take a vacation, we want to take about 7-10 days in July, Sept, or October with an emphasis on romance and relaxation. Me 32, wife 28, we enjoy a mix of beach and active but don't really want to be forced into group activities etc.

We would be leaving from Los Angeles using miles to fly so our budget could be up to $5000 but I would prefer to spend less for "luxury" value. I picked Carribean since it seems like there are a lot of option and we've never been there but if someone thinks hitting the South Pacific would work within this budget, I'm all ears. We have been to Hawaii several times and want to do something different. All-inclusive suggestions welcome if they are 4-5 star geared towards couples without kids.

Thanks!

Not trying to dissuade you from the Carribean but why not consider the west coast of Mexico? I loved the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo area and there are some beautiful and romantic resorts there. We stayed at Club Med because of kids but you won't want that. The weather is great there. The Sierra Madre should be really beautiful there in September or October. Take a look at this website to see if you like the sounds of it. http://www.mexonline.com/ixtapa.htm YOu can click through to see hotels and resorts in the area.

I am totally up for Mexico too. I see that Royal Hideaway gets good marks and am very interested in the Ixtapa/Zihau area as well.

My vote is for Grenada always as I have been to 13 Caribbean islands and Gnd. comes out heads above the others every time! We just returned from Gnd in January - my fourth trip and once again it was a perfect spot to go - I have been to Mexico and although I really enjoyed it and it offers a very specific trip I think you might be at a greater risk for disappointment if you were previously considering Italy and are open to the South Pacific.

Grenada is a small non touristy island with may different levels of accomodations to meet anyones needs. There are big resorts on the beach, villa and inns on the beach - remoted hideaways on a secluded beach and then there are the variety of cottages hotels in the hills / countryside, or perched on the side of the mountain overlooking the Beach.

Grenada is also a very friendly and safe island that I find terribly romantic as everyone seems to be filled with happiness and know how to treat people well. I have heard a few conflicting opinions but not experienced it.

There are a great many restaurants that are easy to get to and often offer complimentary shuttles and are broad ranges in budget....one night we walked down to a little spot to have pizza and drinks - others had pasta it is on the corner of two streets and is very casual with calypso playing on the radio - My husband and I both ate a pizza and a beverage for a total of $10 USD...then we strolled up the road to our hotel.

I hope you enjoy your trip no matter what but I also hope you consider my favorite island....go to www.grenadatravelforum.com and www.grenadaexplorer.com for additional information!

polyphemus -- My fiance and i were in similar shoes when we decided not to go through a trip to Sydney/Fiji for our honeymoon (too much for right after the wedding) and we decided on Couples Swept Away in Jamaica. We didn't like the idea of Jamaica at all but were attracted the the resort because we realized that we were really looking for an experience where the accommodations themselves were nice (they're like bures in fiji and not like high rise hotels), the fitness activities were attractive and would be all inclusive so we wouldn't have to worry about carrying cash all the time. No kids are allowed on this resort, which was really important to us and the beach is never crowded... everything we were looking for in a post-wedding trip. I've not been there myself yet but have read mostly good things about the resort. We're going to be there the first week of Sept so if you end up there the same time, do let us know and we'll buy you and your wife a drink otherwise, good luck with your search and I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time with each other no matter where you end up!