HELP! Honeymoon Planning...I'm lost!
 

Greetings everyone, <BR> <BR>Thankfully I have found this forum. I really need your help. I'm planning a surprise honeymoon for my fiancee and I. We're both 25 and will be married on May 5th of 2001. I hope I'm not booking too late! We both are pretty sure of what we want but I can't seem to find it. Any suggestions based on the requirements below are more than appreciated! Oh, and I am only 25 so I'm not rich (yet :-) -- I'm looking at only spending about $3000 for *everything*. Am I delerious (from all this wedding planning)?? <BR> <BR>1. Since we're coming from Philadelphia, the Caribbean seems to be the best choice. Hawaii is just too far and too expensive. <BR> <BR>2. We'd really like a bungalow or cottage right on the beach. We don't really like the idea of big hotels or even connected rooms. Besides, it seems more a part of the whole island experience. Room service and 'resort-like' hospitality is important. <BR> <BR>3. Although we want a pretty secluded area to stay in, we'd love to be near some nightlife. Dancing, shopping, etc. <BR> <BR>4. It'd be nice if stuff for the daytime would also include jet skis, trips to neat natural landmarks (waterfalls, caves, beaches, mountains?), sailing, and maybe surfing. <BR> <BR>The only things I really don't want are a buggy, humid climate and being close to very poor, crime-ridden areas (like I've heard Jamaica is like). <BR> <BR>I've never planned anything like this before, and have never travelled down to the Caribbean at all. Bermuda seemed really nice, but expensive and limited nightlife. No one I've talked to has been too helpful so far, so I really welcome your comments. <BR> <BR>Thanks so much, <BR>Josh Martin <BR>[email protected]

Josh, <BR> I guess i have a wonderfull solution for you. I live in Brazil and I've been in USA a lot of times, so I have an idea of what you may be wanting for honeymoon. Rio de Janeiro is incredible beautifull place. (I can say that, I live here.) Other good thing is that it's really cheap for americans. Buy the ticket and rent a hotel using internet. You also stay 3 or 4 days in Rio and the rest in Búzios, wich is a beach paradise. In both Rio and Buzios, you have many options of beach, calm or perferct for surfing. If you think Rio is very dangerous or you don't feel allright planning your trip by yourself, try a resort like Club Med. They have wonderfull locations in Brazil, like Bahia (a 7 days trip all inclusive would coast like USD800 per person).It's cheap, but staying in Rio and Buzios woul be even cheaper and maybe a lot funnier. Pleople here are friendly and love tourists, you just have to be carefull as if you were in New York. I can help finding a hotel or even an apartament for you to stay here. I don't work in any agency, I am just trying to help, couse a lot of people had helped me on my trips to USA. Feel free to ask me anything about the city or other destinations in Brazil. Here I give you a few tips: one dinner in a first class restaurant here would cost you about USD 50 with wine included. A beer cost 50 cents(even a Budweiser). In a firts class nightclub you would spend USD35 maximum. Places and beaches here are as beautifull as in caribe. <BR>I hope it helps you to choose. <BR>Sincerly, <BR> Gisela Cesario.

Having been to many of the islands down there in the Caribe, Australia, Hawaii,and Bermuda; I would easily say that you would enjoy one of the all inclusive resorts that are out there for your very first trip. Try Sandals, Beaches, or one of those. Pick according to price since it is a concern. Typically you dont leave the resort for much anyway so you could pick almost anywhere and still feel safe for your trip. Also an all inclusive would give you free use of jet skis, sailboats, etc and lots of activities if you wanted to participate. If you want safe, clean, and a bit more quiet then try the British Virgin islands. You could easily do Tortola or one of the others for under $3,000. I would call it a cheaper trip only because you pick and choose what you eat. 1 night you could do it up and the next you could go casual and eat BBQ for 2 for $20. If you want specifics feel free to email me directly

Sounds like you're looking for a week at Turtle Nest Inn on Grand Cayman. Wish it had been built when I got married. Web site: www.turtlenestinn.com

Gisela, Rick, and Robert: <BR> <BR>Thank you for your responses. I'll look into them all. I hadn't thought of Brazil! I still think an island is what we're looking for with a nice little bungalow that opens up right on the beach. <BR> <BR>Thanks again for your responses...there are just SO many choices! <BR> <BR>Josh

Well none of those are bungalows on the beach though. Check into the Mayan coast, from Cancun (no not in Cancun!) down to Tulum. Lots of choices. Close to Playa del Carmen, many restaurants, nightlife. Jet-skiing is ok in Mexico, not alot of other places. And it would fit into your budget better. Post some questions on the Latin board also (I know it's on the Caribbean but there more info on the Latin site. Good Luck

Hi Josh, <BR> <BR>Not wanting a humid, buggy climate rules out a fair amount of the Caribbean. The ones I know of that are dry include Turks & Caicos Islands, ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), Los Roques and Isla Margarita. <BR> <BR>The latter two are part of Venezuela and have gotten some not so flattering reviews here, but you may wish to read further and judge for yourself. <BR> <BR>Nightlife & dancing? Turks & Caicos are pretty isolated so you might not get much in the way of partying. Bonaire is small, popular with divers. I don't think there's much in the way of seclusion on Aruba, but that's just my impression. Maybe Curaçao is the compromise you're looking for? <BR> <BR>I picked up a great book: Rum & Reggae in the Caribbean which discusses the plusses and minuses of each island in the Caribbean. May mention a few more dry ones I hadn't remembered. <BR> <BR>good luck. Dan.

Thanks for the additional replies. I had forgot about Curacao and never even looked into Mexico. I'll check them out, too. <BR> <BR>Thanks again! <BR>Josh