Hello,

I am getting married in May 2005 followed by a three night getaway to a resort here along the North Shore in Minnesota. We've decided to hold off on a big honeymoon trip until next year, probably January 2006.

Our budget is approximately $5000-7000 dollars for what would hopefully be a full 2-week vacation on some island in the Caribbean. I'm just starting to do some research now on where we want to go. I must say it is so overwhelming trying to decide where to go.

I guess right now, I'm just looking for a little direction. Here's what we want: A 10-14 day vacation, beachside villa, beautiful beach for swimming and snorkeling, parasailing opportunity within reasonable reach, very private and quiet setting without lots of tourists.

Does anyone have any first-hand recommendations that meet my criteria? Is something even possible for my budget of $5000-$7000? The budge includes all costs of the trip (i.e. airfare, lodging, meals and activities). Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

Sean

Anyone?

Hello Sean,

First, congrats on the wedding! Now for the honeymoon...

My wife and I went to the Sandals resort in the Bahamas and we know of several couples that went to the Sandals resort in St. Lucia. We all had great things to say about the Sandals resorts.

I am not sure how private you are looking for, but the Sandals resorts are couples only which is great. We stayed for 8 days and had an awesome time. We had NO complaints. Great food, great service, great room, and it was all inclusive, which was nice.

We went scuba diving three times, snorkeling a couple times, water skiing, and it was all included. The Bahamas resort also has a private island which we went to each day. It was about a ten minute boat ride to the island and there was only a few couples on the island. It was nice because the island also had a small pool, bar and snack shop.

If you decide on Sandals, make sure you book the scuba trips the first day and take the scuba test right away. The trips fill up quickly and the test is only offered a few times.

Good luck!

I know it is not the caribbean but Cabo San Lucas is AMAZING...My husband and I have been to a couple of caribbean islands, Mexico and Hawaii and our favorite is Cabo...It is upscale and reasonable in price. Check out the web for some pictures of Cabo - I know you won't be disappointed!

Paradisus Punta Cana D.R. hands down. With that budget you can request the Royal Service besides. Was there 2004 and heading back in a couple weeks. Can hardly wait.
Much more bang for you bucks than Sandals.
Lisa S

Did you know what was voted the most romantic beach in America? Trunk Bay in St. John, United States Virgin Islands. $5-7K should buy you plenty, especially if you are young and willing to do a few things for yourselves. Many people come to St. John for their honeymoon to one of the two big resorts here, but many people also rent a self-catering villa or condo for 1 or two weeks. Everything is expensive in the Caribbean because all supplies need to be shipped in and the resorts charge you for it one way or another. For 2 people, you can have quite a lovely place with views, maybe even a pool and/or jacuzzi for $800 to $2,000 per week. You can save lots of money by buying a couple of items to fix your own breakfast and some lunches and dinners. Look at the web-sites! The additional advantage is the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands are all so close together and all so different one from the other there's so much to explore or you can just relax on one of St. John's quiet, gorgeous beaches for the day and enjoying a cocktail on your villa's porch. (Rum in the U.S.V.I. $4.99 a bottle!)

I would consider splitting my time between the St John and Virgin Gorda. Villas on the beach is a definate possibility on VG. Not sure you can go parasailing at either though.

your budget sounds high, but air from minn. will run 1-2G for 2ppl depending on destination. the more northern islands will be cheaper air and Alot less travel time!!! i have looked at alot of carib villas and have found little for under 2G per week if you want beachfront. Dominican Republic and Mexico have less expensive resorts - but they are big places.
is there any way you can fly from chicago w/out spending hotel $? also jan is high season so accomdations are all extra.
that said if you can save a couple extra thousand by then i can suggest the exact vacation you described: on provodenciales in turks and caicos there is a 2br rental house for 2400 per week. www.windowsalamar.com it is ON the most gorgeous,talcum powder soft beach,(grace bay beach) 10 mins walk from outstanding snorkeling, some good reef directly in front. very private! a car is necessary and would run 6-800 for 2 weeks. you can parasail with captain marvins for 70/pp. windows is walking distance to turtle cove marina with several moderately priced rests. house has full kitchen & grill. island has full grocery. and you could consider taking a cooler.(save $$) you are sure your bride to be (or you) want to cook on the honeymoon?
with your current budget you could get alot of luxury if you pass on the villa and go to a big resort. i personally would eat PB&J's at home to get the private villa but thats me - lol.

Thanks to all for their advice so far. It looks like we are going to reconsider when we travel. To take advantage of the "low" season rates we will likely wait to go until mid-April 2006. Right now we're thinking of staying one week at the Rendezvous Bay Resort on Anguilla, which has a beachfront suite and then one week in a villa on St. John. I know there will be an extra flight involved there to get from Anguilla to St. Thomas or vice versa, but it would be worth it in my mind to visit both those islands.

Keep us posted on your villa search on St. John. I have been looking at villas for June there and am a little overwhelmed by the wonderful choices. Each time I find what looks like the perfect place, there is an even better one on the next page.

Yeah, I know. I've done a lot of looking so far and find that every single one of them is great. A few websites that I've looked at are: vacationvistas.com, caribbeanvilla.com, vrbo.com. It looks like you can get a really, really nice villa for 2 people during the low season around $1600-$2000 per week. Sounds pretty good.