Hello, <BR>I'm trying to find the perfect honeymoon spot and I need help! We want a place with a gorgeous beach that is great for swimming. Great cuisine is a must. We also want a nice room that does not have a Holiday Inn-like feel to it! We want a nice place but we are budget conscious. We were set on Long Bay in Tortola but kept reading bad reviews so that's out. We were interested in Little Dix Bay but there was no pool! We don't want to go to a huge resort such as Sandals or Hedonism! We also don't want to go to Jamaica, the American Virgin Islands, Barbados, Peurto Rico, Mexico, Hawaii or the Caymans. Any suggestions? Please help!!! <BR>Thank you, Kendell

First of all, is there a reason you are discarding all these places? <BR>I can suggest Isla Margarita in Venezuela, Dominican Republic has all sorts of Places. Cuba also has great resorts, owned by Spanish corporations. You can get there flying thru Mexico and they dont stamp you passport so dont worry. We have been several times. Isla San Andres, off the Colombian coast is also an option.

We can't afford the airfare to Hawaii, we've never heard good things about Jamaica and we just really don't want to go to Mexico or Peurto Rico. Also, my fiancee has heard that the water in Barbados isn't very pretty (I have no idea though!) and a close friend, whose family owns a condo in the Caymans, suggested I look elsewhere for my honeymoon. But you never know- if we find a place we like at any of these places, we'd probably change our minds. Thanks so much for responding!

We were at Turtle Nest Inn on Grand cayman early this month. This would have been the perfect spot for our honeymoon. Turtle Nest is on the Web at www.turtlenestinn.com. Price is right too.

Why are you ruling out the USVI? I too am trying to plan my honeymoon. We are very interested in going to St. John. The beaches are supposed to be some of the best with great snorkeling. The dining sounds great there too. There are two big resorts on the island: The Westin and Caneel Bay. <BR>Also, what about some of the other islands in the BVI?

Besides Tortola, I mean.

My uncle has travelled to the USVI and he doesn't recommend it. He says it is unsafe, especially St. Croix. I'm just taking his word for it. But I love Caneel Bay! It looks and sounds wonderful, it is a possibility. We're also looking at Biras Creek in Virgin Gorda (BVI). It seems perfect too-a little pricey though. I'm not really sure what else is included in the BVI, I get them all mixed up as to whether they're in BVI or USVI. You can look at Biras at www.biras.com. <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS RESPONDED! KEEP IT COMING!

Go to Scubamom.com for wonderful reviews and options in the BVI (and a couple of wonderful spots in the Grenadines - harder to get to tho!). Might want to check out Peter Island right off Tortola as well. St. John and Caneel are wonderful ... don't think about the Westin! It is a USVI with a short trip thru St. Thomas to get there! But don't think that you will get the fine dining like St. Marteen's French side. More casual and laid back! Little Dix is its sister resort on Virgin Gorda, BVI's.

How about a Caneel Bay/Little Dix Bay combo? That way you can see the best (and safest) of the USVI (St. John)and also get to check out the BVI.

By the way, when is your honeymoon? If you are traveling in the off-season the resort rates are substantially lower. Mine is in June. Places like Caneel Bay would be outside of our budget if it weren't for the summer discounts. <BR>Anyway, best of luck in your planning!

BIG O' THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS OFFERED ADVICE!!! <BR>We're leaning towards Peter Island for our honeymoon in mid-July. It's a little pricey but I think it will be worth it. We haven't ruled out Caneel Bay though. I'm not sure about the nightlife on Peter Island, something tells me there might not be much to do after dark. But that's o.k.-we've had 4 years of nightlife here at Auburn U. -I guess we need a break! Anymore advice? Thank you for your help. <BR>

We married and honeymooned this past July in St. Thomas at the all-inclusive wyndam sugar bay, which I highly recommend. I loved this island and enjoyed the quick trip to St. John also. These islands are very safe,If you want more info. e-mail me.

Would definately recommend Peter Island ... well worth it! Do stay beachfront if at all possible! Actually there is little to do at many of the resorts (including Caneel - but you do have the option of going into Cruz Bay for "nitelife!") when it comes to "partying" ... just watching the stars, listening to the water and enjoying the lovely Carib is wonderful entertainment with Peter Island being one of my favorite spots to do just that!

Kendell, Little Dix Bay is the perfect honeymoon spot. Although I am also a pool person, the protected bay there is like a big bathtub and you will not miss the pool. The food is incredible and attention to detail excellent. I have not been to Caneel Bay, but have been to Little Dix Bay several times and I am sure Caneel Bay would be an excellent choice as well. Even though I have been there several times, I am also going to go there on my honeymoom next May as it is a very private, romantic spot. Food is very important to me and I can't find another spot it's equal. You will not be disappointed.

I had the same dilemma just recently on honeymoon destination for May and have decided on Anguilla-- often voted most beautiful beaches in Caribbean and great cuisine. We're staying hopefully at Cap Juluca, if they recover from Hurricaine Lenny. Check out <BR>http://www.capjuluca.com <BR> <BR>But there's other less expensive resorts on the island.