Planning a Surprise-Help
 

I'm trying to find a place to surprise and celebrate special occasions with wife. Our birthdays and our anniversary falls within 3 days of one another. We live a rush life and I thought a nice little vacation would be just perfect. <BR><BR>We live in the midwest so looking for a quick flight. I don't have lots of money to spend as we just bought a home. Is it possible to have a nice vacation for 1500-3000 bucks, including airfare? 4-5 day trip<BR><BR>Pretty sand, blue water.<BR>Quiet- romantic<BR>Decent food, doesn't have to be gourmet<BR>Don't require any night life. <BR>We tend to be loners so we don't need to be surrounded by activity planners or constant attention by staff. <BR><BR>I hope my wish list doesn't seem impossible. I have read so many great post and they all sound wonderful but some resrots are way expensive. Am I out of luck here?<BR>

There are charters from O'Hare to Cancun. You can stay in the Mayan Riviera, about an hour south and find great secluded beachfront hotels that would fit easily within your budget.

US Air has a special fare of 355.00 round trip to St. Lucia.<BR>Dosn't get any cheaper than that!<BR>Stay at Anse Chastanet and its a sure thing that you will get and stay lucky for at least the next 6 months!

Try the Sonesta in Anguilla,great place and heard they are running a $125 a night special

provo, tci

there are lots of deep discounts out there with a little surfing or you could, if you aren't good at that, talk to a travel agent. Depending on the dates you want to go, you can even explore www.luxurylink.com and see if anything fits but doesn't include air. Go to the airline websites too. Some great package deals out there and the destination would depend on what type of nice little vacation you want. For quiet you might head to Anguilla one of my top favorites and there are bargains to be found. But be aware that many places are closed in Sept/Oct due to hurricane season.

Try the Riu chain of resorts.

For gorgeous beaches see Tiamo Resort, South Andros, Bahamas--or Hix Island House, Vieques Puerto Rico. All quiet and not expensive. More info on Where2Stay.com or using Google just type out resort and island.

We subscribe to Caribbean Travel & Life and they recommend Hotel Las Palapas in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (30 miles south of Cancun in quieter area). See website at laspalapas.com. Very reasonable rates.

Looking for a short flight on a budget, with pretty water and beaches? You are not out of luck. Check out the Mayan Riviera (just north of Cancun). From O'Hare it's about a 3 to 3-1/2 hour flight. You can get a great bang for your buck there, especially if you get a package deal. Call a travel agent and ask about Apple Vacations. Great rates. They fly out of many US cities.<BR><BR>You may want to consider an all-inclusive, especially in Mexico where people have been known to become sick eating or drinking off the resort. My recommendations are any of the RIU resorts, Royal Hideaway Resort and Spa, or the Gala Resort Playacar. All are wonderful resorts, should be in your price range (for both!) and I believe they are all-inclusive.

Sorry, it's (Playa del Carmen, Mayan Riviera) is south of Cancun, not north, just like Barbara said.

Wow, thanks for all the tips. I'm going to start the ball rolling now. I just would be lost without these great post and ideas. My wife will be so thrilled and happy to get away.

We have been to Antigua twice both times in the month of December and had a great time and the weather was perfect. While there we visited the Allegro Pineapple Beach Club (all-inclusive) and it was situated on a beautiful beach. Don't know what month you're going but you might check rates, may be fine for a short stay. It was very quiet when we were there. There's some comments on Pineapplie if you go to the post I saw today on advice for Antigua. Also, American Airlines and Continental Airlines have packages. For American it's aavacations.com or Continental Airlines Vacations. Good luck!

If you go to the travel author website: frommers.com you will get a list of moderately priced hotels under caribbean destination puerto rico. The Copamarina Hotel sounds very nice especially if you like eco-trips and is very reasonable. Summer would not be a good time to go to Puerto Rico if that's the plan.

turks & caicos - not much to do except enjoy the beautiful beaches. we had a wonderful time there last year

Check out www.applevacations.com They have many discounted fares...especially if you want to wait until the last minute to book.

bdayguy, I know you have already gotten replies and everyone has their own opinion but from your description of what you are looking for I think Jamaica Inn would be perfect for you.<BR>http://www.jamaicainn.com/<BR><BR>I have not been to the resort but in doing research for a surprise trip for my mother's birthday, this resort was one of my choices. The only reason I didn't choose it was b/c (and I am embarrassed to say) they don't have tv in the rooms. I just wanted there to be a tv just in case it rained and/or my mother was bored or something.<BR>Anyway....<BR>Their prices are really reasonable and they are offering specials at this time.<BR>Also, for good deals check out<BR>Luxury Link http://www.luxurylink.com/ They are also having deals to this resort. <BR>I would suggest doing the pricing for 3 options <BR>1. booking everything yourself directly with resort and airline<BR>2. travel agent<BR>3. through Luxury Link<BR>and see which one comes out being the least expensive and includes the most perks.<BR><BR><BR>Do a search on this forum for Jamaica Inn and you will see what others had to say.<BR><BR>Let us know what you choose.

Take her to Caneel Bay resort or rent a<BR>villa on St. John. Very lovely and<BR>romantic island. Have travelled to<BR>them all. St. John is the most beautiful, lush and cleanest. People<BR>are great. You have it all on St. John. No, I'm not a travel agent. Just<BR>a traveller.<BR>Gorgeous island.