Help! I am trying to plan a trip for my husband and I for June or July. We are very open as to where we will go, but we are having trouble deciding. I went to 2 travel agents, and they gave me brochures for cruises and packages in Mexico, Costa Rica, Caribbean, Belize, and Hawaii. Anyone have a suggestion?

Sorry, I forgot to add that we are in our late 20's, have never been on a cruise, and we like to be active on our vacations (sightseeing, great food, hiking, swimming) - not really laying around on the beach - maybe for 1 day at the most. We have up to 2 weeks, and would like to spend $3000 or less. Thanks!!!!

I have been to Mexico, Caribbean, and Hawaii (20+ trips). I don't know how much you and your husband have traveled before or to what kind of places. I think Hawaii is LOVELY for a vacation because it is technically the United States (English spoken, no passport required, you probably won't get sick from the food or water, etc.). So that makes it an 'easier' and more relaxing time for many people. Maui and Kauai are both amazing islands. I also spend many vacations in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico but it takes a bit more energy and spirit of adventure to negotiate. If you want good odds for a no hassle perfect trip, I'd go with Hawaii.

Thank you for the reply...I am reading the information about Hawaii right now. It seems like Maui is the place to go (is this right?). My husband and I have traveled to London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Switzerland, Alsace region of France, Rhine and Mosel areas of Germany, Toronto, NYC (many times), and some other places on the East Coast.<BR>My husband went to Honolulu when he was 12 (his grandfather won a trip!), but we haven't really been anywhere "tropical"! <BR>Any thoughts on a cruise?

for tracy~ i posted above re hawaii. I went to Hawaii for the first time last month w/ my family (adults & adult children) to celebrate my folks 50th. We stayed in Lahaina on Maui. It was great (not cheap but) great great!! Although you've certainly traveled alot it's been in "1st world" places. As much as I love Mexico it can be a REAL challenge sometimes.<BR><BR>I'm not a fan of boats (get seasick), or organized resort-like atmosphere, or the idea of being "stuck" - so never considered a cruise for myself.<BR><BR>You could fly into Maui, rent a car, be free to see the island on your own... hike to the top of the (inactive) volcano, drive the Hana highway, see the various plantations, self-guided historic walking tour in Lahaina town, go to the Old Lahaina Luau, etc. Also plenty of formal activites for sale like snorkeling boats, sunset cruises, whale watching, helecopter tours, etc. I can't imagine you'd have anything less than a wonderful romantic vacation on Maui.

tracy,<BR><BR>Although I love cruising, I personally would not take a cruise to Hawaii. I think the time spent on the islands is too short and you do not get a true feel for Hawaii. Maui is wonderful for the first time visitor. Oahu would be a little less expensive. I know there are a lot of people who aren't Oahu fans, but I have been there 3 times and love it. There is so much to do outside of the Honolulu/Waikiki area where I think most visitors tend to confine their stay. Whichever island you go to, definitely rent a car. You did not mention where you would be flying from and if your budget included air, hotel, meals, activities, everything? If so, $3000 might be pushing it a bit for 2 weeks.

Hello! <BR><BR>I was recently struggling with the same ideas Hawaii?, Cruise? Mexico? I have done all 3 and because I need to be on more of a Budget this trip I went with Mexcio Hands Down after looking around! While Hawaii is fabulous it is sooo very expensive and $3000 won't go far. Cruising isn't my thing, too confining and not enough room for spontanity. Anyway, there are some excellent deals to Mexico, we decided on Puerto Vallarta and from everything I have heard and recently read on this site I am very excited to being going!!Check out Apple Tours if you haven't already for some great deals and Good Luck!

Thanks to everyone for the replies! To make things even more complicated, my husband said that he would like to go to Peru to see Machu Pichu<BR><BR>I got the Fodors South America book, and it seems like a wonderful place to go.<BR><BR>Any thoughts????

This is a funny post/thread (& I mean this in the kindest way)!! I think it's great you are both so open and so excited about so many different ideas. Bulletin boards are great for information exchange but can't decide what YOU would like best. The ideas you mention are light-years away from each other ~ cruise Hawaii vs. hike Machu Pichu ~ are pretty much opposite ends of the vacation spectrum. I encourage you to just keep up the research and when you and your husband narrow it down, then ask "us" again. Another bit of input is $3000 will cover some of these ideas better than others.

To the above poster:<BR><BR>I know, we don't mean to be fickle, but the world is HUGE We are excited about seeing various places, and we DO have a hard time narrowing it down! One minute something seems like a great idea, and then we read something else, and that looks good too! I know that it makes it hard to answer questions when our interests are so varied...but we really are open to almost anything. And we really aren't looking for someone to decide for us - we are just very interested in hearing the opinions of people who have "been there, done that!"<BR><BR>We are looking for a vacation that would be in a beautiful place with natural scenery and history, sightseeing, educational, somewhat adventurous. Also economical (really wanted to do the Galapagos islands, but it was too much $$$). <BR><BR>At this point, we have definitely ruled out a cruise and the Caribbean. <BR><BR>Peru is a top choice, but I am concerned about the safety. I have been doing lots of research, and have found mixed opinions. Some say that it is perfectly safe, and others say that Americans are not very welcome (putting it nicely) in S. American countries. I will keep researching, and I hope that I can continue to get the insight of experienced travelers.<BR><BR>Thanks!<BR><BR>

tracy, please don't get me wrong! i didn't mean to be insulting, in the least. i think it's GREAT you have so many interests and are open to all kinds of new places to see. you've definitely got the right spirit for travel. plus you are young... so just start making that dream list & keep making it come true with each trip.<BR><BR>my only suggestion (just knowing the way internet bulletin boards work) you might get more and better information if you post separately for the different ideas. for example your latest questions about s.america are kinda buried deep in this thread, so most people who might have opinions and answers would never even read it.<BR><BR>happy trails & long life!!!!!

Tracy,<BR>My wife and I are just about your age (30 and 29) and I would frown on the idea of a cruise, especially to the areas you are looking at. <BR>We have been on two cruises and we enjoyed the first one (an Orient Lines cruise that began with a couple nights (hotel) in Istanbul, followed by a cruise down Turkey, through the Greek Isles, Malta, and ultimately finishing with a couple nights (hotel) in Rome. That was a very active cruise. The next cruise, however, was aboard Holland America to the Caribbean and it was the biggest waste of time and money and probably the one trip that we most regret. All we did, as did the others, was EAT and be entertained. Each port of call looked essentially the same and despite having very good lodging (jr. suite with balcony) we did not really enjoy it.<BR>One place that may seem like the last place that you would ever think of going that my wife and I REALLY loved is South Africa. It is very expensive to get there, but once you are there, you will have a hard time spending more than $50 per day. It is a really beautiful country that has everything from safari expeditions to great beaches and everybody speaks English. Nice trip would probably cost $5000+ but would be unforgettable. <BR>The places that you mention are just so Americanized and if you have two full weeks, you would have plenty of time to see South Africa. If interested, I will give more info or you should go to Africa bulletin board. Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities that I have ever been and I look forward to returning soon. Best time to go would be anytime from early October to early April (their summers are opposite ours).<BR>Once there, everything is literally 1/3 the price of things in U.S. and vacation destinations that are popular with Americans, such as the many places that you mentioned.<BR>-Rocco ([email protected])