We are not travelers - not as extensively as many of you obviously are! Thanks so much for all the insights . . . I dream of traveling to so many of the places I see discussed here. I mention OUR inexperience as a plea for help: all my husband and I want to do for our 20th anniversary is lie on a quiet beach somewhere, on hammocks strung between two palm trees! And have NO ambitious plans! (Yes, I know, I got this idea from a travel poster ;-) What I want to know is whether I can make this dream happen, and affordably (say, for $1000 for the two of us)? Our vacation week is Nov. 28-Dec. 2.

Ideas, you well-travelled folk? Mexico? Key West? Florida panhandle? (Hawaii is out).

Thanks for help,

Leslie

One of my best vacations ever was spent in a hammock at Cheney Bay on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. A very simple complex of cottages on the water with a small beach, pool, waterfront restaurant and bar and other restaurant/shopping options in driving distance. If you go, be sure to take a boat trip out to Buck Island and snorkel in the underwater national park.

Well, their prices have gone up considerably since I was there - but it looks like they have upgraded the rooms and property too. The room would take all of your budget, even with 5th night free - and I don't know how much the flights would be.

Anyway, check out this link - http://www.chenaybay.com/stcroixbeach.htm

They say to email for specials. I went one year at a great savings - and that week is a possibility for deals.

Since you admit to be inexperienced travellers - have you thought of Aruba?

Easy to get to, English speaking, only need to use USD. To get around the island they have a wonderfully clean regular bus service that's used by the locals and the tourists.

For a quiet beach resort I would recommend Bucuti Beach, we stayed there last June in the Tara Suites, wehad a wondeful time, check out tripadvisor.com for reviews

Aruba! I had to look it up on a map! That's one of those places you hear mentioned, but have NO idea where it is. Essentially off the coast of VEnezuela, it looks like. The reviews at Trip Advisor are super-positive for Bucuti Beach . . . sounds like what we want - quiet, pretty. But whoa, that looks like a LOOOOONG flight from Dallas. Went to Trinidad many years ago with my college room mate, and I remember traveling for a solid 20 hours total: from Kansas City to Miami, then Miami to Trinidad with a number of stops which made that portion a 7-hour flight!

I'm off to check out Aruba, as it does sound beautiful - we can always sleep on that long flight.

Thank you so much,
Leslie

Hi lesliekaye, I have not been to Aruba but some friends went and although they are not ones to watch every penny they commented later that Aruba was very expensive once they got their. For sure I do not know, but others on Fodors no doubt would.

I don't know whether you could do it for a $1,000.00 but Puerta Vallerta on the westcoast of Mexico is sure beautiful and relaxing and your time frame would work in great with the weather there. Never saw hammocks but loungechairs on the beach at the waterside is so wonderful and there are great restaurants. If that is out of your budget do check out the Florida panhandle. Have fun making your plans. And congratulations on your forthcoming 20th anniversary.

lesliekaye,

I wouldn't call Aruba 'beautiful' we've just got back from Jamaica which really is lush and green. Aruba is a scrubby little island but then again I suppose that's the draw - they get so little rain that you're virtually guaranteed good weather.

The Bucuti is updating it's older rooms so I'd be interested to know how they'll compare to the Tara Suites. After a wonderful vacation on Aruba last year for our 22nd anniversay and my 40th (same day makes it easy for DH) it took a lot of research to find somewhere as good.

Let us know where you decide to go.

I wouldn't be considering the Panhandle in Florida in late November-December to lay in a hammock. It can be very cold then!

Unfortunately, $1000 for both of you severely limits your options, as does the date (too cold for many beaches, also high season in terms of rates).

How about south Florida, for example the Tampa Bay area? I know of a great little beach motel that has two idyllic hammocks and is on a great stretch of beach (Treasure Island).

www.beachsidepalms.com

Good luck!

Cancun would be warm, and you can probably come somewhere near your budget if you look for a good package deal. (I've done seven nights all-inclusive with airfare for $1400 a couple.)

Consider the Mexican Riviera, the area south of busy Cancun. Beutiful beaches, great food, nice people. Cheaper than the Cariribean islands.Check out locogringo.com

I assume you did mean a week (7 days) even though you only indicated 5 days (Nov 28 - Dec 2) in your post. Either way a budget of $1,000 including airfare is a bit tight but it might be doable. Check into package deals (you find them on the internet, in many Sunday newspaper Travel Section, at travel Agents and through AAA) for Cancune, Cozemel, Playa Del Carmen, Belize, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Those are the most economical destinations in the Caribbean. Since you are planning to travel after Thanksgiving and before Christmas you might find some places will charge Low Season or Shoulder Season rates during that period.

For a $1000 budget you will be limited to just a few choices.

Your best bet would be the Mexican locations and with a pkg deal including airfare.

I did this once for less and at the exact same time of year, but you would be "iffy" for the weather, if all you want is warm beach relaxation.

I did Priceline for Lido Key (Sarasota designation)4 star and got the Holiday Inn Sunspree type Resort that would make your 5 OR 7 day budget. But you would be better off going to Mexico for more assured warmth.

Try www.cheapcarribean.com. They are often recommended by Frommer's Budget Travel and have lots of packages with airfare and all-inclusives. It sounds like the Dominican Republic may fit within your budget.

Also, try www.travelzoo.com for specials.

Thanks for ALL the ideas . . . Tahiti was suggested also on another board, but it looks out of our $$$ range.

We can go up some in price if necessary. I was just hoping for $1000. But if I had to spend $1500 to get a once-in-our-lifetime trip to a quiet, secluded beach, with that all-important hammock (!) I would do it.

Keep those suggestions coming! Thanks so much - I'm off to investigate your suggestions.

Leslie

No way Aruba. Because it is so far from the US, airfare alone would be at the very least $1,000 for the two of you.

A couple of years ago I stayed at the Pines and Palms Resort in Islamorada. Perfect for what you want, your dates are off peak, and you could even throw in a boat rental for a day with that budget.

The only downfall is you would have to drive.

All accommodations are one or two bedroom cottages with livingroom, dining room, full kitchen.

http://www.pinesandpalms.com/

I hate to be the wet blanket here, but I don't think "quiet, secluded beach..hammock" and you budget fit in the same sentence. I think I've seen the travel poster you're referring to; it's taken in Bora Bora. $1000 MIGHT cover the airfare for one of you.

I wouldn't know where to start, but if quiet and secluded are most important, the only way I imagine those fit with your budget is in a privately owned residence somewhere.

I agree with the Mexico suggestion. Last year we decided we needed a relaxing vacation, and with no time to plan, we looked at applevacations.com. We ended up with a 6 apple vacation in Riveria Maya (all-inclusive for 7 nights... $1400). I bet you could find a slightly lower 'status' resort for around $1000. Plenty of sun and sand.

Yes, second Rocky suggestion. This is doable for that price in Mexico. The grad students with no extra bucks always pick this choice. And it will be warm.

Pines and Palms looks neat! This is getting me in the beach mood, too!