best anniversary vacation
Oct 9th, 2006, 10:01 PM
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best anniversary vacation
We are having our 21st anniversary the end of April. It's been years since we have done anything special.....I'm ready for something very special. With 2 boys in college, we won't want to go overboard financially, but are willing to spend a reasonable amount of $$ for it. Can't decide what it should be. I am feeling like a tropical beach sounds very inviting. We've always done trips with either extended family, or our children, so this will be a first since our DisneyWorld honeymoon a long time ago. We did Maui, and I wasn't extremely impressed. We did Mazatlan about 18 years ago and loved it. But I am wanting something just "dripping" with romance and ambience. Any suggestions??
Oct 10th, 2006, 04:56 AM
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While not a tropical beach, I think staying at a very special place in Savannah or San Francisco in April would be very romantic.
Beachwise, I love Anquilla. But that may be a bit pricey these days.
Beachwise, I love Anquilla. But that may be a bit pricey these days.
Oct 10th, 2006, 05:59 AM
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You don't mention budget or length of time. Since you are posting on US board, I assume you want to stay stateside? My first choice for romance would be Paris hands down, but it does require a bigger budget than places in the USa just becasuse of flight prices,etc. Might be worth looking into if you have a week to spare. My second choice would be San Francisco with a trip to the wine country. San Fran is a wonderful place and could be done if you only have 4 or 5 nights.
Oct 10th, 2006, 06:16 AM
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Friends just returned from Fiji...their photos are dripping with romance, secluded beaches, private dinners on the deck of their secluded hut, all the amenities but all the beauty -
but, are you flying from east coast or west and what kind of time do you have?
I love the Napa idea, not a beach, but there are lodging options there that drip with romance -
but, are you flying from east coast or west and what kind of time do you have?
I love the Napa idea, not a beach, but there are lodging options there that drip with romance -
Oct 10th, 2006, 07:01 AM
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I'm a huge fan of St John in the US Virgin Islands. The end of April is a good time to go because that's when the high-season rates drop (a lot). A private villa with a beautiful view of the Caribbean would be very romantic - especially if it had a pool and hot tub.
Oct 10th, 2006, 07:23 AM
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Here is a good web site to start a consideration of Caribbean islands. There is good overview info with nice links for more. As stated before, the end of April is low season in the Caribbean, so you should be able to get some nice deals. My personal favorite....April in Paris! Its not a beach....but wow!
www.wheretostay.com/
www.wheretostay.com/
Oct 10th, 2006, 12:01 PM
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Sorry about not being more specific. We are in Idaho, so we would be coming from the West. We have about $800 in free Delta vouchers, so flying Delta would help out the budget. I'd like to keep it under $3000, but maybe that's wishful thinking! We would have 1 week's time. For you that mentioned Paris, I'm curious what there is to do besides museums. We have been there, but were with all of my family, so romance wasn't the priority. Thanks for all of your reply's. I at least have a starting point!
Oct 10th, 2006, 12:14 PM
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btw, staying statside isn't necessarily our only option. Anything, even a great cruise is an option if it comes HIGHLY recommended, and fits within the budget. We both work hard and as you can see, I have 5 children that keep me running constantly...not to mention running 2 businesses on the side, so high adventure and busy"ness" isn't what we're looking for. We want rest and relaxation!!!
Oct 10th, 2006, 12:54 PM
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If it fits in the budget, I think this might fit the bill: http://hotelkiaora.com/index.php?file=articles&cat=1.
Or, downscale it a bit to this: http://tinyurl.com/govl3.
Either way, you'll be hard pressed to find a more exotic place "dripping" with romance than the islands of French Polynesia.
Or, downscale it a bit to this: http://tinyurl.com/govl3.
Either way, you'll be hard pressed to find a more exotic place "dripping" with romance than the islands of French Polynesia.
Oct 10th, 2006, 01:09 PM
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I agree with the above poster regarding French Polynesia. We did not stay in the overwater bungalows but visited them while in Bora Bora and Moorea and they are wonderful. So romantic! Check out: http://www.overwater-bungalows.com/
Oct 10th, 2006, 01:17 PM
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We vacationed in the British Virgin Islands. They are unspoiled, safe and gorgeous. You can use Delta to fly to St Thomas, then take the ferry to Tortola or Virgin Gorda. You can do little day trips to other islands- a ferry to Jost Van Dyke, etc. While I love CA, we've been to Napa/Sonoma in April 3 times and it can be very cool and last year it rained every single day. There is no foliage on the vines, kind of stark. Nice as far as low tourism, though.
Oct 10th, 2006, 02:48 PM
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Twinmom, Here's what we did on our anniversary trip to Paris:
When we celebrated 30 years of marriage I got the surprise of my life. He whisked me off to Paris for an unbelievable week. I had no idea where we were headed; only that we were going on a trip, the weather would be approximately 50 degree and we'd be doing a lot of walking. I made quite the scene in the airport - crying, laughing, and hugging strangers while standing in line. It wasn't until we arrived at the airport and he handed me a gift box containing the Fodor's guide to Paris that my dream came true - my very first trip to Paris. For an amateur travel planner, he did a great job. I may let him keep this position permanently. He chose a small hotel in the Latin Quarter (only two people in the elevator at once), we ate in the most romantic little local restaurants every night and we walked our legs off.
Arriving late on Sunday evening, the drive into the city gave us glorious nighttime views of the Arche de Triumphe and the Eiffel Tower. (I cried again.) We dined in a local brasserie on omelets and hot chocolate before turning in for the night exhausted from jet lag. Our Left Bank hotel, Jardin du Luxembourg, was located on a quiet side street just one block from the Luxembourg Gardens on the border of the 5th & 6th Arrondissements. Although the room was tiny we had plenty of space, a wonderful, deep soaking tub, a beautiful iron bed with down comforter and pillows and our own little balcony complete with topiary.
Up early on Monday we walked to Notre-Dame. The entrance facade was draped in plastic for restoration, but the interior is nothing short of amazing. It was hard to imagine touching stones that were laid in 1163 or to think that Napoleon was crowned emperor in the very same spot where we stood. There were no crowds (this being the off season) so we were able to set our own pace. After Notre-Dame, we walked the Ile St.-Louis just gawking up at the architecture and down at the cobblestone streets. Then we bought chicken and Gruyere paninnis and apple tarts to take along on a cruise of the Seine. An afternoon rain hurried us back to the hotel for naps before dinner at a charming country French restaurant, ChantAirelle, near the Pantheon. It was the most romantic dinner I've ever had for an anniversary. We were in heaven eating puff pastry boxes filled with wild mushrooms, lamb with foi gras and pear tart for dessert. Being November, the Beaujolais Nouveaus had just arrived and we enjoyed a bottle almost every night. We found all of our delightful dining establishments from a great book called Cheap Eats Paris by Sandra Gustafson. It’s a real winner. Meals including wine, appetizer, entrée, and dessert were gastronomic celebrations at much more diminutive prices than I ever thought possible in Paris.
On Tuesday we got our museum passes and started with a tour of the Musee d'Orsay. Here we saw Whistler's Mother, the Degas dancers (both on canvas and in clay), works by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, vanGogh, Cézanne, Gauguin, Vuillard, Rodin, Matisse and wonderful art deco period rooms and furniture. I must admit that I was very impressed with the building itself, however. It took a true artist to turn the former train station into the current showcase. What started out to be a quick look, turned into an entire day and we were finally hustled out the door at closing by museum guards. We strolled through the cobblestone streets of St.-Germain looking in shops decked for Christmas. There were wonderful doll shops, and florists selling little boxes made from preserved rose leaves filled with preserved rose buds that they said would last for years. Our destination was Le Petite Troquet; a tiny little restaurant down a side alley in the 7th Arrondissement. Here we were delighted with puff pastry filled with melted gruyere cheese and salad, followed by a fish in reduction wine sauce and the best crème caramel in the world. The cute couple that owns and operates the establishment do everything unaided. She takes reservations, greets and seats, waits tables and delivers the fare as well as portraying a fine sommelier. He, of course, is the wonderful chef, but will emerge from the kitchen to help hang coats or clear the occasional table when needed. They were the epitome of charming. After leaving this bastion of French charm, we wandered into the night in search of our metro stop to home. All of a sudden we rounded a street corner and there was the Eiffel Tower in all its nighttime glory. Literally three blocks away it had been completely obscured. I think it was that "forest for the trees" thing going on. So we capped off a perfect day with a ride to the top to see all of Paris glimmering below us.
The next morning we were up early to take the train to Versailles. It is late enough in the season that the fountains have been turned off and the flower gardens are bare, but with the absence of summer crowds we were able to see the palace at a leisurely pace. Although the French government has spent more than $19 million on restoration of the palace and "Friends of Versailles" (many of whom are Americans) have spent millions on the gardens there is still much disrepair and shabbiness about. I was greatly dismayed to see graffiti etched in the famed mirrors of the "Hall of Mirrors". After a lunch of rabbit stew, French bread, tarts and cafe au lait, we visited the Petit Trianon and the Grand Trianon, two "small" palaces also on the grounds. The Petit Trianon was built by Louis XVI as a gift to Marie-Antoinette. She, in turn, spent a fortune creating the Hameau - a hamlet of 3/4 sized thatched-roof cottages, a watermill, a lake and rose arbors and gardens to remind her of her Austrian country home. We slept all the way back to Paris on the train and returned to Chantairelle for diner because it was an easy walk from the hotel and guaranteed delicious.
I wasn't sure I had another day left in my tired feet, but who could resist spending Thanksgiving at the Louvre? Its amazing how quickly fatigue fades when the mind is occupied with the likes of Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, the French crown jewels, Napoleon's apartments, or The Winged Victory. It’s also easy to overlook the building itself while eyeing all the treasures housed within. The Louvre was once a palace and on the ceilings everywhere are frescos from the 1600s more beautiful than any at Versailles. Again, we stayed until the doors locked and only saw a fraction of the collection - not surprising with over 400,000 pieces housed here. Tired feet weren't up for much walking, even for food, so we dined at La Bastide Odeon just four blocks from our hotel. The waiter couldn't have been friendlier - contrary to stories of the snooty French and their rudeness to Americans. When we asked about a non-smoking section (an unheard of practice in France) he vowed to seat all the smokers upstairs "if possible". Well, with his sincere effort we dined smoke-free that night - a real treat.
Friday was our final day and we decided to wander the streets. We saw the church of St. Chapelle, built in 1248 to house Louis IX's holy relics - the Crown of Thorns, two pieces of the True Cross, a nail from the Cross, the Roman soldier's lance that pierced Christ's side and several drops of Christ's blood. Today, only the Crown of Thorns remains and it is housed at Notre-Dame. There are 1500 sq. yds. of stained glass windows depicting the entire Bible in 1134 scenes. They say it takes two weeks of sun up to sun down reading with a good pair of binoculars to follow the whole stained glass text. Everywhere there is restoration going on - refreshing attitude compared to the demolition mentality in the U.S. The base of St. Chapelle was swathed in tents occupied by stonemasons. They were using ancient tools and methods to reproduce and repair gargoyles and buttresses. However, they were blasting The Rolling Stones on their radio, which ruined some of the gothic illusion. We visited the cathedral of St.-Germain-des-Pres, first built in AD 452 and later rebuilt in 1163 and wandered through picture perfect side streets and markets. We dined on duck cassoulet for lunch and ended the day shopping for souvenirs at La Samaritaine with a warm cup of hot chocolate in their rooftop restaurant to watch the sun set over the Seine. A walk home, a little rest and then our last dinner in Paris. This time we dined at Le Grenier, a vegetarian restaurant just across the river from Notre-Dame - a spectacular sight at night. The French can make even tofu taste divine as proven by my husband's lasagna. Of course, a great bottle of wine helps anything. We realized early in the trip that even the least expensive "house" wines in Paris are FRENCH! – both delicious and cheap. Then it was a walk under the full moon home to pack and try to sleep; all the while wishing we had another week...or month, to continue.
I have to say this was pretty darned romantic. However, I spent several weeks in French Polynesia last year for my anniversary (Paris was 4 years ago) and I'm sorry to say that I wasn't as impressed as others with the resorts and especially the over-water bungalows. They cost a fortune and when its all said and done, its just a place to stay. We chartered a 43FT sailboat and sailed from island to island. It was amazing. The water is an unbelievable color, we swam with wild dolphins, we spent long days on deserted islands -- so much more than sitting in one resort. Not only were we looking out at the water, we were looking back at the islands. Sailing was the best "OTW" accomodations imaginable -- and a whole lot cheaper.
Have you ever been to Provence? We did two weeks traveling around there and stayed in B&Bs that were the most romantic I've ever seen. Take a look.
http://www.labeaume.com/page1anglais.html
http://eveche.free.fr/uk_index.htm
http://avignon-et-provence.com/bb/vi.../gb/index.html
When we celebrated 30 years of marriage I got the surprise of my life. He whisked me off to Paris for an unbelievable week. I had no idea where we were headed; only that we were going on a trip, the weather would be approximately 50 degree and we'd be doing a lot of walking. I made quite the scene in the airport - crying, laughing, and hugging strangers while standing in line. It wasn't until we arrived at the airport and he handed me a gift box containing the Fodor's guide to Paris that my dream came true - my very first trip to Paris. For an amateur travel planner, he did a great job. I may let him keep this position permanently. He chose a small hotel in the Latin Quarter (only two people in the elevator at once), we ate in the most romantic little local restaurants every night and we walked our legs off.
Arriving late on Sunday evening, the drive into the city gave us glorious nighttime views of the Arche de Triumphe and the Eiffel Tower. (I cried again.) We dined in a local brasserie on omelets and hot chocolate before turning in for the night exhausted from jet lag. Our Left Bank hotel, Jardin du Luxembourg, was located on a quiet side street just one block from the Luxembourg Gardens on the border of the 5th & 6th Arrondissements. Although the room was tiny we had plenty of space, a wonderful, deep soaking tub, a beautiful iron bed with down comforter and pillows and our own little balcony complete with topiary.
Up early on Monday we walked to Notre-Dame. The entrance facade was draped in plastic for restoration, but the interior is nothing short of amazing. It was hard to imagine touching stones that were laid in 1163 or to think that Napoleon was crowned emperor in the very same spot where we stood. There were no crowds (this being the off season) so we were able to set our own pace. After Notre-Dame, we walked the Ile St.-Louis just gawking up at the architecture and down at the cobblestone streets. Then we bought chicken and Gruyere paninnis and apple tarts to take along on a cruise of the Seine. An afternoon rain hurried us back to the hotel for naps before dinner at a charming country French restaurant, ChantAirelle, near the Pantheon. It was the most romantic dinner I've ever had for an anniversary. We were in heaven eating puff pastry boxes filled with wild mushrooms, lamb with foi gras and pear tart for dessert. Being November, the Beaujolais Nouveaus had just arrived and we enjoyed a bottle almost every night. We found all of our delightful dining establishments from a great book called Cheap Eats Paris by Sandra Gustafson. It’s a real winner. Meals including wine, appetizer, entrée, and dessert were gastronomic celebrations at much more diminutive prices than I ever thought possible in Paris.
On Tuesday we got our museum passes and started with a tour of the Musee d'Orsay. Here we saw Whistler's Mother, the Degas dancers (both on canvas and in clay), works by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, vanGogh, Cézanne, Gauguin, Vuillard, Rodin, Matisse and wonderful art deco period rooms and furniture. I must admit that I was very impressed with the building itself, however. It took a true artist to turn the former train station into the current showcase. What started out to be a quick look, turned into an entire day and we were finally hustled out the door at closing by museum guards. We strolled through the cobblestone streets of St.-Germain looking in shops decked for Christmas. There were wonderful doll shops, and florists selling little boxes made from preserved rose leaves filled with preserved rose buds that they said would last for years. Our destination was Le Petite Troquet; a tiny little restaurant down a side alley in the 7th Arrondissement. Here we were delighted with puff pastry filled with melted gruyere cheese and salad, followed by a fish in reduction wine sauce and the best crème caramel in the world. The cute couple that owns and operates the establishment do everything unaided. She takes reservations, greets and seats, waits tables and delivers the fare as well as portraying a fine sommelier. He, of course, is the wonderful chef, but will emerge from the kitchen to help hang coats or clear the occasional table when needed. They were the epitome of charming. After leaving this bastion of French charm, we wandered into the night in search of our metro stop to home. All of a sudden we rounded a street corner and there was the Eiffel Tower in all its nighttime glory. Literally three blocks away it had been completely obscured. I think it was that "forest for the trees" thing going on. So we capped off a perfect day with a ride to the top to see all of Paris glimmering below us.
The next morning we were up early to take the train to Versailles. It is late enough in the season that the fountains have been turned off and the flower gardens are bare, but with the absence of summer crowds we were able to see the palace at a leisurely pace. Although the French government has spent more than $19 million on restoration of the palace and "Friends of Versailles" (many of whom are Americans) have spent millions on the gardens there is still much disrepair and shabbiness about. I was greatly dismayed to see graffiti etched in the famed mirrors of the "Hall of Mirrors". After a lunch of rabbit stew, French bread, tarts and cafe au lait, we visited the Petit Trianon and the Grand Trianon, two "small" palaces also on the grounds. The Petit Trianon was built by Louis XVI as a gift to Marie-Antoinette. She, in turn, spent a fortune creating the Hameau - a hamlet of 3/4 sized thatched-roof cottages, a watermill, a lake and rose arbors and gardens to remind her of her Austrian country home. We slept all the way back to Paris on the train and returned to Chantairelle for diner because it was an easy walk from the hotel and guaranteed delicious.
I wasn't sure I had another day left in my tired feet, but who could resist spending Thanksgiving at the Louvre? Its amazing how quickly fatigue fades when the mind is occupied with the likes of Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, the French crown jewels, Napoleon's apartments, or The Winged Victory. It’s also easy to overlook the building itself while eyeing all the treasures housed within. The Louvre was once a palace and on the ceilings everywhere are frescos from the 1600s more beautiful than any at Versailles. Again, we stayed until the doors locked and only saw a fraction of the collection - not surprising with over 400,000 pieces housed here. Tired feet weren't up for much walking, even for food, so we dined at La Bastide Odeon just four blocks from our hotel. The waiter couldn't have been friendlier - contrary to stories of the snooty French and their rudeness to Americans. When we asked about a non-smoking section (an unheard of practice in France) he vowed to seat all the smokers upstairs "if possible". Well, with his sincere effort we dined smoke-free that night - a real treat.
Friday was our final day and we decided to wander the streets. We saw the church of St. Chapelle, built in 1248 to house Louis IX's holy relics - the Crown of Thorns, two pieces of the True Cross, a nail from the Cross, the Roman soldier's lance that pierced Christ's side and several drops of Christ's blood. Today, only the Crown of Thorns remains and it is housed at Notre-Dame. There are 1500 sq. yds. of stained glass windows depicting the entire Bible in 1134 scenes. They say it takes two weeks of sun up to sun down reading with a good pair of binoculars to follow the whole stained glass text. Everywhere there is restoration going on - refreshing attitude compared to the demolition mentality in the U.S. The base of St. Chapelle was swathed in tents occupied by stonemasons. They were using ancient tools and methods to reproduce and repair gargoyles and buttresses. However, they were blasting The Rolling Stones on their radio, which ruined some of the gothic illusion. We visited the cathedral of St.-Germain-des-Pres, first built in AD 452 and later rebuilt in 1163 and wandered through picture perfect side streets and markets. We dined on duck cassoulet for lunch and ended the day shopping for souvenirs at La Samaritaine with a warm cup of hot chocolate in their rooftop restaurant to watch the sun set over the Seine. A walk home, a little rest and then our last dinner in Paris. This time we dined at Le Grenier, a vegetarian restaurant just across the river from Notre-Dame - a spectacular sight at night. The French can make even tofu taste divine as proven by my husband's lasagna. Of course, a great bottle of wine helps anything. We realized early in the trip that even the least expensive "house" wines in Paris are FRENCH! – both delicious and cheap. Then it was a walk under the full moon home to pack and try to sleep; all the while wishing we had another week...or month, to continue.
I have to say this was pretty darned romantic. However, I spent several weeks in French Polynesia last year for my anniversary (Paris was 4 years ago) and I'm sorry to say that I wasn't as impressed as others with the resorts and especially the over-water bungalows. They cost a fortune and when its all said and done, its just a place to stay. We chartered a 43FT sailboat and sailed from island to island. It was amazing. The water is an unbelievable color, we swam with wild dolphins, we spent long days on deserted islands -- so much more than sitting in one resort. Not only were we looking out at the water, we were looking back at the islands. Sailing was the best "OTW" accomodations imaginable -- and a whole lot cheaper.
Have you ever been to Provence? We did two weeks traveling around there and stayed in B&Bs that were the most romantic I've ever seen. Take a look.
http://www.labeaume.com/page1anglais.html
http://eveche.free.fr/uk_index.htm
http://avignon-et-provence.com/bb/vi.../gb/index.html
Oct 10th, 2006, 03:40 PM
#16
My suggestion: NORTH shore of Kauai. Like you, I wasn't all that impressed by Maui and had written off Hawaii until I started investigating Kauai. Got back a little over a week ago and all I can say is "wow". That place is the definition of romance and paradise. I'm trying to finish up my trip report this week..... If only I didn't have to work! We stayed here (www.kauaivilla.com) and loved it. For pics of the isle and the lodging, check out Makai1's great photos: http://pic1.funtigo.com/makai/?b=270...tart&c=3927213
Another suggestion would St. Thomas with a condo directly on a beach.
Another suggestion would St. Thomas with a condo directly on a beach.
Oct 10th, 2006, 04:20 PM
#17
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I agree with cd and beachbum that Tahiti is the place for you..Moorea is stunning with natural beauty and nothing like it in the world..love that you wear plumerias in your hair and with your sarong and a cocktail on the beach with the water so clear and blue..jumping off your overwater bungalow to go snorkeling when you want and the smells of all the flora and fauna are priceless..
LAX to Tahiti is about 7.5 hour flight and there are some really good deals on Air Tahiti Nui..someone mentioned Fiji and it is gorgeous but I have to warn you that there are sea snakes all over that island and they swim during the day and come up on land at night and they are called 3 strokers by the locals because that is how long you will live..just my 2 cents on Fiji..
I wish you a lovely time wherever you choose and let us know what you have decided..
www.airtahitinui.com
LAX to Tahiti is about 7.5 hour flight and there are some really good deals on Air Tahiti Nui..someone mentioned Fiji and it is gorgeous but I have to warn you that there are sea snakes all over that island and they swim during the day and come up on land at night and they are called 3 strokers by the locals because that is how long you will live..just my 2 cents on Fiji..
I wish you a lovely time wherever you choose and let us know what you have decided..
www.airtahitinui.com
Oct 10th, 2006, 04:24 PM
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My first, immediate thought was Paris, too. It is such a romantic city. But being that Paris is not beach side, I suggest a Caribbean cruise. My husband and I have done several of these and they can be as relaxing or as busy as you want. You don't have to think of anything. The beaches are beautiful. We did Princess both times and have been to St. Thomas, St. John, St. Maarten (my fav), Martinique, and the Bahamas. The water is beautiful and warm. It is very romantic. You could dine alone and get couples massages. I imagine the French Polynesia would be lovely but pricey.
Kauai is beautiful, too. We spent our 10th there. It is very tropical and romantic. It is slower paced and lends itself to alone time.
Kauai is beautiful, too. We spent our 10th there. It is very tropical and romantic. It is slower paced and lends itself to alone time.
Oct 10th, 2006, 05:20 PM
#19
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You are all SOOOOO helpful! I'm having a hard time not sharing all of this with my husband. He just started an executive MBA program this fall (along with working full time), and this will fall right during a break. He will certainly be excited about a well-deserved get away!
TC- your trip to Paris sounded incredible! I did Norway, Prague, Switzerland, and Austria on a 9 day trip with my parents and siblings in June (husband couldn't make it) It was incredible too, but I did come home exhausted, and that's not the goal for this trip, but thank you so much!
dcd- I'm seriously thinking about Kauai...I'm thinking "he" would really enjoy it. Your pics were great! I do appreciate the warning about the snakes, because I was looking into Fiji as well. That would "seriously" stress both of us out! Laurenzo- just wondering about the Princess cruises you have done. Did you like one ship better than another?? I do LOVE the music of a steel drum band. For some reason that sound and "paradise" seems synomonymis with each other. The caribbean is pulling on me....I'm still trying to decide!
TC- your trip to Paris sounded incredible! I did Norway, Prague, Switzerland, and Austria on a 9 day trip with my parents and siblings in June (husband couldn't make it) It was incredible too, but I did come home exhausted, and that's not the goal for this trip, but thank you so much!
dcd- I'm seriously thinking about Kauai...I'm thinking "he" would really enjoy it. Your pics were great! I do appreciate the warning about the snakes, because I was looking into Fiji as well. That would "seriously" stress both of us out! Laurenzo- just wondering about the Princess cruises you have done. Did you like one ship better than another?? I do LOVE the music of a steel drum band. For some reason that sound and "paradise" seems synomonymis with each other. The caribbean is pulling on me....I'm still trying to decide!
Oct 12th, 2006, 01:25 PM
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If you are considering Hawaii, take a look at Kona Village on the BI. I am partial to this resort because that is where I got married.
They have a terrific rule banning the use of cell phones in public. This has to be the most relaxing vacation that I had ever been to. There is really terrific snorkeling with abundant fish and sea turtles. In fact, the creator of Finding Nemo was inspired to include turtles in his movie after his stay at the Kona Village.
Kona Village is pricey. Our room cost about $760/nt, but that price includes 3 meals per day and a refrigerator stocked with sodas every day. Considering how expensive meals and soft drinks are in Hawaii, I thought this place was good for the money. The Four Seasons is next to Kona Village and charges about $750 for a room without including meals.
Another wildly romantic vacation that I have taken is the Amalfi Coast. We stayed at the Posa Posa in Positano for five nights, and it was paradise. Positano has to be one of the most romantic places in world, with pretty pastel Moorish style homes cascading perilously down the side of a mountain to the water. The drive to Positano is heart-stopping and gorgeous. No need to pull over to a scenic lookout when you can see the Mediterranean 300 below you from the passenger window. Positano is a great place to base yourself to visit Amalfi, Ravello, Capri, Ischi, Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples, and Paestum. With all those sites nearby, you will not be bored..
They have a terrific rule banning the use of cell phones in public. This has to be the most relaxing vacation that I had ever been to. There is really terrific snorkeling with abundant fish and sea turtles. In fact, the creator of Finding Nemo was inspired to include turtles in his movie after his stay at the Kona Village.
Kona Village is pricey. Our room cost about $760/nt, but that price includes 3 meals per day and a refrigerator stocked with sodas every day. Considering how expensive meals and soft drinks are in Hawaii, I thought this place was good for the money. The Four Seasons is next to Kona Village and charges about $750 for a room without including meals.
Another wildly romantic vacation that I have taken is the Amalfi Coast. We stayed at the Posa Posa in Positano for five nights, and it was paradise. Positano has to be one of the most romantic places in world, with pretty pastel Moorish style homes cascading perilously down the side of a mountain to the water. The drive to Positano is heart-stopping and gorgeous. No need to pull over to a scenic lookout when you can see the Mediterranean 300 below you from the passenger window. Positano is a great place to base yourself to visit Amalfi, Ravello, Capri, Ischi, Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples, and Paestum. With all those sites nearby, you will not be bored..
