If it were possible to come up with some kind of objective scoring system, I think Hawaii would win by a large margin. It really is the perfect honeymoon destination (biased from personal experience). <BR> <BR>However, if you could swing it, I would spend the time in northern Italy. The Italian lakes, particularly Como, Orta and Garda as well as Lugano, are quite magical. Sounds corny, but read through the archives on them in the Euro forum and see how often that word is used. Finally had the chance to attend the wedding of a friend there last fall, and it was near surreal. So many other things to see and do in the area, Swiss/Italian Alps, Tuscany, even French Riviera and Paris if you take the train or intra-Euro flights or drive.

Congrats...We are in this stage of planning a honeymoon also, and are excited about Santorini, Greeece. While it may be pricey to get there, it should be relatively affordable once there. I can not wait and welcome anyone else's tips for making this a great trip. Enjoy this very exciting time! Suzanne

The Italian lakes region would be really amazing. I attended a wedding there last fall. This area has a really unusual, almost magical feel to it. (Check the archives from the Euro forums and see how often the term 'magical' is chosen as a descritor). The possibilities are endless: Lake Como (Bellagio, Como, etc.), Lake Lugano, Lake Orta, Tuscany nearby, even side trips to French Riviera and Paris are easily arranged.

I agree with Bermuda. Look for a smaller cottage style or inn place; not elbow beach or princess. Ie "the pink cottages" or if you must stay at a commercial place go to the Sonesta.

I second the vote for Amalfi, Italy. Incredibly romantic, you don't need a car. It is less expensive than Positano as well. Best wishes.

Lily, <BR>What an exciting fun time for you! <BR>I'd like to put in my vote for Costa Rica. Lisa made excellent recommendations on hotels. Check out Manuel Antonio area too! Lovely beaches, a great National park for walking/hiking and animal watching, very friendly people, etc. Also, you would not have to spend hours and hours on your honeymoon just trying to get somewhere!

pass on Aruba...it's just ok, and i stayed at the Hyatt Regency. it reminds me of AZ.

How exciting, Lily! <BR> <BR>You've gotten some wonderful suggestions from the other posters! <BR> <BR>To the mix, I would add Puerto Vallarta (you can search and learn more on the Latin America boards) and Florida (Destin, etc.). <BR> <BR>Best of luck on the upcoming wedding!

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Hi Lily! <BR>My vote is for St. Lucia or Costa Rica. <BR>St. Lucia IS simply beautiful and you don't have to stay on the resorts. There are plenty of cabs to take you wherever you want to go or you can hire a cab for a day and they will take you all over the island. Of course, you have all the watersports and beach. My boyfriend and I stayed at the Windjammer Landing Resort. We had a great oceanview with a balcony and sun deck. The resort is surrounded by gardens and little walkways. It's like being in nature but with all the modern amenties! There are all types of tours to take depending on how relaxed or adventurous you want to be to see the island. (You can see the entire island in 8 days easily.) The entire trip cost us about $3000 for 8 days in April and that includes everything right down to postcards to send home! <BR>While I have not been to Costa Rica, I have a friend that goes every year and she absolutely loves it and highly recommends it!

I would HIGHLY recommend the Cayman Islands. It is by far the most beautiful tropical island I've ever been to. It's pricey but you should be able to find something in your price range. We stayed at the Hyatt but Treasure Island looked good too. The island is very safe and we had no problems. Best Wishes!

Several suggestions: <BR> <BR>When we got married a couple of years ago (in May), we tried to pick the most romantic place we could find and after lots of discussion finally got married on Maui. Lovely place, great restaurants, great diving, lots to see and do - although Hawaii (Big Island) was even better, with the volcano, the huge diversity of geology and landscape, and our favourite hotel (so far) the Kona Village Resort (expensive, but we only stayed there two nights - we toured the island). Kuai is also wonderful, although there isn't so much to do. <BR> <BR>Sorrento (where we spent our first anniversay). Not quite as pretty as some parts of the Amalfi coast (which are easy to visit), but a better location. It is on a train line into Naples (stopping at both Pompeii and Herculaneum), you can catch a bus down the Amalfi coast (the naples' region is not a place you'd want to drive - they are crazy even by Italian standards), and there are regular boats to nearby capri (well worth a visit) and into Naples. Some excellent restaurants too - some of them incredibly cheap. We also visited Mount Vesuvius, and the volcanic area of Solfatara (with its sulphurous steamy blowholes), and various Roman ruins. Lots to do, and May is the perfect time to visit - good weather, but not too hot or crowded. <BR> <BR>Scicily is a good alternative. Lots of history, and volcanic activity, but a bit more relaxed. <BR> <BR>Coming from Ireland, I'd have to say, what would you want to go there on your honeymoon for!?! But, it is a great place, with lots to do, and I suppose it has a certain romance and charm to it (or is that just the people...). Best bits are Galway (a really happening small city, in a wonderful landscape), Kerry (esp. Dingle), West Cork (esp. Kinsale for its restaurants), Kilkenny with its castle, and Dublin (for a bit of culture....). Also, despite what one earlier writer said, it is less expensive than the UK (where I live now). <BR> <BR>I love the Alps, especially Switzerland, but a really interesting (and rather cheap) place to visit is Slovenia - a lot like Austria and northern Italy (both easy reachable) with a very 'Ruritanian' feel to it. Very quaint (in most parts) and romantic. <BR> <BR>Enjoy, <BR> <BR>dfx.

BERMUDA, BERMUDA, BERMUDA!!!! Been there many times including my honeymoon. By the sound of your tastes, passions and pursuits, this place is perfect for you. Incredible lush gardens, crystal blue romantic beaches, mopeding your way around the island. Oh, take me back to Bermuda!! Happy Honeymoon!

If Grand Cayman is ranked at the top of the list of Most Beautiful Tropical Islands, then where on the list do you put Maui, Kauai, Lanai, Oahu, Tahiti, Bora Bora, St. John, Grenada, Nevis, Bermuda, Martinique, Anguilla not to mention Bali, Phuket and so on (all of which are prettier)?

I'll second that Wondering!! The beauty of the Caymans is under the water, not above. The island itself is one of the least attractive of the islands we've visited. Scrub growth, not very pretty. We stayed at the Hyatt as well--its beautiful, but Grand Cayman, no.

I think I read that US citizens can now travel to Cuba? I haven't been there myself yet, but many friends have and they all tell me it is a GREAT place with extremely friendly people. <BR>Or go to Vietnam, I was there this January and it is a gem that still is relatively unspoilt. Very cheap also, so whatever you spend on the airfare you save again on extremely cheap accommodation and excellent food. <BR>Bali is always nice, too. <BR>In Europe, May is a perfect month to visit Greece or Spain. <BR>

If you want to stay stateside (where airfare will be cheaper) try The Mount Washington Hotel, in New Hampshire--beautiful turn of the century hotel with unbelievable food, unbelievable view of the mountains. Tons of activities if you want them (hiking, golf, tennis, horseback riding--i could go on) and yet you could also do nothing at all and be perfectly happy. Not sure what rates are like now, but a couple years ago when i was there they were pretty reasonable. Some friends of mine spent their honeymoon there too and said it was absolutely perfect.

If you want to stay stateside (where airfare will be cheaper) try The Mount Washington Hotel, in New Hampshire--beautiful turn of the century hotel with unbelievable food, unbelievable view of the mountains. Tons of activities if you want them (hiking, golf, tennis, horseback riding--i could go on) and yet you could also do nothing at all and be perfectly happy. Not sure what rates are like now, but a couple years ago when i was there they were pretty reasonable. Some friends of mine spent their honeymoon there too and said it was absolutely perfect.

I think two places that fit for you are two places in Italy. <BR>The Cinque Terre- Monterossa Al Mare or Vernazza are great places for swimming, walking and relaxing. <BR> <BR>The other is the beautiful Italian Vacation spot of Riva on Lago di Garda. What a great place. They have bikes, Canyoning,learn how to sail board, tour the lake, great shopping, walking at night is a treat and a wonderful history.

My two cents worth - You don't have enough money budgeted to go to the European locations, unless you stay in cheap, not very nice places and budget very little for food. I think a honeymoon should be all out fabulous. I would go along with a previous poster who suggested Charleston. We added Savannah, & Jekyll Island Georgia to our honeymoon in Charleston. Stayed at a wonderful B&B in Savannah, Best Hotel in Charleston and great resort in Jekyll Island. We ate at excellent restaurants every nigth. We used frequent flyer miles to get there, but the whole absolutely 1st class trip was certainly under $3000. It was a perfect mix of beach (Jekyll Island), Charm (Savannah) and history (all three places). There are beautiful gardens to vistit, relaxing beaches, lots of historical tours. You could drive it easily from North Carolina and save the transportation costs. Good luck, and let us all know what you decide.